So, for the benefit of anyone who doesn’t know me that well; the Smashing Pumpkins were the band who opened my eyes to music.

I still rank their 1995 double album, Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness as my favourite album of all time, despite the fact that I have not listened to it for some time.

I feel that the album perfectly manages to convey a number of emotions while traversing an immense sonic landscape.

Anyway, now it’s years later. Following Jimmy Chamberlin’s decision to depart the Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan  is now carrying on the moniker by himself.

Billy recently made the following announcement;

“I’m happy to finally announce the plans for the new Smashing Pumpkins album.

Recording began yesterday, September 15th, 2009 on the new record which will be entitled ‘Teargarden by Kaleidyscope’. The album will feature 44 songs, 4 of which are now being recorded. My desire is to release a song at a time beginning around Halloween of this year, with each new release coming shortly after until all 44 are out. Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. 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. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.”

Apparently, December 7th is around Halloween. Today the new song, “Song For a Son” was put out online.

I’ve not made my mind up about this song yet, but have a listen and let me know what you think. As far as I’m aware since all the music on this album will be free, and free means free, there should be no legal problems with this song being made available for download.

Click here to download Song for a Son.

If you can’t download at the moment, you can also listen to it online while getting creepy stares from Corgan himself;