Soundgarden
One thing about Grunge, no one can deny is the band names were excellent - Pearl Jam, Nirvana and probably the best, Soundgarden. The story begins with guitarist Kim Thayil's move from Chicago to Seattle. Like most bands there were several members in and out before the right combination was dialed in. The final line-up was lead singer Chris Cornell, bassist Ben Shepherd, drummer Matt Cameron and Thayil. Early in the band's twelve-year run they recorded for Sub-Pop and SST before signing sign with a major label. But just to make it difficult, they went with a label notable for a spotty track record with Rock. A & M started with Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass (Alpert was the "A" of A&M), launched the Carpenters and had massive success with Peter Frampton. Jeez! Surprisingly, Soundgarden moved to the forefront with the "Louder Than Love" and "Badmotorfinger" CDs but "Superunknown," released in '94, really nailed it with songs "Black Hole Sun" and "Fell On Black Days."
In '97, following their "Down On The Upside" album (which included "Blow Up The Outside World) the band decided to go their separate ways, no doubt, succumbing to the pressures of success.
After a false start, Cornell hooked up with Rage Against The Machine vets for Audioslave.
The "A-Sides" has seventeen tracks and clearly illustrates why Soundgarden was a major '90s group. "Superunknown" is their crowning studio achievement. The hypnotic "Black Hole Sun" starts slow and dreamy but transforms itself into a Grunge explosion. "Fell On Black Days" and "Blow Up The Outside World" are pile-driving Rockers. "Spoonman" has a catchy riff with a lighthearted touch. The song's inspiration comes from a Seattle street musician.
Just a notch below is "Badmotorfinger" ("Rusty Cage," "Outshined"), "Louder Than Love" ("Ugly Truth," "Loud Love") and "Down On The Upside" ("Ty Cobb," "Blow Up The Outside World"). Their sound pits a solid guitar blast against Cornell's hard-edged vocals. The group also had the benefit of three extraordinary songwriters in Cornell, Thayil and Shepherd.
The group's SST label release "Ultramega OK" is a good set but pales when compared to later work. Both "Screaming Life" and "Fopp," recorded in the '80s, started as EPs but have since been combined into "Screaming Life." In this case two halves don 't make a whole.
| |||
|
