Chris Cornell Carry On
By
Debby Rao,
Boston Contributor
Friday, July 6, 2007 @ 8:44 AM
On Interscope
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Carry On is the second solo album from former Audioslave and Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell. The popular 90's grunge singer, steps into the spotlight and sheds his former grunge roots with an album that is filled with melodic ballads that have a reggae, soulful appeal.
Earlier this year, Chris departed Audioslave due to musical differences. On Carry On Chris never loses his powerful, soulful edge of reaching his audience with his heart felt, poignant lyrics and hypnotic vocals. Carry On features, an artist that is clearly writing for himself, and not trying to fit into the same grunge genre that has long been passé'. Although there are a few tracks that do captivate that classic Chris Cornell- Audioslave/Soundgarden grunge sound that he is known for, the majority of the fourteen tracks on the album features a more, melodic Cornell that sings about subjects that he holds true to his heart.
The opening track, ”No Such Thing", features slithering, hard driving guitars, and vibrant vocals that put Cornell at the top of his game in the 90's. Chris generates the anger and passion that is reminiscent of his Soundgarden days. Definitely, one of my favorite tracks on the new release.
Another highlight includes the beautiful ballad, ”Arms Around Your Love". This song features great acoustic guitar work, and lyrics that make you want to fall in love. Chris hasn't lost his touch for taking you into his world and making you feel the intensity of his music.
Next up, the song, ”Safe and Sound", Chris recently said in concert was a song he wanted to write all his life. It is a song that is rich in melody, and acoustic guitar work that deals with violence in this ever-changing world.
"She'll Never Be Your Man", has an Eric Clapton bluesy kind of appeal with sauntering guitar and percussion rhythms, and blues inspired vocals. It sort of takes you down to the Blues and Jazz clubs of New Orleans, where blues is the music by choice, and the artist feels the pain in every chorus. Catchy guitar rhythms and up-tempo vocals are among the qualities that rule this track.
One of the most surprising songs on the album is the remake of the Michael Jackson hit, "Billie Jean". For a moment, I almost didn't recognize the tune, as Chris does a 180-degree turnaround, and turns the previous funky groove of the 80's hit into a compelling, sensual love ballad. Cornell's voice whispers, ”She Was More Like A Beauty Queen From A Movie Screen”, illustrating a real depth and rich quality to his voice, with a vibrant reggae appeal.
Chris also pays tribute to all of the lives lost around the world to war and other violence in the politically-oriented song, ”Silence The Voices".
Carry On ends with a song that was in the James Bond movie, Casino Royale called, ”You Know My Name". Fans of the Soundgarden years will enjoy this song.
I had the opportunity to hear "No Such Thing", "Arms Around Your Love", and "Safe and Safe", in his recent concert in Boston. I was really impressed how these songs stand up lyrically and musically.
On Carry On, Chris Cornell takes on the challenge of a solo artist, and uses his distinctive, warm melodic voice as his weapon. His vocals are reminiscent of a soulful Bob Marley, painfully honest and real.
On July 10th, Cornell kicks off his second U.S. leg of the Carry On tour. Check out www.chriscornell.com for tour listings.
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Buy your copy of Carry On now in the KNAC.COM More Store. Click here.
lochnessredcat - 8/14/2007 3:21:11 PM man oh man am i ever glad i skipped the 90's and this GRUNGE thing!
scrapmetal - 8/3/2007 6:42:01 PM Just read a review of English show that said he's doing everything in concert from all of his recrdoings,including S Garden,AUdioslave & Temple of the Dog.
dancypants - 7/30/2007 6:50:16 AM Aww, do you not have proof? That's too bad, it's really a shame. Outside of the fact that you don't get laid, I really don't know what you've proven.
Ghostrider2003 - 7/29/2007 9:10:38 PM Don't correspond with me if you don't want an answer, retard. You have been pointless, changing you views erratically and simply annoying. Good job!!! Cheers.
scrapmetal - 7/29/2007 8:30:33 AM AGreed-middle of the road destined for CHR crossover.
The_Space_Lord - 7/28/2007 9:36:24 PM Other than a noble attempt in making "Billie Jean" listenable again as well as a few other songs on this CD overall I just wasn't feeling it.
metal74 - 7/28/2007 12:23:39 PM This Cd sucks cock !
dancypants - 7/28/2007 10:07:02 AM Can you find where it said I did like it? And again, not about defending it. Shit, can you not read? WHat's the matter? The whole "reading" thing not for you growing up? Too cool for it? Amd you'll "fight to keep it dead"? Sounds like you've set some high goals. Good Luck . . . loser.
Ghostrider2003 - 7/27/2007 10:55:25 AM Now you don't like grunge?? You got a split personality or something? Why defend a stupid dead fad then? I detest grunge and will fight to keep it the way it is, DEAD!!!!
dancypants - 7/26/2007 9:18:14 PM Sorry clownshoes, but never even said I liked grunge. Could really give a rats ass less about it. It did kill Warrant, as well as things like Ratt and Trixter and Slaughter and Winger. I'm sorry you miss those bands so much. I'm not sure why you miss them so, but whatever. But the fact still stands, that your bands careers died. A LONG FUCKING TIME AGO.
Ghostrider2003 - 7/25/2007 11:03:10 AM Get over what fact? That Headbangers Ball (the good one) was cancelled? That the original KNAC radio went off the air? I won't get over those two. I also will never like the stupid, moronic, depressed, drug-addicted bands that produced grunge and alternative-emo shit. They just don't have good musicians, their "songs" are mediocre and their live shows are a joke, not even worth a cent. I also find it very retarded that some people still worship a drug-addicted, suicidal, pathetic, depressed coward (Crapvana anyone?). That is just plain stupidity, that could only come from people that have low self-esteem and have only a few brain cells. Lambada will never return, neither will macarena as well as grunge. Why? Because they're fads, they don't last too long, they're meaningless and are just created to sucker stupid people into buying whatever is hip to the masses. Suck on that Nancypants! I hope I gave your sad existence something to live for, now that all your grunge heroes are dead or on drugs (basically almost the same thing). Cheer up!
dancypants - 7/25/2007 6:33:03 AM Britney Spears is gayer than a band in white pleather doing synchronized stage moves? Not by much. And it's not about defending, but about you getting over it.
Ghostrider2003 - 7/24/2007 10:01:34 PM Hey Nancypants! Are you the alterno-grunge-emo defender or something? Trying to be smart? That's just not you. You see I know you're actually Courtney Love and are just so upset grunge was a stupid fad like the lambada and no better than Britney Spears or your friend Clay Aicken (sorry if I misspelled I don't know all the gay shit like you do so well). Anyway, don't interfere with reality or reality will bite you in the ass.
dancypants - 7/24/2007 9:40:56 PM still haven't gotten over it, have you. there are support groups out there for you. members of the band warrant formed one and though every once in a while, they relapse into performning synchronized stage moves, they actually help with getting over cheesy music. you should try it, it works.
moonlngvw - 7/24/2007 2:35:58 AM There are a few songs on "badmotorfinger" and "super unknown" I like.Cornell has a good voice when he's not shrieking.
