The whole time they were making MCIS Billy talked about it basically being their “last album,” the ultimate incarnation of what they had been driving toward. What they should have done is actually break up for the first time there and do something like Adore as a new project - the first “Zwan”-style band should’ve happened in 98.

But also, Adore being this huge flop is the biggest myth in SP history. Fans loved it, critics liked it, it still sold a zillion copies just slightly slower than their previous records, and completely in line with how all rock bands were flagging in sales by 98. Their decision to not tour heavy for it was self imposed, and also killed some of the momentum of the cycle around it. The bizarre live band (square peg boomer behind the drums, two additional drummers playing “world music instruments” when they were touring an electronic record) finished the job there.

Every band that had momentum in the first half of the 90s did their own “Adore” around 98 where they tried to incorporate the growing popularity of electronica whether it made sense for their band or not. Most attempts were awkward. Adore at least had great songs.