Zwan's stock value may be dwindling fast on the Popex music exchange of virtual shares but fans still believe guitar-driven rock is a precious market commodity.
Thankfully, group MD Billy Corgan has brought gold in his pockets. Gladdening melodies and shout-out-loud lyrics evoke memorable highlights from his Smashing Pumpkins past, while thumping riffs and toy-soldier percussion distance this album from the worst excesses of his former group's dying gasps in Machina and Adore. And look at the bold neon CD cover. This is a man who has finally lightened up. He has good reason too, Lyric, Baby Let's Rock and Yeah!, are fabulous anthems. Nod your head to the ballads Honestly and Desire, study the lyrics for knowing references in Heartsong and skip the unapologetically repetitive Settle Down. In the past few years we have seen Corgan's share price go down more than up, but with Mary Star Of The Sea he's finally turned the tide in his favour.
Updated: 09:39 Thursday, March 06, 2003
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