TheFutureEmbrace

Amazon.com
Odd it may seem, Billy Corgan is wearing his heart on his extremely long sleeve, in his first proper solo album since dismantling the Smashing Pumpkins five years ago. Maybe it took that long to process the enormity of that loss, since The Future Embrace sounds like nothing so much as a break-up album. But having said that, it's rather difficult to determine whether it's the absence of James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlain, and D'Arcy Wretzky or just something much more mundane than the shattering of an affair of the heart that his sent him on this 12-song confessional. To his extreme credit, Corgan isn't trying to obscure his pain and uncertainty behind layers of guitar distortion and sonic dissonance the way he did with the Pumpkins, instead he's employed a rather restrained hand as he tries to work his way out of this psychic maze of his own making, cavorting with the ghosts of his past, present and future on such kinetic panoramas as "All Things Change," "DIA," or the rather wrenching "The Camera Eye," where the musician wrestles with his fear of aging, his burgeoning religiosity as and the necessity of transformation. Don't miss Robert Smith singing rather angular back-ups on the Bee Gee's skewed ode to love, "You Don't Know What It's Like." A tremendous and noble effort from a major talent. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description
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.

TheFutureEmbrace,Billy Corgan,Reprise / Wea,Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,United States of America

TheFutureEmbrace

Average customer rating:

Marches to his own electronic drums
Just Takes Some Getting Used To...
Thom Yorke and Billy Corgan
I'm gonna be brave
Alright.

TheFutureEmbrace
Billy Corgan
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mary Star of the Sea
MACHINA/The Machines of God
Pisces Iscariot
Adore
Blinking with Fists: Poems

ASIN: B0009G018Q
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

All Things Change
Mina Loy (M.O.H.)
The CameraEye
ToLoveSomebody
A100
DIA
Now (And Then)
I'm Ready
Walking Shade
Sorrows (in blue)
Pretty, pretty STAR
Strayz

Amazon.com

Odd it may seem, Billy Corgan is wearing his heart on his extremely long sleeve, in his first proper solo album since dismantling the Smashing Pumpkins five years ago. Maybe it took that long to process the enormity of that loss, since The Future Embrace sounds like nothing so much as a break-up album. But having said that, it's rather difficult to determine whether it's the absence of James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlain, and D'Arcy Wretzky or just something much more mundane than the shattering of an affair of the heart that his sent him on this 12-song confessional. To his extreme credit, Corgan isn't trying to obscure his pain and uncertainty behind layers of guitar distortion and sonic dissonance the way he did with the Pumpkins, instead he's employed a rather restrained hand as he tries to work his way out of this psychic maze of his own making, cavorting with the ghosts of his past, present and future on such kinetic panoramas as "All Things Change," "DIA," or the rather wrenching "The Camera Eye," where the musician wrestles with his fear of aging, his burgeoning religiosity as and the necessity of transformation. Don't miss Robert Smith singing rather angular back-ups on the Bee Gee's skewed ode to love, "You Don't Know What It's Like." A tremendous and noble effort from a major talent. --Jaan Uhelszki

Album Description

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.

Customer Reviews:

Marches to his own electronic drums.......2007-04-15

The song "All Things Change" could sum up just about anybody's life, and for Billy Corgan, it seems to sum up his new musical direction as a solo artist. Right away the clipped electronic drums and Cure-ish background synth sound that drenches the atmosphere indicates this won't be the The Smashing Pumpkins - Greatest Hits. Still, the following tune, "Mina Loy (M.O.H.)," does have a latter-day Pumpkinesque vibe, with its shrill background guitars and exciting yet downbeat aura: "Can I give my old heart to you?" wails Corgan's voice, just above the din of a swirling mess of guitars.

Speaking of the Cure (see Disintegration), Robert Smith adds his morbid background vocal to the interesting cover tune "To Love Somebody," written by Barry and Robin Gibb (see The Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record). And Corgan's old pal Jimmy Chamberlain of the Pumpkins provides the sparse drumming on "Dia," one of the album's more unremarkable selections. "Now (And Then)," however, might be the best song on the CD, a slow dirge with pleasingly atmospheric guitars and echoey vocals.

