Bands may not always be reliant upon to rework their own music, as demonstrated by the recent Smashing Pumpkins reissue collection.
In the world of rock music, the Smashing Pumpkins' album "Machina" has had a remarkable journey. Originally released as a double album in 2000, the project has undergone a significant transformation, culminating in a proposed single album version that frontman Billy Corgan believes is as powerful as any Smashing Pumpkins work.
Corgan's grandiose 42-song plan could have easily been executed alongside the suggested 12-track record. However, the original release, "Machina/The Machines Of God," faced challenges, with the companion album "Machina II/The Friends And Enemies Of Modern Music" never seeing the light of day due to Virgin Records' decision.
Fast forward to 2023, and the idea to refine the original double-album edition of "Machina" and re-release it as a single album titled "Machina" was realised by Corgan and the band. This is part of a 25th anniversary project to present the album as they had always hoped, including a remixed and remastered version set for release in 2025.
The proposed 12-track record includes fan favourites such as "Glass's Theme," "The Everlasting Gaze," "Stand Inside Your Love," and "Here's To The Atom Bomb." Other standout tracks include the rollicking glam-metal of "Cash Car Star," the yearning epic "Let Me Give The World To You," the "Mellon Collie"-style crunching riffs of "Dross," and the enjoyable silly thrashing of "Glass' Theme."
The new 48-track running order of the box set is meant as a course correction for a project that lacked label support. Corgan spent a good few years navigating legal wranglings to reissue the final record released by the original Smashing Pumpkins line-up, "Machina - Aranea Alba Edition." This extensive album includes 48 tracks plus 32 bonus tracks of outtakes, demos, and live recordings.
Interestingly, "Machina II" was first released as a vinyl record and later uploaded to the internet for free. A network of Smashing Pumpkins fans helped spread the word about "Machina II" online, and a copy of the album was obtained by sending the cost of an empty CD and postage to someone in Birmingham, who burnt it and posted it to the recipient.
The overarching concept of "Machina II" is the tale of a rock star gone mad, according to Corgan. He pressured 25 copies of "Machina II" on vinyl and handed them out to friends and key industry allies, releasing it online for free on September 5, 2000.
The new box set aims to refine the "Machina" albums into a single album. However, a date for the full "Machina's" arrival on streaming platforms is not yet known. Some argue that Corgan might benefit from considering the impact of a smaller, more focused project, rather than always striving for grandiosity.
In conclusion, the journey of "Machina" is a testament to Corgan's dedication to his craft and the enduring appeal of the Smashing Pumpkins. Whether it's the original double album, the refined single album, or the extensive box set, "Machina" continues to resonate with fans, offering a unique blend of rock, metal, and pop that has become synonymous with the Smashing Pumpkins' sound.
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