The Smashing Pumpkins are helping fans hit hard by the economic downturn by giving away their next album for free.

The band was back in the studio on Tuesday to begin recording Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, which will feature a whopping 44 tracks. Frontman Billy Corgan is adamant fans won't have to pay a penny for the songs, which will be released one at a time from next month.

Corgan explains on his blog, "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."

The rocker also noted that the album, based on the Fool's Journey tarot card, will also be made available for purchase in the form of 11 four-song EPs as well as a deluxe box set.

The band delighted fans in 2000 after giving away their sixth album, Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music, for free via the internet.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)