MACHINA/the machines of God
by The Smashing Pumpkins
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Feb 29, 2000
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    Producing an album that distorts time so each second is the temporal equivalent of War And Peace is almost a perverse triumph.
  2. AllMusic
    60
    Overall, MACHINA meanders due to a combination of amorphous songs and precisely detailed production.
  3. The A.V. Club
    60
    Everything about MACHINA is capital-I Important, with virtually every element delivered in gaudy excess?
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    The heavy-handedness is as bald as Corgan's dome, and often just as unappetizing.
  6. Mojo
    50
    Though never dragging its feet, it rarely stretches its creative muscles.
  7. Pitchfork
    42
    Billy Corgan needs someone on his shoulder to whisper "no."
  8. MTV.com
    40
    Rather than highbrow art-rock, we just get a really pretentious heavy metal album.... the Pumpkins' worst album to date.

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2000
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 50
  3. Negative: 1 out of 50
  1. Ricko
    May 18, 2012
    9
    The original Smashing Pumpkins 5th records saw the return of drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. It's a got a much heavier and rockier sound than it'sThe original Smashing Pumpkins 5th records saw the return of drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. It's a got a much heavier and rockier sound than it's overly mellow predecessor "Adore". Some of the tracks on this are up there with some of the greatest music ever produced. This album is very under rated, I don't really understand why. Granted it is a bit on the long side and could have been trimmed by 2 or 3 tracks (like all Pumpkins records), but lyrically Corgan is at his peak on this record, the tunes and prodction are also top quality. This is a grower of an album - I must have listened to it a thousand times at this stage and it literally took me a few years to really appreciate how great is was. Really looking forward to it's reissue in 2013 when it will be packaged with it's previously unreleased (physically at least) sister album Machina II. The original Pumpkins last album and Billy Corgans last classic album.… Full Review »
  2. thisname
    Nov 11, 2010
    6
    it's scary how bad some of this stuff is, but it's an ok record as a whole... I wouldn't want to bring this album to an island if I had toit's scary how bad some of this stuff is, but it's an ok record as a whole... I wouldn't want to bring this album to an island if I had to make a list but it's a good listen once a year.… Full Review »
  3. ChrisW
    Jan 6, 2006
    10
    This album is awesome. Had it for years and, if you listen to it really loud, it really shakes. I had it on in the car and I thought I was This album is awesome. Had it for years and, if you listen to it really loud, it really shakes. I had it on in the car and I thought I was going to flip. Owning this album is a must!… Full Review »
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