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The first solo album ever released by Billy Corgan-the revered singer/songwriter/guitarist whose groundbreaking work with The Smashing Pumpkins defined modern rock-is shockingly affirmative, even romantic. Corgan's most intimate set of songs yet, the hauntingly beautiful TheFutureEmbrace brings together Corgan's astonishing past and promising present.

The Smashing Pumpkins, that earthshaking rock band of the 1990s, broke up in 2001. Most of the members -- James Iha, James Chamberlin and Melissa Auf Der Maur -- have embarked on solo careers, with varying successes. In the meantime, frontman Billy Corgan put out a book of poetry and started a new band, the sadly short-lived Zwan. Now Billy Corgan has gone solo for real, with "TheFutureEmbrace," with his usual mixture of self-examination and brooding music. It doesn't exactly forge new territories, but the echoes of the Pumpkins merely enhance the dreamier, softer sound. "All things change/never rest, never sure/what is worth/fighting on for?" Corgan asks in the dream-rocker "All Things Change," over a bed of buzzing guitars. That dreamy sound continues throughout the album -- sometimes it's laced with synth blips, sometimes with airy distortion. In fact, "TheFutureEmbrace" might have simply floated away if Corgan hadn't included some grittier songs to ground it. "Mina Loy (M.O.H.)" kicks it off with some twisting synth, drum machines and a dark bassline. The songs in that vein are catchy and gritty, so it keeps the whole thing from seeming a bit too art-rocky. Who will like it? Fans of Corgan will more or less know what to expect, and will probably enjoy it. Those that don't like Corgan's past work probably won't like this either, because it has Corgan's style written all over the album. With "TheFutureEmbrace," Corgan has taken a slightly different musical turn. The harder rock of his old days has been replaced by a haze of synth and some murky dreampop guitars. All the songs feel softer and more comfortable, like shoes that have been broken in. Corgan's vocals are still a bit nasal, a bit high, but he puts so much passion into his singing that sooner or later you get yanked in. The odd thing is, he seems to be at peace. There is pain and unhappiness, sure -- at one point he seems to be explaining his past work, by announcing "a naked soul just has to grieve/if I bleed, the camera cries." But Corgan also sings that "we can change the world," and announces, "only you remind me/that only love can find me." It's not really Corgan's best work, but it's still very good songwriting. Billy Corgan's return is not a smashing rebirth, but a quieter triumph that takes awhile to fully sink in. A solid solo album, and definitely one worthy of praise. Comment | Permalink | (Report this)