Teargarden by Kaleidyscope

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"Teargarden" redirects here. For the band, see The Tear Garden.
Teargarden by Kaleidyscope

Cover art for the project featured on the official website
Studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins
Released December 7, 2009 – present
Recorded September 15, 2009 (2009-09-15) – present
Genre Alternative rock,[1] progressive rock,[2] psychedelic rock,[3] art rock[4]
Label Martha's Music / Rocket Science
Producer Billy Corgan, Kerry Brown, Bjorn Thorsrud
The Smashing Pumpkins chronology

Zeitgeist
(2007)		 Teargarden by Kaleidyscope
(2009–present)		 Oceania
(2012)
Singles from Teargarden by Kaleidyscope
  1. "Freak"
    Released: July 20, 2010 (2010-07-20)
  2. "Owata"
    Released: May 4, 2011 (2011-05-04)
  3. "The Celestials"
    Released: June 1, 2012 (2012-06-01)
  4. "Panopticon"
    Released: September 15, 2012 (2012-09-15)

Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is a project album by the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. Frontman Billy Corgan began work on the concept album with new drummer Mike Byrne shortly after the departure of founding member Jimmy Chamberlin in early 2009, with the intention to recapture the band's "psychedelic roots".[5]

Announced by Corgan on September 16, 2009, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is inspired by the Tarot, and in Corgan's words, "a new kind of album [...] you can hear as it's being made."[6] The project was conceived as a series of 44 songs, released through free MP3 downloads one at a time as they were recorded. These downloads would be punctuated with 11 four track EP box sets and culminate in a final release containing exclusive content.[7][8] The band released ten songs as free downloads through their official website and compiled eight of them in two box sets before opting to rework the project.[9] In 2011, the full band, comprising Corgan, Byrne, guitarist Jeff Schroeder, and new bassist Nicole Fiorentino, recorded the full-length "album within an album", Oceania, which was released on June 19, 2012.

Project History

Announcement and "A Song for a Son" (2008–2009)

The Smashing Pumpkins reformed in 2006, after a six-year hiatus, releasing the studio album Zeitgeist in 2007. Although Zeitgeist went gold, which Billy Corgan considered an achievement given the state of the music industry, Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin decided in 2008 that they would not make another traditional studio album, citing changing listener habits.[10]

In March 2009, Chamberlin left the band. Corgan held tryouts to find a replacement, eventually deciding on 19-year-old Mike Byrne.[11] In April, Corgan laid out his vision for the new album:

[I] don't think I'm going to make albums in the old-fashioned way, meaning 12–15 songs, etc. in one small package. My desire at this point would be to release one song at a time, over a period of 2–3 years, with it all adding up to a box set/album of sorts that would also include an art movie of the album... My thinking is that if I focus on one song at a time I would approach them as beautiful, distinct paintings that would each require the attention they deserve. This would also mean I would choose what I am recording quite carefully as there would be tremendous internal pressure to get it just right, and that is the kind of pressure I like, which is to make the most beautiful thing possible.[12]

Corgan spent much of summer 2009 in ex-Catherine member and "Superchrist" producer Kerry Brown's home studio, where Zeitgeist was recorded, recording demos for about fifty songs.[13] In July, Corgan formed the band Spirits in the Sky to play a tribute concert to the late Sky Saxon of The Seeds. He then toured with the band, comprising Brown, Electric Prunes bassist Mark Tulin, Strawberry Alarm Clock keyboardist Mark Weitz, frequent Corgan collaborator Linda Strawberry, flautist Kevin Dippold, "Superchrist" violinist Ysanne Spevack, new Pumpkins drummer Mike Byrne, and Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, playing covers and some of the new Pumpkins songs at several clubs in California.[citation needed]

This is the second Smashing Pumpkins album released for free over the Internet, the first being 2000's Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music. Teargarden is seeing such a release due to Corgan's reported hope that people hear the album before dismissing it, on top of his interest in "subverting a system that works against holistic thinking when it comes to how art is made and delivered to those who might want to hear it."[14] All of the songs were planned to be released for free as 192-kbps, DRM-free MP3 files, available from direct links on the band's website.[15] Finally, a complete box set release is planned that will contain all of the tracks accompanied by an art film and a making-of documentary.[16] Corgan says he is also considering a single-CD compilation of the best of the forty-four tracks.[17]

