Album Details

• Artist: Zwan
• Album: Mary Star Of The Sea
• Label: Reprise/Warner Bros.
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: green_clash on 2007-08-07

From the artist fronting this band, you'd expect an angsty mix of metal and alternative pop. From the cover art and name, you'd expect a traditional throwback to semi-psychedelic classic rock, possibly done by Japanese virtuosos. What you actually get is an upbeat, guitar heavy pop-rock album with a cleaner vocal style from the "anti-hero" of 90's alternative rock. Writing dozens of songs, Zwan only released one album in it's short life, the sweet Mary Star of the Sea.

The members of the band (or if you must, supergroup) can handle their instruments well and Billy's songwriting is as strong as it ever was. They've got nice guitar pop ("Honestly"), tender acoustic numbers ("Heartsong"), and straight old-school rockers ("Baby Let's Rock"). The album could possibly be considered a breath of fresh air if the Pumpkin's experimental final albums were too much for you to handle. The songs are very catchy and free-moving and are easier to get into than say songs from "Adore" and "Machina".

But comparing this album to anything the Pumpkin's did is unfair. I'm sure Corgan went in this direction to try something new and get away from what the Smashing Pumpkins were about. Though I would've loved to here more from this band and see where they went, Corgan was unhappy and ended the band. Too bad, "Mary Star of the Sea" is a pretty good album that you should definitely check out if you're a fan of pop-rock or any of the members involved.

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2007-08-07 green_clash Said:

Ahh, didn't know that. Yeah, I hate how this CD gets a bad rap. Honestly, it's the tightest song list Billy's had since Siamese Dream. Oh, and I noticed that comment of yours like yesterday so I was like "Oh no! Didn't see that. Gotta write a review". Haha, but I'm trying out this new style which seems to be working since it's way easier to write reviews with it.
Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2007-08-07 dscanland Said:

Some facts (I think) behind Zwan. Apparently Matt Sweeney asked Billy ages ago if he ever wanted to do a project. Corgan said that if The Pumpkins ever broke up he would definitely do it. Pumpkins split, Zwan was born but it was agreed that it was a one time thing. I, too, love this album. It's a good, well produced guitar heavy rock album that is catchy.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2007-07-20 dscanland Said:

Someone needs to give this an Editorial Review. Mike or Matt, are you up to it?
Rating: 8/10