Happy Happy Zwan Zwan
Billy Corgan is back with his new band Zwan after a short hiatus following the break up of Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan is joined by rock star alumni bassplayer Paz Lenchantin (formerly of A Perfect Circle) guitarist Matt Sweeney (Chavez) other guitarist David Pajo (Slint) and the only other member of Smashing Pumpkins to join in this project, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Zwan is not like Smashing Pumpkins. Zwan is happy. Did I say happy? Scratch that. I meant happy happy happy happy. Their first album “Mary Star of the Sea” content wise isn’t altogether different from Smashing Pumpkins material. Just about every song is entirely about love and relationships.However, the album bounds along with this ultra joyful kind of exuberance. Corgan sings “i’ve taken care of everything/and when i can’t can’t you know i’m tying knots/baby, let’s rock” with the sheer glee that was unheard of from him just a few years ago. It’s hard not to compare Zwan to Smashing Pumpkins almost immediately and remember the magnificent range of styles and emotions commanded so skillfully in their prime. The production is muddier than the pristine edge the Pumpkins always exhibited too, but this folk/rock/good time fest that is Zwan is a far cry better than one might expect.
Leave a Comment