Chris Cornell - "Scream"

Background:
I have followed Chris Cornell (Audioslave, Sound Garden, Temple of the Dog) for quite some time now. I may not be nearly as devote as a "die hard" fan but I pull my weight. My ears were made aware of Cornell's existence in late 2002 - early 2003. The songs "Cochise" and "Like a Stone", by Audioslave, were showering the radio waves. The self titled album, was the 1st true rock album that I had ever fully invested my self into. They were not the alternative rock that that I had been accustom to but a real Rock band with real Rock roots. Every song on the album holds a place in my heart and is one of few albums I consider perfect. I quickly fell in love with Cornell's voice and proceeded to look up his older work. I discovered I had a love for his music long before Audioslave. "Can't Change Me", "Black Hole Sun", and "Fell On Black Days" were three songs I had loved from my childhood but had never bothered to aquire. Cornell had taken my "Number One Vocalist" position. Audoslaves following were never as sweet as the first taste. I had forgotten about Cornell in the following years, still listening to the "Classics" but never venturing into his new works.

Thoughts:
A few months before it was announced I was informed about a collaboration between Cornell and Timberland. At first I was put off by the idea but the more and more I thought about it the more I enjoyed it. The first glimpse of the album was through a Verizon commercial, the song sounded amazing. The styling of Timberland mashed up with the Vocals of Cornell... I could not wait. When the singles dropped I snatched them up. Was not impressed. In an interview with Cornell and Timberland, Timberland had stated that to really enjoy the album that you would have to listen to it as a whole. I waited it out... a few days before the release I was able to get a hold of the album. The moment I had been waiting for! I skipped through almost all of the tracks... I threw the album aside and did not bother to listen to it for about a week. I found my self stuck working on a project that would most likely take me all day... it was time to listen... and I did... and I enjoyed. I listened to the album from start to finish... it was good. Not great, not memorable but good. Cornell had swapped genres, Rock for RnB...

Review:
The album starts off strong with "Part of Me", a mainstream club sound with the vocals of a Rock legend. It drew me into the album, I had to look past the repetitive catch choruses. The next song to really catch my ear was "Ground Zero". Filled with remnants of Justin Timberlake, the beat pushes you forward, the lyrics a little less than stellar, melodies interesting. The transitions throughout the album are amazing, one after another almost perfectly blending into each other. My problem as of now was this album felt like a JT album... but vocally replaced with Cornell. "Long Gone" threw me on the bandwagon. The transition into the song incredible, easily best on the album. "Enemy", possibly the best beat on the album has good lyrics but a terrible chorus. The final song on the album "Two Drink Minimum" is the truest song to Cornell's past. Produced by John Mayer, the song is filled with strong blues influences and shines light onto Cornell's soulful vocal abilities.

Worth a Listen:
Part of Me
Ground Zero
Long Gone
Two Drink Minimum