This is officially Billy Corgan's first solo album, although some of his fans would argue that he did virtually everything anyway during his Smashing Pumpkins days. And sure enough, most of the music here could have fitted comfortably on to any Pumpkins record - pounding electro-rock, jagged guitars and whiny vocals that either grate or inspire, depending on your point of view. The only thing that's changed is Corgan's lyrical perspective - he sounds much more humble than before, toning down the vitriol and pleading for understanding from estranged friends and lovers. There's even an extremely odd cover of the Bee Gees' 'To Love Somebody', sung as a duet with fellow goth icon Robert Smith of the Cure. TheFutureEmbrace rocks hard, but sadly the quality control is middling at best. Perhaps that rumoured Pumpkins reunion would be a good idea after all.
