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MARY STAR OF THE SEA
Zwan
(Reprise-Warner)
Few doubted that Billy Corgan, the braintrust of seminal '90s rockers Smashing Pumpkins, would resurface following the demise of that band in 2000.
What is a nice surprise is just how sharp his post-Pumpkins outfit -- featuring Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and members of A Perfect Circle and defunct indie guitar bands Slint, Tortoise and Chavez -- sounds.
Zwan's debut, in stores Tuesday, brims with a revitalized energy and is propelled by some of Corgan's most radio-friendly and tuneful songs in years.
It's zesty, powerful modern rock for the masses -- the startling 14-minute opus Jesus, I / Mary Star Of The Sea being the exception. Standout tracks include mid-tempo melodic rockers Lyric, Settle Down, Declarations Of Faith, Honestly, El Sol, Ride A Black Swan, and Yeah!; the hushed acoustic ballads Of A Broken Heart, Heartsong and Desire; and the album-ending pop-folk tune Come With Me, complete with harmonica.
One false note is sounded on the silly Baby Let's Rock! -- who does he think he is, Shania Twain?
And while Corgan still sings in that like-it-or-hate-it nasally voice, at least he sounds more relaxed and happy than he did during the last days of the Pumpkins. (More on Zwan)
Track Listing
1. Lyric
2. Settle Down
3. Declarations Of Faith
4. Honestly
5. El Sol
6. Of A Broken Heart
7. Ride A Black Swan
8. Heartsong
9. Endless Summer
10. Baby Let's Rock!
11. Yeah!
12. Desire
13. Jesus,I / Mary Star Of The Sea
14. Come With Me