Chris Cornell - Carry on
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Free Music Notes for Carry on
Free Music Review: A road trip into the unknown: the evolution of a legend
Hit: 5 Stars
Chris Cornell is an American icon. Through his reign as Soundgarden's dark grunge god to his stint at the helm of classic rock band Audioslave, he's never failed to push the boundaries of genre, whether turning base metal into alternative gold or teaching a rap-rock act like RATM the meaning of modulation.
His ornate 1999 solo album Euphoria Morning failed to catch on, with its reclusive creator's deepening substance abuse problems perhaps contributing to its commercial collapse. Cornell's certainly not making the same mistake again - clean, sober and solo, he's touring the world for the next eighteen months.
The songs on Carry On are generally more accessible than those on his former solo effort, but that's not to say he's abandoned his old instinct for experiment. With legendary producer Steve Lillywhite behind the desk he's trying on different styles for size, mixing the all-out attack of opener No Such Thing and the drama of Bond theme You Know My Name, with the wistful pop of lead-off single Arms Around Your Love and the romantic, Rufus Wainwright-ish sweep of Disappearing Act. Although few listeners will take all sixteen tracks to heart, nearly all have something bold to offer.
Then, there's the much-referenced cover of Michael Jackson's dance classic Billie Jean - chosen, Cornell says, for its sheer improbability. In his hands it becomes a brooding murder ballad set to a slow-burning blues: depending on your attitude to the original, you'll either love its dark drama or reject its audacity.
The voice that launched a thousand sonic assaults is as powerful as ever, but Cornell seems eager to use it in new and unexpected ways - the Princely falsetto of Today is a major surprise, Safe And Sound sees him toying with blue-eyed soul and it has a deep, bell-like resonance on anti-war anthem Silence The Voices. Backup comes from a range of musical stylists, including Paul McCartney sideman Brian Ray, jazz bassist Miles Mosley and flamboyant New York guitarist Gary Lucas.
Lyrically the album mingles unusual love songs with meditations on change and loss. One of the most powerful in the latter category is Ghosts, a backward look at our older selves and those who need to invest in them, while the tender country ballad Finally Forever contrasts with a wry look at sexual politics in She'll Never Be Your Man.
Cornell may not yet have found a defining sound for his work outside the confines of a band, but maybe that's not the point. Far from showing us a legend content to rest on his laurels, the sheer variation of Carry On is the sound of an artist evolving and exploring. It's a road trip into the unknown.
- by Clare O'Brien, as published at Subba-Cultcha.com
Free Music Review: What are all you critics REALLY listening to??
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm truly surprised that so many Chris Cornell fans aren't more enthusiastic about "Carry On", his 2nd solo release. After all, one of Cornell's trademarks has always been his dislike of repetition (ever hear of "expect the unexpected?"), and it's through his fearlessness to experiment with different genres of music that we, as fans, have come to hear some of the most brilliant music of our time. "Carry On" is certainly no exception. Cornell has probably put the broadest range of musical styles on "Carry On" than he has on any of his previous works - be it with Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, Audioslave, or any other solo attempts, and the bottom line is, he has unquestionably succeeded with "Carry On"!! It doesn't matter which of the "former" Chris Cornell's one may have preferred: It can still be found here, but with much, much more. Being first a rock fan, songs such as "No Such Thing", "Poison Eye", and "You Know My Name" were immediate standouts for me. However, after several more listens to "Carry On", I found myself slipping into the more bluesy tracks like "Arms Around Your Love", "Killing Birds", and Chris's fantastic take on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." One of my personal favorites, "She'll Never Be Your Man", I'm hard-pressed to even categorize. One thing's for certain, though, Chris Cornell's much publicized clean-up act has left one of this generation's greatest voices much smoother, with a range that doesn't need to be screamed to be heard. If you've followed Cornell's career from the beginning, as I have, it's not too difficult to see that "Carry On" is probably his most personal release to date. As a fan who has constantly tried (like most other fans) to decipher Chris's lyrics, I think that "Carry On" seems to represent an "act two" of both his career and his life. Do yourself a favor, and don't prejudge anything Chris Cornell puts out there. Eventually, he WILL draw you in.Free Music Review: if you like Euphoria Morning, read on...