"A Song for a Son", the first song from the project, was released December 8, 2009 to positive reviews. Rolling Stone wrote: "Nothing in Corgan's prolific recording history could have prepared us for the over five minutes of classic rock that is “A Song for a Son,” which starts off with a “Stairway to Heaven”-esque riff before exploding into the rest of ZoSo's touchstones."[18]

Vol. 1: Songs for a Sailor and Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare (2010)

On the first two EPs, Billy Corgan handled the bulk of the guitar and keyboards, with Mike Byrne on drums and Mark Tulin handling much of the bass playing.[17][19] Kerry Brown played congas on "Astral Planes", and Ysanne Spevack, Linda Strawberry, and Lisa Harriton have all mentioned contributing.[20] In these sessions, Corgan consciously focused on finding the rhythmic "groove" in the music, as opposed to focusing more heavily on elaborate production or songwriting.[21]

The first physical EP, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope Vol. 1: Songs for a Sailor, consisting of a wooden box with the 4-song CD, a 7" vinyl record with one additional song, and a hand-carved stone obelisk, was released May 25 by Rocket Science Music.[7][8] To promote Record Store Day in 2010, the band performed live at Amoeba Records, offered free blacklight posters to those who pre-ordered the first EP from their local record stores,[22] and released two limited edition 7" singles containing the album's first four songs.[citation needed] "Widow Wake My Mind" was promoted as a radio single, with Corgan appearing on WKQX in Chicago and several major-market stations adding it to rotation. On April 20, 2010, the band performed the song live with an Up with People choir on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[23][24]

Initial Teargarden by Kaleidyscope tracks received generally favorable reviews. Spin's review of "Widow Wake My Mind" was positive, naming the song "a very pleasant surprise." Rolling Stone included it in their "hot list", calling it "[Corgan's] sweetest pop melody since Kennedy left MTV."[25] Nokia's Inside Music review lauded the free download scheme that Billy Corgan has implemented: "I'm completely stunned that tunes of this quality are up for grabs free for the anticipated 5 year duration of this project." The review continued, praising the maturing drumming of Mike Byrne: "It's worth pointing out that 19–20 year old drummer Mike Byrne is beginning to show signs that he may well be capable of filling the horrific void of Jimmy Chamberlin's departure".[26]

After completing work on the then-unreleased second EP, the band recruited new bassist Nicole Fiorentino. While "Widow Wake My Mind" failed to chart, the follow-up single, "Freak" was released on July 20, 2010, and reached #27 on the Billboard Alternative chart and #34 on the Rock Songs chart.[27] Also in July, the band launched an American tour, and went on to tour several continents throughout 2010, playing songs from the new album and promoting the free downloads. On October 12, 2010, "The Fellowship" was released on the television soundtrack for The Vampire Diaries.[28][29]

The second EP, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare, which was named after a lyric in their song "Tom Tom", was released on November 23, 2010 in the form of a cardboard box with the 4-song CD in a letterpressed sleeve and a 12" vinyl picture disc with all four EP tracks and a b-side.[30] Jon Stone of the American Songwriter reacted positively to the second EP, The Solstice Bare, stating that "The songs are not mind blowing, but for once, Billy doesn't seem like he is trying to prove his relevance to both old and new fans on every track. Respect is given to the song, rather than just the hook—quite an accomplishment from one of the most prolific and talented of hook writers."[31]

Nicole Fiorentino began contributing to Teargarden after the band's 2010 tour

Vol. 3 and Oceania (2011–2012)

Main article: Oceania (The Smashing Pumpkins album)

"The Fellowship", from the second EP, was released for free January 12, 2011 via the band's website. The band, including Jeff Schroeder on guitar, recorded two further songs as a group, "Lightning Strikes" and "Owata". On March 17, 2011, "Lightning Strikes" was made available for free streaming on Rolling Stone's website. The song was made available for download the following day on March 18, 2011, on the band's website. On May 3, 2011 the band released "Owata" for streaming on LA Weekly.com.[32] A music video for the single was directed by Robby Starbuck, and will be first released as a 12-minute film on Yahoo! Music, June 29, 2011 at 9:00 PM Pacific.[33][34] It is the first video to use a Red Epic-M camera.[35]

Before the third volume could be completed, the band decided to rework the project.[36][37] In April, Corgan announced that the entire lineup would now record a full-length "album-within-an-album" as part of the Teargarden project, to be titled Oceania.[38][39] Released in spring 2012, the album's arrival meant that just over half of the planned project had been released.[40][41] The switch back to the album format had to do with both artistic interests and promotional intentions.[39] Oceania, while part of Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, was largely reviewed as a separate entity. It received generally positive reviews.

