NY TIMES REVIEW

Vlidote · 07-09-2007, 10:49 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/ar...ic&oref=slogin

SMASHING PUMPKINS
“Zeitgeist” (Reprise)

A couple of years ago, when Billy Corgan decided to reunite Smashing Pumpkins, which broke up in 2000, he announced his intentions with a full-page advertisement in his hometown newspaper The Chicago Tribune. “I want my band back,” it read in part, “and my songs, and my dreams.”

Not surprisingly this comeback album exudes roughly the same degree of subtlety, from the title, “Zeitgeist,” to the cover illustration. (Designed by Shepard Fairey, it depicts the Statue of Liberty knee-deep in what looks like a rising tide.) And in case you missed the point, Mr. Corgan provides songs called “For God and Country” and “Pomp and Circumstances,” along with lyrics like these, from “United States”: “I want to fight, I want to fight /A revolution tonight.

So "Zeitgeist” appears to have a sense of urgency about something other than Mr. Corgan’s dreams. The album is surprisingly effective in musical terms: drone-laden and distortion-jacked, it sounds about as tough as anything this band has produced. Jimmy Chamberlain, the only other original member on hand, thrashes impressively at his drums, and Mr. Corgan’s nasal whine slices cleanly through the din.

The problem, on more than a few tracks, is what he’s saying. In addition to some nonspecific political exhortations, he offers vagaries about personal relations, inner demons and “the light” that everyone should be shining. Maybe someday Mr. Corgan will have to reconcile “It’s lonely at the top” with “I don’t want to be alone.” For now he seems dauntless in his belief that self-absorption and social responsibility can coexist, and who knows? He might have his finger on the pulse after all. NATE CHINEN

teamneedle · 07-09-2007, 10:53 AM

ok, so what did they just say?

if they aren't going to review the music then why even bother.

I hope that nate chinen doesn't expect to win an award for that review.

Pretzel Logic · 07-09-2007, 10:55 AM

newspaper reviews always suck

Sebastian · 07-09-2007, 10:57 AM

http://www.j-archive.com/media/2006-07-14_J_Cat1.jpg

JessiMercury · 07-09-2007, 10:58 AM

"Maybe someday Mr. Corgan will have to reconcile “It’s lonely at the top” with “I don’t want to be alone.”

i personally think he's being ironic in that lyric.

Vlidote · 07-09-2007, 11:01 AM

It's a favorable review overall.

Dr B DDS · 07-09-2007, 11:16 AM

Yet another reviewer that cannot spell Jimmy's name...

InfinityNow · 07-09-2007, 11:20 AM

"For now he seems dauntless in his belief that self-absorption and social responsibility can coexist, and who knows?" ... I like how that sounds. How can you be socially responsible if you don't know what the fuck you're doing? And how can you know what you're doing unless you've thought about it in a variety of self-rational ways that might not fit the mold of the social scenery?

medellia · 07-09-2007, 11:33 AM

it's the zeitgeist, people!

Pug Superstar · 07-09-2007, 12:55 PM

Well, at least he didn't go on for 3 paragraphs about about how 2 original members are missing and Billy's public image like every other fucking review, favorable or other.

mccririck · 07-09-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr B DDS

Yet another reviewer that cannot spell Jimmy's name...

It's a minor mistake really. You shopuld get used to it.

likeicare · 07-09-2007, 01:08 PM

yeay! another vague review

TAFH · 07-09-2007, 01:10 PM

wow... this is the BEST review I've seen so far of Zeitgeist... it doesn't completely annihilate the album, but of course it doesn't praise it either....

wow... good job billy... I'm sure you'll use it in the zeigeist booklet

morecowbell · 07-09-2007, 02:36 PM

lol. the NYT is such propaganda, of course they're going to say "nonspecific political exhortations" and dismiss any hint of a message. why the interest in reviews around here, anyway? usually i like the music and movies that the reviewers don't like. a bad review is a good review imo.

teamneedle · 07-09-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessiMercury

"Maybe someday Mr. Corgan will have to reconcile “It’s lonely at the top” with “I don’t want to be alone.”

i personally think he's being ironic in that lyric.

That line is basically the answer to the everlasting gaze or the retort. So he is def not talking about his real self, but maybe his existential self.

Billy said on june 2nd at the ashville show that he is one again Zero and not Glass or whatever.

He states it right after he talked about people downloading the album. And how Jimmy needs to feed his children now so they need the pennies they get from each album.

I don't know the exact quote but he said that his moniker of zero is also his sperm count

mccririck · 07-09-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamneedle

That line is basically the answer to the everlasting gaze or the retort. So he is def not talking about his real self, but maybe his existential self.

Billy said on june 2nd at the ashville show that he is one again Zero and not Glass or whatever.

He states it right after he talked about people downloading the album. And how Jimmy needs to feed his children now so they need the pennies they get from each album.

