Baby, I’m The Greatest Thing You’ve Got!

A few weeks ago, I was wondering about just what was the difference between The Smashing Pumpkins and Zwan after hearing Zwan’s first single, “Honestly”. After having spent a chunk of my weekend listening to Zwan’s first album, Mary Star Of The Sea, I think I understand what the difference is. With Zwan, Billy Corgan hasn’t stopped being himself at all, but has stopped being what people have come to think he is. He’s dropped the exaggerated teen angst, he’s let go of the grand pretensions and ambitions. From the sound of Mary Star Of The Sea, it sounds like he’s just having fun and playing to his strengths. There’s nothing on the album that is drastically different from anything he’s ever done before; but the change in spirit, more mature tone, and the renewed enthusiasm works wonders for the man’s music, and we get the most consistent record the he has produced since 1995.

My favorite song on the record is “Baby, Let’s Rock!”, which is one of the sunniest, happiest tunes Corgan’s ever penned. It is basically the perkier cousin of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness’ very underrated glam rock tune “Here Is No Why”; but with charmingly arrogant lyrics (“baby, I’m the greatest thing you’ve got!”), dreamy female backing vocals, and a really cute harpsichord-like effect on one of the guitars. The way in that many of the Pumpkins songs were cartoonishly over the top with rat-in-the-cage rage, this song pushes its good vibes to ridiculous extremes, so much that you can practically hear Corgan grinning as he sings. In my perfect imaginary world, this song would be a huge pop hit; but in this imperfect real one, Zwan’s label probably won’t even release it as a single. Either way, enjoy this mp3 of “Baby, Let’s Rock!”, which will be available til Wednesday evening. I’ll post more songs later on tonight, or on Monday morning.