Favorite Chris Cornell Albums
Recently listened to Chris Cornell's anthology CD, as well as saw a Chris Cornell cover band at a Music Fest. Got me thinking...what are my favorite albums or EPs that he was a part of, either solo or with a band. Here goes... |
| 17 |  | Chris Cornell
Scream
Sadly, this album takes last place. Not that I don't dig it every now and then. It is certainly not as bad as most state, but it was definitely not as good as both Chris Cornell and Timberland were hoping. Awkward at best, embarrassing at worst. But there are some great tracks on here including "Ground Zero", "Part of Me", and "Long Gone". |
| 16 |  | Chris Cornell
Songbook
I hesitated to include this live album. But it contains some timeless Chris Cornell tracks including "Ground Zero" and "Imagine", along with spectacular acoustic versions of Temple of the Dog classics. |
| 15 |  | Audioslave
Out of Exile
This album has all the Audioslave songs that most everyone likes, but I don't dig. Like "Be Yourself" and "Doesn't Remind Me". For some reasons, I find the bookend albums to be their best, and this to be mediocre. |
| 14 |  | Chris Cornell
Higher Truth
This is a tough album to listen to. Not that the songs aren't great and sincere. They are, although there is not much diversity. It seems, upon listening, that this album (and several songs) was closest to Chris Cornell's mindset at the time near his passing. |
| 13 |  | Soundgarden
King Animal
This is a good album, but I hesitate to say great. I wish it was, but for some reason I have a hard time connecting with it. |
| 12 |  | Chris Cornell
Carry On
A slightly heavier affair than Euphoria Morning, this album has grown on me over the years. But similarly, no tracks stand out to me as timeless Chris Cornell classics. |
| 11 |  | Chris Cornell
Euphoria Morning
IMO, the pinnacle of Chris Cornell's solo work. A spectacular and subdued listen, reinforced by the backing power of Eleven's Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider. No individual tracks stand out to me, but they flow together well. |
| 10 |  | Soundgarden
Down on the Upside
This may be Taylor Momsen's favorite Soundgarden album, but not mine. Not that it is not great (its hard to follow up Superunknown), but it just doesn't hold me. Maybe they dropped a bit of their heaviness off on the side of the road for this album. My problem with this album (unlike their earlier albums) are my favorite tracks are singles including "pretty noose" and "blow up the outside world", and several of the deep tracks are forgettable. |
| 9 |  | Soundgarden
Ultramega OK
This would be higher, but this album is a bit disjointed. Love the idea of 665 and 667, but these tracks detract from the progression of the album (and the greatness that is "Beyond the Wheel"). A lot of great songs on this including "All Your Lies", "Flower", and "Incessant Mace". |
| 8 |  | Audioslave
Revelations
More often than not, this is my favorite Audioslave album to listen to. Although lacking on the crunch of their first album, this album brings some funky rhythms and guitar work to play. |
| 7 |  | Soundgarden
Louder Than Love
Great songs on this album, including "Loud Love", "Hands All Over", and "Big Dumb Sex". Also dig both "Full on Kevin's Mom" and "Full On (Reprise)". |
| 6 |  | Audioslave
Audioslave
Some people claim that this pairing (Chris Cornell with RATM) didn't work. I differ...it didn't work all the time. But it sure worked on this album. From "Cochise" and "Show Me How to Live", down through "Set if Off" and the remainder of the album, this is a great listen. |
| 5 |  | Soundgarden
Screaming Life/Fopp
I came into Soundgarden in the early 1990's, upon release of Badmotorfinger. For years (maybe 2 decades to be exact), I overlooked anything done prior to Badmotorfinger. I missed out. This compilation of 2 EPs rules and shows how innovative and unique Soundgarden were early on. Has some great and classic Soundgarden tracks (e.g., "Hunted Down", "Nothing to Say", "Hand of God") and the awesome cover of "Swallow my Pride". Honestly, however, do we need two versions of Fopp, which is not that great of a song to begin with. |
| 4 |  | Temple of the Dog
Temple of the Dog
A truly heartfelt and landmark album. Slightly more subdued than Soundgarden, but with more grit than Pearl Jam and Chris Cornell's solo work. |
| 3 |  | Soundgarden
Echo of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across the Path
How awesome was this 3 CD compilation! Didn't know that half of these songs existed, and almost all of them are great. And for the Originals CD, it flows together seamlessly like the Soundgarden album that never was. |
| 2 |  | Soundgarden
Badmotorfinger
Hard to make this #2. Less cerebral than Superunknown, but packs a huge punch. Many of my favorite Soundgarden tracks (i.e., "Outshined", "Room a Thousand Miles Wide", Rusty Cage", "Holy Water", and "Jesus Christ Pose") on this timeless album. |
| 1 |  | Soundgarden
Superunknown
IMO, the absolute peak of both Soundgarden and Chris Cornell's work. Not too many other albums (or bands for that matter) can touch the brilliance achieved on this landmark piece. An incredible listen all the way through. |
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