Customer Reviews

Machina

5 star:		(374)
4 star:		(140)
3 star:		(67)
2 star:		(52)
1 star:		(41)

 

 

Let me preface this review: I am more of a Pop/R&B/Hip Hop fan, HOWEVER, don't count me out just yet. Back in 1994, certain acts grabbed my attention because I found the music to be fresh and new. They included Candlebox, Live, Weezer, Soundgarden, Nirvana and of course, my `other' favorite, (besides Stone Temple Pilots), the Smashing Pumpkins.

The album, `Siamese Dream' was ruling the airwaves and MTV with songs like "Disarm", "Today", "Rocket" and even "Mayonaise". I liked the whole album and declared it to be good music. Then came `Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness' and I was instantly attracted to two songs my first listen: "1979" and "Tonight, Tonight". Although Billy Corgan can scream with the rest of the rockers, I prefer his softer voice - it's a unique style of singing that blends well with the band - and I think that's what made `Siamese Dream' such an enjoyable listen.

But you want to know about `Machina: The Machines Of God'. Well after a few listens, I hereby declare this album a worthy buy. Is it a `Siamese Dream' in my opinion? No, but it demonstrates musical growth. The album opens up on a strong note with "Everlasting Gaze", a rock track not unlike "Bullet With Butterfly Wings". Lyrically, "Stand Inside Your Love", is the album's most intense statement with lines like `Who wouldn't be the one you love and live for, who wouldn't stand inside your love and die for?". Sonically, "I of the Mourning" makes for a great listen and so does "Try, Try, Try" and "This Time". The other great rock track on here is "Heavy Metal Machine" with its furious, stomping bass line. One of my favorite songs on this album is "Wound". It has a folk music influence you can really hear when Corgan sings, `Last night I turned around and thought I saw myself turning'...it's a melody that borrows heavily from Gordon Lightfoot's 1970 classic, "If You Could Read My Mind". Despite the similarity, I love the song. My other favorite is "Sacred and Profane" because it is musically, the closest track to `Siamese Dream'. Incidentally, the name of the Pumpkins' tour is `The Sacred and Profane' so it is probably going to be a single.

Lastly, some say the album is too long and yes, there are some tracks that probably did not need to be on here. In my opinion, `Machina' could have ended with "With Every Light". The album cover artwork is mind-boggling to say the least, and warrants further study. What Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins have achieved with this album is artistry to be respected. This isn't necessarily hit music. Rather, `Machina' is an artistic statement by a band, and an artistic statement that I can appreciate - how about you?

Machina / The Machines of God finds the Smashing Pumpkins returning to the familiar territory of beautiful, emotional rock n' roll. Although I personally love Adore and think it stands as a beautiful, artistic album, Machina returns to the Pumpkins old territory, and it is DAMN good. One of the best rock albums I've heard in a long time, in fact.

The album rocks. The opening track, "The Everlasting Gaze", is a stunningly brutal and powerful Pumpkins track, and one of their most straight-ahead rock songs. The spoken word segue in the middle is excellent and unexpected. "Raindrops + Sunshowers" reminds me a little of Adore but more rock-oriented, very nice. "Stand Inside Your Love" is a brilliant, uplifting song. "I of the Mourning" is superb and catchy. "The Sacred and Profane" is beautiful and almost hypnotic. "Try, Try, Try" is slower and more peaceful.

"Heavy Metal Machine" is a firestorm of guitar thunder and fury, yet it remains very melodic and has some truly great lyrics. "This Time" is one of the album's highlights. "The Imploding Voice", from which the title of this review is taken, is one of my favorite songs on the album, and a bit different. "Glass and the Ghost Children" is truly haunting (kind of in the vein of the Pixies "Where is my Mind?"). "Wound" is a bit calmer, very good. "The Crying Tree of Mercury" is also haunting and reminds me of "Tear" from Adore. "With Every Light" is very catchy and a great song. "Blue Skies Bring Tears" is one of the album's oddest songs, being slower and more distorted. "The Age of Innocence" is very very good and has similarities to "1979."

A big improvement here is the amazing drumming of Jimmy Chamberlain, who is one of the best modern rock drummers alive. Also the album often reminded me of My Bloody Valentine (which, by the way, is one of Billy and the other Pumpkins' favorite bands), what with the layered guitar texture, which sometime takes precedence over lyrics.

To close, Machina is an amazing, powerful album and there is no reason why you should not own it.

Machina/The Machines Of God has to be one of the most under-rated and neglected albums of all time. This was actually the first pumpkins album that I bought and it is still probably my favourite.

