Machina: The Machines of God by Smashing Pumpkins

Pros: Everything!

Cons: Come and tell me if you find some, because I can't!

The Bottom Line: This is an excellent album, one of the Pumpkin's best. Siamese Dream was more acclaimed, Mellon Collie longer, Adore more depressing, but this is my favourite.

Review: Words spoken by a man who some have described as a poet, artist, general philosopher trapped inside a rockstar. Of course, this is also a man that people have described as a pretentious, tyrannical, domineering...egghead. As we can see, there are ...

Pros: A perfectly produced album from Billy Corgan and Flood, Brings all the best elements of this band to the forefront, The return of Corgan's swaggering guitar and Chamberlain's crushing drums... A true "return" to form

Cons: If ANY cons can be taken from MACHINA..., it's the lack of a true acoustic ballad, something that Corgan has always done quite well...

Review: "You know I'm not dead!" wails Billy Corgan on the first line of the first song on the Smashing Pumpkins newest album MACHINA/The Machines of God. The Everlasting Gaze is not only the first song but subsequently the first single....

Pros: Rocks like Gish, lots of tracks, incredible versatility

Cons: Haven't found any yet!

Review: Billy Corgan is pretentious, manic, egotistical, self effacing, depressing, overly self involved, and generally detached. And it is all of the things and more that makes Corgan's music with the Smashing Pumpkins nothing short of genius. I have been a...

Pros: An epic album

Cons: One weak track of fifteen

Review: Though time will serve as the true test, it's highly probable that MACHINA/the machines of God will fall out as the best Pumpkins' release of their turbulent nine years. It is also a strong early contender for album of the year.

First, don't...

Pros: Songs are more consistent; Overall sound is new and refreshing

Cons: Emotional ranges expanded; some fans of the heavy angst might not care for it

The Bottom Line: A completely new turn that borrows from the old sound, Machina is Smashing Pumpkins finding their sonic center. Recommended for newbies and fans alike.

Review: When The Smashing Pumpkins released their last album Adore it confused some of the fans. Here was frontman Billy Corgan dressed like a Cenobyte from Hellraiser (think 'Uncle Fester guest-stars in The Matrix') and...

Pros: takes you on a musical journey, melding the Pumpkins old style with Corgan's love of electronic sounds, the best songwriting job from a band in 5 years

Cons: if you can find one, please let me know, because I don't see any

Review: There was a time when I was a bit younger, around 15 or so, when I absolutely loved the Smashing Pumpkins. The roaring guitars, the incredible melodies and lyrics, and of course, as a drummer, I loved Jimmy Chamberlain's drumming. However, all that...

Pros: Incredible songwriting, great production and solid the whole way through

Cons: If you are only familiar with/liked Adore, this may not be your cup of tea

Review: Most people will agree that Siamese Dream is the most important album in the Smashing Pumpkin’s discography. Sure, sure, some people like Mellon Collie better than SD but no one can deny its importance in bringing the Pumpkins into...

Pros: great song variety, production, melodic tone

Cons: none

Review: "MACHINA/ the machines of God" is a great album, let's start from there. But I've got a bone to pick with music reviewers, because I feel there has been a lot of misinformation regarding the descriptions I've heard about it.

Every...

Pros: Finally, the return of the rock

Cons: none

Review: It's been awhile since we've heard that trademark angst ridden voice ripping through the roar of guitars and God does it feel wonderful.

Though I feel Adore was just as good as any of their other albums it seemed detached and mellow, it left...

Pros: Pumpkin's return to rock with some of their best songwriting.

Cons: Not really anything big. One or two lackluster tracks.

The Bottom Line: MACHINA is the Pumpkins return to a heavier sound. It features some great songwriting and music. Only minor flaws hold it back.

Review: The Smashing Pumpkins' long awaited "Return to Rock" only partially fits that description. Yes, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin has returned after going through drug rehab. Yes, they've almost entirely gotten rid of the synthesized electronica textures that...