Machina II: The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music
by The Smashing Pumpkins
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30

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  1. AlexK
    Jan 12, 2002
    10
    The Pumpkins' strongest album, it would have been their biggest hit had they released it commercially. Certainly better than the (underrated) MACHINA, but then again, MACHINA II is certainly better than every single Pumpkins album ever released. This is NOT because it has something for every Pumpkin era (which isn't entirely true), this is because it is, oddly enough, more The Pumpkins' strongest album, it would have been their biggest hit had they released it commercially. Certainly better than the (underrated) MACHINA, but then again, MACHINA II is certainly better than every single Pumpkins album ever released. This is NOT because it has something for every Pumpkin era (which isn't entirely true), this is because it is, oddly enough, more streamlined than the MACHINA pt. I: no songs are allowed to drag, and few are restricted to the chorus-verse pop standards MACHINA maintained (except on the 10-minute dirge "Glass and the Ghost Children"). Instead, the Pumpkins try a final mad experiment: speed-metal energy and pacing with layers and layers of atmospherics, as on the raging "Glass" and "Cash Car Star." The gentle songs are more folk, less electronica (with atmospherics, of course). Electronica is still around, primarily in the form of "Here's to the Atom Bomb" (much better than the version on their "Judas O" B-sides collection), probably their best use of the genre (after "Ava Adore," of course). Other rockers are more reflective on life than previous Pumpkins rants, and there is less of Corgan's signature abstract poetry (which suits the songs, in themselves more mature evolutions of many of the Pumpkins' best hard rock). Two great examples of this are the medieval, distant, meditative epic "Saturnine" (again, much more powerful than the acoustic/electronica re-working on "Judas O") and "Slow Dawn" (the same version appears on "Judas O"), a fantastic ode to the "midnight people" who, though so furious and lost in old Pumpkins riff-rockers like "Bullet with Butterfly Wings," are finally finding their way, and taking the next train out of town. It's a shame everyone can't hear it, because it's one of the world's greatest bands at its peak. Available for free download all over the Net, try www.lost-vortex.com.… Expand
  2. MarianoxidodeC
    Jul 30, 2004
    10
    together with Machina/ machines of God (machina pt. I) is the best pumkin album (and I love all their work). Apparently they worked without enigmatic producer Flood, in spite of this, its nothing short of awesome. It's sad that a lot of people will miss this one because of Virgin's prediction of the lack of commercial success it would've had. Machina pt I together with this together with Machina/ machines of God (machina pt. I) is the best pumkin album (and I love all their work). Apparently they worked without enigmatic producer Flood, in spite of this, its nothing short of awesome. It's sad that a lot of people will miss this one because of Virgin's prediction of the lack of commercial success it would've had. Machina pt I together with this second part are the best albums I've heard in my entire life. I hope that in my life I'll find something that conveys as exquisite a feeling as this couple of albums, although I doubt it. Ironically, I can understand people that completely dislike this two pieces of work (Machina pt. I and pt.II) because the first five times I heard machina pt. I I thought it was a boring one-dimensional flat album; however, something made me persevere in listening to it (I guess it was some type of curiosity). Now I don't stop finding new meanings on both albums, and look the amount of time it has passed since their release! It's mid 2004. … Expand
  3. JeremyS
    Feb 17, 2005
    10
    100% solid, brilliant work
  4. JorisV.
    Jun 13, 2005
    9
    This shouldn't be the first Pumpkins-album to discover 'em with, try Siamese Dream and MCIS. Otherwise: As an SP fan I tell you that this is a rare collection of great songs worth the full download. If these demo-sounding tracks would have been produced, mixed and released as their final album it would slightly overshadow Machina I. (besides some of their best tracks on it). This shouldn't be the first Pumpkins-album to discover 'em with, try Siamese Dream and MCIS. Otherwise: As an SP fan I tell you that this is a rare collection of great songs worth the full download. If these demo-sounding tracks would have been produced, mixed and released as their final album it would slightly overshadow Machina I. (besides some of their best tracks on it). Expect a mix of furious SP-rock in overdrive genre Everlasting Gaze and dreamy-popsongs genre This Time. Listen to classic and exciting SP hardrockers as Dross, Cash Car Star, the heavy industrial White Spider or Soulpower. Besides these hardrockers other outstanding tracks are the drawn in melacholy tracks "Vanity" and "Home" or the dreamy popsong "Here's To The Atom Bomb". Wait! Did I mention the solo of Slow Dawn yet? For all of you who love the Pumpkins' MACHINA-sound, enjoy! If only some of the tracks on MACHINA I were replaced by one of the tracks mentioned above, MACHINA I would have been another SP masterpiece… Expand
  5. ManuelM
    Aug 21, 2005
    10
    Machina was meant to be a double album. Fuck Virgin Records.
  6. MatthewS
    Jan 15, 2006
    8
