Freak (The Smashing Pumpkins song)

"Freak" (also titled as "Freak U.S.A.") is the second single from The Smashing Pumpkins's 34-track music project, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, and the first song released for the second accompanying EP The Solstice Bare. Like all other songs on the EP, "Freak" was released as a free download on their official website.[1] The song was first played live on July 24, 2009, at the first Spirits in the Sky show in memoriam of Sky Saxon.[2] It was performed live by the Pumpkins throughout their 2010 tours.[3]

"Freak"
Promotional CD-R of "Freak"
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins
from the album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope
Released2010
Recorded2009–2010
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:51
LabelMartha's Music / Rocket Science
Songwriter(s)Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology
"G.L.O.W."
(2008)
"Freak"
(2010)
"Owata"
(2011)

Critical reception

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Spin praised the song, noting that "the catchy chorus of bright guitars and cheerful na na na na nas recall his short-lived pop-rock side-project Zwan; the heavy, distorted bass lines revisit the goth-rock moments of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness; and his lyrics are all early-Pumpkins."[4] PopMatters's reviewed that "Freak" "largely explores and builds on The Smashing Pumpkins’ earlier, mid-1990s sound while also very subtly hinting at the newly pointed and cultish, lysergic musical atmosphere."[5]

Charts

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Chart (2010) Peak
position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[6] 27

References

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  1. ^ "Smashing Pumpkins". Smashing Pumpkins. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  2. ^ "tour history - dates : 2009/07/24". spfc.org. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  3. ^ spfc.org : tour info - "Freak".
  4. ^ "LISTEN: Smashing Pumpkins Release New Song!". SPIN.com. July 6, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  5. ^ Carl, William. "The Smashing Pumpkins Release New Song "Freak" From Teargarden by Kaleidyscope < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  6. ^ Smashing Pumpkins Album & Song Chart History - Alternative Airplay. Billboard.com. Retrieved December 8, 2010.