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Rating:
Very few artists in the rock music scene have managed to be as versatile as Chris Cornell. For the Seattle singer-songwriter, one of the most beautiful and powerful voices around, you can say anything except that he never tried to reinvent himself and change style. A symbol of the 80s/90s grunge movement along with his Soundgarden, he found worldwide success with sounds that even touched on heavy metal, seasoned with a good dose of psychedelia. Now, Chris is ready to be known as a solo singer, after a failed first attempt (Euphoria Morning) and a stint with Audioslave (together with the instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine).
The album is obviously driven by the hit "You Know My Name", which topped the charts thanks to its appearance as the soundtrack in the latest 007 film. The other two tracks, "No Such Thing" and "Arms Around Your Love", are both very beautiful and best express the two styles that Cornell explores in this album. The first is a very powerful track, with a great foundation and Cornell still continues to strain his already battered vocal cords. The second is a very sweet pop/rock song, perhaps the softest single in Cornell's entire repertoire. Although extremely commercial, it remains decidedly pleasant.
Unfortunately, of the remaining songs on the album (there are 14 in total plus two bonus tracks), none leave much of a mark. "Poison Eye" has a nice rhythm but is ruined by a solo (if it can be called that) that is horrible; it's pure noise, worse than the worst Tom Morello. "Killing Birds" is already nicer, and finally, we have a very nice guitar part. "Billie Jean" is an acoustic cover of Michael Jackson's famous hit; although unrecognizable (except for the title), it is one of the best-executed pieces, with Cornell's wonderful voice expressed in the best possible way. "Silence The Voices" very much reminds of some Audioslave ballads (a bit of "The Curse", a bit of "Wide Awake"), but it's still a very catchy piece. The average quality of the album drops significantly due to songs like "Safe And Sound", "Ghosts", "Scar On The Sky", "Finally Forever", and "Disappearing Act", which are too saccharine and slow. They could have been done without. The two bonus tracks are also pointless: if the album had ended with the beautiful "You Know My Name", it would have certainly benefited.
In conclusion, from this new solo adventure of the great Chris, an album of decent quality has emerged: commercial (starting from the cover: it looks like a CD of Duncan James or some other silly teenage idol) and repetitive, it's one of those albums that quickly bore. Recommended for those who were captivated by "You Know My Name" or love more stereotypical pop/rock. It will cause immense melancholy in those who loved the chaos of Soundgarden (but also the early Audioslave).
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
06 Ghosts (03:51)
I know what you're looking for
You've looked in these eyes before
and all you saw was blue-green water
Searching for a mirror that shows the world not who you are but who wanna be
and you thought you found that one in me
but it's been a long time since I've heard that name
He doesn't live here anymore
Don't know where he's residing
You can wait here if you want
but I don't think he's coming back...
Sure, you've found the right place; same address you knew before
but that won't change what lies behind the door and what hides underneath
Had it changed from the inside out
He doesn't live here anymore
Don't know where he's residing
I think its better if you go
'cause I don't want him coming back
Yes, I know the name sounds a little bit familiar
like a melody to a dream
Yes, I know he wore the same face, the same clothes
but that was so long ago
I know who you wanna find; somewhere is the memory of somebody I left behind
Well let's take it all in stride
It's that time to say goodbye
He doesn't live here anymore
08 Billie Jean (04:41)
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie screen
I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She says I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She said her name was Billie Jean, and she caused a scene
And every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
Mother always told me be careful who you love
Be careful what you do before the lie becomes the truth
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
For forty days and forty nights
The law was on her side
And who could stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and her plans
'Cause we dance on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, and remember to always think twice
Do think twice
She told my baby that we'd danced till three
She looked at me, showed a photo
My baby cried, his eyes were like mine
Cause we danced on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
Don’t go around breaking young girls' hearts
Then she stood right by me
The smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
When she called me to her room
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
14 You Know My Name (04:01)
If you take a life do you know what you'll give?
Odds are, you won't like what it is
When the storm arrives, would you be seen with me?
By the merciless eyes of deceit?
I've seen angels fall from blinding heights
But you yourself are nothing so divine
Just next in line
Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?
The coldest blood runs through my veins
You know my name
If you come inside things will not be the same
When you return to the night
And if you think you've won
You never saw me change
The game that we have been playing
I've seen diamonds cut through harder men
Than you yourself
But if you must pretend
You may meet your end
Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?
The coldest blood runs through my veins
Try to hide your hand
Forget how to feel
(Forget how to feel)
Life is gone with just a
spin of the wheel
(Spin of the wheel)
Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you ready to die?
The coldest blood runs through my veins
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
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By GrantNicholas
Chris Cornell is one of the best voices on the international scene and former leader of a great band from the grunge era, Soundgarden.
If it had been assembled with 11-12 tracks, the feeling would have been more pleasing.
