Here's what I have to say about the songs:
Doomsday Clock: This song's strongest point is the little buildup to the chorus with the clever vocal layering. Other than that, DC really doesn't do much for me. Funny, since it's the first track. I just can't get into it. It doesn't matter if it's a bootleg or the studio track. Easily the worst album opener across all SP albums. Although, at times I feel as though it's growing on me... a little. It's still not that great of a song at the end of the day, IMO.
7 Shades of Black - What a rush. Love it. It's a bit heavy, but also really fun, and kind of all over. I want this to be a single! It just has a certain attitude to it. The guitars sound raw and menacing at about 2:00. Jimmy's drumming is pretty intense, stopping in sync with Billy cutting out the riff for short bursts of silence. Sounds awesome! People say this is too much like Doomsday Clock, but I totally disagree and have no idea what they're talking about.
Bleeding the Orchid - Very true to the incredible live performance, all the way down to the backing vocals (even if it's all Billy). I really dig the overall feel, it just sounds so, so nice. Reminds me of a Machina 1 song produced correctly, which makes me like it even more. There's also a pretty heavy Gish vibe. Songs like this really do prove that the Pumpkins still own. Nice guitar work.
That's the Way - I can see why they picked this as a single. It's accessible, but it has that special Pumpkins touch to it that I don't hear any other band do. And, speaking of a Gish vibe, the rather psychedelic sound heard towards the end almost sounds like Billy traveled back in time to Butch Vig's Smart Studios to get a tape with that guitar on it. The main riff is a lot more loud and dreamy live, which I was expecting on the album. After a few listens though, I like it just the same, and it does build a bit (whereas the live version is more in your face). The studio version could have certainly had the nice interlude that the live version has, though. Just a really nice, even if simplistic, song that makes you feel good.
Tarantula - It's all been said before. Has the riffing and harmonics from something out of MCIS (like, say, Bodies and Zero), but the soloing of a track like Geek USA from Siamese Dream. In other words: It rocks, and they couldn't have picked a better first single to let everyone know they're back.
Starz - Much different than the live version. This is probably the only song that I can say may not be as good on the album (which is certainly better than what I thought about Machina 1, where I found something wrong with nearly every studio track). I dunno, first of all, the vocal layering is weird -- and honestly has a strong 80's influence (as do some of the guitars). Roy Thomas Baker produced this one, and I really do think he had something to do with that. Secondly, the execution seems a bit off. The guitar harmonies that made me fall in love with the live version, while still in the mix, aren't as loud and defined as I thought they would be. On the plus side, Jimmy's short drum jam towards the end sounds as good as it ever did. I think I just happen to prefer the live version. Despite my complaints, it still does hold its own and really isn't a low point or anything. And it is growing on me (it could just very well be that I was used to the live version). It's a really brilliant meshing of SP's harder sound but also, in some ways, I would suppose something like uptempo synth or glam rock, or whatever. I love the concept. The end of this one has a sense of urgency that is just perfect for leading into...
United States - The song rocks, plain and simple. It's intense, then it gets pretty distant and tripped out, then it gets really fast and hard, and ends with bombasitc psychedelic metal bliss. The weird speed up/slow down effect heard in Billy's voice is a nice touch.
Neverlost - The drumming is kinda laid back and somewhat jazzy, while the rest of the song just has a really soothing feel to it. Hard to describe, really. I like the way it sounds. Although, it doesn't seem to be that popular among fans right now, but I love it.
Bring the Light - The song itself is so very nice. It almost reminds me of a more intense Manic Street Preachers tune (with better drumming and more emphasis on guitar work). What I don't like about this is the religious references -- sounds picky, especially to a religious person, I'm sure -- but I just don't like it. It's at times like this when I wish Billy went back to being his more agnostic self, or would at least refrain from all of the religious meanings when he's back in SP. He's had enough time to ramble on about that in Zwan and while recording TheFutureEmbrace. That's how I feel, anyway. However, I can't fault the song entirely, or say that it sucks -- that would just be immature. It is pretty rockin'. At 2:10 it almost sounds like Billy is playing something James would have. I really love the music.
Come On (Let's Go) - The song title seems a bit misleading, but the best way to describe this song is how I saw it described on another forum. It's like a distant relative of Zero, but minus the general madness/depression and more emphasis on soloing. It's a very cool song.
For God & Country - Sounds better live. I'm not digging the synth sound for this specific song. It's not that Billy can't do good synth driven songs, he can -- I just don't know if this is really deserving of that kind of treatment. And, of course, it's another song about god, blah blah blah. Enough of this, Billy. Please. Although, I am not quite sure if it's more of a personal nod to his idea of god, or relating to the "zeitgeist" idea that today, in America, lots of people made a decision to fight and die for God and Country even if it involved joining a senseless war. In which case, I take back what I said. But I'm not exactly sure what Billy is talking about here, and I'm really not that crazy about the way it sounds. Both this and Doomsday Clock are the only ones that I don't really like much on this album.
Pomp & Circumstances - So beautiful. Billy has never done something like this before. It's definitely a more spiritual kind of track, which I can really appreciate. It's a meshing of distant abstract sounds and soothing vocal harmonies. At the end, he cleverly integrates a guitar solo that, surprisingly, blends in really well to finish the album. I don't know how he pulled if off, if anyone else tried that it would sound like garbage, most likely. Somehow, it works, and it sounds amazing.
AOTY 2007, easily. Yes, there are two rather noticable weak points, but that's any album. I personally look at the whole picture instead of singling out a couple bad parts and dwelling on them. The strong points of this album are *really* strong, and outweigh anything negative that I had to say.
I am so glad the Pumpkins are back, on the right track, and making awesome music. I'm sure a lot of people will have negative things to say, but this band still has it as far as I'm concerned. Corgan, at 40 years old, is still turning out amazing tunes. Jimmy Chamberlin proves once more that he is one of the best drummers around. I don't know what else people want (unless you hate them of course, but this isn't directed at you anyhow).
Zeitgeist is better than Machina, Zwan, TheFutureEmbrace, and any little thing in between. This is definitely a four (out of five) star album, in my opinion.