After the dissolution of
Zwan in late 2003, Corgan set to work on a solo album of songs based on the history of his hometown,
Chicago. This project was shelved and Corgan began work on
TheFutureEmbrace in late 2004 in his Chicago studio, Pumpkinland. Rather than repeat the sonic territory of his earlier bands, Corgan decided on an electronic sound with shoegaze influences. Regarding the atypical sound of the album, Corgan remarked, The sound of the album is almost entirely synthesized, with the exception of Corgan's voice and guitar playing. Corgan has an extensive collection of vintage
analog synthesizers and
drum machines that were employed on the album. The synths were largely programmed by
Bon Harris of
Nitzer Ebb. Arrangements on the album followed an unusual process: for each song, Corgan would write the basic structure, and the song's melody was then split into four sections based on the
bass,
tenor,
alto, and
soprano voicings of the chord structure. The production team – Corgan, Harris, producer
Bjorn Thorsrud, and programmers
Matt Walker and
Brian Liesegang – would then program different synth melodies in each voicing, and combine them into a multitrack recording. Drums were added, mostly from pre-1985 drum machines. At this point, Corgan would rework vocal parts and record vocals, as well as recording his guitar part. Each song contains a single take of guitar, in stark contrast to the
Boston-style multitracking employed on Smashing Pumpkins albums. Despite the challenge of this approach, it was employed for all album tracks as well as an additional 8 outtakes. The album features backing vocals and a guitar solo by
The Cure frontman
Robert Smith on a cover of the
Bee Gees' song "
To Love Somebody", while "DIA" features electronic drums played by Corgan's longtime collaborator, drummer
Jimmy Chamberlin, as well as the violin and backing voice of
Emilie Autumn. == Promotion ==