Billy Corgan never needed to make a solo album; with Corgan at the helm, the Smashing Pumpkins was a singular beast, a band with one omnipotent, unquestioned leader. In this sense, Zwan is no different. Corgan leads this group, though there is the sense that Zwan, with members of A Perfect Circle, Slint and Papa M on board, is more a collaboration than the Pumpkins ever were.
This is, of course, a good thing. Corgan has surrounded himself with competent, interesting musicians who temper his moods and color his songs. The guitars are thicker and more textured, and the vocals sweeter and more forgiving than the last few Pumpkins records. And yes, it’s a bit unfair to keep referencing Corgan’s old band, but so it goes. Even the line-up of Zwan looks a bit familiar: There’s Corgan up front, a cute female bassist, an Asian-looking fellow on guitar and Jimmy Chamberlain on drums–in short, a lot like the Smashing Pumpkins. Luckily, it’s a formula that worked in the past and works even better on Mary, Star of the Sea.
Mary, Star is a pop record in the best sense of the phrase, flirting with psychedelia and neo-hippie imagery. It wants to take the listener on its own magical mystery tour, and songs like “Ride a Black Swan” and “Endless Summer” makes this happen with hooks as sharp as a unicorn’s horn.
If the title didn’t tip you off, Corgan is still on a big religious kick with his new band. Mary, Star tackles faith issues in a more positive way while still questioning or amending Christian doctrine. The 14-minute “Jesus, I/Mary, Star of the Sea” uses an old spiritual tune (“Jesus, I have taken my cross / All to leave and follow thee”) to lead into a m?lange of swirling, freak-out guitar licks that is a fun trip but starts to wear off about halfway through the track.
It’s worth the wait to get to the album’s closer, “Come With Me,” a tune so light and simple that it betrays the depth and skill of its creator. It’s a fitting end to an album that just wants to rock and wants the listener to be swept up in the emotion and sound of rock ‘n’ roll. If summer can’t come soon enough for you, Zwan can help block out the cold and keep the good vibrations coming well though the spring.
