As you'd probably guessed by the list of bands in the post title, this Rapid Fire is dealing with three different albums across three different decades belonging to three different genres that feature notable work by the same man. However, this isn't going to be some nostalgic, dick-sucking celebration of self-importance masquerading as a tribute. I'm going to discuss each album as if Chris was still with us, flaws and all, starting with Soundgarden's biggest album.
1. Superunknown - Soundgarden
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Some artists question the label Grunge when applied to Soundgarden, as they feel that the true scale of the band's songwriting and musicianship get lost in the categorisation. Personally, I think it's half right. There are definitely Grunge elements in Superunknown, notably in the sludgy album opener, "Let Me Drown", one of the more forgettable "good" tracks, and the biggest single, "Black Hole Sun", a tiresome dirge that is enough to turn any casual listener away from this band. However, the stronger material takes Grunge elements but improves them with Hard Rock. This is where songs like "Fresh Tendrils" and "Fell On Black Days" come in; songs built around a strong riff, heavy bass and moody vocals.
Then you've got flat out Hard Rock tracks, definitely the best ones on the album. "Spoonman" has everything required of an iconic Rock song from epic riffs on both guitar and bass to vocals perfect for belting out with a stadium full of like-minded fans (not to mention a drum solo that doesn't leave you fatigued, an impressive feat in its own right). There are also lesser known tracks like "Kickstand", a punchy interlude that could've done with another minute and a half to make it a proper song, and title track "Superunknown", another testament to the band's strength as one cohesive unit as opposed to a shining star surrounded by permanent stand-ins.
If I did have to single out specific performances, Matt Cameron on drums comes to mind. Similar to vocalists having a recognisably awesome voice, Matt's drumming has a distinct sound in this album (something I reckon Lars Ulrich tried to copy with St. Anger but totally fucked up) and doesn't just fall into the category of generic Rock drums, which we'll be listening to in the next album. Overall, Superunknown showcased the band at their best. There are a few dull moments here and there but it's still a proper Rock album with lyrical and musical depth, something not many bands can pull off.
1. Let Me Drown
2. My Wave
3. Fell On Black Days
4. Mailman
5. Superunknown
6. Head Down
7. Black Hole Sun
8. Spoonman
9. Limo Wreck
10. The Day I Tried To Live
11. Kickstand
12. Fresh Tendrils
13. 4th Of July
14. Half
15. Like Suicide
ALBUM RATING - 7/10
Next up, we have the debut album from supergroup Audioslave consisting of Chris Cornell and 3/4s of Rage Against The Machine.
2. Audioslave - Audioslave
It's always telling when one member of a band is replaced and the quality of the music vastly changes. In this case, Chris Cornell replacing Zack De La Rocha transformed a one-note Rap Metal act into a solid Hard Rock band with some decent tunes to shout about. However, unlike Superunknown, Audioslave's eponymous debut is not amplified by the group effort of the band; it's very much down to Chris Cornell and Tom Morello on vocals and guitar respectively here. It's fair to say that whilst Brad Wilk gave it everything he had, bassist Tim Commerford was basically tagging along for the ride.
The pairing of Cornell and Morello has to be one of the most perfect combinations in Rock music. Whilst Morello's the one who hooks people in with his innovative playing style and epic riffs, it's Cornell who keeps listeners entranced with his raw vocals ("Cochise", "Gasoline", "Set It Off"). The band definitely knew how to deliver a powerful Rock song and, yes, this was partly down to Brad Wilk's drumming. If you've read my review of 13 - Black Sabbath, you'll known I'm not a fan of his work but if there's one thing the man can do (and I believe there is just one thing the man can do), it's powerful drumming. There are a few moments here and there where Cornell must've pumped some cocaine into his morning cuppa ("Show Me How To Live") but it's mostly just slow rhythms from start to finish.
It's a good album with some great tunes but it could've done with a bit more musical variety. Audioslave seem to have two settings: Powerhouse and Sensitive. Both settings have their strengths ("Exploder" and "Like A Stone" spring to mind) but they're the result of two musicians who are masters at those styles and little else. A third talented artist could've helped guide the band into a third great style...or they could've been the cook that spoiled the broth. Either way, what we got was a collection of passable Rock songs with a few gems fronted by half of the band.
1. Cochise
2. Show Me How To Live
3. Gasoline
4. What You Are
5. Like A Stone
6. Set It Off
7. Shadow On The Sun
8. I Am The Highway
9. Exploder
10. Hypnotize
11. Bring Em Back Alive
12. Light My Way
13. Getaway Car
14. The Last Remaining Light
ALBUM RATING - 6/10
Finally, instead of forcing myself through Temple Of The Dog, we have Chris Cornell's last solo album, released a couple of years ago.
3. Higher Truth - Chris Cornell
If you were expecting an extension of Soundgarden and Audioslave's material, boy did you come to the wrong place. This isn't the kind of album I'd usually talk about on this blog, as it really stretches the definition of Rock, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It's a bittersweet collection of music that trades heavy percussion for soulful guitar melodies and piano/keys. In fact, album opener and lead single "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart" is probably as heavy as the percussion gets and even then, the remaining instruments are far from your typical Rock sound. If anything, they sound like Indie Pop, only not as breathy and shite. You can thank Chris Cornell's vocals for that.
Sure, there are a few tracks with a bit more energy ("Our Time In The Universe") but the album is firmly built around delicate music aided by hearty vocals. Even when songs are slow and melodic, Chris keep them from devolving into your typical moaning vehicles of self-pity that modern Alternative Rock bands can't stop trotting out. He sings with purpose and passion ("Worried Moon", "Murderer Of Blue Skies") and I'm sure some twat's already proof reading their reflective piece about how this album should've told us Chris was suicidal but to me, there's still hope in the lyrics. It's just a shame that about halfway through, the sensitive tracks all sort of blend into the same material ("Through The Window", "Josephine") so you're left with little options if you're not invested in it.
Much like my opinion of Chris Cornell's talents as a vocalist, Higher Truth isn't an album that I would rank highly on my own personal scale but I can recognise well written music of the genre and this is it. I'd recommend it to fans of modern Alternative who want something better than the shit they're used to but if you like your riffs heavy, your drums pounding and your Rock rocking, this isn't the album for you. Whether or not his previous solo albums deliver in that sense, I couldn't tell you but even if they didn't, they don't need to. He's done Rock already and he's done it bloody well.
1. Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart
2. Dead Wishes
3. Worried Moon
4. Before We Disappear
5. Through The Window
6. Josephine
7. Murderer Of Blue Skies
8. Higher Truth
9. Let Your Eyes Wander
10. Only These Words
11. Circling
12. Our Time In The Universe
ALBUM RATING - 6/10
RIP Chris Cornell.
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