 | cornell certainly wails but...
rating: 4
it doesnt get much better than chris cornell for rock singers. and kim thayil/matt cameron are pretty much virtuosos... but most of this album sounds more or less the same. superunknown is the flawless album u want to get...then down on the upside. but badmotorfinger is still great for that classic grunge sound and godly vocals. but i dont really see it standing the test of time as well as superunknown.
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Soundgarden - 'Badmotorfinger' (A&M)
rating: 4
First came out in 1991, looks to be Soundgarden's third record. Believe I caught them on this very tour as support band for Skid Row. Talk about an odd match. Their first CD with bassist Ben Sheppard. Even though I followed Soundgarden through out their entire existence, I hate to admit that I rarely pull out their music anymore to play at random. Tracks I'll always prefer off of 'Badmotorfinger' are the one-time Mtv late night favorite "Rusty Cage", "Outshined", the over-played "Jesus Christ Pose", "Searching With My Good Eye Closed" and "New Damage". Know I probably need to dig up my copy of their 'Ultramega OK' disc - that was my favorite Soundgarden title. A true grunge classic.
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Love 'em or Hate 'em. I Love 'em.
rating: 5
With the release of this album Soundgarden established their place on the music world map. Sure Chris Cornell's screeching wails -- which are a Soundgarden trademark -- haven't changed, but on this album the band's growth was apparent. The production and the songs are much more polished and tight, unlike on their previous releases Louder than Love or Screaming Life" & "Fopp.
The Black Sabbath influence is still well heard here but the Soundgarden members step up the pace a bit with multi-colored metal melodies in the songs. Songs like "Outshined" and "Rusty Cage" are highlights on the album with their iron hitting guitar riffs by Kim Thayil and catchy choruses that mend perfectly together. Drummer Matt Cameron is a powerful contribution to the band as well as new addition bassist Ben Shepard. "Jesus Christ Pose" is a highlight on the album with it's intense fierce vocals and lyrics over razor sharp guitars.
This album would appeal to any hard rock fan but Singer Chris Cornell does have that voice that you either love or hate (high-pitched and screeching). I just fell in love with him and his music.
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A Force Unto Itself
rating: 5
How they got this down on tape is a mystery.
Really, people, it's a crazed maniac on the loose -- with a roaring chain saw -- and no escape in sight.
But, let me settle down a bit and concentrate -- realistically -- on one aspect of this work that must be known: This has got to be the greatest end to end, album length, vocal performance ever recorded. After what Chris Cornell put into these vocals it's a wonder that he was able to ever speak again -- let alone record more albums.
It's one of those special albums that come around all too rarely.
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Soundgarden's finest hour?
rating: 5
When the year 1991 hit, grunge music exploded onto the mainstream with Nirvana's Nevermind, creating a brand new genre of rock music for youth to rock out to and relate to. Pearl Jam released its debut Ten, which also had everyone buzzing about the sudden popularity of these once underground rock bands. But what is forgotten about is Soundgarden and their smash record, Badmotorfinger. This album in my opinion is the most sophisticated, multi-layered piece of rock music in the grunge catalog, and maybe even rock music in general. Although Nevermind and Ten are superb albums, Soundgarden seems to explore another set of elements that none of the other major grunge groups ever encountered. This Seattle band made itself a major player on the music scene from then on as this dense, complex yet rocking album made Soundgarden into one outstanding band.
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