Teargarden By Kaleidyscope Vol. II "The Solstice Bare" [Box set, Limited Edition]

Smashing Pumpkins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set, Limited Edition
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Martha’'s Music
• ASIN: B0041KOVUU
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,340 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Fellowship

2. Freak

3. Tom Tom

4. Spangled

Editorial Reviews

The Smashing Pumpkins Teargarden By Kaleidyscope Vol II 'The Solstice Bare'

Deluxe 12-inch vinyl picture disc which includes 4 new tracks (Freak, Spangled, The Fellowship and Tom Tom)

Plus the unreleased B- Side 'Cottonwood Symphony' + 4 song EP CD

Limited edition. A must for fans. Includes the song 'Freak'

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great! But... November 23, 2010

By Patrick James Eslick

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Of course, the Pumpkins have given all of these songs out for free on the internet, but this may be worth it for the hard-core fan.

First of all, the boxed set contains a CD of the songs, that's pretty straightforward. The songs are excellent, but you can have a listen for yourself online to make sure its your thing.

The package also contains a vinyl record with the five songs on it. Unlike the vinyl in the first Teargarden EP, this is a relatively high quality pressing. The pictures printed on either side are beautiful, and for me, this thing plays like a champ. The sound is terrific, this record isn't just a pretty picture.

Overall, its well worth it for the uber-fan/collector, for anyone else, just get the songs from the Smashing Pumpkins website when they come out. It's free you know.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A step in the right direction December 1, 2010

By Devan

Format:Audio CD

As a longtime Pumpkins fan, I've always embraced the material as it arrived judged it accordingly after a few listens. Fortunately, the ambitious "Teargarden" project has given fans a chance to absorb the merits and faults of each song long before they are sold as a cohesive unit, or in this case, a series of cohesive units.

Vol. II is obviously a different animal from Vol. I; the latter sounded like a (barebones) outfit finding its voice again, and the results were obviously mixed. However, the songs on this EP showcase a sound that's becoming more dynamic and adventurous. In my opinion, "Tom Tom" is the best track on this EP because it comes the closest to capturing the spirit of the 90's without rehashing it. Also, it's the best track lyrically, which brings me to justify the three star rating. As good as this EP is in terms of sound, it's still struggling in the lyrics department. Anyone who's appreciated at least one Pumpkins album (even the "American Gothic" EP) will know that Billy Corgan crafts strong, thoughtful lyrics for each of his songs. Lately though, his songwriting skills (at least during the time these particular songs were made) have taken a backseat to his multi-tasking in the studio. I can't take anymore "La la las", "Sha la las" or "Ohs", and yes, they crop up frequently on this EP. The words are painfully simple for someone of Corgan's caliber, and as a result, songs like "Freak" are reduced from dynamic rock anthems to half-baked political rants that wouldn't even make the cut on "Zeitgeist".

Fortunately, this EP is the second of 11 forthcoming releases, and with two more members added to the Pumpkins roster, it's probable that the sound (and lyrics) will improve tenfold by the release of the third EP. All-in-all though, this release is definitely a step in the right direction and signals greater things to come. Be sure to listen to the songs via their official website before making your purchase.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Corgan's ambitious concept album ramps up to full speed December 19, 2010

By werideatdusk

Format:Audio CD

For those out there who are willing to look past the neverending drama, the falling-outs, the outspoken criticisms, the bitterness at faded popularity, and all of the other dark clouds that hang over this band "The Smashing Pumpkins" (and for that matter, always have hung over them/him), and give the band one more chance, this could be an excellent release to do it with. Personally, I've found a lot to love in basically everything Corgan has put out this decade - the Zwan era, "The Future Embrace", "Zeitgeist", "American Gothic", "SuperChrist", and the first "Teargarden" EP have all had a lot to offer in my humble opinion.

But it's on this release that Corgan has truly embraced the sound and spirit of the old Smashing Pumpkins. From the moment I got the large, beautiful box and opened it up, I knew this was something different. The package comes with a marvelous picture disc containing all 4 EP songs, with a bonus track on the reverse. The disc comes in a lovely printed sleeve. A CD is also included with full-quality digital versions of the spotlessly produced tracks, in an antique-looking letterpressed cardboard sleeve. As a physical item, this ranks up there with the best SP releases from the late 90s.

How's the music? It starts strong with "The Fellowship", an electronica-drenched 70s arena rocker that really sets the tone for the excitement all over this record. Next up is "Freak", which, if you haven't heard yet, you should mosey over to SmashingPumpkins.com and download right away! Probably the most "Pumpkins-y" single since... "Stand Inside Your Love"? "Untitled"? It really conjures the 1993-4 spirit, has a great sound, awesome instrumentation, and lyrics that demand to be chewed on a bit. "Tom Tom", meanwhile, feels right out of the "Machina" era via the Seventies. An awesome song inspired by the likes of Yes, Rush, and I can hear some Tom Petty meself! One of my favorite Corgan compositions of the decade, that. It closes on a lighter note with the winsome "Spangled", which would not sound out of place in the early-90s incarnation, and picks up Corgan's fascination with the sounds of the 60s and the 20s hanging out together in some weird opium den. Finally, the b-side "Cottonwood Symphony" is the first Corgan acoustic track since the Zwan era that is actually really delicate, lyrical, and nostalgic, the way the best of his acoustic songs are (think "Meladori Magpie", some of the "Adore" demos, and the Zwan-era "Always").

I think this is a great product that I've enjoyed immensely. The record and the CD both sound great and there are no filler tracks here. As a physical package, it's one of my favorites in years.