Siamese Dream

This album has absolutely everything that I love. The layered, distorted guitars present in so many songs have woven themselves into my ears. The drum parts are overflowing with passion and energy, they force you to move along with the music. The lyrics are melancholic and dreamy, filled with anger and heartbreak and hope and compassion. The flow of the album is perfect, the energy rises and falls so naturally. I cannot sing the praises of this album enough, and it has taken me a long time to truly appreciate its greatness.

This album predates me by about a decade. Growing up, I heard tracks like Today and Disarm on the radio, and I enjoyed them, but I never really looked any closer. During my freshman year of college, I stumbled across a short list of songs recommended by a creator I followed. On that list was Mayonaise from this album. Funny name and I was familiar with the band, so I listened then and there. I don't think my life has been the same. This song spoke to me on such a deep level, I made listening to the album a top priority, and I was well rewarded.

Now, listening to this album is cathartic for me. I unwind into every song, absorbing each emotion as it comes. Siamese Dream breaks down your heart and lets you make sense of the pieces. Remove the unnecessary bits, put the special pieces somewhere safe, and when you put it back together you can carry on with some semblance of hope. Enjoy the music, too. Listen to the roaring guitar solos, the tasty drum fills, the sweet baselines, and try not to dwell on the sense of impending doom. Let it consume you. It's a whirlwind, and I love every second of it. Do yourself the favor of letting it break you and enjoy fumbling with the pieces.