Instead of releasing a massive new album all at once, Smashing Pumpkins have taken a decidedly unique route to their latest work, choosing to release eleven separate EPs, in piecemeal fashion. On May 25, the band will release the first installment in the series, with the four-song 'Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, Vol. 1: Songs For A Sailor,' which has been produced by lead singer Billy Corgan, Kerry Brown and Bjorn Thorsrud. The Pumpkins began releasing tracks from the record online back in December, with the single 'A Song for a Son,' before gradually leaking three other tracks in January, March and April, respectively. The songs are currently still available for download on the Pumpkins' official site.
Not only will the unique marketing technique draw fans to the Smashing Pumpkins' new album, but the collection of four songs will offer a distinct sonic diversity. Specifically in this EP series, 'Astral Planes' features a harder, more aggressive bite, while the acoustic swaying 'A Stitch in Time' and the kinetic 'Widow Wake My Mind' sound as if they could've very easily come from completely disparate records. Until more of the 11 EP set is finally unveiled, we'll all have to wait and see where Corgan and his band of Pumpkins are taking us.
Check out the full track listing below for the Smashing Pumpkins' 'Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, Vol. 1: Songs For A Sailor,' and tune into AOL Radio's New Indie First station to hear a selection of songs from this series' EP.
'Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, Vol. 1: Songs For A Sailor' Offical Track Listing:
1. 'A Song for a Son'
2. 'Astral Planes'
3. 'Widow Wake My Mind'
4. 'A Stitch in Time'
1. Not sure what to make of this new incarnation of the Pumpkins. I like the marketing, but not sure if the music is up to par with the bands amazing history. Corgan should have called it something else. This is not the Smashing Pumpkins.
Posted at 10:16AM on Jun 8th 2010 by Jason B