Skip to main content

Digital Lifestyle > News

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 Smashing Pumpkins abandon albums, singles for iTunes from now on

Influential US rock band says singles still a success, but no to new albums – cites iPod and iTunes success as the catalyst for change

Nick Spence

  • Email to a friend
  • Print this article
  • Bookmark this page
  • RSS feed

US alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins are to abandon plans to record any new albums citing a change in the musical landscape in recent years.

The influential band, who returned in 2007 after a seven year hiatus, saw disappointing sales and a comparatively poor reception for their comeback album ‘Zeitgeist.’

Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins guitarist and vocalist, told the Chicago Tribune, the band were done with albums.

“We're done with that. There is no point. People don't even listen to it all. They put it on their iPod, they drag over the two singles and skip over the rest,” said Corgan.

The way many people now listen to music as single songs rather than collections, inspired by the success of iTunes, has made albums less important laments Corgan.

“The listening patterns have changed, so why are we killing ourselves to do albums, to create balance and do the arty track to set up the single? It's done.”

However some artists can still buck the trend suggests Corgan.

“When Bruce Springsteen puts out a new album, I pay attention. Same with Neil Young. Because they're major artists who have something to say. I consider us in that category. When we do something it should be taken seriously, even when we're off.”

Get four free Mac programs worth £82 and 40 free prints from Jessops with Macworld print magazine. On sale now! Click here for more information.


Email A Friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:



PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.

<<prev article | back to news index | next article>>

Question of the day!

Mark Hattersley
Editor in Chief

Do you share your creations online?

Question of the day!

Do you share your creations online?

% of Macworld readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What do you create and how do you share it?

124 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @TabletChat

paintings & illustrations, mostly, which i upload to flickr.RT @fragmentedm

I draw manga/anime characters. I also do graphic design and photography.RT @spialelo

Yes. I usually put them up on my #deviantart account for feedback on how to improve.RT @spialelo

Comments received


TN said on Fri, 12 Dec 2008

Should have gone to Amazon.

Bobby said on Fri, 12 Dec 2008

Smashing Pumpkins-something to say? I don't think so. The marketplace says otherwise. Nothing to see here, move along...

rich said on Fri, 12 Dec 2008

I really hate this internet fashion for "Nothing to see here, move along...".... Its in the comments on so many websites! BORING! Invent something else.

Imagine releasing your last album seven years ago and how much things have changed now. Billy didn't see the gradual change many others saw. Must of come as a bit of a shock.

Haku said on Fri, 12 Dec 2008

Is it me, or does the last paragraph completely contradict the rest of the article?!

MacWorld Reader said on Fri, 12 Dec 2008

I never knew Corgan listened to Bruce Springsteen!!

@Haku: you are absolutely right but it is not quite so contradictory in the original interview - although very egocentric still.

maclover said on Fri, 12 Dec 2008

Billy Corgan = Bruce Springsteen $$$
Me rappin in the shower = Jay -Z $$$
Here's a hint Billyboy, when you don't make money $$$, you are no longer a popular artist, and I don't mean the genre.

sam said on Sat, 13 Dec 2008

Could it be the last album just wasn't any good, and I think they are only two SP members left in this line-up.

FrankenFuss said on Sat, 13 Dec 2008

Well...it's good to see ole Billy is as arrogant as ever. I guess it never occurred to him that people DO still buy albums...they just didn't buy HIS crap album! His salad days have long passed him by.

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Macworld. Macworld accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content.
Click here to read the house rules.

Click here for the latest reader comments

Latest News


More news...