Chris Cornell - Scream Review
Posted by Michael Adler on 03.11.2009
Chris Cornell surprisingly puts out the year's best album so far...no just kidding, it's as bad as you thought it was. Read on for just how much it will numb your brain.
We all know Chris Cornell as the living rock god/legend behind Soundgarden, Audioslave and some lower key solo projects. On March 10th, he tries something new and releases his Timbaland produced hip hop tinged Scream.
Track List:
1. Part Of Me
2. Time
3. Sweet Revenge
4. Get Up
5. Ground Zero
6. Never Far Away
7. Take Me Alive
8. Long Gone
9. Scream
10. Enemy
11. Other Side of Town
12. Climbing Up the Walls
13. Watch Out
This might be the most accurately titled album ever in the history of music. Truly Chris Cornell's Scream will make you go argggghhhh! This is a bad album folks. The term "selling out" is often used incorrectly, usually if an artist acheives any type of financial success. That's not selling out.
Scream is selling out. Cornell is done with Audioslave, and his solo albums have never sold as well as his work with bands; so what does he do? Cornell certainly isn't stupid: he goes for the lowest common denominator, teams up with Timbaland, and puts out brainless pop music that the nation loves. I can't say this with 100% certainty, but I don't think his heart is in this. He altered his sound to make money; that is selling out.
And you know what's most offensive about the album? The thing that I'm still trying to wrap my head around? This is Chris Cornell's most frivolous, artistically empty album, yet this is where he choose to put "Ground Zero", a song about 9/11? Of all the topics to put on a throwaway pop album, he chooses the worst act of terrorism and mass murder ever perpetrated against this country? That alone is -5 points off the final score. The song itself? Extremely bland.
Is there anything good here? "Time" is tolerable, although the "make a little love, make a little war" line in the bridge makes my brain leak. "Climbing Up The Walls" is surprisingly average on an album of otherwise terrible songs. It'd be acceptable as the worst song on a Cornell album if all the other songs were excellent.
The problem with the rest of the album is there's no cohesiveness to any of the songs. It's Cornell's great voice (yes, he's phoning this one in, but his vocal abilities are good enough to shine through even when he's not trying too hard.) drowning under a seemingly endless array of random hip-hop and pop noises, squeals, and blips. The Opener, "Part of Me" sounds like rhythmic farting, with an unnecessarily pretentious synth horn intro, that fades into an arbitrary Middle Eastern/distortion loop before giving way to the song itself, a retarded dance groove. Also, Chris Cornell saying "bitch" sounds wrong. "Sweet Revenge" has the distinction of losing out to my cat's purring which was more interesting at the time.
Continuing with the parade of mediocrity, "Get Up" has the brilliant line, "Mah Mah Mwee Um Ma". I could not find that one in urbandictionary.com anywhere. You can actually hear some guitar in there, but it too is boring and uninspired. Speaking of boring and uninspired, did you want a cliched, dull love song? Listen to "Never Far Away" then. It has everything you could want in a shitty love song.
Perhaps the most unintentionally funny moment on the album is "Take Me Alive." One wonders (between deciphering the use of more arbitrary Middle Eastern synth) if this is Cornell secretly asking for mercy? I should also point out that, at this point in the album, he really sounds like he's sleep walking and going through the motions. And why shouldn't he? The computers in the studio clearly have everything handled.
And the techno-stupidity keeps rolling on, making you wish it would just stop. This album is way too long at 13 songs. And then we mercifully hit the end with "Watch Out" where Cornell sings in the chorus: "Watchout! Now Pick it Up!" Gee, thanks Chris; I think I'll sagely take the first part of your advice, and ignore the second. By all means, watch out for this album and DO NOT pick it up.
The 411: This is a failed experiment by Chris Cornell to do mainstream, lowest denominator Hip-Hop. The result is a truly atrocious album whose weakness lies in not only poor song writing, but randomness that detracts even more from this garbage heap. Avoid.
After listening to the album also, I agree with the review wholeheartedly. I'm a fan of everything that Chris Cornell has previously done, and to hear this overproduced garbage was a travesty. Please Chris, pick up your guitar once more, I beg you.
Posted By: Nick M. (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 12:49 AM
You know, I actually picked this album up today and walked all over best buy with it before deciding against it to read some reviews first. Thank god for your timing in posting this.
Posted By: Adam! (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 01:21 AM
Train wrecks are even fun. I'll wait about 8 months after this one appears used for a penny, buy it then, and revel in the cheese of Soundgarden's voice becoming Soundgarbage....
unless it's good. A reviewer's word is never the gospel. Approach with open mind (though this sounds like some stink).
Posted By: Guest#8084 (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 01:50 AM
SOUNDGARBAGE! CLASSIC! Trademark that shit before I steal it!
Posted By: James (Registered) (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 05:42 AM
Noticed you didn't mention anything about the album's three better songs, Enemy, Scream, and Long Gone.
Posted By: Flex (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Wow, this review is awful. It's like this Adler guy didn't even bother to listen to the CD because he was too busy dittling his cat.
