HEAR IT NOW: Melissa Auf Der Maur - Out Of Our Minds

Loss, redemption and journeys taken appear to be the themes of Melissa Auf Der Maur's long-awaited sophomore release, 'Out Of Our Minds'. The album will soon be accompanied by a movie and comic book (unavailable for review at this time), so it remains to be seen how one will inform the other.
What is for sure is that the Hole & Smashing Pumpkins veteran's love for jagged, syncopated riffs remains intact, as do her bewitching siren's call vocals. A denser, darker affair than 2004's criminally underrated 'Auf Der Maur', 'Out Of Our Minds' is a heady experience indeed. Check out Glenn Danzig's guest appearance on the moving 'Father's Grave'.

Hear the whole album below.
Head to xmadmx.com to buy, and to see Melissa's upcoming tour dates.

DOWNLOAD: Smashing Pumpkins - Song For A Son

Listen to and download the Smashing Pumpkins excellent new track, 'Song For A Son' - the first of 44 songs that will comprise the free album 'Teargarden By Kaleidyscope'.

Billy Corgan announces new, free 44-song Smashing Pumpkins album

As per Billy Corgan @ SmashingPumpkins.com:

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.

We will however sell highly limited edition EP's (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EP's will be made available are still being worked out. 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. 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. The commitment that is most important is the one I'm making to you: that the music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' will be available for free to everyone. All 44 songs: free for ALL.

When the entire album is finished, it will be compiled 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.

The story of the album is based on 'The Fool's Journey', as signified in the progress of the Tarot. It is my intention to approach this by breaking down the journey of our life here into four phases as made by these different characters; the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic, and the Mystic.

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

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. I am very committed to seeing this album through to its completion and very, very excited about the prospect of delivering new Smashing Pumpkins music to you in a unique and exciting way.

New Chris Isaak TV show premieres this month

BIO PREMIERES NEW ORIGINAL TALK AND MUSIC PERFORMANCE SHOW "THE CHRIS ISAAK HOUR"

HOSTED BY GRAMMY NOMINATED SINGER/SONGWRITER CHRIS ISAAK SERIES DEBUTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT 10PM ET/ 11PM PT AND WILL FEATURE

TRISHA YEARWOOD, STEVIE NICKS AND GLEN CAMPBELL AMONG FIRST GUESTS

New York, NY JANUARY 27, 2009 Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Chris Isaak will host BIO's new original series, "The Chris Isaak Hour" debuting on Thursday, February 26 at 10pm ET/ 11pm PT. Each weekly one hour episode will feature one of music's most popular artists in an intimate studio setting.

"On my show artists get to talk and really get to know my guests and the sound is always great. On most TV shows, artists are asked one question at the end of the show and the sound is a bit shaky," said Chris Isaak. "I also get to share in the thrill of meeting and performing with great artists like Glen Campbell one week and Michael Buble the next. I'm having a blast."

"Chris Isaak is one of the most engaging and talented performers in show business," said Tom Moody, Senior Vice President Program Planning & Acquisitions, A&E Network & BIO. "He is intelligent and funny and has an amazing rapport with his guests in both conversations and musical performances."

Through a blend of storytelling and performance, each guest will be interviewed by Isaak and relive the highs and lows of their careers. Whether it's a spontaneous acoustical performance with Chris during an interview or their full band live on stage, each artist will perform their own material and the songs of those who inspired them. The show's fresh tone and retro style are driven by the singular talent of host Chris Isaak. Intelligent, thoughtful and sometimes irreverent, Isaak's special gift is creating an atmosphere that puts his guests completely at ease.

The series premiere will feature Trisha Yearwood, and will include the first ever performance of Breaking Apart, a duet from Isaak's new album. Additional guests include Stevie Nicks, Smashing Pumpkins, Chicago, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble and Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens).

Isaak previously starred in the critically acclaimed "The Chris Isaak Show" which ran for three seasons. Known for his legendary live shows with his longtime band Silvertone, Isaak has released nine extraordinary albums and been nominated twice for a Grammy. He has also acted in several motion pictures including, Silence of the Lambs, Married to the Mob and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. Even his hair has its own fan club. Chris Isaak's new CD of original tunes "Mr. Lucky" is scheduled to be released simultaneously with "The Chris Isaak Hour" on Reprise Records.

"The Chris Isaak Hour" is produced for BIO by Scott Sternberg Productions. Executive Producers are Scott Sternberg, Patrick Murphy, Chris Isaak and Sheryl Louis. Executive producers for BIO are Robert Sharenow, Tom Moody and Andy Berg.

About BIO

At BIO, we prove that the truth about people is always more entertaining than fiction. BIO is about real people and their real lives: up close and personal, gritty and provocative, always unfiltered. BIO original series uncover the real drama in people stories: everyday situations with a twist; celebrities going off-script; people-centric crime stories and paranormal events. In addition to being the exclusive home to the Emmy-Award winning Biography series, the dynamic blend of original and acquired series on BIO includes I Survived, Final 24, Psychic Investigators, the William Shatner hosted talk show, Shatner's Raw Nerve and The Chris Isaak Hour an upcoming one-hour program hosted by Chris Isaak. The 24-hour network is now available in more than 52 million households. The BIO web site is located at www.bio.com.