The music of the Smashing Pumpkins was largely distinguished by Billy Corgan’s distinctive voice, which is the biggest reason Corgan’s new band, Zwan, will be successful.
Zwan doesn’t go out on much of a limb with its debut album, “Mary Star of the Sea.” The first single is “Honestly,” an unapologetically great song — but it follows all the rules of great songs. It’s immediately likeable, has a catchy, singalong chorus and could be mistaken for the Pumpkins by the unexpected listener.
The rest of the songs follow the same pattern, and therein lies the fault of the CD. While the Pumpkins were delightfully difficult to get into, and sad — the band’s critically-acclaimed double disc was called “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” for God’s sake — Zwan is upbeat, simple and glittery. Unfortunately, Corgan’s whiny, acquired-taste vocals seem better suited to angst than pop.
Zwan may have been wiser in calling itself the Billy Corgan Band — it would have cut out much of the inevitable, “you know, Billy Corgan’s new band.”
Instead, it took the slick and shiny route. Much of its merchandise is emblazoned with glam-rock logos similar to Led Zeppelin; the promo CD came complete with colorful rainbow stickers.
The band’s publicists must be working overtime to generate buzz for Corgan’s special project — “Honestly” is already being overplayed on new rock radio stations, CD101 played the entire album and Zwan has already played live at the Newport.
But even with a public relations blitzkrieg, Zwan certainly can’t hope to approach the heights of the Smashing Pumpkins. Until the band starts exploring new territory instead of producing a disc full of Pumpkins-Weezer hybrid songs, the group will just be seen as novelty.
“Heartsong” is a powerful ballad that keeps teasing it might break out into an orchestral chorus at any moment, but remains steady. The lyrics aren’t anything revelatory — “Just be sure/no more, no less. Let love confess to you/what you must do” — but the song is still the most moving on the album.
“Baby, Let’s Rock” is danceable and catchy, and is the most un-Pumpkins song in the collection. Corgan’s former band would never have been so blatantly poppy.
The 14-minute “Jesus I/Mary Star of the Sea” is the lone exception, a largely instrumental song that nicely rounds out the disc. In fact, it should have been the last. The final track, the ill-advised, harmonica-filled “Come With Me” should have been axed.
It ain’t genius, but Zwan’s first effort is good, solid rock ‘n’ roll.