Despite the release and success of Oceania, Corgan has said he remains dedicated to finishing Teargarden as a whole.[42] But when asked in June 2012 whether he would return to the original release format, Corgan stated that he's "kind of mulling that around":

“ We definitely want to do another album. We're already talking about starting to do some demos in August. It's tough. I do want to put out some of this stuff that I'm sitting on. I do want to finish the project as I sort of originally sketched out. But right now we're riding a wave and I'm not really sure where that wave takes us.[43] ”

In an interview, Corgan confirmed that a follow-up album to Oceania is planned, calling it a "cruel record". A title has already been decided.[44]

Concept and sound

Billy Corgan has said that he was inspired to write a story based 'the Fool's Journey' from the Tarot.[5] Corgan has explained his interpretation of this view: "There's childlike innocence when you just don't really know anything in the world and it all seems sort of big and magical...the teen, aware but not really liking what's going on...the third person that's cynical, where you get kind of bitter because you feel so small and there's all these things that are sort of happening and there's not much you can do about it...the fourth stage out of that would be finding a sort of spiritual place within yourself where you can live in reality, you can see it for what it is, but maybe you can find a deeper source of inspiration and peace."[45] In other words, the album finds Corgan "looking past, present and future all at the same time and trying to have that perspective".[46]

Corgan says he considers the sound a return to the Pumpkins' "psychedelic roots", and describes it as "atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty".[5] His stated goal for the entire album is to create "a whole new exciting Smashing Pumpkins sound that is compatible with the old sound but is wholly different".[17] Corgan feels an "affinity" between the new material and the first few Smashing Pumpkins albums, not because of a conscious effort, but because he is again enjoying that style.[45] He is envisioning an "acoustic" period and an "experimental" period later in the album's creation.[17] He acknowledged a Donovan influence on the sitar-tinged "A Stitch in Time".[46]

The band is recording using a combination of analog tape and Pro Tools in Corgan's home studio in Chicago, with production duties handled primarily by Corgan with Kerry Brown and Bjorn Thorsrud, both veterans of earlier Pumpkins recordings.[47] Co-producer Kerry Brown explained the mindset going into the recording:

“ [T]he goal is to treat each song sonically different to best present its palette... Billy writes a song, we record a demo, listen back and find the feeling that the song evokes and then visualize the picture that it paints. ”

Track listing

No. Title MP3 release date MP3
length		 EP
length		 Box set cover Download cover
Vol. 1: Songs for a Sailor
May 25, 2010[7][48]
1. (1.) "A Song for a Son" December 8, 2009[49] 6:03 6:03
2. (2.) "Astral Planes" April 16, 2010[23] 4:06 4:06
3. (3.) "Widow Wake My Mind" January 18, 2010[50] 4:27 4:59
4. (4.) "A Stitch in Time" March 2, 2010[51] 3:33 3:28
— "Teargarden Theme"† — — 2:55
Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare
November 23, 2010[52][53]
1. (5.) "The Fellowship" January 12, 2011[54] 3:51 3:53
2. (6.) "Freak" (also known as "Freak U.S.A."[55]) July 6, 2010[53] 3:52 3:54
3. (7.) "Tom Tom" November 24, 2010[56] 4:04 4:04
4. (8.) "Spangled" September 14, 2010[57] 2:30 2:32
— "Cottonwood Symphony"† — — 3:05
Vol. 3
(9.) "Lightning Strikes" March 18, 2011[58] 3:56 —
(10.) "Owata" May 4, 2011[citation needed] 3:39 —
Oceania
June 19, 2012
1. (11.) "Quasar" — — 4:55
2. (12.) "Panopticon" — — 3:52
3. (13.) "The Celestials" — — 3:57
4. (14.) "Violet Rays" — — 4:19
5. (15.) "My Love Is Winter" — — 3:32
6. (16.) "One Diamond, One Heart" — — 3:50
7. (17.) "Pinwheels" — — 5:43
8. (18.) "Oceania" — — 9:05
9. (19.) "Pale Horse" — — 4:37
10. (20.) "The Chimera" — — 4:16
11. (21.) "Glissandra" — — 4:06
12. (22.) "Inkless" — — 3:08
13. (23.) "Wildflower" — — 4:42
Numbers in parentheses denote the track order of Teargarden by Kaleidyscope.
A "—" denotes a non-applicable or unknown field.
A "†" denotes a vinyl bonus track that was included in the box set and not released as an MP3.