    Machina was a time of Billy trying to pull himself out of the gloom and misery of the ADORE age. He pushed hard on this last effort to try to win back the rocker fans of teh old Pumpkins which I think was a mistake. That to me was always the alure of the band and the man himself. He was always ready to change and expand his music and sound. To this day listening to the Mellon Collie and Machina was a time of Billy trying to pull himself out of the gloom and misery of the ADORE age. He pushed hard on this last effort to try to win back the rocker fans of teh old Pumpkins which I think was a mistake. That to me was always the alure of the band and the man himself. He was always ready to change and expand his music and sound. To this day listening to the Mellon Collie and the Dream there was really no other that developed a feel and style like those albums; not even himself! He refused to write the same style album over again. Billy Corgan really is the Brain Wilson of our time. MAchina II hits where Machina I did not, I agree with others that say if Billy only mixed the best of the two albums together instead of spreading them out onto two.....THE Machina album maybe would have kept the commercial vien in the PUMPKINS pumping. The same I think with TRENT REZNOR's THE FRAGILE. Listening to Machina II is a cold reminder to me of the "what if's?"....but now seeing Billy make the future embrace, I feel he is happier writing music for himself and with his direction and not being forced to feed the machine that was the SMASHING PUMPKINS and trying to recapture the comericail giant of when the pumpkins ruled the earth.… Expand
  7. NickS
    Jul 5, 2007
    8
    Actually quite superior to the first Machina despite mostly shoddy production. "Dross", "Slow Dawn", "Cash Car Star", "Let Me Give the World to You", "Home" just to name a few, many SP classics scattered throughout this album. One of the reasons this album is more likable is because the band sounds like it's having a lot more fun, rather than wallowing in self-importance. The Actually quite superior to the first Machina despite mostly shoddy production. "Dross", "Slow Dawn", "Cash Car Star", "Let Me Give the World to You", "Home" just to name a few, many SP classics scattered throughout this album. One of the reasons this album is more likable is because the band sounds like it's having a lot more fun, rather than wallowing in self-importance. The EP's have some duds like "Glass' Theme (Spacey Version)" but since this album is a gift to the fans it's hard to complain too much.… Expand
  8. Brendan
    Jun 11, 2004
    9
    Fantastic album, better than machina - draws much from dream pop bands like 'my bloody valentine' - beautiful
  9. BrennanB
    Oct 17, 2006
    10
    A gift to SP fans. Billly Corgan shows he is the best songwriter since Cobain (maybe better) with beautiful songs like Slow Dawn and Vanity and chuggers like Glass. Best band of the 90's.
  10. thisname
    Nov 11, 2010
    7
    Better than Machina... but as Machina was beautiful in how all the songs fit like they were perfect together... these songs are all over the place... A brilliant mess if you will.
  11. Ricko
    May 15, 2012
    8
    One of the first if not the first free albums to be distributed online some 7 years before Radiohead grabbed headlines for doing the same thing. I often forget this record when thinking about SP records as I don't have a physical release of it and also because it's hard to distinguish which tracks belong to the EP's and what is the actual album. I'm really looking forward to itsOne of the first if not the first free albums to be distributed online some 7 years before Radiohead grabbed headlines for doing the same thing. I often forget this record when thinking about SP records as I don't have a physical release of it and also because it's hard to distinguish which tracks belong to the EP's and what is the actual album. I'm really looking forward to its remastering and physical release as part of a double album package with Machina I next year. Like all SP records, it's a long one and while it doesn't have many songs that sound like hit singles, it has some of their best work on it. For anyone who's not heard it - go download it somewhere. It's a very good record. It's hard to believe Virgin refused to release it. Idiots! The Machina double album is without doubt going to be the most anticipated Pumpkins reissue.… Expand
  12. CalR
    Feb 19, 2012
    9
    Yes, yes, yes! Machina II is easily one of the most consistent albums Smashing Pumpkins ever did (I am not counting the hit/miss EP's that come with it) and fixes most of the drab and uninspired lyrics that made the first album so mediocre. 'Innosense' and 'In My Body' remain two of their most impressive later works, with the former among my favourite tracks.
  13. Ziggster
    Apr 5, 2012
    9
    Simply an amazing record. The atmosphere and production of this album are spot on. Perhaps their most energetic, industrious release to date. Cannot wait to hear its remastered version.
  14. lordythegreat
    Jun 22, 2012
    10
    its for free and its good stuff, what more do you want? :D songs such as go, vanity, cash car star are some of my fave smashing pumpkins tunes, and they didnt even get a proper release. all fans of the pumpkins and fans of good alternative rock should give this a look you wont regret it

Critic Reviews

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No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Pitchfork
    77
    It would be extremely easy to dismiss this album as Billy simply taking out the accumulated garbage of the past couple years. It would be easy, that is, if it didn't almost redeem the Pumpkins.... This album features an abundance of tracks that throw the deficiencies of their previous record into even sharper relief.
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  2. AllMusic
    60
    As both a high-class artifact and a gift to a loyal fan base, Machina II is a welcome winner.
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  3. The A.V. Club
    80
    A world-class band giving away more than an hour of strong material is historic in and of itself, but Machina II also holds up artistically. Purportedly drawn from the Adore and MACHINA sessions, the disc reflects Corgan's obsession with dream-pop, Cure- and Depeche Mode-styled synth-Goth, and glam-tinged heavy metal. But Machina II is not only far more cohesive than the sprawling double-album Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, but tighter than the initial MACHINA.
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