lambchops's Full Review: Life Begins Again by Jimmy Chamberlin Complex
When I think of Jimmy Chamberlin, I am reminded of the heartbreak I felt when his drug problems were revealed and he was excommunicated as drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins. A college student at the time, I was certain that the band would never be the same. As it turns out I was right. The band broke up but a few short years later and each member has since pursued their own creative outlet.
Life Begins Again (in stores from Sanctuary Records on January 25, 2005) is Chamberlin's first release under the name "Jimmy Chamberlin Complex." The brainchild of the former Zwan and Pumpkins drummer and multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Billy Mohler , the project assembles eleven songs with varying influences and talents. Various voices aid the duo in bringing their songs to life--Bill Medley (of the Righteous Brothers), Rob Dickinson (of Catherine Wheel), and Billy Corgan all step up to the mic (along with Mohler). It's a striking album that is distinctly unlike anything previously released by Chamberlin.
Blending progressive elements of jazz, swing, rock, and pop into one heavily instrumental package Life Begins Again is a rousing and diverse album. Streetcrawler starts the disc off on a satisfying note. An entirely instrumental track (these guys are after all musicians) it at first sounds like smooth jazz with a heavy emphasis on percussion and keys. Toss in some electric guitars toward the end and the song takes on a completely different persona. While I'm still not keen on instrumentals, it is a rich and adventurous song. It was built in the same way the rest of the album was--first came the rhythm (drums and bass guitar) and then the rest of the song was written. I guess that's what you get when you combine a drummer and bass guitarist.
Life Begins Again is one of the most interesting songs of the whole album. Driving and melodic, it is Chamberlin's debut as lyricist. The combination of distinctly rock elements with distinctly jazz elements makes for a challenging but enjoyable experience. I adore the mix of keys and electric guitars and bombastic drums. It seems as though Chamberlin found a great partner in Mohler and the perfect person to voice the title track in ex-Catherine Wheel frontman Dickinson.
The majority of Life Begins Again is instrumental. Even the songs with lyrics and a voice are still grounded in the drums and guitars and keys. This is clearly the emphasis of the album. One song that makes the most of the vocal track is Loki Cat on which Billy Corgan sings. It was he who suggested the song have a voice after hearing the song for the first time. It is the perfect collaboration. Corgan sings with respect and restraint and with the understanding that it is indeed the music that is the centerpiece and not his sometimes overpowering voice. Loki Cat is a mild, lush, and airy composition.
P.S.A., Owed to Darryl, Time Shift and Cranes of Prey are all instrumental songs though it is the last that I'm most drawn to. A loud and unrelenting rock track it is easily one of the most appealing songs on the album. It gets lighter and more upbeat and adds more keys as it draws to a close, but those early minutes are some of the most appealing of the album. Love is Real is another Dickinson-fronted track, though I'm particularly drawn to the title song (not to detract from this one). It is however Mohler that fronts Newerwaves--a particularly lovely pop track.
The most surprising song of all is Lullabye. Voiced by Righteous Brother Bill Medley, it is languid and classic. Medley's performance is delicate and intense and rich and the perfect compliment to Chamberlin's drums and Mohler's guitar. It is easily the most timeless song of the album. In fact, Lullabye in addition to Loki Cat and Life Begins Again are the best songs with vocals and Streetcrawler and Cranes of Prey are the best sans vocals.
Life Begins Again is a good, bordering on great album. It is consistently entertaining, sometimes rousing, sometimes relaxing, and always well performed. However I think it is most rewarding to listen to in snippets rather than taking in all at once. This Jimmy Chamberlin Complex album is especially rewarding for fans of projects from the former members of Smashing Pumpkins. I'm definitely impressed.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Streetcrawler
02. Life Begins Again
03. P.S.A.
04. Loki Cat
05. Cranes of Prey
06. Love Is Real
07. Owed To Darryl
08. Newerwaves
09. Time Shift
10. Lullabye
11. Loki Cat (reprise)
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