My Bloody Valentine vs. Smashing Pumpkins – Song Parallels

Few bands have fused feedback and melody as eloquently as My Bloody Valentine, and while their studio output has been minimal — fans are still waiting for a follow-up to MBV’s second album, ‘Loveless,’ released in 1991 — their recordings have inspired countless bands. Take Smashing Pumpkins, for instance.

Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has openly name-checked My Bloody Valentine as an influence, and even if he hadn’t, it’d be plain to hear the echoes of MBV’s tuneful squall in Smashing Pumpkins’ songs — arguably none more so than ‘Rocket,’ the fourth single from the Pumpkins’ ‘Siamese Dream’ album.

Somewhat ironically, Corgan has said that the song’s lyrics — particularly the line “Bleed in your own light” — reflect his desire to be his own artist. However, the song’s arrangement, with its wall of guitars blasting a gently circular riff, bears a certain resemblance to My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Come in Alone,’ from ‘Loveless.’

Neither Corgan nor MBV frontman Kevin Shields have commented on the similarities between the songs, but with Shields reportedly working on the long-awaited ‘Loveless’ follow-up, perhaps we’ll hear My Bloody Valentine return the favor at some point. Have a listen to the clips below and let us know what you think.

Listen to My Bloody Valentine, ‘Come in Alone’

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Listen to Smashing Pumpkins, ‘Rocket’

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