Let It Come Down (James Iha album) explained

Let It Come Down
Type:studio
Artist:James Iha
Cover:JamesIhaLetItComeDown.jpg
Recorded:1997
Genre:Alternative rock
Length:40:16
Next Title:Look to the Sky
Next Year:2012

Let It Come Down is the first solo album by American guitarist James Iha.[1] It was released in 1998, during which Iha was still with the Smashing Pumpkins, before the release of Adore. Iha took on a more acoustic country sound reminiscent of the songs he contributed to the Pumpkins, notably shying away from the darker sound of Billy Corgan's songwriting.

Iha had said that the quieter tone of the songs reflected the fact that many of them were written in his hotel rooms during the Smashing Pumpkins tours, and he did not want to disturb other guests by playing too loudly.

"Be Strong Now" was released as a 4-track single, featuring the bonus studio tracks "Falling", "My Advice" and "Take Care", and as a two-track promo single where the other track is a 12-second call out hook. Both versions of the "Be Strong Now" single feature the same cover. There is also an extended promo version of the single called "Be Strong Now (With Intro)" lasting 3:35. The song "Jealousy" was released as a promo single, without any B-sides.

The album was remastered and re-issued in February 2012 with the three tracks previously released as B-sides added as bonus tracks.

Critical reception

The Guardian wrote that "Iha has regressed to a state of wistful, whimsical child-likeness... Sample sparingly and you can float away on reveries of psychedelic summer afternoons."[2]

Personnel

Additional personnel

Production

Notes and References

  1. Diehl . Matt . Let It Come Down . Interview . Feb 1998 . 28 . 2 . 38.
  2. News: Sullivan . Caroline . This week's pop CD releases . The Guardian . 6 Feb 1998 . T018.