Despite the sheen of "TheFutureEmbrace," the album's grittiness comes from Corgan himself, who bares his soul in the lyrics and sound he chose to create. This isn't a commercial-sounding album, and Corgan seems just fine with conveying art that's more cutting-edge. On the album's sparse and simple closer, "Strayz," Corgan sums up the bold mentality that's always served him well: "You know I'm true/I wasn't born to follow." Still, though Corgan's heart-on-his-sleeve approach has always worked for him (and his fans), "TheFutureEmbrace" might suffer some from a sonically impersonal style, with lyrics that have become too introspective and claustrophic. Perhaps the best remedy for Corgan's next solo or group project would be the addition of outside musicians to give the record a more open and inclusive feel. Still, this is commendable music, and fans of Corgan and the Pumpkins will certainly get what he was going for here.

Just Takes Some Getting Used To..........2007-01-25

"TheFutureEmbrace:" A little musical oddity that is heavily overshadowed by earth-shattering news. On the very same day Billy Corgan released his first solo album, he also took out an ad in the "Chicago Sun Times" declaring his desires to reform the Smashing Pumpkins. Great news for Pumpkins fans everywhere, but definitely a poor promotional move for this album, which has since been overshadowed by the hype and anticipation for a new Smashing Pumpkins album (which is, as of this date, slowly in the works). Best known for his bald-head, nasal-whine, and most importantly, his incredible song-writing abilities, Billy Corgan takes advantage of a solo album and really lets himself stretch out -- even in ways that the later Pumpkins albums didn't.

The first, second or even third listen to this album might not yield satisfactory results. Truth be told, "TheFutureEmbrace" is an album that takes much time to appreciate, to grow on you and stick in your head. Most of the music Billy explores here is even more experimental and dense than that of "Adore" or "Machina," but thankfully, Billy's signature touch is not lost in the mix. Songs like "Now (And Then)," "Pretty, Pretty Star" and "Walking Shade" are classic Corgan, even if they are steeped in synthesizers and effects. "A100" and "Dia" are probably the most Smashing Pumpkins-esque songs, with the latter featuring Jimmy Chamberlain (who as of now is the only confirmed bandmember involved in the reunion). Meanwhile, the ever-prolific Robert Smith of The Cure makes a subtle appearance on "To Love Somebody." Smith's vocals blend perfectly with Billy's, without overshadowing or taking away from the vibe of the album, while he even contributes some guitar parts and makes one of the most memorable moments of the album.

The only downside to "TheFutureEmbrace" is there isn't much variety to be found here. From the start of "All Things Change," the album seems to follow a steady pattern, and if you're not in the right mood or frame of mind, it just won't work for you. Like stated before, it's far more ambitious than any of Billy's other projects. But if you felt like Zwan laid the fluff on a little too thick, you'll feel like Corgan is redeemed with "TheFutureEmbrace." All in all, an excellent album, a perfect showcase of Billy's talents. Maybe now that he's gotten all of the studio-tinkering and perfecting out of his system, the next Pumpkins record will sound a little more organic than the later releases, which wouldn't be a bad thing.

Thom Yorke and Billy Corgan.......2006-12-03

If you like Radiohead/Thom Yorke then the musical style of Billy's album is right up your ally. This has nowhere near the style of the Smashing Pumpkins, but its still good...ONLY if you like stuff like the new NIN and Thom Yorke electonic rock albums. If you are expecting hard guitars and Smashing Pumpkins then buy a Pumpkins album for crying out loud. If you want to hear Pumpkins meet Radiohead and Trent Reznor, this is the album for you. I like it.

I'm gonna be brave.......2006-07-14

This record takes time, but its so worth it. Most seem to blow this record off without giving it a chance. At first listen MOH immediatly impressed me, but the rest were so unexpected. After seeing the video from the Letterman show where they played MOH live I was sold. Now that I own the record, I'm hooked on it. I grew up with Siamese Dream and Melancoly and the Infinite Sadness, so comparring this to Smashing Pumkins I'd say its Billy's brilliant writing with sythesizers. He still has some great guitar parts but its not really guitar rock. More like synth rock. The Pumpkins fell off in later years but perhaps their new record(in progress now so I've heard) will make amends. In the meantime, get this, soak it up, and enjoy.

