ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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Chris Cornell
SCREAM INTERSCOPE 23.3.09 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk
This is Chris Cornell…. Or at least so we’re told. The former Audioslave and Soundgarden frontman has decided that, having had moderate success with a couple of solo rock albums (not to mention a fairly good Bond theme), it’s time to try something a little different. So he’s made an entire album with Timberland. No, really. Of the many things that you’re thinking, the question that’s easiest to address is ‘What will that sound like?’ Easy. Take any chart hit that Timberland has been involved with – “The Way I Are” being a good example – then simply take the lead vocal out and replace it with Cornell’s smokey voice. Leave the tempo, ‘instruments’ and lyrics the same, and there you have it, the essence of this album. If that wasn’t annoying enough, it’s time to add in the ‘concept’ bit: every track has to be mixed into each other, 90’s chillout stylee (if you are in any doubt as to the effect of this, check out the truly awful segue between “Ground Zero” and “Never Far Away”). The final product you find is not unlike a teenager playing with some decks in his bedroom. Before he gets the hang of them. I have to admit that “Scream” isn’t 100% tear-your-ears-off bobbins. For some reason, it has an appeal; perhaps it’s the simplicity of the tracks, or the mainstream element that means you can let it roll past you without having to pay any attention to it… I personally feel that, being such a perfect example of mediocrity, it’s very hard to either love or hate, like or dislike this album. It exists to cancel out silence without any message, offence or catchy hook making it as far as your ear canal. One for Cornell completists or those who can’t stand to experience silence without some form of noise in the background. www.chriscornell.com |
