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| Label = [[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
| Label = [[Reprise Records|Reprise]]
| Producer = [[Billy Corgan]] and [[Bjorn Thorsrud]]
| Producer = [[Billy Corgan]] and [[Bjorn Thorsrud]]
| Misc = {{Extra chronology
⚫
| This album = '''''The Future Embrace'''''<br>(2005)
| Artist = [[Billy Corgan]]
| Next album =
| Type = studio album
| Last album = ''[[Mary Star of the Sea]]''<br/>(2003)
⚫
| This album = '''''The Future Embrace'''''<br/>(2005)
| Next album = ''[[Zeitgeist (The Smashing Pumpkins album)|Zeitgeist]]''<br/>(2007) }}
}}
}}


'''''TheFutureEmbrace''''' is the only solo album by [[Billy Corgan]], frontman of the [[alternative rock]] band [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]. Released in June 2005, the album's sound was markedly different from most of Corgan's earlier work, eschewing his characteristic "drums, bass, (and) big-guitars sound" in favor of an [[electronic music|electronic]] sound punctuated with heavily distorted guitar parts reminiscent of [[shoegazing]].<ref name="blueroom">Corgan, Billy. "Blue Room Interview, Part I." Recorded 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neC8TzeR0tg</ref>
'''''TheFutureEmbrace''''' is the only solo album by [[Billy Corgan]], frontman of the [[alternative rock]] band [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]. Released in June 2005, the album's sound was markedly different from most of Corgan's earlier work, eschewing his characteristic "drums, bass, (and) big-guitars sound" in favor of an [[electronic music|electronic]] sound punctuated with heavily distorted guitar parts reminiscent of [[shoegazing]].<ref name="blueroom">Corgan, Billy. "Blue Room Interview, Part I." Recorded 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neC8TzeR0tg</ref> On the day of the album's release, Corgan announced plans to reform The Smashing Pumpkins, and has been active in that project since 2006.


==Overview==
==Overview==
''TheFutureEmbrace'''s instrumentation and programming were mainly performed by Corgan fan [[Bon Harris]] of [[Nitzer Ebb]]. There is an absence of live drums, and guitar overdubs are kept to a minimum. Regarding the atypical sound of the album, Corgan remarked,
After the dissolution of [[Zwan]] in late 2003, Corgan set to work on a solo album of songs based on the history of his hometown, [[Chicago]]. This project was shelved and Corgan began work on ''TheFutureEmbrace'' in late 2004 in his Chicago studio, Pumpkinland. Rather than repeat the sonic territory of his earlier bands, Corgan decided on an electronic sound with shoegaze influences. Regarding the atypical sound of the album, Corgan remarked,
{{cquote|I chose to not use the conventional drums, bass, big-guitars sound both because I'm so identified with it and I felt that there's sort of a corner there that I didn't want to paint myself in, plus it reminds people of the Pumpkins, and I think for a solo record, having your solo work be reminiscent of your past work, particularly with the band you're known for, gets into a trickiness because it makes people sentimental for the old band, and makes them hate you because you're not in the band.<ref name="blueroom"/>}}
{{cquote|I chose to not use the conventional drums, bass, big-guitars sound both because I'm so identified with it and I felt that there's sort of a corner there that I didn't want to paint myself in, plus it reminds people of the Pumpkins, and I think for a solo record, having your solo work be reminiscent of your past work, particularly with the band you're known for, gets into a trickiness because it makes people sentimental for the old band, and makes them hate you because you're not in the band.<ref name="blueroom"/>}}


==Production==
⚫
The album also features a collaboration with [[The Cure]] lead singer [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] on a cover of the [[Bee Gees]]' song "[[To Love Somebody (song)|To Love Somebody]]", while "DIA" features electronic drums played by Corgan's longtime collaborator, Smashing Pumpkins drummer [[Jimmy Chamberlin]], as well as the violin and backing voice of [[Emilie Autumn]].
The sound of the album is almost entirely synthesized, with the exception of Corgan's voice and guitar playing.<ref name="liesegang">Liesegang, Brian. Q&A on Gearslutz.com forum under username "LesterMagneto". https://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/581048-billy-corgan-future-embrace.html 2011-02-13.</ref> Corgan has an extensive collection of vintage [[analog synthesizer]]s and [[drum machine]]s that were employed on the album.<ref name="liesegang"/> The synths were largely programmed by [[Bon Harris]] of [[Nitzer Ebb]]. Arrangements on the album followed an unusual process - for each song, Corgan would write the basic structure, and the song's melody was then split into four sections based on the [[bass]], [[tenor]], [[alto]], and [[soprano]] voicings of the chord structure.<ref name="liesegang"/> The production team - Corgan, Harris, producer [[Bjorn Thorsrud]], and programmers [[Matt Walker (drummer)|Matt Walker]] and [[Brian Liesegang]] - would then program different synth melodies in each voicing, and combine them into a multitrack recording.<ref name="liesegang"/> Drums were added, mostly from pre-1985 drum machines.<ref name="liesegang"/> At this point, Corgan would rework vocal parts and record vocals, as well as recording his guitar part.<ref name="liesegang"/> Each song contains a single take of guitar, in stark contrast to the [[Boston (band)|Boston]]-style multitracking employed on Smashing Pumpkins albums.<ref name="liesegang"/> Despite the challenge of this approach, it was employed for all album tracks as well as an additional 8 outtakes.<ref name="liesegang"/>


