http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=130&csid2=844&fid1=37117
Cornell deserves dissing for what has happened. What has happened here is that Cornell has gone completely off the boil and resigned himself to the digi beats and auto tune, effectively killing his own musical integrity.
There is nothing inherently wrong with a new musical direction, but in saying that there’s nothing inherently right about it either. Musicians should not be lauded for trying something new, just because its new. Big fucking deal if its new (or ‘fresh’ or ‘controversial’ or ‘challenging’), if it’s bollocks its bollocks regardless if its different from what you have done before. This digi beat stuff is the worst thing to happen to music (or at least pop music, not that this a major concern) in recent years. It’s a fucking plague. It reduces every song that features it to the same flat, repetitive drudgery, completely devoid of any musical life. Its not music, in the same vein dadaism or “pomo” art is not really art. Where is the effort, skill, and originality? Up fucking Timbaland’s arse thats where.
Cornell is obviously going through an existential (I hate that word, but its apt) crisis. He tries to look like what he was when he was in his 20s or whatever. He wants teen girls to fancy him again, so he has to appeal to them. It… is… pathetic.
Al J’s musical decline seems almost forgivable (almost) in comparison.
Does Cornell not remember writing ‘Jesus Christ Pose’ (one of the best metal songs ever). I believe he once said he wrote that referring to Perry Farrell, which I thought was silly. Now look at him. Perry never lost the plot like this.
Funnily enough, I thought Audioslave was every bit as bad as this new release.
Yeah, I know it had guitars and it was dark and melodic and alternative (sorta) but it was still complete and utter corporate rock wank. Utter pants.
Fucking hated them.
I think Chris’ push to cover new ground is nice, but sadly nearly all of it has been shit. His first solo lp, which i had high hopes for wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t great either. I don’t listen to the 2nd one. I’m not buying this one.
And Audioslave was pre-packaged crap from the get-go. I dropped some cash on the leaked demos (when the band was called something else Civilian something?) and knew from the minute i heard it - it’s exactly what it sounds like. RATM, with less experimental/hip-hop and Cornell playing at classic rock - utterly boring, completely forgettable.
I really like the hooks and melodies that morello comes up with but i could not stand Audio Slave cause Cornell ruined it! different singer=better band!
Late,
grmpysmrf
"Funnily enough, I thought Audioslave was every bit as bad as this new release.
Yeah, I know it had guitars and it was dark and melodic and alternative (sorta) but it was still complete and utter corporate rock wank. Utter pants. "
agree
Audioslave was terrible. Cornell is more washed up than Al!!
like grmpysmrf, i can live without chris cornell’s vocals. not only singing, but just talking too. i met that guy a couple of times in LA and his whole demeanor was like he was waiting for the paparazzi to be around every corner in the room.not in a paranoid way, but a highly narcissistic way. i wanted to say, dude, we’re in a near empty dressing room. ditch the glassy eyed i am a star routine.
This really saddens me. I love Soundgarden, and nothing Cornell does will ever sour what I like(d) about them. But I heard this new trash a while back and momentarily considered suicide. Another one of my adolescent heroes selling out completely and putting out shit music makes me upset to no end.
Cochise kicked all kinds of ass.
The rest of Audioslave’s output, not so much.
Cochise kicked all kinds of ass.
The rest of Audioslave’s output, not so much.
Like a stone was a good song… wonderful guitar solo
Absolutely hated those two songs. First album did have a few gems. Been awhile since I heard the album (still own it), don’t remember the titles too well. Think it got better towards the end, I think.
that Chris Cornell album is the funniest record I’ve heard in years! it’s the modern age revelation of mid life crisis + ego
…they said on “sound opinions” he was the Ronny James Dio of grunge! I pissed my pants!
That’s nonsense.
Ronnie James Dio can still sing.
i like audioslave’s frist CD. saw them live on the first tour. it was good stuff. but i haven’t bought another one (or seen them) since.
Saw Audioslave a few days before I saw Ministry a number of years ago.
It was a decent gig, they played mostly stuff from their first album but also did a version of The Clash’s ‘White Riot’ which was excellent and another cover that I can’t remember.
Saw them again a few years after and they played some RATM and Soundgarden.
The first Audioslave album I thought was alright but the second one was hideous and I lost all interest.
Actually all this Chris Cornell bollocks of late means I dont ever want to see Soundgarden play live. It just wouldn’t feel right if the others wanted to play with this dickhead again.
Yeah Audioslave’s first album was pretty good i still break it out from time to time.
OK OK…
The guy’s obviously just tired of doing what he’s done again and again over the years and looking for something fresh. I suppose he didn’t have to hook up with Timbaland and make a beat oriented album but then again why not? It’s his choice.
Some people are going to like it and some people aren’t. Doesn’t mean the guy is washed up. At the same time it would probably look really lame if Cornell made a Whitehouse styled exerimental power noise/violence album - so he can’t really win either way unless he sticks to a tried and true formula, which he’s obviously trying to break free from.
Personally I couldn’t give two shits about the guy - haven’t enjoyed a single thing he’s done since Badmotorfinger. Audioslave was particularly dire.
But that’s just an opinion.
And the damn thing has shipped nearly 30,000 units in it’s first week so I’m guessing he couldn’t give two shits about a bunch of naysayers on an internet forum.
OK OK…
The guy’s obviously just tired of doing what he’s done again and again over the years and looking for something fresh. I suppose he didn’t have to hook up with Timbaland and make a beat oriented album but then again why not? It’s his choice.
Some people are going to like it and some people aren’t. Doesn’t mean the guy is washed up. At the same time it would probably look really lame if Cornell made a Whitehouse styled exerimental power noise/violence album - so he can’t really win either way unless he sticks to a tried and true formula, which he’s obviously trying to break free from.
Personally I couldn’t give two shits about the guy - haven’t enjoyed a single thing he’s done since Badmotorfinger. Audioslave was particularly dire.
But that’s just an opinion.
And the damn thing has shipped nearly 30,000 units in it’s first week so I’m guessing he couldn’t give two shits about a bunch of naysayers on an internet forum.
or the last time anybody gave a shit about him was his cover of billie jean being covered on american idol and he maybe tried to take the ball and run with it and see where it took him… and well, here we are
He’s not the first artist with a history of credibility to change tact for the sake of the mighty dollar.
Anyone ever hear Celtic Frost’s ‘Cold Lake’ album. Those guys went from Bathory to Bon Jovi in the space of a year.
With regards to Cornell…can’t work this one out. He’s a well respected musician and most likely already up to his neck in money (and pussy) and could make any kind of music he wants - and he wants to be Justin Timberlake.
Ditto Dave Grohl.