Review by FenderMan
2½ stars out of 4
The Smashing Pumpkins have been through a lot lately, with its line-up
in disarray following a series of calamities. Some people were suprised
they were able to put out an album. At any rate, the Pumpkins managed to
put out a pretty good record. It sounds in many ways like "Mellon Collie
and the Infinite Sadness," which had some good songs mixed in with a
bunch of mediocre ones. "Machina" works the same way. Some of the songs
are great, and others are decent/forgettable. "The Everlasting Gaze" is
the best, with its distorted guitars and murky vocals. "Heavy Metal Machine"
is also engaging, as is "The Imploding Voice." Unfortunately, the album
is not that solid overall. Nothing here approaches "Zero" or "Bullet
With Butterfly Wings" or "1979" except "The Everlasting Gaze." Smashing
Pumpkins fans who will stick by all their material will like this album.
Rock fans who are on/off Pumpkins fans should listen to the record before
buying it. On the up side, there is very interesting artwork in the lyrics
booklet. I think the album is worth owning, and many people will be able
to overlook the sometimes weak song-writing. Pumpkins Fans--Get it.
Everybody else--give it a chance, but don't be suprised if its not your
cup of tea.
Reader Feedback
I cannot believe the statement "and many people will be able to overlook
the sometimes weak song-writing" when your talking about machina. Do
you listen to the words Billy puts in the songs. He is oft misunderstood,
but the songs are beatutifully written, and not only that, but elude
into the band, and even their breakup. I'm sure you missed that altogether
though, in a world where entertainment and instant gratification are at
the top of the list, who has time to see the real meaning behind the words?
--Mercury Tree I am sick of reading reviews where so called "Music Critics" rate a new
album on a bands past performace, evolution is the key to survival in
the music world, but yet, bands such as the Smashing Pumpkins are always
compaired to their 1993 or 1995 material. I Believe Machina is a great
album, in it's own unique way. I don't think you should even put a
"star" rating on any review, as this is your opinion and no-one elses,
I think reviews should outline things such as lyrics, diversity and
orginality, but have no overall rating...
--Nick I do not think you have to compare the new works with the oldest ones. The Pumpkins are simply growing in some musical sense. I can not imagine they could make two similar works ever. But growing is a slow process, if u compare this work with the one before, you probably note differences regarding the rythm, but the essence, the kind of lyrics, the distorted guitars, the energy impressed to the voice, well, though the music is not only as it seems to sound, is the intention and the people who are intended for.
--Carlos Ig
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