Smashing Pumpkins Go Freemium With New Album

The Smashing Pumpkins will embrace the freemium business model favored by many tech startups to release their new album. Recording for the new 44 song album began last week with lead singer Bill Corgan announcing that starting around Halloween each song would be given away free. 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." said Corgan. 

Music As A Souvenir

The Pumpkins will also release the songs four at a time as limited edition EPs. "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," wrote Corgan on his blog. "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."

When The Album Is Finished

Corgan plans to compile it 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," promises Corgan.

"The music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty," he states.  "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.