-5 pts for the song about the WTC? How fucked up are you? What's wrong with Cornell trying to show a little respect and page homage to the victims of a terrorist attack? Do you really think that he's that greedy that he did it just for the money?
Posted By: the 80s (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 12:56 PM
The album really isn't that bad. It's definitely better than a 2. It's different from anything Cornell has ever done. And if you put his past work behind him, there's some strong stuff on here. I'd give it a 7, at least.
And it's definitely better than Euphoria Morning.
Posted By: Guest#3896 (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 01:52 PM
"definitely better that Euphoria Morning"
That is the most offensive, idiotic statement I've read on this site for a while. Scream is absiolute, complete garbage, it shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as. Euphoria Morning. This is one big gut-wrenching sellout from Cornell, it's painful to listen to.
Posted By: Guest#6146 (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 03:56 PM
I would argue none of his work has ever had a whole lot of depth to it. Cornell has a FANTASTIC voice, and can hit high notes probably not one else in rock can, but I've never gotten the impression he has a whole lot to say, or hidden depth to him we haven't seen. In that sense, this album isn't a huge departure.
Posted By: Greendale (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 04:18 PM
i got a free digital copy with this after purchasing a ticket to his show and i was actually surprised. for months and months ive been preparing for this to suck but i kind of enjoy it as something else, which i ddint expect at all, but i guess i enjoyed something different because all i really listen to is rock and metal. but its a shame, on the copy i got it came with the song two drink minimum which isnt pop at all but really bluesy, its pretty good. oh, and there is not way in hell that this is better than euphoria morning, that was an awesome album that experimented the right way, this is just odd
Posted By: Jcon (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 05:04 PM
... but the lyrics are a joke though (but his voice sounds much healthier now!)
Posted By: Jcon (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 05:05 PM
i miss SOUNDGARDEN
this pop shit better be a one off thing
Posted By: Evan (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 06:21 PM
This review is overly harsh. Don't judge an album by what YOU think it should have been. The comment about Ground Zero being "offensive" is such an incredibly stupid comment it pretty much invalidates the rest of the review.
I think this album COULD have been good. There are some actual not bad tunes in here, I just think that what could have been good has been brought down by some cringe worthy production. The intro makes me want to throw the CD out the window right off the bat, so good thing I bought it digitally. Sweet Revenge and Get Up are unlistenable. But there are few good tunes on here, and I don't necessarily think it's any worse than Carry On (which was admittedly less than spectacular). There are some good vocal moments here for sure, I don't know what you're talking about him "phoning it in", I don't feel that. I'm pretty sure Cornell thinks this is a good album. I think it's an OK album, that I don't hate but probably won't listen to for very long.
And it doesn't even compare to Euphoria Morning, Euphoria Morning is some of his best work ever, IMHO.
Posted By: Mick (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Adler why did you bother? Honestly the whole point of a review is to show as little bias as possible whilst giving an honest opinion... You seemed to be dead against this proect from the start and seem to wnt Cornell to just stick with the generic rock stuff... You never even gave the album a chance... Sure it isn't the greatest album made, not even the album of the year... that could go to Kram-Mixtape but it is a good listen and at least he is expanding and trying new things. A 7.5 would be about right..
Posted By: Death R-Adler (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 08:17 PM
As per Guest 8084, I'm all for eventually getting this one very cheap, used. I don't have any pop hip-hop in my collection. I figure if I at least get one, might as well have someone like Chris Cornell as the vocalist. The weird combination might be interesting, if for the novelty factor.
It's not the first time this was done. My ex loved Jewel. She issued a pop hip-hop album. That phase of hers didn't late too long.
And is he really selling out, though? I just wonder how many new fans he'll get versus all the old ones he will and has lost. Are these tracks going to get airplay? I don't know about that.
Posted By: Jesse Coy (Registered) on March 11, 2009 at 09:53 PM
With a review like that I've lost a bit of respect for this site. Imagine what kind of score this would get if it was a new artist instead of chris cornell...8.0?
Posted By: Tan H (Guest) on March 11, 2009 at 10:01 PM
here's how this album works. if you have an open mind, you will get it. if you have a closed mind and expect someone to replicate everything they've done in the past, you won't get it. i think this is one of the greatest albums i've ever heard. it further shows cornell's diversity as a musician. youtube some live shit from the album and shut your fuckin mouth. soundgarden is gone. deal with it. audioslave is gone. deal with that. quit clammoring for the shit that's been done and try to be a little more accepting of somethin a little different. this album is one of my favorites as i previously stated, i'm also a huge pantera and black label fan, get down with some lamb of god, and now and then you gotta have some dre or snoop. others with a wide musical vocabulary like myself will embrace this album greatly. while those who are stuck in "their box" and fantasizing of fornicating with certain felines, just stick to what you know and leave the rest of us be.
Posted By: um... yeah (Guest) on March 12, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Yet another person that doesn't know what the term "selling out" means.
The ultimate example of selling out is Metallica. The ultimate example of the term being applied incorrectly is Kiss. Why is that, since Gene Simmons is such a money whore willing to sell the Kiss name to anything that will bring in a buck?
