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THE REVIEW
I'll start with the premise that in my opinion, this album is not up to the Smashing Pumpkins' standards, but that doesn't mean it should be discarded...
It's not up to par simply because the "Pumpkins" spoiled us with albums (which I won't even bother to mention here) from another world that made '90s rock history...
There's a good mix of ballads ("The Sacred And Profane," "Try, Try, Try," "This Time," "Stand Inside Your Love") and somewhat rougher and heavier episodes ("Everlasting Gaze," "The Imploding Voice").
There's also room for a bit of psychedelia, found in track no. 10, "Glass And The Ghost Children," which lasts 9'56"...
As you continue listening, you realize that Corgan & Co. have a certain lack of ideas and that they have reached the end of the line... however, overall it's still an album that can be listened to without particular boredom.
Perhaps the length (73'22") is a bit excessive given the inclusion of some tracks like "Heavy Metal Machine" and "The Crying Tree Of Mercury," which the "Pumpkins" could have easily done without... But for Mr. Corgan, who churned out masterpiece albums in the decade of 91/2000, this can be forgiven.
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Summary by Bot
The review acknowledges that Machina / The Machines Of God does not reach the legendary standards of previous Smashing Pumpkins albums, yet it remains an engaging listen. The album features a balance between heartfelt ballads and heavier rock songs, plus a notable psychedelic track. Some tracks feel unnecessary, contributing to an overly long runtime. Overall, it is a forgivable effort from Billy Corgan after a decade of acclaimed work.
The Smashing Pumpkins
American alternative rock band formed in Chicago and led by Billy Corgan, famed for 1990s albums such as Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.50 Reviews
Other reviews
By Mr.Moustache
M A C H I N A. The most majestic, warm, immortal, lethal, loving, occluded, empathic, mystical, sentimental, and suffered funeral that rock & roll has ever had the honor to witness.
MACHINA/The Machines Of God is a specter, a ghost to be precise, a cold ghost dressed in dark garments like pitch, that makes you reflect and embark on an extracorporeal journey.
