Pumpkins fans are an obsessive lot. Just go to starla.org and you'll get an idea of just how crazy we are for this band. So this review is written on the basis that
a) every serious Pumpkins fan likely already owns Vieuphoria
and
b) although we love the Pumpkins, and most everything they do, sometimes the quality level just isn't there.

What we have in Vieuphoria is 90 minutes of live footage, with some pretty strange "skits" mixed in between. First, the live footage:

The quality of the recording is obviously great. And, unless you have some fabulous hook-up at Viring Records, you would have never seen these performances before, unless you were at the concerts. The track list for Vieuphoria comes mostly from their killer "Siamese Dream" album, with one song off of their debut album "Gish" (I am one) and one song from their Lull EP (Slunk).
To be more precise:
1) Quiet - live in Atlanta, 1993
2) Disarm - live on English TV, 1993
3) Cherub Rock (acoustic) - live on MTV Europe, 1993
4) Today - live in Chicago, 1993
5) I am One - live in Barcelona, 1993
6) Soma - live in London, 1994
7) Slunk - live on japanese TV, 1992
8) Geek USA - live on German TV, 1993
9) Mayonaise (acoustic) - live everywhere, 1988-1994
10) Silvercrank - live in London, 1994
(Incidentally, the correct song title for Silvercrank is actually Silverf**k)

All the performance are classic Pumpkins. The live electric shows are full of energy and anger. The accoustic performances are very beautiful. Clearly, they picked the best from their tour. The TV performances are especially funny because they are usually accompanied by an interview, and (the Japanese one especially) boy can translation be lost across cultures.

As for the skits, the Pumpkins, as doom and gloom as people may perceive them to be, are actually pretty funny. There's a 'silent film,' the band visiting a psychologist and an ode to James' dog, Bugg Superstar.

Now, you'd think Pumpkins fans would eat this up, right? Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I thought there was a lot missing from this video. The Smashing Pumpkins have always tried to not do what everyone else is doing, sonically. Apparently, they didn't care that their video was just like any other band video out there. Very formulaic: live performance, band doing funny things, live performace, end.

During the making of Siamese Dream, the Smashing Pumpkins nearly broke up. Major things happened. Perhaps Vieuphoria was more comic relief for themselves than for anyone else. There's really no documentary-type information involved. No interviews (beyond the short TV interviews that really were just for laughs). I really was looking for something with a little more substance. Especially considering that the Pumpkins are a band of substance themselves.

If you're going to buy Vieuphoria, buy it for the concert footage, and to see "the crazy side of The Smashing Pumpkins." Don't expect any kind of VH1 special, or much in terms of further insight into the band beyond what's already been printed in magazines and newspapers. Overall though, the video does capture the essence and power of this extremely talented group.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older