Hit: 5 Stars
comparisons to CC's sound with major bands is unfair. His 1st solo album was a sizable departure from Soundgarden after their demise. I have to say that i'm a major vocal/music person. owning Euphoria Morning for 5 years, i've still never sat down & absorbed the lyrics to it. people have said the new album lyrics are lame, but i don't think they're much different than the 1st album 8 years before. Cornell's vocal ability & attack on the songs is what i appreciate the most. Maynard from TOOL/A Perfect Circle is the only singer who can come close to the vocal control/play CC has. Maybe add on Serj Tankian from System of a Down - how much do we care what he sings about? banana terracotta anyone?
If you really like Cornell's voice, it's worth it to pick up this album. i spoke to a fan the other day & we agreed that we'd listen to a song about pooping in your hand if Cornell did the singing/music! You can almost hear it in your head & it makes you smile when you know you'd dig it, at least a little...
the album is book-ended by the 2 coolest songs in my opinion: 'No Such Thing' at the front & the bond theme song he did at the back. the weight varies from song to song on which ones will hit you personally, but there isn't a weak one that stands out to me.
Chris Cornell (& Maynard) is the best thing to come out of the early 90's, & we're so blessed that he's still making music. We lost Layne Staley, so the other shining star to come from Seattle is gone. AIC & Soundgarden are the crux of the long-lasting effects of grunge. NONE of their albums lose their strength as time goes on. GO see Cornell live - you'll hear Soundgarden (1/2) & Audioslave (1/4) songs. Then go see AIC with their new singer, it's a great show & if you close your eyes - it's there. i missed them a few times & i'm grateful to get to hear those songs live.
word,
Free Music Review: Good Move Chris!
Hit: 5 Stars
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if you dislike something you dislike it, but a couple of those reviews are just plain ridiculous and should be ignored. With that said, I'm a big Audioslave fan, but I can understand why Chris walked away from that band. Revelations was a decent album, but the band didn't seem to be going anywhere creatively and was never able to recapture the magic of the first disc. This disc is a breath of fresh air. It really allows Chris to branch out and explore different soundscapes. We get to hear him in a way we've never heard him before. Chris has always been one of the top metal singers in the business, but there has always been hints of real soul in his voice and we get the opportunity to hear that on this album. I love the eclectic mix of songs on this album. We even get to hear Chris sing with horns on the track Safe and Sound; how cool is that! I was really worried when I saw that he was covering Billie Jean, but I have to say that it's really slick and surprisingly powerful. This album is really exciting and adventerous. How boring would it have been if he'd put out an album that sounded like Soundgarden or Audioslave? I see this album as a springboard of greater things to come from this gifted artist. Simply stated, Chris Cornell is one cool cat.Free Music Review: The Man Can Sing
Hit: 5 Stars
There's a lot to appreciate in this album! Musically and thematically diverse, it stands among the most powerful of this rock singer's 13 album career.
Even if you don't know much or anything about Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, or Audioslave, don't be afraid to lend your ears to this impressive record. The material is beautifully crafted, sincere, and original--it's a stand-alone work of art.
To fans of Chris Cornell's other works, you'll be pleased to find that the man can still sing with as much force and heart as 20 years ago. Try not to be tempted to listen to this record and only search for sounds that emulate Chris's past work. True, you'll find many musical passages reminiscent of Chris's earlier works, but I think it's best to treat this album as a true original.
With each album Cornell lends his talent to, I find something new to really shake up and diversify my musical tastes. I'm confident that Carry On will help you experience the same.
New fans should also check out Chris's first solo Album, Euphoria Morning, for another 12 tracks of original art.
Euphoria Morning