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It's all a million musical and spiritual miles away from the messy pretension that led to the end of the Pumpkins. As the album progresses, though, Zwan merge this new perspective with the FM radio suss that characterised the best of the Pumpkins to produce a record that takes in 70s balladry and a 14 minute Spiritualized tribute (the title track) without feeling forced. There is even a nod to Britpop ("Baby Let's Rock!" is Suede pretending to be Menswear). It'll all end in tears, of course, but on this record Corgan's having the time of his life. --Ian Watson
Review
Billy Corgan finally brought The Smashing Pumpkins to an end in 2000. The final couple of years of their illustrious career had been fraught with death, drug abuse and, with their last studio album Machina / The Machines Of God, critical and commercial failure.
To form Zwan Corgan called upon old friends Slint / Tortoise guitarist Dave Pajo, Skunk guitarist Matt Sweeney, A Perfect Circle bassist Paz Lenchantin and fellow Pumpkin drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. Together they've got the enthusiasm, excitement and vitality that all new bands possess. Combine that with years of experience and the invaluable ability to produce radio friendly pop songs and you have a winning team.
The 14 tracks on Mary Star of the Sea do sound like Smashing Pumpkins songs. Corgans nasal voice is instantly recognisable but it is the guitars that sound most familiar; sonic noises and guitar riffs that soar. As with classic Pumpkins albums, this record features heavy rock anthems ("Ride A Black Swan"), followed by more peaceful ballads ("Heartsong").
The album is jam packed full of great songs. "El Sol" is a beautiful indie track, "Yeah" is just plain cool and "Jesus I / Mary of the Sea" is a fantastic 14 minute epic roller coaster ride!
If you disliked the doom and gloom that was so characteristic of the Pumpkins later albums you have nothing to fear. Mary Star of the Sea is full of fun and simple happiness, even love. 'There is no place I could be without you...I feel love' sings Corgan in the superb "Honestly". You can sense the enjoyment the band had in making these bouncy pop songs. Beware; you won't be able to wipe the smile of your face.
Is it better or worse than The Smashing Pumpkins? Who cares, it sounds great and that's good enough for me. --Dan Tallis
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Customer Reviews
Summing up the album, the last Pumpkins single 'Untitled' wouldn't be at all out of place on this album - vintage happy Pumpkins style but with distinctly Machina tactics (i.e. the guitar noise).
People liken this new stuff to Siamese Dream but it's nothing like that at all - even though the album sounds obviously like Billy Corgan, Zwan seem to achieved their own sound. One major difference is that although the Pumpkins were a guitar-band, Zwan seem to focus more on vocals than guitar riffs. There are some cheese-rockers on here like 'Baby Lets Rock' 'El Sol' some harder rockers like 'Endless Summer' and the old melancholic Billy returning in songs like 'Of A Broken Heart' and 'Mary Star Of The Sea' (which are probably the best on the album, and my favourites).
The album takes a couple of listens but it is fantastic and is worth it for any Pumpkins fan, as Billy does not disappoint...even if it does sound like he's on happy pills :) plus...YOU GET FREE STICKERS WITH IT! =D
It's still very clear that it is Billy Corgan's band, and jimmy is still recognisable on the drums...but u can still see that they've changed. The songs on this album are much happier and optimistic, as you can tell from names like "endless summer." This, although good, does however leave some of the songs a bit emotionless. Its still very good...with the best songs "endless summer", the super-cool "yeah!", the epic "mary i..." and the unbelievably catchy "come with me".
i must, inevitably, compare this to the smashing pumpkins albums. Simply put, its knowhere near as good as "siamese dream" (but then what is?), and probably not quite as good as "Mellon collie". However, i would say that it is Billy's best apart from these two...so overall very good.
Finally...i would just like to say how nice it is to have this album. At the moment, lets face it, the music out there is awful. This album prevides a refreshing change...so buy it and make yourself happy!
The opening track 'Lyric' is a sign of things to come, immediately setting the tone for a series of very upbeat and catchy tunes. Each track in turn offers something different, but the overall impression is that Corgan is at present a very happy man.
Zwan is a project that Billy didnt have to take part in, he had nothing left to prove to anyone, and could quite easily have damaged his reputation. The songs here though can only improve his reputation, especially as a lyricist. He is ably supported by the rest of the band who gel together as though this was their tenth album rather than their first. Each song is beautifully crafted, complete with ridiculously addictive choruses and brilliant guitar riffs.
The highlight is probably Jesus I/Mary Star of the Sea, a 14 minute masterpiece with some of the finest drumming ever recorded. Anyone who says this album is anything but brilliant is completely wrong, this is a work of genius and should be bought by anyone who has an interest in music. If you want something to wallow in your own self pity to then this is probably not for you but anyone else should love it. This is the way that music should be, cheery yet meaningful, upbeat and intelligent all at the same time.
I LOVE IT..IT'S LIKE A POSSITIVE VERSION OF THE PUMPKINS..GORGAN IS JUST BRILLIANT! Read more
The first time I listened to it, I thought to myself "This is basically another SMashing... Read more
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