Pisces Iscariot is a compilation album by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released in 1994 through Virgin Records, consisting of B-sides and outtakes. Reaching number 4 in the US upon its 1994 release, Ryan Leas of Stereogum wrote that Pisces Iscariot consists of both "fuzzed out rockers and denser, more psychedelic tracks", comparing it to Gish and Siamese Dream. He suggests that the album's psychedelic influence may be even more pronounced than on the band's previous releases. David Browne in Entertainment Weekly observed that the Pumpkins "can sound both raw and fussily produced at the same time". The song includes background noise such as a bus pulling out into the street outside Corgan's apartment. "Plume" is characterized by raw production and sludgy groove that features "errant tape noise" at the beginning of the track. Leas characterizes "Obscured" as "lightly psychedelic" and notes its more small-scale approach compared to the band's previous acoustic or mellow songs. Andrew Unterberger of Spin describes its structure as a gradual build from a subdued introduction to an intense, extended climax. The review highlights the layering of guitar parts, noting how they progressively increase in intensity before intertwining in intricate patterns.
| rev2 = Rolling Stone
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| rev3 = Select
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| rev4 = Spin
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| rev5 = Spin Alternative Record Guide
| rev5score = 7/10
| subtitle = Contemporary reviews
Pisces Iscariot received a range of critical reactions upon its release. While some critics saw it as a valuable addition to the band's catalog, others viewed it as an unnecessary or indulgent release. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+, acknowledging that despite being a compilation of leftovers, it offered insight into the band's sound. He described the album as a "blatant cash cow" but concluded that it "delivers some fine milk".
| rev2 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
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| rev3 = Pitchfork
| rev3score = 8.1/10
| rev4 = PopMatters
| rev4score = 8/10
| rev5 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide
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| rev6 = Record Collector
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| rev7 = The Skinny
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| subtitle = Retrospective reviews
Retrospective reviews have generally regarded Pisces Iscariot as a well-received B-sides compilation, with critics noting its cohesion and the strength of its material. Greg Prato of AllMusic stated that the collection demonstrated Corgan's prolific songwriting, describing the quality of the songs as "often just as strong as the songs that were officially released". Mark Shukla of The Skinny described it as "stunning" and noted its "intensely passionate feel".
Reissues
Pisces Iscariot was reissued on July 16, 2012, in the UK and July 17, 2012, in the US through Virgin Records as part of the Smashing Pumpkins' reissue series. A deluxe edition of the album was also released as an expanded two-disc box set that includes the remastered version of the original album by Bob Ludwig,
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Single
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Chart performance of singles from Pisces Iscariot
! Single
! Chart (1994)
! Peak<br> position
|-
! scope="row"| "Landslide"
| Modern Rock Tracks
| align="center"|3
|}
Certifications
Release history
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! Region
! Date
! Label
! Format
! Catalog
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| United States
| rowspan="3"|
| Caroline
| LP
| 1767
|-
| rowspan="2"|Virgin
| Cassette tape
| 39834
|-
| Compact disc
| 7243 8 39834 2 1
|-
! scope="row"| United Kingdom
|
| Hut
| Compact disc
| CDHUT 41
|}