Alright........2006-06-17

Hey Da Peace Dogg,

That's not a bald chick on the cover you dumba#s!!! Or are you just being sarcastic throughout your review? The bald guy is Billy Corgan.

Average customer rating:

Oh to embrace the MCIS era chances -taking Billy again!

TheFutureEmbrace
Billy Corgan
Manufacturer: Wea/Warner
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0009OARZU
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

All Things Change
Mina Loy (M.O.H.)
Cameraeye
Tolovesomebody
A100
Dia
Now and Then
I'm Ready
Walking Shade
Sorrows (In Blue)
Pretty, Pretty Star
Strayz

Album Description

Japanese pressing. Former Smashing Pumpkins/Zwan frontman Billy Corgan steps out on his own with 'The Future Embrace', which features a cover of the Bee Gees 'To Love Somebody'. Warner. 2005.

Album Details

First Solo Album from the Ex-smashing Pumpkins Frontman. Bonus Track(S) Expected.

Customer Reviews:

Oh to embrace the MCIS era chances -taking Billy again!.......2005-10-16

TheFutureEmbrace is sure to divide post-pumpkin fans the same way Zwan's "Mary Star of the Sea" did.Some are going to see it as overwraught commercial suicide or a complete turnabout departure from the comfortable formula that has served the Smahing Pumpkins so well in the past.The truth is that these assumptions are only half baked with validity because Billy has always been musically adventerous and has embraced this type of new wave-esque electronica since...well since before the Pumpkins really, as SP was originally a slight incarnation of Echo and the Bunnymen in its musical approach(or at least a very gothic version).But somewhere along the way,with a little push perhaps from the times, Billy embraced Physcedelia, stadium-rock,grunge,and then watershed pop and found redemption in being all over the map in 95's MCIS.It wasn't until 98's Adore that Billy began to make good on his promise to surface his new wave leanings.This basically is a rewrite of Adore in some ways, but with more advanced studio production.The song structures vary but non approach the epic grandeur of say, "For Martha" or "Tear".There are some truly excellent moments on this CD.Some of the standout tracks include:
Mina Loy(MOH)
TheCameraEye
Now(and then)
Walking Shade
DIA
A100
But after the wealth of these gems, perfectly indicative of Billy's incredible songwriting united with Bjorn Thursond's on the mark sonics, things go all over the place ranging from pleasently tolerable(pRETTY,pRETTY sTAR)to downright mediocre(All things change).If you have doubts whether my loyalties lie in Billy's adaptable proclivity to the musically unexpected then you missed my glowing reviews of either Adore or Mary Star of the Sea.But the through the CD lingering problem with this disc is that it fails to captivate the emotions in its relatively brief haul(less then 50 minutes).The probelm is just that there are no emotionally dramatic songs the way that there should be.Heck, I would even welcome something like "The Crying Tree of Mercury" on here because overt emotional pain through song is one of the primal reasons I love Billy and his work so much.Sadly, it doesn't show up much and the list of standout tracks I named come close but still fail to fulfill.There are no dreadful bombs on here but not enough emotionally deep moments or even bombastic musical exploration to exploit my interest.I miss the Billy that dared to take things to the extreme by taking bold chances.This is still a good release with some strong melodies, lyrics and production, but there are no "Bodies" or "Soma"s or "Blank Page"s or even "I of the Mourning"s on here.That is not to say that Billy is losing his edge.I think he is finding his own voice again through some subtle numaces of production and poetic lyrics but it still doesn't quite hit the mark.I still love you Billy and you're still in my top 3 of songwriting giants(alongside Keith Green and John Frusciante) but please don't be afraid to take chances...and not just in terms of production...I mean more in terms of personal and cathartic emotional expression!Long live your music though:)

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