I don't know the exact quote but he said that his moniker of zero is also his sperm count

He's been firing blanks since Machina.

teamneedle · 07-09-2007, 03:11 PM

maybe that is why yelena is out of the picture and he had the terrible Chinese bitch with him during the poetry tour.

Wow, was that bitch terrible.

07-09-2007, 10:49 AM	#1
Vlidote Amish Rake Fighter Posts: 16	NY TIMES REVIEW http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/09/ar...ic&oref=slogin SMASHING PUMPKINS “Zeitgeist” (Reprise) A couple of years ago, when Billy Corgan decided to reunite Smashing Pumpkins, which broke up in 2000, he announced his intentions with a full-page advertisement in his hometown newspaper The Chicago Tribune. “I want my band back,” it read in part, “and my songs, and my dreams.” Not surprisingly this comeback album exudes roughly the same degree of subtlety, from the title, “Zeitgeist,” to the cover illustration. (Designed by Shepard Fairey, it depicts the Statue of Liberty knee-deep in what looks like a rising tide.) And in case you missed the point, Mr. Corgan provides songs called “For God and Country” and “Pomp and Circumstances,” along with lyrics like these, from “United States”: “I want to fight, I want to fight /A revolution tonight. So "Zeitgeist” appears to have a sense of urgency about something other than Mr. Corgan’s dreams. The album is surprisingly effective in musical terms: drone-laden and distortion-jacked, it sounds about as tough as anything this band has produced. Jimmy Chamberlain, the only other original member on hand, thrashes impressively at his drums, and Mr. Corgan’s nasal whine slices cleanly through the din. The problem, on more than a few tracks, is what he’s saying. In addition to some nonspecific political exhortations, he offers vagaries about personal relations, inner demons and “the light” that everyone should be shining. Maybe someday Mr. Corgan will have to reconcile “It’s lonely at the top” with “I don’t want to be alone.” For now he seems dauntless in his belief that self-absorption and social responsibility can coexist, and who knows? He might have his finger on the pulse after all. NATE CHINEN

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07-09-2007, 10:53 AM	#2
teamneedle Ownz Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 905	ok, so what did they just say? if they aren't going to review the music then why even bother. I hope that nate chinen doesn't expect to win an award for that review.

07-09-2007, 10:55 AM	#3
Pretzel Logic Apocalyptic Poster Location: someone more...punk rock? Posts: 3,563	newspaper reviews always suck

07-09-2007, 10:57 AM	#4
Sebastian Apocalyptic Poster Location: THE END IS NIGH Posts: 1,932	http://www.j-archive.com/media/2006-07-14_J_Cat1.jpg

07-09-2007, 10:58 AM	#5
JessiMercury Ownz Posts: 753	"Maybe someday Mr. Corgan will have to reconcile “It’s lonely at the top” with “I don’t want to be alone.” i personally think he's being ironic in that lyric.

07-09-2007, 11:01 AM	#6
Vlidote Amish Rake Fighter Posts: 16	It's a favorable review overall.

07-09-2007, 11:16 AM	#7
Dr B DDS Pledge Location: North Carolina Posts: 85	Yet another reviewer that cannot spell Jimmy's name...

07-09-2007, 11:20 AM	#8
InfinityNow Pledge Location: burning masonic temple Posts: 223	"For now he seems dauntless in his belief that self-absorption and social responsibility can coexist, and who knows?" ... I like how that sounds. How can you be socially responsible if you don't know what the fuck you're doing? And how can you know what you're doing unless you've thought about it in a variety of self-rational ways that might not fit the mold of the social scenery?

07-09-2007, 11:33 AM	#9
medellia Pledge Posts: 137	it's the zeitgeist, people!

07-09-2007, 12:55 PM	#10
Pug Superstar Demi-God Location: A thousand smiles away Posts: 293	Well, at least he didn't go on for 3 paragraphs about about how 2 original members are missing and Billy's public image like every other fucking review, favorable or other.

07-09-2007, 01:08 PM	#12
likeicare Ownz Location: the middle of a reptile zoo, and somebody is giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds. Posts: 570	yeay! another vague review

07-09-2007, 01:10 PM	#13
TAFH Demi-God Posts: 291	wow... this is the BEST review I've seen so far of Zeitgeist... it doesn't completely annihilate the album, but of course it doesn't praise it either.... wow... good job billy... I'm sure you'll use it in the zeigeist booklet

07-09-2007, 02:36 PM	#14
morecowbell Ownz Location: really exploring the studio space this time Posts: 536	lol. the NYT is such propaganda, of course they're going to say "nonspecific political exhortations" and dismiss any hint of a message. why the interest in reviews around here, anyway? usually i like the music and movies that the reviewers don't like. a bad review is a good review imo.

07-09-2007, 03:11 PM	#17
teamneedle Ownz Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 905	maybe that is why yelena is out of the picture and he had the terrible Chinese bitch with him during the poetry tour. Wow, was that bitch terrible.