Mary Star of the Sea

by

Zwan

Edit

I am really annoyed at all the reviewers who have complained at how different this is from the Smashing Pumpkins. Why are they so surprised? Why do they feel Billy Corgan cheated them? I think it was made loud and clear that this is ZWAN, not the Smashing Pumpkins continued. People who are disappointed at the changes in the music and mood are only kidding themselves. Billy has even said that Zwan does not play Pumpkin songs at shows, so I think it is clear that the Pumpkins are over.

Zwan's debut features something probably no one thought they'd see - a very, VERY happy Billy Corgan. It is quite obvious by listening to Mary Star of the Sea that the old rat in a cage has found God (on "Declarations of Faith" Billy makes it clear in the chorus `I declare myself of faith'). He has found joy in life, and it radiates throughout the CD. There is no doom-and-gloom here.

The first single, "Honestly", will give you a good idea of what to expect. It's not the best song on the album, but it was a good idea for the first single because it has all the Zwan elements you find throughout every song. A very happy, carefree, fun attitude; an infectious, rocking riff; and Zwan's loud three guitar attack. Another standout on the album is "Jesus I/Mary Star of the Sea". "Jesus I" is a 14 minute masterpiece (on par with the longer Pumpkins songs, such as "X.Y.U." but certainly not sounding anything the same)in which all the musicians get a chance to shine. I've listened to this song over and over and in my opinion, this track alone is nearly worth the entire cost of the album. Other songs that grab you right away are "Yeah!", "Lyric", "Endless Summer", and "Heartsong". However, there is not one misstep in the whole CD. You won't need to hit the skip button on `Mary'.

Overall, this is a great CD to listen to LOUD during summer. Did I say great? It is actually perfect. I always thought the Pumpkins would be good as a happy band (not that they were bad as a depressed angst band), and Zwan gives me what I want. Buy this album, play it loud, and be happy.

What made the Smashing Pumpkins such an incredibly powerful band was their ability to shift from a Sabbath-like wall of sound to a quiet psychedelic groove on a moment's notice. This dynamic ability was and still is a rarity in most rock music.

Zwan's "Mary Star of the Sea" has some great texture, pretty good songwriting, and so-so vocals, but the sonic dynamics that made Billy a rock genius are totally missing. It seems as though Billy has fallen in love with just strumming cool chords on his guitar. He was better when the guitars were either hammering away power chords or quietly picking a beautiful melody (and always both in the same song). Zwan totally misses these highs and lows, or as Billy might say: "Life's a bummer when you're a strummer".