Smashing Pumpkins - Tarantula

As perfect a comeback single as we could wish for, Tarantula's driving guitars, spine-chilling solos and irresistibly melodic chorus confirm that Corgan's decision to resurrect the Pumpkins moniker was absolutely justified. His not so subtle attempts to write D'arcy and James out of the band's history may be in bad taste, but it's hard to care when the music he's making without them is this good. It may not be a classic Pumpkins single, but the band's crushing live rendition suggests it will come to hold a special place in their canon. Doubters take note: the Pumpkins are back and they're ready to kick everyone's ass all over again. [Jay Shukla]