Smashing Pumpkins

 Well, I think it's time to get that damn picture of Train off the top of the page.  Blogging time has been limited lately, but I'm hoping that I'll have some consistent posts for all of you a few times a week going forward.

First up, Smashing Pumpkins news.  I'm sure most of you are scratching your heads at this - after all, Zeitgeist pretty much sucked.  And by pretty much sucked, I mean it was quite possibly the worst musical disappointment I'd had in the past 5 years.  The Pumpkins were always one of my favorites - always a bit more "out there" then the other 90's acts that I got first heard in my early "enlightenment era".  Things have certainly gone south since Melon Collie, but I'd still been holding out until I listened to Zeitgeist.  That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I'd heard some rumors about Jimmy quitting and Billy hiring a 19 year old drummer to keep on keepin' on.  This news didn't do much to encourage me to follow Billy anymore.

After shutting ignoring the Pumpkins for a few months I started hearing that not only was there new material, but it was actually good.  Shocking, I know.

It seems that Billy is starting up a new project - the 44 track Teagarden by Kaleidyscope.  When will it be done?  No one knows.  But Billy is releasing it for free, one track at a time.  Two tracks are up so far over at smashingpumpkins.com, freely available to download as many times as you'd like.  I've put a stream up of "Song for a Son", may favorite of the two here so you can take a gander before clicking away.  I'll do my best to keep you updated as more tracks become available.

[MP3]  A Song for a Son (via smashingpumpkins.com)

[MP3] Widow Wake My Mind (via smashingpumpkins.com)

Get their music:  Amazon | iTunes

Visit them online:  Official | Myspace

It's America's birthday!  Hooray!   You know what that means?  Well, in my neck 'o the woods that means the mullets come out in full force to see a bunch of cars drive around on Main Street for a few hours after getting their faces rocked off by Styx.  What could be better??  I surely couldn't think of a thing.

Alright, all sarcasm aside we've decided to give you all an America themed six pack this week.  While some may not see them all as erm..."patriotic" we still feel they rock.  At the very least, these should replace "Comin' to America" in the fireworks display.  Seriosuly, I think I've heard it enough times Mr. Diamond.  I (Kraig) will start things off with some sweet, sweet Pearl Jam:

All three of these tracks are covers that came from live shows on the Riot Act tour.  This first one is originally by Patti Smith.  Hang on tight for some sweet, sweet Eddie growls in the last chorus.

[mp3] People Have the Power

Here's another cover, this one is originally by Steven Van Zandt.  This is my favorite of the two, I feel it's quite a bit more relateable for me.  Most of my more "casual" friends probably wouldn't describe me as a patriot, this song fleshes out my definition of patriotisim pretty well.  Really though, it's not about putting a flag on your lawn, that's not patriotism.

[mp3] I Am a Patriot

I was lucky enough to be in attendance for this show.  I must say, I waited my whole life to experience Pearl Jam in all their live glory but I wasn't ready.  Rockin' in the Free World (originally by Neil Young) is quite possibly the best closer out there.  My face was quite honestly melted.

[mp3] Rockin' in the Free World

Buy some Pearl Jam:  Amazon | iTunes
Visit Pearl Jam:  Official | Myspace

The 4th tends to be all about gestures of patriotism and fireworks anymore.  Through it all, I still try to remember that this holiday should be a basic celebration of freedom.  Thus my choice of Dan Wilson's Free Life.  I've always liked that this song not only subtly points out our inherent freedom (or "free life"), but reminds us that we need to use that freedom, decide how we want our lives to go, so freedom really means something.  So, "what you gonna spend your free life on?"

[mp3] Free Life

Buy some Dan Wilson: Amazon | iTunes
Visit him online: Official | Myspace

...and here's a few epics, though they are a bit cynical.  This one's from the Pumpkins' latest.

[mp3] United States

Buy some Smashing Pumpkins:  Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online:  Official | Myspace

The most epic of the epic and one of my personal favorites from the nearly perfect Air Stereo.

[mp3] God Bless America

Buy some Damnwells:  Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online:  Official | Myspace