Chris Cornell
"Euphoria Morning"
(Interscope)
This record is big. Big sound, big production and probably some big hype from Chris Cornell's record company to follow. That's okay, Cornell was never a shrinking violet and there's no reason to start getting shy now. An established veteran of the Seattle grunge scene and former lead singer of Soundgarden, Cornell has always had a penchant for bold musical statements. On his solo debut, Cornell distills the grandiose rock posturing of his past into a mature musical statement. Echoing the Zeppelin-meets-Beatles persona revealed on Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" CD, Cornell also sees fit to reveal his softer side in a contemporary, singer-songwriter mode. On the leadoff track, "Can't Change Me," his voice is both dynamic and radio-friendly. With a host of talented musicians including pop-savant Jason Faulkner and old Soundgarden compatriot Matt Cameron, Cornell's recording is a showcase of diamond-hard production values and a wide emotive range. Transcending the legacy of a depressive, gloom-ridden Pacific Northwest, Cornell is a musical survivor of the post-Cobain/grunge era. His music is still moody, but the nihilism of nineties Seattle that fueled so many destructive impulses seems to have mercifully passed over the vocalist. With the track, "Preaching The End Of The World," Cornell comes perilously close to the realm of the dreaded power ballad. On the haunting "Follow My Way" he reaches back for some of the high-register vocal wailing that made his tenure with Soundgarden so compelling. Still, for those yearning for the punk-metal-garage-grunge of yesteryear, you may be a bit disappointed. There are some heavier tracks like "Disappearing One" and "Mission," but for the most part, Chris Cornell is looking towards the middle of that hard-rock road. Odds are he will get the media and radio success that the recently imprisoned Scott Weiland was counting on. Now, is it too soon to start clamoring for a Soundgarden reunion?
by Mitch Myers
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.