There is a big difference from this and Siamese Dream, Gish, Pisces Iscariot and Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness.
But it's still brilliant. It starts off with The Everlasting Gaze, which I think is one of their best ever songs. Raindrops + Sunshowers is a wierd Electro-Feeling song, which doesn't reallt fit in with the album. Stand Inside YOur Love deserves the reviews that it got, that song is brilliant. I of the morning is also really good, although Sacred and Profane doesn't really fit.
Try, Try, Try has to be one of the best, most beautiful songs of all time. It's soothing piano, sweet vocals and lovely lyrics makes this album unmisable.

People say from track 7 onwards the album goes downhill, i'd say the other way. Heavy Metal Machine is a little overproduced, but it's a great rocking song with a great chorus. This Time is one of my favourites from Machina. Glass and the ghost children - would a pumpkins album be complete without an epic 'long' song, i think not. THis song is really good. its strange but still reccomended.s Imploding Voice is a rocky song that is another favourite with wierd guitars.

Wound, With every light, and blue skies bring tears are really nice songs. BSBT is a wierder more electro song, which i like, until it goes repetitive. Crying Tree Of Mercury is a song you either like or hate. its one of the worst on the album, but is still pretty decent.

Age Of Innocence is a brilliant way to end the album. It's mix of acoustic and distorted guitars make this classic song a great end to pumpkins' albums you can buy.

Despite about 3 songs, this is a brilliant album

End.

Machina II - Available for download, Has great songs like Glass, Cash Car Star, Dross, Real Love, Go, Let Me Give The World To You, If There is a god, here's to the atom bomb, slow dawn and Home.

The first half of that whole ablum is more-or-less (...) (the first 3 vinyls). There is a terrible remix of Heavy Metal Machine, well Demo anyway. Try, Try, Try alt.version is quite nice along with Slow Dawn and If there is a god alt.

Machina II/The Friends And Enemies Of Modern Music:
Glass' Theme
Cash Car Star
Dross
Real Love
Go
Let Me Give The World To You
Innosense
Home
Blue Skies Bring Tears (Alt.)
Whyte Spider
In My Body

If There Is A God (Full Band)
Le Deux Machina (Synth)
Here's To The Atom Bomb (Alt.)

JUST DOWNLOAD THIS ANY WHERE

(...) MACHINA RULES!

I'd give that 4/5 stars.

BOth Machina and Machina II are fabulous. i think they're as good as the Pumpkin's have ever done. If you like Stand Inside Your Love, you'll love Real Love.

Both are heavily recommended.

End.

When Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness emerged on the scene in 1995, it was an album for the masses, and the stellar record sales are highly indicative of that. But now, with the release of MACHINA, the Pumpkins have released an opus that transcends the "songs-for-the-masses" genre. While including songs that are ripe for radio "abuse", this album is more about musicality and growth, than about selling millions of records.

It begins (somewhat deceivingly) with the familiar riff of "Everlasting Gaze", and sets the record off into the stratosphere, but quickly returns to earth with "Raindrops" and "Stand Inside Your Love" which probe the melodic abilities of Billy's voice. The album continues to amaze with the beautiful melodies contained within "I Of The Mourning" and "The Sacred and Profane", and just when the album appears to be falling asleep with "Try, Try, Try", it spiral back into the outer atmosphere with "Heavy Metal Machine", an ode to the power chord. The rest of the album effectively returns the listener to the ground softly, with songs that are ripe with mysterious lyrics and melody lines that are reminiscent of the "prog-rock" of the 1970s. But, before the album closes, "Age of Innocence" reasserts that the Pumpkins are still the monarchs of deep, dark, brooding rock.

While this album will not necessarily appeal to the fanbase that is defined by the Mellon Collie period, it allows the band to flex a stylistic muscle and metamorphosize into an even better band, both musically and lyrically.

A must have for anybody that is tired of the status quo that has so dominated the airwaves for the past few years.

