Zwan - Future Embrace CD

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 Digital, synthesized, noise-pop
"Pretty, Pretty Star" brought me back to Mellon Collie days. Mina Loy is lovely and noisy. I like the music production of this album. I have not heard the whole album, and I do not want to judge this music. Not every song I listened to was amazing to me. However, some of these songs are very nice. If you enjoy listening to Billy Corgan, you will enjoy this album.
Submitted by Bradley (Las Vegas, NV)
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 no just no
I've got mixed feelings about The Pumpkins getting back together... the teenager inside of me is allready wearing a white jumper with holes for the thumbs and a black zero T-shirt, shouting hysterically... But the adult realist in me is concerned. It's like ressurecting Kurt Cobain and releasing a new Nirvana album: it could be an absolute miracle of biblical proportions, or a mindless zombie milking the dollars out of something very sacred that should have been left to rest in peace. We'll have to see. As for Billy's solo "album": absolute drivvel. dissapointing airy funk rock. Long live the Pumpkins
Submitted by wewe (London, UK)
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 Inconsistent and Yet Somehow Brilliant
I should was in two minds with my anticipation of this album. Being a longtime Pumpkins fan, I was eagerly awaiting Billy's solo project, in the hope of some more of that transcendantly self indulgent and poignant melancholia that only he can deliver. However, on the otherhand I can't help but feel that since 'Adore' (namely with 'Machina' and his last project, Zwan)he's progressively exchanged poignancy for formula, with his music becoming more of a caricarture of real melancholy and emotion (some Pumpkins fans will think this sacrilege; so bite me) Anyway,I came to the album hoping for some introspective moodiness and confessional brilliance, but also half expecting some contrived trite. In fact, both of these feelings were confirmed for me to greater or lesser degrees with this album. The first half vacillates between uninspired derivative sentimentality and genuinely engaging, moving and interesting music, at times walking a fine line between the two within the same track (track 4). Even so, there is some real substance that begins to slowly take form in these songs. However, I think the second half of the album is where it really comes out on its own. Beginning on track 7, with the gorgeous 'Now (and then)', Billy moves away from the electro-trash beats that drive the first half into some ambient chorus keyboards interspersed with out of tune delayed guitar pickings, building it up into a hypnotic meditation complete with e-bow feedback, that meanders on without a care or pretence in the world, like Billy's finally let the music off the treadmill, and let it take its own direction. This leads into a suite of strong, moody, swirling and introspective songs (with perhaps the slight let down of track 9) which continue until the albums closer, 'Strayz', an achingly beautiful vocal-driven piece, that really highlights Billy's ability at producing really simple, powerful and incredibly moving music. Its a revelation; I felt how far he'd come from the beginning of the album and was very glad I joined him on the journey. So, in conclusion, I don't think that this album is consistently brilliant in terms of all its track; rather I feel like it has some other kind of brilliance that seems to consist in it transcending its own weakness. For this alone I recommend the album, while also prescribing some patience, honesty, open ears and an open heart:)
Submitted by bencoggins (Dunedin, New Zealand)
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 Great CD
If lyrics escape you and you are looking for more of an angry thrashing C.D, or are seeking a depthless pop sensationalist C.D, this is not for you. Not "hard" like the pumpkins, more of a beautiful digital masterpiece.
Submitted by Utopian Idealist (Andrea M.) (Not in Utopia, yet (OK))
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 Where is the Smash in Billy
I think we all can agree on the Mr. Corgan has a great voice, but where is his backup, as in "band" I mean. I felt like Billy was flying in outerspace looking for them, outthere, somewhere. The thing I Love about Billy Corgan is his powerful, in your face voice, and I believe that is lacking in the worst way here. Please bring back the Billy we know....
Submitted by craig (London, ON, CAN)
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