Review: Pumpkins back with smashing 'MACHINA'

"Machina/ the machines of God"

March 15, 2000
Web posted at: 5:00 p.m. EST (2200 GMT)

By David John Farinella
Special to CNN Interactive

The Smashing Pumpkins
'MACHINA/ the machines of God'
(Virgin Records)

(CNN) -- One has to wonder who Billy Corgan is trying to convince when he emphatically declares, "I'm not dead" during the opening track on the Smashing Pumpkin's latest offering, "MACHINA/ the machines of God." Be it alt-rock doubters or fans on the edge, Corgan's declaration and the song's aural intensity should silence any inquisitors.

Yet this latest is not an album that rests on its hard-rock laurels. It seems as if Corgan has penned a number of hits -- "The Everlasting Gaze," "Raindrops & Sunshowers" and "I Of The Mourning" -- to set the stage for philosophical numbers like "Wound," "The Crying Tree of Mercury" and "With Every Light." The latter song, in fact, highlights Corgan at his redemptive best: "And every light I've found/Is every light that's shining down on me/I'm never alone."

Though Corgan proclaims spiritual optimism over the course of the album's 15 tracks, the future of his band doesn't sound as encouraging. The group has not been on strong legs recently.

	ALSO
Feature: Smashing Pumpkins marching to a different beat with the same drummer
	SAMPLE 'MACHINA/ the machines of God'
"Everlasting Gaze" [256K WAV] or [224K MP3] "Stand Inside" [320K WAV] or [320K MP3] (Sound courtesy Virgin Records)

Over the past five years band members have seen the departure of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, the death of touring keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin and the departure of longtime bassist D'Arcy Wretzky. Chamberlin came back this year, and former Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur joined the band. Recently the group has been publicly sparring with former manager Sharon Osborne, persistent rumors say the band will be leaving Virgin Records after this disc.

Still, the band's internal chaos hasn't sapped this album's strength. It could be argued that some of the more mid-tempo -- dare we say jazzy? -- numbers have allowed the group to grow up and out of its alt-rock stereotype. Sure, the Pumpkins never will become the band of choice for mainstream America, but it will continue to speak for the disenfranchised and troubled.

Of course, Corgan thrives on his messianic role in music, and why shouldn't he? He speaks the right language.

Naturally, "MACHINA" has been compared to the band's most recent release, "Adore" -- a shame, considering the two have nothing in common. This latest effort is closest to "Gish," the Pumpkins' outstanding debut album. That 1991 disc set the Pumpkins' tone -- Corgan's nasally vocals, Chamberlin's driving drum tracks and guitarist James Iha's ethereal attack. "MACHINA" perfects it.

The steps in between, including multi-platinum albums "Siamese Dream" and "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," were no more than that -- steps that Corgan took while polishing his songwriting skills.

Corgan says as much. "This is the song I've been singing my whole life," he sings in "The Crying Tree of Mercury."

For all the album's strengths, it has weak spots. "Glass and the Ghost Children," though interesting, seems to meander; pick it as the tune most listeners will skip over. And, though "Stand Inside Your Love" is sure to be the definitive summer romance song, its lyrics come off a touch saccharine: "You're everything that I want and ask for/You're all that I'd dreamed."

Remember, though, we're dealing with a tortured soul, so it's not surprising when he turns the tables with the line "I'll wrap my wire around your heart and your mind you're mine forever now."

With its changing moods and feels, rockers and ballads, this is the Smashing Pumpkins at its best. Where other bands are busy redefining themselves right out of music, this quartet is refining its niche.

We'll see if they're around to take it the next step.

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Official Smashing Pumpkins site
Virgin Records: Smashing Pumpkins

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