They’ll take their Pumpkins chilled
December 19th, 2008 by jjbtags: if all goes wrong, american gothic, criticism, acoustic
HU sidebar talents Fluxblog and Thirteen Birds vs. the Record Desk have kind words today for “No Surrender” and American Gothic, respectively.
Matthew Perpetua, Fluxblogger:
The melodies [of “No Surrender”] are lovely, but at least in terms of Billy Corgan’s discography, atypically understated. Though the piece has its subtle dynamics, there is no bombast or drama, just this slow, meditative drift between delicate thoughts and emotions. Corgan’s vocal performance is also rather understated, and focused primarily on the lower register of his limited, trebly singing voice. He sounds relaxed and mature, and some turns of phrase sound absolutely gorgeous in a way specific to his body of work.
In short, [American Gothic] is nothing new from Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain [sic], which is precisely why it isn’t a shrieking horror. It’s natural. It’s Billy Corgan music that sounds like Billy Corgan.
What is irritating about trying to follow Billy Corgan’s career is how frequently he defeats himself, how often he ignores what he does well to do something shallowly “Artistic.” He and [Chamberlin] could easily record album-after-inviting-album of expertly-recorded folky psychedelia.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
“What is irritating about trying to follow Billy Corgan’s career is how frequently he defeats himself, how often he ignores what he does well to do something shallowly “Artistic.”
Frequently defeats himself? I’d counter that what makes Billy Corgan interesting is his willingness to NOT constantly repeat what he does well. His successes in trying something new far outweigh his failures. You’re not going to make great music by never challenging yourself.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Agreed.
Also, I thought from the excerpt that the Thirteen Birdman article was going to be more positive and complimentary than it ended up being. Which is something I was looking forward to reading, after all the bitchy articles. O well.
December 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
My favorite part is how Perpetua declares his own criticisms of the tour to be “valid”.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Would it have been any better if he instead linked to Pitchforkmedia or any one of the other negative reviews? I don’t really see any difference.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
JEEEEEEEEEEZ these blogs are annoying, just a few peoples oppinions and we all have to debate on it. pathetic!
December 20th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I’ve been a Corgan fan for quite some time. Heck, I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and did my stint in highschool from ‘92-’96. The Pumpkins were inescapable. Billy Corgan was a mostly unavoidable presence during those years. I dig a lot of what he does, but to suggest that every single one of his tangents or indulgent projects is worth hearing seems a bit much.
I think Corgan does his best work when he backs off the schtick and just writes and performs songs unfussily.
Thanks for reading, anyway.
December 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
“I think Corgan does his best work when he backs off the schtick and just writes and performs songs unfussily.”
Seems to me his best work was always done when he was up against the wall with band turmoil, and simultaneously grasping for a larger audience, and stretching his creative limits. Also the most boring periods have been when they ‘back off the shtick’ - VH1 Storytellers, the ‘Chicago songs’ - all the best memories of Pumpkins past involve ridiculous outfits and grandiose double album conceits.
December 21st, 2008 at 10:55 pm
@Thirteen
No one said every one of his side projects was worth hearing, but what you implied was that none of them are, which is just as absurd.
I’m a huge Pumpkins/Corgan fan but I’ve never been able to get into The Future Embrace. There are a few songs on it I really like but most of it rang flat for me. I’ve never found Billy’s career to be irritating though. What exactly are these “indulgent projects” that are so prevalent throughout his career? His poetry book?
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
Actually, I didn’t say his all his side projects weren’t worth listening to. I said that a lot of the times his projects and his persona dip a toe into ridiculousness — the “poetry” book, the solo album that he undermined by announcing the Pumpkin’s reformation the day it came out, the half-hearted conceptual stuff around Machina, the public feuding with Jim DeRogatis, etc.
The wacky outfits, public pronouncements, and extended conceits have cost Corgan some of the mass audience he wishes to cultivate. He’s a talented guy. He’s got a way with sound. However, his reluctance to give up the “really big show” elements of his act and settle into a career as a songwriter makes him difficult to take seriously at times.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Can We All agree on something: For various reasons, Corgan should not be taken seriously. And for many more, his music should. Besides… I love his skirts! “-)
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