“Let It Come Down” is James Iha's first solo album. It was released in 1998. During lulls on the lengthy “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” tour and before the Smashing Pumpkins returned to the studio to record “Adore”, James Iha made his first solo album, “Let It Come Down”. Iha took on a more acoustic country-ish sound reminiscent of the songs he contributed to the Pumpkins, notably shying away from the darker sound of Billy Corgan's songwriting.
Fortunately, it is one of the rare solo projects from a member of major band that explores territory that could not be covered by the band itself. Iha has made, in essence, a Californian soft rock album from the '70s. “Let It Come Down” is a gentle record, filled with lovely little songs built with hushed acoustic guitars, simple harmonies, and sunny melodies. Iha has an appealingly shy voice that's perfectly suited for these unassuming songs. And it's not just the sound of the album that's attractive; the songs themselves are sturdy and memorably melodic. Iha's handful of songwriting contributions to the Pumpkins suggested that he had talent, and he proves it here. “Let It Come Down” is by no means a major record, but it's a refreshing little gem that begs for a sequel.
Fortunately, it is one of the rare solo projects from a member of major band that explores territory that could not be covered by the band itself. Iha has made, in essence, a Californian soft rock album from the '70s. “Let It Come Down” is a gentle record, filled with lovely little songs built with hushed acoustic guitars, simple harmonies, and sunny melodies. Iha has an appealingly shy voice that's perfectly suited for these unassuming songs. And it's not just the sound of the album that's attractive; the songs themselves are sturdy and memorably melodic. Iha's handful of songwriting contributions to the Pumpkins suggested that he had talent, and he proves it here. “Let It Come Down” is by no means a major record, but it's a refreshing little gem that begs for a sequel.
Track listing
01. "Be Strong Now" - 2:48
02. "Sound of Love" - 3:56
03. "Beauty" - 3:44
04. "See the Sun" - 3:59
05. "Country Girl" - 3:01
06. "Jealousy" - 3:26
07. "Lover, Lover" - 3:21
08. "Silver String" - 3:53
09. "Winter" - 4:25
10. "One and Two" - 3:31
11. "No One's Gonna Hurt You" - 4:12
12. "My Advice" - 3:15
Credits
James Iha - vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, producer, string arrangements
Neal Casal - harmony vocal, electric guitar
Greg Leisz - pedal steel, lap steel and electric guitars, bass on "Lover, Lover"
Adam Schlesinger - piano, bass on "Country Girl"
Solomon Snyder - bass
John Ginty - Hammond organ, piano
Matt Walker - drums, percussion
Curt Bisquera - percussion
Eric Remschneider - cello
James Sanders - violin
Stacia Spencer - violin on "Silver String"
Jim Goodwin - sax on "Jealousy"
Ralph Rickert - trumpet on "Jealousy"
D'arcy Wretzky - harmony vocal on "One and Two"
Nina Gordon - harmony vocal on "Beauty"
Tonya Lamm and Shawn Barton - harmony vocal on "No One's Gonna Hurt You" and "Country Girl"
Eric Remschneider - string arrangement
Additional Personnel
Dave Menet - guitar tech
Russ Spice - equipment
Rob Austin - chef and mantra maker
Q Prime Inc - Management
Jill Berliner and Eric Greenspan - Legal
Mark Kaplan - accounting
Chris Billheimer - art direction
Jeremy Goldberg - cover photograph
Anette Aurell - back photograph
James Iha, Kevin Wells, Larry Hirshowitz - collage photographs
Lou Kregel, Patti West - illustrators
Todd Tatnall, Pro Tools Editing
ProductionProduced By James Iha & Jim Scott
Post-Production By Scott Humphrey & Podboy, with post-production on "One and Two" by Flood
Engineered By Jim Scott, with additional engineering by Steve Spapperi
Mixed By Jim Scott; mix assisted by Mike Scotella
Mastered By Stephen Marcussen
Notes
All songs were written by James Iha
Released: 10 February 1998
Genre: Indie Rock, Alternative Country
Length: 40:20
Label: Virgin Records
© 1998
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