Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces Iscariot

Originally released in 1994, Pisces Iscariot is far more than a simple compilation of B-sides, covers, and outtakes—it’s a snapshot of the Smashing Pumpkins at their creative peak, offering an alternate view of the band’s early ’90s output. As Billy Corgan described it, this is “a collection of odds and orphans from the dusky realms of Pumpkinland,” but in typical Pumpkins fashion, the so-called leftovers proved every bit as compelling as their mainline releases.

The album features fan-favorite deep cuts like “Frail and Bedazzled” and “Hello Kitty Kat,” the swirling dream-pop shimmer of “Starla,” and their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” which became a surprise hit and introduced the Pumpkins to a wider audience. Across its tracks, Pisces Iscariot captures both the raw, heavy edges of their sound and the quieter, more intimate textures that would continue to shape their career.

What was initially intended as a stopgap release between major albums quickly became a success in its own right, going platinum and cementing itself as a beloved entry in the Pumpkins’ catalog. With its mix of rarity, experimentation, and accidental hits, Pisces Iscariot stands as proof that even the band’s outtakes carried the ambition, atmosphere, and emotional weight that defined the Smashing Pumpkins’ rise.