Music!

(Note: this blog may not make sense to you if you aren't a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins. :P)

So, in all honesty, I haven't been a Pumpkins fan for very long. I only really became a fan when I heard Cherub Rock was going to be on Guitar Hero. Then I went out and bought Zeitgeist and their Greatest Hits (alright, I didn't buy them. They were given to me for Christmas). I fell in love with these guys (well, 3 guys and 1 girl). I'm not sure what drew me to them. Maybe it was their singer's weird voice. I'm not sure, but I was a fan instantly. And over the last two years, I've been a fan, going through their ups, such as releasing more new songs and a live DVD, which I bought, an their downs, such as their longtime drummer, Jimmy Chamberlin, leaving the band. Through all of the change and everything that's happened.

First off, I heard that they had hired a 19 year old drummer to replace my drumming idol, Mr. Chamberlin, and understandably, I was skeptical. However, Billy Corgan of the Pumpkins and new drummer, Mike Byrne, formed a tribute band for recently deceased Sky Saxon with numerous other musicians, called Spirits in the Sky, and I began to appreciate the drumming abilities of Mr. Byrne. Sure, he was no Jimmy frickin' Chamberlin, but he's still an insanely good drummer and I'm excited to hear what he has in store for the Pumpkins. Along with all of this news of a new band member for the Pumpkins, there was an announcement of a new album, and frankly, I was pumped. Then yesterday, more information about the new album came.

From SmashingPumpkins.com:

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.

When I read that article yesterday, I was unbelievably pumped. Not only is my favorite band working on a new album, but they're releasing it for free on the internet. Fantastic! I may even buy this so called box set, if I have the money. Who knows? All I know is that I'm absolutely pumped about new Pumpkins music, and I can't wait until around Halloween, when the first songs are released.

All this being said, what a random ass album title: Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. What in the eff? Nonetheless, I'm still excited, and as long as the music's great, I don't mind.

After all, it is free.

-Creech