Since Seattle- based alternative powerhouse Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, lead singer Chris Cornell has morphed his sound in several ways. A brief solo stint followed by a run with hard-rock super group Audioslave has seen Cornell blending Zeppelin-esque 70’s hard rock with 90’s grunge. Through it all, Cornell’s voice, at times a heavenly screech and others a whispering gravely purr, has remained the same: potent and ferocious.
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Chris Cornell
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 Entertainment
 Art
Riviera Theater
Chicago, IL
APril 19, 2009
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The 44-year old singer, fresh off the release of an experimental solo album entitled “Scream”, brought his soaring shriek to the Riviera Sunday evening. Cornell’s new material, produced by acclaimed pop-mastermind Timbaland, is uncharacteristically dependent on loopy synth-heavy dance beats, rather than traditional rock time signatures. Donning a black leather jacket and military boots, coupled with skinny jeans and a rocker’s mane, Cornell drew from his diverse collection of dark yet inviting alt-rock stage shakers, with material new and old pulsating in the live setting.
“Part of Me,” a brain-jarring display of electronica set the tone for the night as purple stage lighting blended harmoniously with the reverberating sounds escaping from Cornell. Cornell’s music can send listeners on an emotional kamikaze mission, meandering from sounds of despair and death, to blissful moments of feng shui. Cornell holds this power in his grasp, and releases it through bursts of screeching greatness.
Backed by two guitarists, a bass player, and a drummer whose pulsating high hat tremors and drum fills ripped effortlessly through the cathedral-style ceiling of the venue, Cornell’s all-encompassing sound had heads bobbing and hearts pounding at The Riv. With a distinct mood change, he belted out a dark yet eerily comforting version of Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.” Yet just when one might have believed the musical roller coaster had came to a halt, with slower-tempo melodies, Cornell’s guitarists unleashed another dose of crackling distortion through intense minor- chord mayhem.
With the collective emotions of the crowd in a puddle on the dirt-stained floor, Cornell sent his band members packing and drastically altered the mood with a brief acoustic set. A soulfully charged rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” swept over the crowd with an alluring lull as the rock extraordinaire proved yet again that his voice’s range and stylistic versatility are unmatched in the rock game.
While most critics panned his newest album “Scream” for its pop-infused sound, Sunday’s performance proved Cornell’s versatility is surely not a fault, but instead yet another impressive incarnation of his talent.
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JABLONSKI!!!!!!!!
Written by Guest on 2009-04-27 15:05:34
Wish i could have been there. Great review. I don't care what incarnation he chooses to dispurse his magic, as long as he continues I will follow. |
we love cornell
Written by Guest on 2009-04-27 21:08:27
 His voice is magical and as the above guest already stated perfectly, we will follow him no matter where his music takes us. great article! |
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