⚫
The album features backing vocals and a guitar solo by [[The Cure]] frontman [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] on a cover of the [[Bee Gees]]' song "[[To Love Somebody (song)|To Love Somebody]]", while "DIA" features electronic drums played by Corgan's longtime collaborator, drummer [[Jimmy Chamberlin]], as well as the violin and backing voice of [[Emilie Autumn]].
Also of note is the cover art and booklet photography, by [[P. R. Brown]], which focuses on parts of Corgan's body that he has traditionally and publicly been ashamed of, most notably the [[port-wine stain]] that covers his left hand and much of his left arm, and his poorly aligned teeth.

''TheFutureEmbrace'' was Corgan's second album to be largely recorded at his Pumpkinland studio, the first being the 1995 Smashing Pumpkins album ''[[Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness]]''.


==Promotion==
==Promotion==
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Those who pre-ordered the album from the iTunes store received a bonus track from the TheFutureEmbrace recording sessions, "Tilt." "Tilt" was also included on the Target retail stores exclusive release, ''Red Room Vol. 4''.
Those who pre-ordered the album from the iTunes store received a bonus track from the TheFutureEmbrace recording sessions, "Tilt." "Tilt" was also included on the Target retail stores exclusive release, ''Red Room Vol. 4''.


Billy Corgan, with [[Matt Walker (drummer)|Matt Walker]], [[Brian Liesegang]], and [[Linda Strawberry]], embarked on a club tour in support of the album in the summer of 2005.
Billy Corgan, with Matt Walker, Brian Liesegang, and [[Linda Strawberry]], embarked on a club tour in support of the album in the summer of 2005.


==Reception==
==Reception==

Revision as of 04:11, 4 February 2015

Untitled

TheFutureEmbrace is the only solo album by Billy Corgan, frontman of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Released in June 2005, the album's sound was markedly different from most of Corgan's earlier work, eschewing his characteristic "drums, bass, (and) big-guitars sound" in favor of an electronic sound punctuated with heavily distorted guitar parts reminiscent of shoegazing.[1] On the day of the album's release, Corgan announced plans to reform The Smashing Pumpkins, and has been active in that project since 2006.

Overview

After the dissolution of Zwan in late 2003, Corgan set to work on a solo album of songs based on the history of his hometown, Chicago. This project was shelved and Corgan began work on TheFutureEmbrace in late 2004 in his Chicago studio, Pumpkinland. Rather than repeat the sonic territory of his earlier bands, Corgan decided on an electronic sound with shoegaze influences. Regarding the atypical sound of the album, Corgan remarked,

I chose to not use the conventional drums, bass, big-guitars sound both because I'm so identified with it and I felt that there's sort of a corner there that I didn't want to paint myself in, plus it reminds people of the Pumpkins, and I think for a solo record, having your solo work be reminiscent of your past work, particularly with the band you're known for, gets into a trickiness because it makes people sentimental for the old band, and makes them hate you because you're not in the band.[1]

Production

The sound of the album is almost entirely synthesized, with the exception of Corgan's voice and guitar playing.[2] Corgan has an extensive collection of vintage analog synthesizers and drum machines that were employed on the album.[2] The synths were largely programmed by Bon Harris of Nitzer Ebb. Arrangements on the album followed an unusual process - for each song, Corgan would write the basic structure, and the song's melody was then split into four sections based on the bass, tenor, alto, and soprano voicings of the chord structure.[2] The production team - Corgan, Harris, producer Bjorn Thorsrud, and programmers Matt Walker and Brian Liesegang - would then program different synth melodies in each voicing, and combine them into a multitrack recording.[2] Drums were added, mostly from pre-1985 drum machines.[2] At this point, Corgan would rework vocal parts and record vocals, as well as recording his guitar part.[2] Each song contains a single take of guitar, in stark contrast to the Boston-style multitracking employed on Smashing Pumpkins albums.[2] Despite the challenge of this approach, it was employed for all album tracks as well as an additional 8 outtakes.[2]

The album features backing vocals and a guitar solo by The Cure frontman Robert Smith on a cover of the Bee Gees' song "To Love Somebody", while "DIA" features electronic drums played by Corgan's longtime collaborator, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, as well as the violin and backing voice of Emilie Autumn.

