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REVIEW – Chris Cornell’s solo work I have compared to the late Jeff Buckley. His 5th solo record is more of the same you would expect from Chris. Along with Brendan O’Brien, Brendan really knows how to bring out the quiet somber side of the acoustic beauty of what Chris can deliver. Do not get me wrong, when Cornell was doing his Zeppelin-like delivery in album’s like ‘Louder than Love’ made me a fan, while album’s like this make me stay a fan. To call this a folk like record would be selling it so short. This record reminds me of the direction ‘Down on the Upside’ was taking with songs like “Blow up the Outside World” and “Burden in my Hand”. “Dead Wishes” is easily a favorite with the restraint and beauty that Cornell has put into this performance. You feel the maturity that has come with a career in music and age.
“Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” is another favorite that has this mandolin opening that has a soothing drum sound and a psychedelic alternative guitar with the Cornell delivery that sounds like he was playing in the park for a crowd instead of being in a studio. This record I think is one of the middle of the road Cornell releases while I was not a fan of the first two records, I felt the last two really showcased what his talent and vocals can delivery, this record is a good balance of what we expect from Cornell and what he feels he needs to be doing at this stage of his career. While the last SOUNDGARDEN album ‘King Animal’ took a long time to grow on me, this record I like, but I really wanted more power and a more intimate portrait than what I got. I am not saying this album is bad, I just felt like it could have been so much more.
