Review Summary: One of the greatest vocalists of all-time (produced by Timbaland) delivers a train-wreck of guilty pleasure.
Audioslave was a good band, but didn't do much for me when compared to Soundgarden; especially considering the line-up of fantastic albums they had, like Badmotorfinger or even Superunknown (which has it's flaws, but it's still a classic). Following Soundgarden's fallout for a bit, he helped form Audioslave which is a band that has decent songs, but no real definitive album (just a lot of great songs with some tiresome filler in-between sometimes). His solo efforts... I could care less about. "Billie Jean" (apart from "You Know My Name") was his most popular song as a solo artist, and I really didn't care for it (though one of his live versions is really fantastic). Once I heard "You Know My Name" from
Casino Royale, I knew I wanted to hear more... but, with this album, let's just say that I underestimated the "power" of Timbaland.
1) "Part of Me"
This was the worst opening I've ever heard to any CD in years. The first 45 seconds are... wow. Over-confidence can bite the big one. But finally, after that 45 second train-wreck, we get into the song. While "over-produced" is definitely a word I'll be using a lot in this review, this song is actually quite entertaining. I like it. However, be sure to get rid of that terrible 45 seconds of carnage if you want to enjoy this song as a single on your playlist.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
2) "Time"
Nice, even better than "Part of Me". Here, Cornell's voice really shines through. There's real emotion and there's a constant feeling of something being on the line. I love it. However, count on over-production to ruin this one too. This song ends on the worst song close I've heard in a long time, featuring the lyrics: "Smoking on my cigarette, my six-pack's right beside me"... Why? Why did we need this here? It makes absolutely no sense in context to the song or anything on the album for that matter. Absolute garbage. Cut it out if you find yourself enjoying this song (as I did immediately).
Rating: 4 out of 5
3) "Sweet Revenge"
I like Cornell's voice in this song. The opening is definitely catchy, but, it seems like something always has to ruin something good on this CD. The words "sweet revenge" are uttered by the most annoying voice ever once you reach the end of a chorus. I don't know why I haven't 100% hated a single song yet, but this one was the closest thus far.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
4) "Get Up"
Not bad. At least Chris is showing heavy range in his singing on this album. I'm liking him. But I'm beginning to really hate all of his back-up in these songs.
Rating: 3 out of 5
5) "Ground Zero"
This song is... quite annoying. I really don't care for this song, at all. The opening (20 seconds or so) is crap. Get rid of it. The "Ow! Yeah." in the background is extremely irritating (wish I could get rid of it). And, overall, this is the worst song on this album so far. Let's continue!
Rating: 2 out of 5
6) "Never Far Away"
Wow... Back to a pretty good song. Not bad at all, just cut-out the ending and you've got something great (for this CD). The lyrics are great and the chorus is a powerhouse. However, I'd say look-up the rock version of this song on 'YouTube' or elsewhere because it's really quite the step above this track and shows you the potential that this CD could've had all the way through (without Timbaland).
Rating: 4 out of 5
7) "Take Me Alive"
Once again, I decided to slice the first couple of seconds of a song (25 seconds, in this case). But, overall, this song isn't too back. I like it's easy pacing. Justin Timberlake is featured in this song and I didn't even realize he was there until I took a look at the credits in the booklet. His part is pretty decent, maybe because it doesn't require too much on his part, and his appearance in the song clears up one thing for me: Justin Timberlake belongs to this style of music for a reason, he's great at it. This style of music is NOT for Cornell's territory because his style of music doesn't require much more than simplicity because he's good enough to do so. Having him repeat the same lyrics over-and-over again is not at all a good use of his talent. Period.
Rating: 3 out of 5
8) "Long Gone"
I love this song... Well, the rock version of it. After having discovered that Cornell did a rock cover of this particular track, I lost all interest in THIS particular track. I used to love it because it was the closest song I had discovered on this CD to bare the word "simplicity". However, time's have changed and the track now stands as a Timbaland remix to a truly great piece of music.
Rating: 3 out of 5
9) "Scream"
The title track for this CD appears at 9th place in the name of "Scream" and whoa... It's pretty good. Dang! Why no terrible tracks to bash?... Ugh. I'm getting tired of just "liking" these songs. It's all so average that it's beginning to turn me mad!... Anyhow, I really like this song. There's also a music video for it that's pretty crafty. I dig it. But, once again, be sure to look up "Chris Cornell - Scream Live Acoustic on a Denmark TV Show 3-5-09" on 'YouTube'...
Rating: 4 out of 5
10) "Enemy"
Transitioning terrifically out of "Scream", "Enemy" is absolutely terrific. Holy cow! A song I actually LOVE?!... Yes way! Here's a song that was written for this style of production and it's pulled off perfectly. For some reason, enemies just call for over-production in music... But, hey! It works. I really dig this song. If I were to tell you to download anything off of this album, it'd be this...
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
11) "Other Side of Town"
...and this. WOW! What an energetic song! I'm sorry for offering such high praise to an album that has been bashed by critics and listeners everywhere, but this song gets me pumped every time I hear it. Sure, the lyrics are repetitive. But the execution is great. Only one problem... It's about a minute too bloody long. But, you know the drill... ;)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
12) "Climbing Up The Walls"
I'm stuck... I have absolutely no idea what to make of this track. It's good, yet it's an easy skip. But, at least I can actually listen to it...
Rating: 3 out of 5
13) "Watch Out"
...unlike this pile of trash. Wow! What a way to end an album. Put the worst, most atrocious song as your final listed track. Wonderful... Just genius. Whoever made this decision, thank you very much. You're a nice guy, you're a nice guy. But that don't ----in' cut it when you're bull----in' and ----in' around like this on a Chris Cornell CD... Absolute garbage.
Rating: 0 out of 5
Bonus Track) "Two Drink Minimum"
After having made it through the abomination that will now lie in the trash bin, I discover a track that is too good to be true after such an atrocity like... Anyhow, "Two Drink Minimum" is the track name and, let me tell you, it's the absolute best song of the bunch. Clocking in at a little over three minutes, this song is all that I love about Cornell, and that's simplicity. From absolute garbage to an absolutely great song. Download it. Or, if you decide to but the CD, obliterate the trash and leave the gold nugget. You'll love it.
Rating: 5 out of 5
---------------------------------------------------
Anyhow, that's the end of this review for Chris Cornell/Timbaland's CD "Scream". I hope you enjoyed it and I hope that you guys will give some of these songs a second chance for listening because they're actually pretty good (even if they do require a little trim work). I don't recommend this CD for purchase, but I do recommend select songs from it. Give it a shot and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised by one of the oddest guilty-pleasures in years.
Download-Worthy Tracks:
1) "Two Drink Minimum"
2) "Other Side of Town"
3) "Enemy"
*4) "Long Gone (Rock Version)"
5) "Time"
* = Not available on the CD
