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Rating:
After a flat and practically idea-free album like the last Audioslave (a band that, in my opinion, should have disbanded after the first album), there is curiosity surrounding this solo effort by Chris Cornell, one of the best voices on the international scene and former leader of a great band from the grunge era, Soundgarden.
Cleverly riding the wave of success from the latest 007 with the main theme of the "Casino Royale" soundtrack (using that "You Know My Name" which achieved good success with its very "cinematic" melody and guitars somewhat in the background), Chris is now preparing for his solo return after "Euphoria Morning," his first (dated) solo album.
Let's make it clear: the new project will not please the fans of the late Audioslave, while the only hope (already hinted at) for Soundgarden supporters is a historic reunion, considering we are facing an album clearly set on pop-rock coordinates with high radio appeal.
There is an exception with the opener "No Such Thing," a future new single, still anchored to the Audioslave planet but without the now-obvious solos drowned in Morellian effects. "Poison Eye" is already more poppy but maintains a great and pleasant underlying energy, "Arms Around Your Love" (the current single) is a highly catchy rock ballad, but very, very beautiful; same goes for "Safe And Sound." "She'll Never Be Your Man" is repetitive and predictable (along with a horrible title), "Ghosts" is instead a very pleasant semi-acoustic number. "Killing Birds" brings back some electricity to the mix, anticipating a surprisingly unrecognizable, slowed-down, and emotional "Billie Jean" cover with a Cornellian performance that is a real scream (in the true sense of the word!!!). "Scar On The Sky" is not convincing, too slow and stereotypical, while "Your Soul Today" is the other Audioslave-like (or Audioslavian, whatever...) number and finally gets you moving. Unfortunately, if up to this point it was labelable as a medium-great album, everything declines; good Chris tacks on three slow songs ("Finally Forever", "Silence The Voices", and "Disappearing Act") that are utterly boring, before wrapping up with the beautiful aforementioned "You Know My Name."
It remains a pleasant and well-packaged album, but the final thought is that if it had been assembled with 11-12 tracks, the feeling would have been more pleasing.
Waiting for Soundgarden (?).
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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Other reviews
By TheChosenOne
"Chris Cornell, one of the most beautiful and powerful voices around, continues to reinvent himself and change style."
"If the album had ended with the beautiful 'You Know My Name', it would have certainly benefited."
