Jane- MACHINA/The Machines Of God (2000)

Limo: Home, Jeeves
Taxi: 25 Main ST., please
Bus: Hop on the bus, Gus
Bike: You're on your own

Machina/The Machines Of God (given a "bus")
When the Pumpkins' heavenly double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, came out in 1995, I couldnt listen to anything else. I'd even dream about lead singer Billy Corgan, because his songs were so damn good. On the other hand, I've been forced to listen to thid, Machina, more than 10 times now and, shockingly, not one song or stanza stands out. Each tune. Each tune sounds like typical Pumpkins, but without the amazing variety that took Mellon Collie so far above and beyond. Machina is harsher than Adore, the Pumpkins' previous album - which would be an okay thing, except that the monotonous distortion, heavy guitar and repetitive, wailing vocals get pretty dreary. There is one interesting moment on this CD - the eerie conversation on "Glass and the Ghost Children" --but otherwise, its mediocre. Billy used to be my hero. Not anymore. Esther Haynes