Personnel

The Smashing Pumpkins
Additional musicians
Technical personnel

Chart performance

LPs

Year LP Chart Peak
2012 Oceania Billboard 200 4
2012 Oceania Canadian Albums Chart 4
2012 Oceania Billboard Independent Albums 1

EPs

Year EP Chart Peak
2010 Vol. 1: Songs for a Sailor Billboard Independent Albums[63] 43
2010 Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare Billboard Tastemaker Albums[63] 16

Singles

Year Single EP Chart Peak
2010 "Freak" Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare Billboard Alternative Songs[64] 27
2010 "Freak" Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare Billboard Rock Songs[64] 34
2012 '"The Celestials" Oceania Billboard Alternative Songs 28
2012 "The Celestials" Oceania Billboard Rock Songs[64] 35

References

  1. ↑ Sterdan, Darryl (2012-06-17). "Pumpkins, Apple top CD reviews | Music | Entertainment". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2012-07-07. 
  2. ↑ "Explosive Billy Corgan Interview: The Awakening Has Begun". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-07-07. 
  3. ↑ Collar, Matt (2012-06-18). "Oceania - Smashing Pumpkins : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-07-07. 
  4. ↑ Dolan, Jon (June 19, 2012). "Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 9, 2013. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Smashing Pumpkins Announce Free 44-Track Album! Spin.com. 2009-9-16.
  6. ↑ Epstein, Dan (September 17, 2009). "Smashing Pumpkins Recording "A New Kind Of Album"". Shockhound.com. Retrieved December 12, 2009. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Smashing Pumpkins EP Part Of 'Record Store Day' Promotion". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner. March 18, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2010. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "InSound: Teargarden by Kaleidyscope". InSound. January 23, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2010. 
  9. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (December 7, 2009). "Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan Explains Why He's Giving Away New LP For Free". MTV.com. Retrieved December 12, 2009. 
  10. ↑ Kot, Greg. "Billy Corgan dishes on the Smashing Pumpkins: The past is dead to me". Chicago Tribune Blog. 2008-12-09.
  11. ↑ "Smashing Pumpkins Replace Drummer". Billboard.com. 2009-08-19.
  12. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins – Message from Billy". Billycorgan.livejournal.com. Retrieved 2010-12-01. 
  13. ↑ "Billy Corgan/Dave Navarro: Spirits In The Sky". ShockHound.com. 2009-09-04.
  14. ↑ "Billy Corgan Talks New, Free 44-Song Set, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope". Paste Magazine.com. 2009-09-17.
  15. ↑ The Smashing Pumpkins (2009-12-08). "The Smashing Pumpkins on Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 2009-12-09. 
  16. ↑ Brown, Kerry. Twitter Update. 2009-10-08.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Smashing Pumpkins: 'There Are Always More Riffs Than Words' Ultimate-Guitar.com. 2010-04-26.
  18. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (December 7, 2009). "Smashing Pumpkins Unveil New "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope" Track "A Song for a Son"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 10, 2009. 
  19. ↑ Interview with Billy Corgan. Local 101 with Chris Payne. WKQX. 2010-02-14.
  20. ↑ "Lisa Harriton in the studio with The Smashing Pumpkins". SmashingPumpkins.com. 2009-10-08.
  21. ↑ Borges, Christine. "Q&A: Billy Corgan on Smashing Pumpkins' Early Years, Free Music, and the Rotating Lineup". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. 2010-07-06.
  22. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins kick off Record Store Day". Smashingpumpkins.com. 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Smashing Pumpkins To Perform On 'Tonight Show With Jay Leno'". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner. April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 16, 2010. 
  24. ↑ Marty Lennartz (2010-04-21). "The Smashing Pumpkins On Jay Leno". Wxrt.radio.com. Retrieved 2011-03-14. 
  25. ↑ Rolling Stone Magazine. Issue #1099. March 4, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Review of "Freak"". 
  27. ↑ "Artist Chart History — The Smashing Pumpkins". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-08-27. 
  28. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins – "The Fellowship" & "Jesus Needs A Hit"". Stereogum. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2010-12-01. 
  29. ↑ "Vampire Diaries: Original Television Soundtrack (updated tracklisting) | Vampire-Diaries.net | A Fansite for the Vampire Diaries". Vampire-Diaries.net. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-12-01. 
