So, anyone heard of this new Smashing Pumpkins 44-track album that's going to be released one track at a time, for free? It's called
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. They will sell 11 separate 4-track EPs and then a box set of them all. I'm definitely not a Smashing Pumpkins fanboy, though I was a big fan in the early-mid 90s and still enjoy the early stuff up to and including
Adore. I didn't enjoy the last few albums and don't expect to like much from this. Particularly as this may as well be solo Billy Corgan, since no original members are participating. However, it still interests me to at least hear the songs at least once.
The first track was released this week.
Track Listing:
EP 1
1. "A Song for a Son" – 6:02
download link
2. "Astral Planes"
3. "A Stitch in Time"
4. "Widow Wake My Mind"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINK
We will however sell highly limited edition EP's (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EP's will be made available are still being worked out.
Quote:
I'm happy to finally announce the plans for the new Smashing Pumpkins album.
Recording began yesterday, September 15th, 2009 on the new record which will be entitled 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope'. The album will feature 44 songs, 4 of which are now being recorded. My desire is to release a song at a time beginning around Halloween of this year, with each new release coming shortly after until all 44 are out. Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.
We will however sell highly limited edition EP's (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EP's will be made available are still being worked out. Because the songs themselves will be free, the EP's will be more like collectors items for the discerning fan who will want the art itself, along with the highest possible audio quality available. The EP's will be more like mini-box sets rather than your normal cd single. We may also offer other variations for sale, say for example a digital single with a demo version of a song. The commitment that is most important is the one I'm making to you: that the music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' will be available for free to everyone. All 44 songs: free for ALL.
When the entire album is finished, it will be compiled into a deluxe box set which will also be made available for sale. Those who have bought the EP's need not worry, as the box set will not be a recompilation of the limited edition pieces.
The story of the album is based on 'The Fool's Journey', as signified in the progress of the Tarot. It is my intention to approach this by breaking down the journey of our life here into four phases as made by these different characters; the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic, and the Mystic.
The music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty.
I already have 53 songs written for the record, so I am quite confident that I already have much of the material that I would need to undertake such an extensive project. I am very committed to seeing this album through to its completion and very, very excited about the prospect of delivering new Smashing Pumpkins music to you in a unique and exciting way.
|
All that said & quoted, I just streamed the song from the site (I'll download it from home as the streaming was very choppy). It sounded pretty cheap, uninspired, and boring. While Corgan's voice has gotten progressively more annoying as time goes on, I don't feel that it's any worse here, but it's not pleasant either. I'll give the song another shot at home.