MACHINA - The Machines Of God - Smashing Pumpkins (The)

...song is the 'Zero' of Machina and probably the most accessible for the casual rock fan.

2. Raindrops + Sunshowers - A favorite amongst many-a-pumpkin faithful. A dreamy light album track with some awesome background effects which really make the song title seem appropriate. Billy's voice is another strong feature on this song, powerful but does not overpower the music.

3. Stand Inside Your Love - Being a single should ...
...the most structured song on Machina with a very slow methodical pace and much lyric repetition. The drums have taken on a very electronic feel for this track and layering effects have been used lots.

6. Try, Try, Try - Another single. The softest of the three Machina singles. The effects on this song have been likened to Abandoned Pools' 'Sunny Days'. Light guitar and drum work have been interwoven with some of the best lyrics written ... more

General

I am a big Smashing Pumpkins fan and this 'final' album is my absolute favorite. That is not to say this album is all plain sailing.

This was the 3rd album of the Pumpkins that I purchased (after Siamese Dream and Rotten Apples) and I did not get into it for over a year.

To describe this albums' sound I'd say to imagine a cross between the heavy parts of 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness' and the heartfelt delicate parts of 'Adore'. This is a difficult album to classify as it is very unique.

Track by Track:
1. The Everlasting Gaze - A return to the metal from the Pumpkins with some lovely layering effects. This song is the 'Zero' of Machina and probably the most accessible for the casual rock fan.

2. Raindrops + Sunshowers - A favorite amongst many-a-pumpkin faithful. A dreamy light album track with some awesome background effects which really make the song title seem appropriate. Billy's voice is another strong feature on this song, powerful but does not overpower the music.

3. Stand Inside Your Love - Being a single should indicate to you that this is another of the more accessible songs on Machina. This song is a hybrid of the Nirvana loud, quiet, loud style, love song lyrics/song effects and layered electronic rock. A really beautiful piece and an album highlight.

4. I Of The Mourning - The lyrics of this song are the most poignant thing on this song. On the face of it, the lyrics seem very simple but the song has a much more deep Religious undertone to it. The song begins lightly but becomes much more 'MCIS era' Pumpkins by the end.

5. The Sacred and the Profane - This song is probably the most structured song on Machina with a very slow methodical pace and much lyric repetition. The drums have taken on a very electronic feel for this track and layering effects have been used lots.

6. Try, Try, Try - Another single. The softest of the three Machina singles. The effects on this song have been likened to Abandoned Pools' 'Sunny Days'. Light guitar and drum work have been interwoven with some of the best lyrics written by Mr.Corgan to create this wonderful song. The version of this song on Machina 2 still has the lyrical edge over this version in my opinion.

7. Heavy Metal Machine - The most difficult song to listen to on Machina. A robotic sounding heavy rock song which the most puzzling lyrics on Machina. The song has two rates of pace and lyrics repeat throughout. This song is one that I wouldn't expect casual fans to take to straight away.

8. This Time - This song is a personal favorite and always makes me think of a deserted island through use of the opening effects. The last song written by Mr.Corgan for Machina once he knew of the Pumpkins' impending split. The lyrics are some of the hardest hitting on the album and really give you an insight to the break-up. A really emotional song. This song personifies Machina

9. The Imploding Voice - Another heavier song. The introducing riff and first verse are particularly good. The chorus uses the extra guitar an effects once again to great effect. The flow of this song is particularly flawless. The pace is deliberate, the lyrics are excellent and the music is amazing. What more do you want form a rock song?

10. Glass And The Ghost Children - At nearly ten minutes in length this really is one for the die hard fans only. The song starts with one of the most unique guitar introductions and once the initial 3 minutes of the song are over you begin to feel like this is a different song, by 4 minutes it is not even recognizable. Then at 4:33 a solo piano kicks in with Billy spewing quotes about God with the voice distorted for about a minute and a half.
At 6:03 the second real part of the song begins, which is a lyric and drum driven ending to perhaps the strangest Pumpkins song of all time. Enjoyable for die hards only!

11. Wound - Definitely in my top 5 songs of all time by ANY band. This song combines the best of the 'old' Pumpkins with the best of the new. The song has lovely light guitar work, soft & delicate yet profound lyrics, excellent drumming and a great bass undertone running throughout. If you download one track as a taster this is the one I'd choose. Accessible but has great longevity.

12. The Crying Tree of Mercury - A very slow, distorted and fuzzy song. The effects and layering probably reach their peak on this song. Yet the lyrics are still overpowering. This is an 'interesting' song in terms of vocal performance. The music differs greatly from the rest of the album without sounding too out of place. Possibly one of the weaker tracks in my opinion.

13. With Every Light - A happier and relaxing song. Possibly the most simple and light song on the album. Although the song maintains the Pumpkin style it does have a more powerful happy tone than usual.

14. Blue Skies Bring Tears - The perfect follow on to 'With Every Light'. This song really is the opposite of its predecessor. It is slow, methodical, sad and with strong musical effects throughout. I liken this sound to the feeling you get before someone dies. You know it's going to happen and you feel sad and powerless.

15. Age Of Innocence - The perfect send off for the album. A bouncy song that capitalizes on the previous tracks Armageddon like tone. This song although not as happy as 'With Every Light' send the listener off with a great feeling. The guitars are used to similar effect as they are in 'Wound'. The question is 'Will most listeners be able to reach this album pay-off?'

Highs

Raindrops + Sunshowers, Stand Inside You Love and Wound

The CD and Sleeve are amazingly designed using many exclusive paintings which were produced by Billy Corgan for this album. I'd actually recommend hunting down a copy of this album on Vinyl just for the amazing artwork.

The best thing about Machina? The fact that I can find something different to enjoy every time I listen to it. Very few albums have such LONGEVITY.

Lows

The problem with this album is that it is so deep that it largely alienates itself from casual rock fans. Casual rock fans may enjoy such the singles (The Everlasting Gaze, Stand Inside Your Love and Try,Try,Try) but will find it difficult to enjoy the album tracks.

Glass And The Ghost Children and The Crying Tree Of Mercury are some of the more complex Pumpkins songs and may put casual fans off of the band altogether due to their power and placing on the album. Later tracks often affect listener opinion like a bad ending to a movie.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

The booklet within the CD contains a chapter of the Machina story. The other chapters were presented in a variety of different media. One chapter was given away outside a Pumpkins concert, one in the CD, one with the vinyl, one on the website, one in the animation which was shown etc. Only true Pumpkin fans would hunt each piece down.

There was a competition online for people to decipher the meaning of the Machina story (which is followed through on the album). My interpretation is that of self interpretation. I believe that Billy wanted everyone to interpret this differently. Only by taking time to look, read and listen will you be able to make your own decision.

If you are looking for your first Smashing Pumpkins CD or an album which is easier to listen to then I'd recommend the Greatest Hits: Rotten Apples, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness or Siamese Dream to begin. I began with Rotten Apples and now 4 years on the Pumpkins are my favorite band of all time.

If however you like the thought of a deep meaningful album then check this album out. What I'd suggest is that you buy this album, listen to it in it's entirety a few times and if you don't enjoy it then listen to some earlier Pumpkins CD's and then return to this album once you have a better grasp of their work. I'm sure you will then gain an appreciation for what this album is.  

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