The Smashing Pumpkins – Pisces Iscariot (2xLP)

The Smashing Pumpkins' Pisces Iscariot first appeared in 1994, between Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and it still plays like more than a stopgap. Drawn from B-sides, EP tracks, covers and other rarities recorded across 1989 to 1994, it shows how much strong material Billy Corgan and company had in reserve during their early run. That matters here: this is one of those alternative-rock side roads that genuinely deepens the picture of a band's classic period.

What makes Pisces Iscariot endure is the range inside that loose brief. The set moves from the acoustic hush of "Obscured" to the long, guitar-led sweep of "Starla", while also making room for distinctive covers of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" and the Animals' "A Girl Named Sandoz". Even as a compilation, it highlights the balance that made the early Pumpkins so compelling: heavy riffing, fragile melodies and a taste for songs that could sprawl without losing focus.

This 2026 remastered 2xLP edition restores the original artwork and brings the album back on vinyl in a form that suits its cult status. For anyone who knows the studio albums well, Pisces Iscariot is a useful reminder that the Smashing Pumpkins' catalogue was never defined only by the main releases; some of their most revealing work lived in the margins.

Features

• 2xLP, 33RPM, 180g, Black Vinyl
• 2026 remaster
• Restored original artwork

Reviews

• the quality of these early leftovers were often just as strong as the songs that were officially released. - AllMusic.com
• The reissue of the Smashing Pumpkins' 1994 odd-and-ends collection showcases his ability to write colossal electric odysseys and wispy love songs. - Pitchfork