The Smashing Pumpkins have survived a personal tragedy and the loss of a founder member, while taking the risk of a radical new direction to come up with their stunning fourth album. Arriving three years after 1995's multi-platinum double album Melon Collie & The Infinite Sadness, the 16-track Adore presents a more tender, ballad-heavy Pumpkins than the trademark riffing version that achieved global success. Even the upbeat tracks are more expansive: the new single Ave Adore (released May 18) is punchy and spacious, while Perfect and Appels And Oranges' fluid pulsations recall the likes of New Order. Band leader Billy Corgan says, "It was tough to walk away from the band sound and approach that I loved so much and what I understood best, but rock as a framework was constricting my writing and I needed to walk away from it. It's always been our philosophy to embrace a good challenge, but we also felt, while making the last album, that the whole alternative rock movement was coming to an end, at least in America. We made Melon Collie the quintessential Smashing Pumpkins album because we knew we'd move away from that sound and approach. Adore isn't anti-rock, it's just a recognition of where the energy is." Corgan admits that Adore (released June 1) was also influenced by the firing of founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlin who, on the Melon Collie tour, survived a heroin overdose, while touring associate Jonathan Melvoin (keyboards) was not so lucky. "We didn't know what kind of record we would get. But when we heard it, I was virtually in tears."

Three-quarters of Adore was subsequently completed with drum loops. Corgan says, "Jimmy was such an influential part of the band, we couldn't help but have to adapt. In a way, it's like we've taken one step forward and two steps back because we're not as good a band without him. It almost felt like we were back at stage one." Corgan, co-guitarist James Iha and bassist D'Arcy started recording the album with Liz Phair producer Brad Wood, although Corgan took the reins himself when he considered Wood was not asserting himself. Flood, who co-produced Melon Collie, lent a hand at the close. Corgan adds, "He helped focus us, and take the album to another place."

Adore was originally intended to be acoustic-based before it mutated into its current incarnation. With no A&R representative since Mark Williams left Virgin, and total artistic freedom since day one, Virgin didn't hear the record until it was almost finished. Corgan says, "If I was Virgin, I would have been worried." Nancy Berry, vice chairman of Virgin Music Group and of Virgin America, says, "It's true, we didn't know what kind of record we would get. The band are no longer in a niche market, they're an internationally successful band, and I think the media support will reflect that." The one thing Corgan isn't worried about is the attitude of fans, even towards the band's stylistic change. "All I know is, fans demand excellence. I have great faith in people's ability to recognise stuff that's really strong." With such a strong album behind them, Smashing Pumpkins' worries should be all behind them.