With "Machina: The Machines of God", Billy Corgan has shown a new dimension of his song-writing genius. After his previous effort, "Adore" left critics cold, Corgan responds strongly with his latest effort. Combining the lyrical complexities of "Adore" with the musical stylings of "Siamese Dream", the Pumpkins prove that it can be done both ways. This album combines classic alt. rock stylings, loud cries of desperation, and near Shakesperean drama. Also, considering this is the Pumpkins last (or next to last) album, they have clearly went out on top and tragically, at the height of their musical integrity. Undoubtedly, this record will go down as one of the most creative, inspiring, and interesting works of the alternative era. The following is a song-by-song review:1. The Everlasting Gaze- back to business, clearly shows the band is back from the tranquil haitus taken in "Adore", combines intense lyrics with thrashing guitar riffs.2. Raindrops and Sunshowers-a haunting song with a consistent electronic beat, seemingly equating love with avoiding raindrops in a summer shower.3. Stand Inside Your Love- achingly love sick tones combined with the feel of the classic "Mellon Collie" cut "Tonight, Tonight" make this a highlight of the album.4. I, of the Mourning- an intensely emotional song about the incredible sadness of being lonely.5. The Sacred and Profane- not the most complex song, but a highlight of Billy's senses of rhythm and lyrical prowess.6. Try, Try, Try- one of the weaker songs, to be honest, very repititive. It's strength may be in its lyrics.7. Heavy Metal Machine- the intense drive of this song nearly returns the Pumpkins to the grunge era, also expresses an undying love of rock-and-roll.8. This Time- a musical treat, clearly written in moments of songwriting brilliance, very dramatic in tone, yet not overly sympathetic, haunting as the line "Crashing down again" is repeated.9. The Imploding Voice- almost pop-like, very catchy, rare for Corgan, expresses self determination in an almost fun way, a great change of pace.10. Glass and the Ghost Children- a ten minute meander as Corgan takes his occasional dip into the art-rock movement, haunting as the music nearly stops and a session between a psychiatrist and a mental patient seems to be taking place.11. Wound- another change of pace, a spirited tirade about the joys of love and a willingness to do anything for that person, incredible lyrics.12. The Crying Tree of Mercury- a weaker song, perhaps a bit overbearing and overly dramatic, seems to go on continuously about a life of hardship.13. With Every Light- charming and peaceful, with a nice soft beat, leads very well into the next track.14. Blue Skies bring Tears- wonderful lyrics, an opus about how sometimes happiness isn't all its cracked up to be, and how some people foolthemselves and hinder themselves with shallow positivity.15. Age of Innocence- nice to hear an upbeat and spirited song as the closing track, clearly one of the many highlights of the album, a great tone, just from the first few notes, it can be recognized as the finale, also, a beautiful bridge to set up a spirited closing sequence, seemingly about self-destruction. While the album is a bit long (app. 73 minutes), and does seem to drag on, it does represent a creative leap for the band and a sense of artistry only surpassed by the epic Pumpkins triumph, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness." It's truly a shame that this may be the last project for the Pumpkins, just at the time they seem to be reaching their peak. I guess we'll all be stuck with shallow, unimaginative, and overly-commercialized music by such tired acts as N'Sync, the Backstreet Boys, and Britney Spears while true artists like Billy Corgan fade into obscurity.

Okay, enough of the comparisons to old Pumpkin CD's. It is all about musicality, and proving that they can play any type of music. And Billy knows that. Do you know any band that could mix this type of range in their cd ? Do you prefer fuzzy guitar? Heavy Metal Machine. Do you prefer pop music? This Time. Do you like dreamy, atmospheric songs? Glass and the Ghost Children. Do you like uplifting songs? Raindrops + Sunshowers. How about organ driven songs? Try, Try, Try. You like drums? Wound. Do you like The Cure? With Every Light. How bout a good love song? Stand Inside Your Love. I like the Pumpkins because they are not afraid of taking chances. Why release cd after cd that is just dipped in power chords and guitar solos. You must take chances to progress. We'll see in 15 years if anyone is still talking about boy bands, or how the Pumpkins were way ahead of their time.....

Fans of Gish, Siamese Dream, and Mellon Collie will not be disappointed by MACHINA. Thank god the Pumpkins got Jimmy Chamberlin back. I hated to see Darcy go, but Jimmy is so essential to the the Pumpkins sound that I did not know how they were going to continue without him (Darcy does play all the bass parts on this record, however).

MACHINA is full of the melodic and moody big guitar rock that I was hoping to find on this record (I was not a big fan of Adore). Plenty of guitar wizardry and plenty of catchy hooks and melodies. The studio production is, of course, flawless--a big clear multilayered sound that is never muddy. You really can't go wrong with Flood and Billy Corgan taking production credits. I think Flood must have contributed to some of the different feel that this record has, especially in regards to the drum sound and the fact that things feel a bit more sequenced. This record is closer in production and sound to Mellon Collie's highly polished than to the more raw guitar bigness that Siamese Dream and Gish have.

