Carlos
12 May 2003, 20:11
Dunno if there's already been discussion about them yet, but i had a lok back the last few weeks and didnt see one (mind you, due to the merged boards, it makes it a much harder ask... BOOOOH Bluey, BOOOOOH!!!)
Anyway, to any old Pumpkins fans or anyone who has picked up this album, what are people's impressions of Billy Corgan's latest project: Zwan and their debute album "Mary Star of the Sea"?
I was a big Smashing Pumpkins fan but was never a huge wrap for Billy Corgan or his voice. While Corgan was a very good song writer, and to this day Siamese Dream remains one of my most influential and favourite albums, Jimmy Chamberlin made that band IMO, and to be honest he was the only reason i continued buying Smashing Pumpkin albums (not including Ava Adore obviously). But that band's best work was certainly left long behind it in the early 90's IMO.
Anyway, i was very interested when Zwan's first single, "Honestly" came out and was pleasantly suprised. With Chamberlin's unmistakable groove obviously the driving force in this project, i immediately purchased the album, but due to various distractions of late, have only really emmersed myself in it the last few weeks.
And i'm a big fan of it. Corgan was in some very good song writing form by the sounds of things. Theres a couple of predictably self indulgent Corgan moments, but all in all it seems he has for the most part removed that massive chip from his shoulder and re-discovered the joy of making music and writing more positive and less tedious tunes.
And Paz Lenchantin, former bass player for A Perfect Circle, was an excellent choice for this project. Terrific player is Paz. Wonderfully flowing and tasteful, and the production does her great playing a heap of justice. But where she really stands out is with her delightfully harmonic voice which thankfully provides the perfect foil for Corgan's whine, making it almost palatable.
And Jimmy Chamberlin's performance is breathtaking. Its like Corgan has basically told him to just play whatever he wants and just express himself like in the Pumpkins early 90's hey day. What a player!! Absolute chop-miester but still so very tasteful and takes all of Corgan's compositions to a level only he could, although sometimes the drum sound is a little too far back in the mix. But it is one of those albums best cranked up as loud as possible, and thats when the production really comes into its own, particularly with 3 guitar parts in most songs, courtesy of David Pajo, Matt Sweeny and of course Corgan.
All in its a very strong release. Anyone out there got it?
Anyway, to any old Pumpkins fans or anyone who has picked up this album, what are people's impressions of Billy Corgan's latest project: Zwan and their debute album "Mary Star of the Sea"?
I was a big Smashing Pumpkins fan but was never a huge wrap for Billy Corgan or his voice. While Corgan was a very good song writer, and to this day Siamese Dream remains one of my most influential and favourite albums, Jimmy Chamberlin made that band IMO, and to be honest he was the only reason i continued buying Smashing Pumpkin albums (not including Ava Adore obviously). But that band's best work was certainly left long behind it in the early 90's IMO.
Anyway, i was very interested when Zwan's first single, "Honestly" came out and was pleasantly suprised. With Chamberlin's unmistakable groove obviously the driving force in this project, i immediately purchased the album, but due to various distractions of late, have only really emmersed myself in it the last few weeks.
And i'm a big fan of it. Corgan was in some very good song writing form by the sounds of things. Theres a couple of predictably self indulgent Corgan moments, but all in all it seems he has for the most part removed that massive chip from his shoulder and re-discovered the joy of making music and writing more positive and less tedious tunes.
And Paz Lenchantin, former bass player for A Perfect Circle, was an excellent choice for this project. Terrific player is Paz. Wonderfully flowing and tasteful, and the production does her great playing a heap of justice. But where she really stands out is with her delightfully harmonic voice which thankfully provides the perfect foil for Corgan's whine, making it almost palatable.
And Jimmy Chamberlin's performance is breathtaking. Its like Corgan has basically told him to just play whatever he wants and just express himself like in the Pumpkins early 90's hey day. What a player!! Absolute chop-miester but still so very tasteful and takes all of Corgan's compositions to a level only he could, although sometimes the drum sound is a little too far back in the mix. But it is one of those albums best cranked up as loud as possible, and thats when the production really comes into its own, particularly with 3 guitar parts in most songs, courtesy of David Pajo, Matt Sweeny and of course Corgan.
All in its a very strong release. Anyone out there got it?