The Smashing Pumpkins - Rarities and B-Sides (2005)

This digital-only 114-track compilation is just the way to experience an alternate history of one of the world’s biggest alt-rock bands. A musical explorer like Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan is often most interesting when he's working on the margins, where he figures only his hardcore fans are listening. Many tracks here also appear on various collections such as Pisces Iscariot, The Aeroplane Flies High, and Earphoria, for starters, but none of those offer everything here. Highlights include early cuts such as “Blue” and the demo of “Bye June”; Peel Sessions performances (including a take on The Animals’ “A Girl Named Sandoz” and the band's own “Siva”); various mixes of “1979”; covers of The Cars’ “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight,” The Cure’s “A Night Like This,” Blondie’s “Dreaming," and Vic Chesnutt’s “Sad Peter Pan”; and live versions of “Disarm,” “Cherub Rock”(acoustic), and “Today.” There's something for everyone here and more—much more.