Virgin Records and the Smashing Pumpkins have never gotten along. But this time, the Pumpkins have the last laugh. They decided to release 25 vinyl copies of Machina II / the Friends and Enemies of Modern Music to a select group of friends and fans, encouraging mass bootlegging.
The Smashing Pumpkins
Machina II / Friends and Enemies of Modern Music
Constantinople Records
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Machina II comes as quite a shock. While Adore and Machina / the Machines of God were more explorative in their style, Machina II encompasses a wide variety of styles to appease all sorts of Pumpkins fans. It is by far the band's best effort since Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
Machina II is a collection of b-sides, new songs and alternate versions. Like most Pumpkins albums, it is dominated by the rock-ballads that are the Pumpkins forte. "Slow Dawn" and "Vanity" give, above anything else, lead singer Billy Corgan a chance to show off his vocals. "If There Is A God" has two versions, one by the full band and the other, a beautiful simplified version featuring only Corgan and a piano.
There's a little something for every Pumpkins fan on Machina II. "Cash Car Star," a commentary on the recording industry Corgan has grown to despise, and "Soul Power" are both beefy, heavy tracks similar to previous hits "Cherub Rock" and "Ava Adore."
What both Adore and Machina lacked was an angst-ridden rock anthem that inspired thousands of fans to sport "Zero" shirts back in 1995. On Machina II, Corgan makes a quick regression to his "rage days" with "Dross," as he screams, "Can anyone be true? / Does anyone want to be you?"
But it's not all new stuff. Machina II also features a few alternate versions of previously released songs. But these versions are a far cry from the original. Most notable is "Heavy Metal Machine," which goes from being hard rock on Machina to almost pure distortion on Machina II.
Machina II will never have an official CD pressing. But the Smashing Pumpkins Internet Fan Club (www.spifc.org) received one of the vinyls and is offering CDs at cost to those with membership, which is free. Also, check out www.machinaII.com for a list of possible download sites. With Machina II being the Pumpkins last album, it's great to see the band going out on a high note.