  30. ↑ "The Solstice Bare Limited Edition Box (12 Inch CDEP ++) - Smashing Pumpkins". Whatrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  31. ↑ "Smashing Pumpkins: Teargarden By Kaleidyscope Vol. II, The Solstice Bare". American Songwriter. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2010-12-01. 
  32. ↑ "Interview: Billy Corgan talks Smashing Pumpkins reissues, new studio album | Page 3". MusicRadar.com. 2011-04-28. Retrieved 2011-06-28. 
  33. ↑ "Music Video News: BOOKED: Smashing Pumpkins - Robby Starbuck, dir". Video Static. 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2011-06-28. 
  34. ↑ "Blog Archive » SMASHING PUMPKINS RELEASING 12 MINUTE ‘OWATA' MUSIC VIDEO TOMORROW". GrungeReport.net. Retrieved 2011-06-28. 
  35. ↑ "Mitch Schneider Organization". Msopr.com. Retrieved 2011-06-29. 
  36. ↑ "Smashing Pumpkins on UStream". UStream.tv Live streaming interview. 2010-07-19.
  37. ↑ "Recording Begins Again". HipstersUnited.com 2010-10-29.
  38. ↑ Bosso, Joe. "Interview: Billy Corgan talks Smashing Pumpkins reissues, new studio album". musicradar.com. Retrieved April 26, 2011. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Smashing Pumpkins' Large-Scale Release Ideas Are 'Maxed Out,' Says Corgan". Billboard. 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2013-07-25. 
  40. ↑ "Sound file". Citadelcc.vo.llnwd.net. Retrieved 2013-07-25. 
  41. ↑ Lanham, Tom (August 12, 2011). "Smashing Pumpkins set to rerelease classic catalog". The San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved August 13, 2011. 
  42. ↑ Crestfallen.com » New interview with Billy Corgan talks about Oceania as part of the Teargarden project
  43. ↑ Smashing Pumpkins interview: Billy Corgan on how he got his band back - Beatweek Magazine
  44. ↑ Crestfallen.com » Billy Corgan on Rockline
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Borges, Christine. "Billy's Back". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. 2010-07-15.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Bosso, Joe. "Billy Corgan on The Smashing Pumpkins' new direction". MusicRadar.com. 2010-06-10.
  47. ↑ Interview with Dave Navarro. Dark Matter radio show. 2009-09-16.
  48. ↑ "Overview: Teargarden By Kaleidyscope Vol. 1: Songs For a Sailor". Allmusic. Retrieved March 15, 2010. 
  49. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (December 7, 2009). "Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan Explains Why He's Giving Away New LP For Free". MTV. Retrieved March 23, 2010. 
  50. ↑ Breihan, Tom (January 18, 2010). "New Smashing Pumpkins Track: 'Widow Wake My Mind'". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 23, 2010. 
  51. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (March 2, 2010). "Hear Smashing Pumpkins' Psych-Protest Song 'A Stitch in Time'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 23, 2010. 
  52. ↑ "Overview: Teargarden By Kaleidyscope Vol. II "The Solstice Bare" track listing". Amazon. Retrieved October 1, 2010. 
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "The Smashing Pumpkins Releases Fifth New Song". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner. July 6, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2010. 
  54. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins' Facebook page". Retrieved January 12, 2011. 
  55. ↑ "Blog Archive » Smashing Pumpkins Change “Freak” To “Freak Usa”". GrungeReport.net. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2012-07-07. 
  56. ↑ "TEARGARDEN BY KALEIDYSCOPE VOL. II: THE SOLSTICE BARE". smashingpumpkins.com. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2010-11-24. 
  57. ↑ "FREE DOWNLOAD: New Smashing Pumpkins Song!". SPIN.com. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  58. ↑ "Rolling Stones exclusive listen to Lightning Strikes". Rolling Stones.com. 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2011-03-17. 
  59. ↑ Full name. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2013-07-25. 
  60. ↑ "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2013-07-25. 
  61. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Sign Exclusive Deal With Umc | Universal Music Canada". Universalmusic.ca. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2012-03-30. 
  62. ↑ "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2013-07-25. 
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 "Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, Vol. 1: Songs For a Sailor – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2010. 
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 "Smashing Pumpkins – Currently on the Charts". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2010. 

External links

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Extended plays
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Compilation albums
Singles
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