Every so often an artist releases an album that completely takes you by surprise. Ever the innovator, Chris Cornell’s new solo album reinvents himself so utterly that it will throw many fans for a curve ball. That is not to say that the album is bad, just different.
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Chris Cornell |  Entertainment
Art
“Scream”
(Interscope)
Released March 10, 2009
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“Scream” represents the first collaboration between Cornell and super producer Timbaland, the Brian Eno of the 21st century. Timbaland has worked with all the major musical heavies of the pop music circuit. The fusion of Cornell’s typically raw and intense musical style with Timbaland’s more clubby beats makes for a truly unique album.
Thankfully Cornell doesn’t cross over into Gwen Stefani territory. Over the years Stefani has gone from a certified punk rocker into a pop music vending machine. Her style and music have changed so completely that she alienated much of her original fan base in the switch. It is with natural hesitation that I listened to Cornell’s new album.
The good news is that there is still some of the old Cornell shining through the album. The bad news is that his signature voice, called one of the best in the business, feels canned and digitized under the wing of Timbaland.
On tracks like “Ground Zero” and “Long Gone” Cornell allows himself to be re-mixed and edited to the point where the tune is just another club mix. Too much of pop music that the industry releases today sounds exactly the same. Go into any nightclub in the country and you will, inevitably hear the same 10 tracks played over and over again. It just becomes standardized and blends into the background. Cornell is better than that.
Regardless of how good or bad the album is, Cornell remains one of the most profound musicians of in the industry. Not many would have the guts to change their style so drastically just to throw his fans off. Like all great artists not every album is going to be a winner. If nothing else “Scream” will allow those who would not normally listen to Cornell to discover his music for the first time. Let’s just call this a “gateway” album.
Die-hard fans will most likely reject “Scream”; I can’t say I blame them. While this album reflects a serious departure from the norm for Cornell I do hope that he returns to his alternative music roots. Cornell’s voice has the unique ability to convey a wide range of emotions unlike any other artist out there right now.
Why Cornell chose to bend genres now is anyone’s guess. “Scream” will most likely be Cornell’s most forgotten album. Let’s just hope Cornell does not completely turn his back on his musical roots. Walking too far down this path could turn a monumental career into a mediocre one.
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