Dec 102009
 

The Smashing Pumpkins began the musical journey that is to become Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, a collection of 44 songs to be released over the next 3 years. The songs are completely free to anyone and everyone without so much as leaving your email – just download. Each set of 4 songs will be available to fans as an EP with artwork, lyrics, etc. When all EP’s are released, a collection of all 44 songs plus some new material and some other yet-to-be-determined content will comprise a collector’s box set. This may sound ambitious to some, but those aware of Billy Corgan’s prolific nature know that every album in SP’s catalog has nearly 50 or more tracks that coincide with it.

The first song in the cycle, “A Song for a Son,” is a soaring six minute introduction to the new Smashing Pumpkins sound. Although Billy is the sole songwriter and creator, Jimmy Chamberlin’s overpowering drums inevitably burned their mark into the final product. Mike Byrne, the new drummer, Berklee School of Music freshman and “future of the Smashing Pumpkins” debuts, revealing a solid, smooth delivery that underscores the more grandiose verses of the song, but seems to lack the aggressive punctuation and driving flow of Chamberlin. The song shifts back and forth from soft to searing. Billy’s voice is strong and the patented SP layered guitar attack is present with several solos sprinkled throughout.