This album was surprising. Note, I did not say excellent, superb, or amazing, but simply, surprising. Chris Cornell is commonly associated with Soundgarden, pioneers of the now dead grunge era (Seattle lives, plaid doesn't). He is probably one of the few charismatic, really cool guys left from that age, seeing as how Cobain is dead and Eddie Vedder has committed another sort of suicide with TicketMaster. But I digress.
The album is good, if you can ignore the fact that Cornell has ditched the sound format of Soundgarden songs like 'Outshined' and 'Spoonman.' The music is way more melodic and alternative, a lot more experimental and diverse than Soundgarden really ever could be. And rightfully so. After doing the same thing for 12 years, change is in order. Whether or not the change is good, that is left to the listener. The one thing that can be appreciated is that Chris didn't try to rip off his old sound and did something new instead.
Lyrically, the album is filled with poetic lyrics like 'Can't Change Me' and 'Euphoria Morning.' The sarcasm and cynicism of Soundgarden is almost completely gone, but there are still remnants. The album is pretty tame, no cuss words, no sex, nothing really that would make anyone go 'Oh boy. Not good.' Musicianship is pretty good, with Soundgarden-ish influences present, but not the driving force.
Overall, the album is decent. Not great, not crappy, just decent. There are great songs that you listen to over and over, and there are other songs that should be buried far below the surface of the earth. Whatever you do when you listen to this album, be ready for something different.
Similar sounding releases
2003FishField of Crows
2004Jerry GaskillCome Somewhere
2004LiveAwake: The Best of Live
2005Todd AgnewReflection of Something
2003John MayerAny Given Thursday
2002Human DramaCause and Effect
