For those of you who have been sitting in Ellicott crying over the breakup of the pivotal 1990s rock outfit "The Smashing Pumpkins," it's time to put away your tissues (or for those sloppy criers, wipe your face off with your sleeve). Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan is back with a debut album from his new band, Zwan. The album is titled "Mary Star Of The Sea," and the new lineup is strong.
The group features Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, as well as members of A Perfect Circle. Corgan wrote and produced this album, and the result is a work that can be enjoyed by Pumpkins fans while retaining the possibility of finding Corgan's new group a few new fans. The vibe is more positive than most Pumpkins fans will remember, but reminiscent of the old sound, just updated for the new decade.
The lineup produces an album that can be classified as pure rock 'n' roll, without any of the experimental electronic effects that marked the later era of Smashing Pumpkins discography. Highlights on the album include "Settle Down," "Of A Broken Heart" and the 14-minute epic "Jesus, I/Mary Star Of The Sea."
While the arrangement and tone of the instruments is relatively uniform throughout the album, this doesn't keep it from being enjoyable - especially after the first few tracks. It isn't as groundbreaking as Corgan's older Pumpkins albums, but it's definitely a solid rock album.
Overall, "Mary Star of the Sea" is a good way to open up the new year. Take a step away from all of the same old rock sounds that music fans had to put up with for the last few years and go buy this album.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
