Vanguards of '90s alternative rock, the Smashing Pumpkins have continued to carve alternate paths down their road of longstanding commercial success. This new track, 'A Song for a Son,' is the first of 44 that will be rolled out, one at a time, as part of their new album, 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope.' Frontman Billy Corgan says he wrote the song in a flurry of inspiration, composing its basics in just 15 minutes or less.

"It's got something to do about not having any kids and thinking about why I don't have any kids," Corgan tells Spinner. "And then also kind of thinking about my relationship with my father -- there's some kind of connection there, but it's not overt. I didn't set out to write that. It just rolled out of me."

Eventually, all 44 of the new Smashing Pumpkins tracks will be available for free at the band's website. They'll also be splintered and bundled in 11 four-song EPs with elaborate packaging and the works. It's good to see the Pumpkins can still offer an alternative, even in an indie-rock universe. After all, Corgan may be older, but it's not like he's your father or something.

Listen to 'A Song for a Son'

Download 'A Song for a Son'