Finally, for those who are into packaging, the CD book has sixteen different etchings, paintings, and woodcuts that I really like. As in the Mellon Collie packaging, the packaging really adds a nice thematic tie-together for the record.

There is nothing here to convert people who were not previously Smashing Pumpkins fans (not that they don't cover some new territory), but this is a welcome effort for people who are already in love with the Pumpkins sound. It's going to be tough giving equal time to the new Steely Dan record that I also bought today.

the level of musicality that billy corgan reaches with this album is mind boggling. all of the songs are astounding.

Everlasting Gaze- is a treat for old pumpkins fans, since it is slightly reminiscent of tonight tonight and zero.

Raindrops+Sunshowers- rocks like U2. it's one of the best songs on the album.

Stand Inside Your Love - is a pretty song. billy likes to get romantic sometimes.

I of the Mourning - reminds me of the cure, and it probably is my fave song.

Sacred and Profane - isn't one of the best songs, but it still is really cool. the chorus especially.

Try Try Try- picks up where Adore left off. it has soft guitars, soft lyrics, and is softly sung, and is bloody gorgeous.

Heavy Metal Machine - has a great glam-rock crunch to it, but the lyrics aren't the best. it's musically invincible.

This Time - Is surprisingly sad. the lyrics have a desperation to them, and the music is mournful, although it has a fast beat.

The Imploding Voice - has a charm to it. this song is reminiscent of Pissant from Pisces Iscariot. mindless fun.

Glass and the Ghost Children - freaks me out. it's almost ten minutes long, and while most bands who write epics tend to weaken at the end, this song rocks hard and rolls gently. i especially like the spoken part.

Wound - is maybe my least favorite song on the album. that doesn't make it a bad song, but it doesn't do much for me.

The Crying Tree of Mercury - is the strangest oddity on the album. i love how the keyboards and guitar meld into one another

With Every Light - is mellow and dreamy. it definitely floats.

Blue Skies Bring Tears - is an incredibly beautiful song. the lyrics are great too.

The Age of Innocence - may be the strongest song on the album. it changes halfway to a softer bridge, kinda liek parts of Siamese Dream. A great closer.

This album really affected me. i reccomend it to everyone

'Machina: The Machines of God' is not only filled to the brim with transcending musical mastery never before imagined, it also explains human nature beautifully in perfectly realized concept. The concept is illustrated by the story of a man, Zero, who fronts the most popular musical act in the world. Zero finds the mirrored image of himself, June, and falls in love with her. Yet, Zero is utterly devoid of grace. Zero has a catharsis of faith and becomes Glass. He attempts to change his band into something more spiritual and tries to literally 'save the souls of all his legions of fans' through his music. His new band, The Machines of God, is abandoned by his fans. June, the mirrored reflection of his past self, becomes dissillusioned with his new path. She overdoses on drugs and gets into a car accident. After her death and his band's failure, Glass goes into seclusion and discovers his true path. He attempted to save the world, when all he needed to do was save himself. Although he didn't save the world, he redeemed his own soul. The concept is that one cannot possibly rectify others without first rectifying one's self. This is definitely the best concept album I've ever heard. The only flaw is 'The Imploding Voice.' It has absolutely nothing to do with the concept and kills the flow of the album. Some have noticed that the lyrics of 'Heavy Metal Machine' are arrogant and pompous. But, take into account that these lyrics are not Billy Corgan speaking, they are the persona of the unenlightened Zero speaking. The vinyl issuing of 'Machina' is even better. The addition of the song, 'Speed Kills,' ties the album together perfectly.

Ok, ok... I have seen so many mixed reviews for this album, and none of them have been clear, so I decided that I better write one that actually makes sense without repeating "the Pumpkins are back" multiple times. Truth is, they are not back. If you liked Siamese Dream and Gish, it does not necessarily mean that you are gonna like this album. I mean, it is pretty different. The Pumpkins seem to have lost their amazing sonic-guitar sound when they switched to Flood. If you want Siamese Dream revisited, then buy the Zero single. Mouths of Babes and Marquis in Spades should really get you going. Sorry, getting off the track....anyway, is this a bad album? Hell no, I think it is great, and it should please fans and newbies to the Pumpkin Kingdom. Machina, however, is an obvious continuation of the evolution of the Pumpkins' sound. The guitar is not crunchy and thick, but has a classic rock buzz-twang (Corgan referred to it as a "more muscular sound"). Also, if you are expecting a rock-riff album, this isn't for you. Think classic Pumpkins meets Neil Young meets The Cure. Weird, huh? Well, check it out, I don't think that you'll be disappointed...