James Iha 'Silver String' (Hut/Virgin, 1998) (mp3 download)

Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha obviously wasn't wasting his downtime between touring and playing some part in the creation of brain-wettingly good alt-rock albums likes 'Gish' and 'Siamese Dream'. (Though legend has it that Billy Corgan played practically everything himself on 'Siamese Dream'.)

In 1998 he quietly released a stunningly gentle and beautiful album called 'Let It Come Down'. No liquid guitar solos, no shrieking vocals and no explosive drums. So something of a departure from the alt-rock dynamics of the Pumpkins.

'Let It Come Down' features some gorgeous harmony vocals and guitar lines wrapped around lush country-rock-flavoured songwriting. It was an absolute treat and, unfortunately, something of a secret treat, meaning that it is still his only solo album. He has since played the role of gun-for-hire in other people's bands, which is a shame.

'Silver String' is so sweet and languid, Iha's acoustic guitar and rich vocal supported by full band and strings.

Simply beautiful.

Download James Iha 'Silver String' (mp3) (Mediafire)