For Jimmy Chamberlin, life begins again at 40.

The drummer spent years holding down the backbeat for Billy Corgan's Smashing Pumpkins -- and even tagged along for Corgan's post-Pumpkins outfit Zwan.

So guess what his first solo album sounds like? Nope, not like that. Instead of the supernova power-chord alt-rock you expect, Chamberlin indulges the jazzier side of his style for most of Life Begins Again.

Utilizing the hyperactive, snare-heavy stickwork that is his trademark, the octopus-like percussionist spends much of this 11-song set pushing his skilled band through intricate, jam-friendly instrumentals interrupted now and then by various vocalists.

One of those just happens to be old pal Corgan, who drops by to lend a vocal and a dose of commercial potential to one track. But that, along with a few distortion-pedal guitar licks, is about as close as this CD gets to alt-rock nostalgia.

Clearly, Chamberlin is taking the title of Life Begins Again to heart -- at least in the creative sense.

Track Listing:

1. Streetcrawler
2. Life Begins Again
3. Psa
4. Loki Cat
5. Cranes of Prey
6. Love Is Real
7. Owed to Darryl
8. Newerwaves
9. Time Shift
10. Lullabye to Children
11. Loki Cat (Reprise)