Cover Tuesday: I'm Getting Older Too

By Justin Cates

"Landslide" was released by Fleetwood Mac in 1975 and you still hear that version quite a bit in commercials and elsewhere. Whenever I hear it though, I'm reminded of how much I prefer the 1994 version released by the Smashing Pumpkins.

The stark acoustic guitar paired with Billy Corgan's mournful vocals is a huge departure from the angst-ridden aggressive style of most Pumpkins tracks.

I couldn't find the studio version on YouTube but it's worth downloading—legally even—if you're into that sort of thing. This is the audio of a live performance from 2010.



Next we have a pretty amazing cover completely different stylistically from the original.

Again it's a soft, introspective rendition but this time it's of Metallica's blood-pumping classic "Enter Sandman".

Youn Sun Nah is a South Korean jazz singer with a beautiful voice that turns an arena anthem into something completely different.

This is the first time I've been able to listen to this song without feeling compelled to run through a brick wall. The song is now completely haunting and unnerving in a way it never has been.

"Sleep with one eye open" has a far creepier connotation when it's being sung sweetly over acoustic guitar instead of James Hetfield growling over loud guitar riffs.

Things take a dark turn in the middle of this version too with some terrifying vocal runs and demonic breathing/singing that takes this cover in a very different direction.





This last cover isn't really something I'm terribly into, but I'm sure it will please at least one of our regular readers.

This is a band called A Static Lullaby covering Britney Spears' "Toxic" for a compilation called Punk Goes Pop.

I would enjoy this a lot more without the periodic scream/singing in the chorus, but this version still does a fine job of destroying Britney's original.

Besides I though we needed something loud and aggressive after two quiet, thoughtful covers.

A Song For A Son

In perhaps one of the most daring business models ever revealed by any musician, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan announced he would release all 44 songs of the Pumpkins' new concept album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope for free, available for download one song at a time on their website.

Here is what Corgan had to say about his radical concept:

[I] don't think I'm going to make albums in the old-fashioned way, meaning 12-15 songs, etc. in one small package. My desire at this point would be to release one song at a time, over a period of 2-3 years, with it all adding up to a box set/album of sorts that would also include an art movie of the album... My thinking is that if I focus on one song at a time I would approach them as beautiful, distinct paintings that would each require the attention they deserve. This would also mean I would choose what I am recording quite carefully as there would be tremendous internal pressure to get it just right, and that is the kind of pressure I like, which is to make the most beautiful thing possible. I've gotten lost many times during the long haul of making a record and have overlooked some great songs because of that. The new standard for an SP song would that it be excellent and fantastic and most importantly essential or it's not coming out. I will do my best to meet that intention fully.

Based on those comments it his clear that this album is being made for the sheer enjoyment of writing music, not for the immediate monetary benefit so many artists seek and often 'sell-out' for.

Best of luck to Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins on this truly unique endeavor.

Song Of The Day - July 7, 2008

Today's song comes from Chicago, IL rockers Smashing Pumpkins. Although not all fans of the band are pleased with the Pumpkins' latest efforts after a nearly 7 year hiatus we here at Stars and Slights continue to indulge ourselves in the musical genius presented by Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain. After the release of their seventh studio album, Zeitgeist, the duo (minus original members James Iha and D'arcy Wretzky) has continued to write new music. Although the Pumpkins are touring with a bassist (Ginger Reyes) and guitarist (Jeff Schroeder) the entire Zeitgeist album was record by Chamberlain and Corgan. Today's song entitled "Superchrist" was written during the Zeitgeist sessions but was not included on the album. I especially like how the worked the violin part into the video. Enjoy.

"We didn't feel we understood the song and thought playing it on tour would help us sort it out" - Billy Corgan

*Edit - Today marks the 10th anniversary of Smashing Pumpkins Day.