Radio, Live Transmission.

So, really random fact: Thus far, the new Smashing Pumpkins release I talked about eons ago, Teargarden by Kaleidyscopy, has been incredibly good. Though, I wish it would go a bit quicker with the releasing of songs (it was announced in December and it's March and we're only 3 songs in out of 44), but however, all three songs have been incredibly good. The lyrics aren't perfect by any means, but the music is incredibly good and catchy, and Billy sounds like he's really determined to make this project not suck. And new drummer Mike Byrne, who's barely older than myself, seems to be doing fairly well as well. Though he's no Jimmy Chamberlin, but then again, who in the hell is?

Anyways, I'm having a difficult time determining my favorite of the three released. A Song For A Son is the most epic, and I love the guitar solo and just the whole song in general. Widow Wake My Mind is incredibly catchy, and the last minute or so is probably one of the coolest sounding things I've ever heard. And the newest song, A Stitch in Time, is very mellow and acoustic, which I also love.

Decide for yourself: (courtesy of smashingpumpkins.com)

New Pumpkins Album Stuff.

So, I'm excited about the new Pumpkins album, despite the weird title. The songs that are supposedly going to be released (aka the 1st 4 tracks) sounds like they're great. According to producer Kerry Brown, when the 1st song is going to be released from Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, the Pumpkins new (and free) album that'll be released one track at a time, "is in God's hands." While awaiting the 1st track, by doing a little bit of research from Kerry's Twitter page, where he frequently posts videos and pics of the Pumpkins in studio, 2 of the 1st songs to be released are going to be A Song For A Song and Widow Wake My Mind, both of which sound great live from what I've heard of them. Here are some live videos of the two songs being performed by Spirits in the Sky, a Sky Saxon tribute band:





Also, follow Kerry Brown on Twitter for more info on the Pumpkins album: twitter.com/studiodog

And check out his blog on here: glittercop.blogspot.com

Have a tremendous day!

-Creech.

Forgive Them Even If They Are Not Sorry.

Greetings. So, here on TOM (my creative acronym for Tales of Misfortune. Good, isn't it?), I've decided to discuss music. Recently, one of the bands I've grown to like, arguably as much as Pink Floyd or the Smashing Pumpkins, is the Strokes. The band somehow began to grow on me. They had a unique simple musical style, with great guitar lines, a tremendous rhythm section, and the unique, droning, and half-asleep-sounding vocals of Julian Casablancas. However, after their 2006 album First Impressions of Earth, they all decided to do their own thing. Albert Hammond Jr. went on a solo stint, which actually was pretty freaking good (check it out if you want to), Nikolai Fraiture started a solo project called Nickel Eye (get it?!), Fabrizio Moretti joined a band known as Little Joy, which I haven't heard much of, and Nick Valensi........well, is with his family. But what about Julian? What has he been doing? Sure, he's worked on a couple of songs, including this catchy song for a Converse commercial and a guest vocal on The Lonely Island ("I saw a Spanish guy doing the Bartman"), but he hasn't got his own musical thing going on, nor is he raising the family. So what is he doing?

He answers our question by preparing to release a solo album. Titled "Phrazes For The Young". In my homeland of the US, it comes out on November 3rd (I think), but I've heard two tracks from it, 11th Dimension and River of Brakelights. And both are really good. They're definitely different from the Strokes laid-back style of garage rock, and they're more electronic sounding, even. 11th Dimension is super catchy and has Julian singing the line that this blog is titled from, "forgive them, even if they are not sorry." River of Brakelights is a completely different animal. It's 5 minutes of the strangest sounding electronic music you'll likely ever hear.

However, don't take my word for it: listen for yourself.





Nonetheless, I am absolutely stoked for Julian's solo album, and will definitely be purchasing it ASAP.

-Creech

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