The answer is simple - because Kiss has never claimed to be anything else.
To "sell out" means you've stated your principles, and said you will NEVER do something, and then do it anyway specifically because someone waved enough cash under your nose. Gene has always been very up-front that Kiss is about making money and getting laid.
Metallica said for years that they would not pander to MTV, that they would not make a video, that they would NEVER pander to radio for airplay. After the death of bassist Cliff Burton, they did all 3 and said they did it because they wanted more money. THAT, sir, is "selling out."
Unless you can find quotes from Cornell saying that he would never do this type of material, and then find evidence that he did it for the money, he has not sold out.
Having followed Cornell's career, I think I can safely say that he has not sold out. His solo career has largely been about doing things that whatever band he was in would not allow him to do. The genius of Euphoria Morning would never have worked in Soundgarden. Equally so, his second album was not an Audioslave copy. Cornell saves these solo albums as his way of experimenting.
Posted By: Scott B (Guest) on March 12, 2009 at 02:33 PM
This is not Soundgarden, Audioslave or previous C.C. solo work. I've listened to Scream non-stop since Tuesday, and I must say it is very good, and gets better with subsequent listens. If you can't stand hip-hop, or groove driven tunes you'll probably hate it. This effort is not lame nor is it a sell-out. It's much different, it's bold and has depth. If you're looking for the Chris of old; forget it, this isn't for you. But if you're willing to give it a chance, you might be pleasantly surprised. This may be a gem.
Posted By: Blue (Guest) on March 12, 2009 at 04:18 PM
I did go in with an open mind, listened to the entire album start to finish twice, and on the basis of that decided it wasn't for me. The people who dislike the album have just as much a right to their opinion as those who love the CD. And I also feel that Chris Cornell's unbelievable talent is capable of better work than this in the future.
Posted By: Nick M. (Guest) on March 12, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Good to see Cornell continuing to suck. Like Skittle, he is a shameless whore with no business having any say in anything music related. Audioslave was overrated.
Posted By: Breaking Rites (Guest) on March 12, 2009 at 10:25 PM
I loved Audioslave, especially Revelations. A great, funky, soulful album with what I think are Chris' best vocals to date. Everyone seems to bash it though for some reason, probably because it's not 'grunge' enough for them.
I've been listening to Scream with 4 songs removed from it (2 of which were released as singles, go figure) and I'm actually really digging it now, it's grown on me.
Posted By: Mick (Guest) on March 13, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Chris Cornell is in his mid-forties, close to or twice the age of the average pop star. Yes, it's a bold move, but if can he get name recognition among pop fans, then it's genius.
And at this point in his career, he can pretty much do whatever he wants. Anyone who doesn't like his new material can go listen to old Soundgarden to cheer themselves up.
I personally think a few songs are decent, but otherwise, it sounds like he's trying too hard to be half his age.
Posted By: Aidan (Guest) on March 13, 2009 at 08:47 PM
Sorry guys, this album is ridiculous. I wanted to like it, I swear. I love Timbaland beats and I love Chris Cornell's voice so it seemed like a no-brainer. This is just horrible though. I wholeheartedly agree with the 2.0 rating...
Posted By: King Tony (Guest) on March 14, 2009 at 04:54 PM
What is undeniable is that if Justin Timberlake or Spears or Beyonce put out this album with the same lyrics, back-beats and publicity it would sell a million copies. But Cornell does the same thing that pop artists have been doing for 40 years, and he suddenly is the worst artist ever. I hope he wins a grammy and laughs his ass to the bank! Good for him, he relizes the music industry is a freeking joke and is enjoying mocking it the whole time. Get a sense of humor people! Obviously Cornell doesn't take himself near as serious as you people take your music.
Posted By: guest (Guest) on March 17, 2009 at 10:48 AM
for someone who missed a good song like enemy i don't really take the reviewer seriously. what is all this with selling out and the album doesnt even sound like hip hop. its more electro rnb rock. Its good that I didnt listen to biased reviews from sound garden fans. im not into grunge but can respect black hole sun. the best songs on the album are never far away, time, scream, enemy,take me alive,ground zero, two drink minimum and others . chris hoope your new work pays off because your a good artist . i wish i new about cornell earlier you really have a distinctive voice and can sing anything.
Posted By: amanda (Guest) on March 19, 2009 at 08:51 PM
i would give this album about 5 or 6, mainly cuz i repsect cornell as an artist for tryin somthing new, i'm sure its just an experiment anyways, besides, i love a couple of the songs on this album, enemy, scream, time, they're decent songs, even other side of town is ok, but i DO agree that the lyrics are.... pathetic... its like he kinda just wrote random words on paper, and decided to sing it out lol but yeah, a 5 -6 from me, i love chris cornell, but i want AUDIOSLAVE back!!!! ha ha
Posted By: Joel (Guest) on March 21, 2009 at 05:16 PM
I wish people would make the effort to spell correctly before posting comments.
Posted By: MrFumitsu (Guest) on March 22, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Spot on review.
This album is a piece of shit.
Posted By: Chilly McFreeze (Guest) on March 24, 2009 at 01:09 AM
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