Promotion

In the lead-up to the album, Corgan generated considerable attention when he started publishing an autobiography, The Confessions of Billy Corgan, on his website, piece-by-piece. The postings are notable for Corgan's candor regarding his family, personal relationships, and activity during different eras of The Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan updated the Confessions on a frequent basis, but after posting an entry titled "Following the Moon (1974)" on July 1, 2005, the entries stopped.

The album was preceded by the release of a single and music video release of "Walking Shade". Corgan, with his touring band, performed "Mina Loy (M.O.H.)" on Late Show with David Letterman the day before the album's release.[citation needed] Corgan also appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and played "To Love Somebody." [citation needed]

Those who pre-ordered the album from the iTunes store received a bonus track from the TheFutureEmbrace recording sessions, "Tilt." "Tilt" was also included on the Target retail stores exclusive release, Red Room Vol. 4.

Billy Corgan, with Matt Walker, Brian Liesegang, and Linda Strawberry, embarked on a club tour in support of the album in the summer of 2005.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]
Alternative Press[4]
Blender[4]
The Guardian[5]
NME[4]
Pitchfork Media(6.4/10)[6]
PopMatters[7]
Robert Christgau(dud)[8]
Rolling Stone[4]
Uncut[4]

TheFutureEmbrace's critical reception was mixed.[9] Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times said the album represented Corgan's "most distinctive and consistent music."[10] To punctuate the importance of the release date, Corgan also took out full-page ads in the Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune promoting the album and announcing his intention to reform The Smashing Pumpkins, even going so far as to say that TheFutureEmbrace "picks up the thread of the as-of-yet-unfinished work of the Smashing Pumpkins."[11] Despite these efforts, it charted at #89 in the UK and peaked at #31 in the United States. As of February 2006, the album's domestic sales were a mere 69,000 units sold.[12]

Track listing

All songs written by Billy Corgan except where noted:

  1. "All Things Change" – 3:59
  2. "Mina Loy (M.O.H.)" – 3:53
  3. "The CameraEye" – 3:04
  4. "toLOVEsomebody" (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb) – 4:00
  5. "A100" (Billy Corgan/Bon Harris) – 4:23
  6. "DIA" – 4:20
  7. "Now (And Then)" – 4:43
  8. "I'm Ready" – 3:44
  9. "Walking Shade" – 3:14
  10. "Sorrows (In Blue)" – 2:48
  11. "Pretty, Pretty Star" – 3:46
  12. "Strayz" – 3:31
Bonus track
  2. "Tilt" (iTunes exclusive)

Chart position

Album
Year Album Chart Position
2005 The Future Embrace New Zealand Albums Chart[13] 25
The Billboard 200[14] 31
UK Albums Chart[15] 89

Personnel

Production
  • Todd Brodie - Assistant engineer
  • P. R. Brown - Photography and design
  • Nikola Dokic - Assistant engineer
  • Bon Harris - Programming, producer
  • Roger Lian - Final digital editing
  • Brian Liesegang - Additional programming
  • Ron Lowe - Mix engineer
  • John Maschoff - Assistant engineer
  • Alan Moulder - Mixing
  • Dave Rieley - Assistant engineer
  • Bjorn Thorsrud - Producer, mixing, engineer
  • Matt Walker - Additional programming
  • Paul PDub Walton - Recording of Robert Smith's parts
  • Howie Weinberg - Mastering

Notes

  1. ^ a b Corgan, Billy. "Blue Room Interview, Part I." Recorded 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neC8TzeR0tg
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Liesegang, Brian. Q&A on Gearslutz.com forum under username "LesterMagneto". https://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/581048-billy-corgan-future-embrace.html 2011-02-13.
  3. ^ Thomas, Stephen (2005-06-21). "The Future Embrace - Billy Corgan". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Critic Reviews for TheFutureEmbrace at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  5. ^ Dave Simpson (2005-06-17). "CD: Billy Corgan, TheFutureEmbrace | Music". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  6. ^ "Album Reviews: Billy Corgan: The Future Embrace". Pitchfork. 2005-06-19. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  7. ^ Rivera, Daniel. "Billy Corgan: The Future Embrace < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  8. ^ "CG: Billy Corgan". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
  9. ^ The Future Embrace Reviews. Metacritic.com
  10. ^ DeRogatis, Jim. "Ready for love on 'Embrace'" Chicago Sun-Times: 19 June 2005. Showcase, Page 6.
  11. ^ Corgan, Billy. "A Message to Chicago From Billy Corgan" (Advertisement) Chicago Sun-Times: June 21, 2005. Page A49.
  12. ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Reunite... Sort Of" (http). Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  13. ^ "Chartbitz: Wednesday, July 18, 2007". RIANZ.com. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  14. ^ "Billy Corgan Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
  15. ^ "Chart Log UK". zobbel.de. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
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