Carry On

by

Chris Cornell

Edit

Despite the negative reviews that are prevelant throughout "Carry On", make no mistake that Chris Cornell still has it. With the disbandment of Audioslave (which actually lasted longer than I thought it would), Cornell is once again on his own with his second solo release, and be glad he is. Give a listen to rousing opener "No Such Thing" which finds the former Soundgarden frontman demonstrating his always more than solid guitar work (along with Brian Ray) and his incredible voice work which never fails to impress even all these years later. Standout tracks include "Arms Around Your Love", "She'll Never Be Your Man", and "Finally Forever" which find Cornell tapping personal experience and mixing it with his somewhat new age-y outlook that isn't as prevelant here as it was with "Euphoria Morning" or his early work with Audioslave. His cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" is inventive, and the album is rounded out with the surprisingly awesome and rocking "You Know My Name", AKA the theme song from the latest, and excellent, James Bond film, Casino Royale. While "Carry On" doesn't excel the way "Euphoria Morning" did (let alone come close to any of Cornell's Soundgarden material), make no mistake that this is one solid, rocking album that further proves the notion that this pioneer still has what it takes to make a musical impact on his own.

I think Chris Cornell is one of the best singers in rock history and certainly an excellent songwriter as evidenced by his Soundgarden and Audioslave work. His previous solo effort, "Euphoria Morning" is, in my opinion, a superior example of both his vocal and songwriting talent. I also believe that Cornell saved Audioslave from being a one-record band. But this new record, "Carry On" is a major disappointment.

Sure, sure...he's moving in a different artistic direction. And yes, there are brief moments (very brief) when I hear a glimpse of that artistic talent. But the bulk of this record is awful, just awful. The songs here just seem uninspired and done in a half-hearted way. This has to be one of the most boring "pop/rock" albums I have ever heard. I could hardly get through it. So pedestrian, so limp. Only the final track is worth a second listen.

This isn't about wanting the old Soundgarden sound back, or wishing for another Audioslave CD. It's not the "artistic growth" thing either, as the excellent "Euphoria Morning" shows Cornell can be ever-changing and exteremely original and interesting in several formats. No, no...this is just one bad record that seems to have been put out without much thought or effort. Very disappointing.