Chris Cornell - Scream

Chris Cornell - Scream: 3/10
Today is the UK release of Chris Cornell’s controversial album, ‘Scream’. This is the former Soundgarden/Audioslave front man’s third solo album following 2007s ‘Carry on’ and takes Cornell in a completely new direction. This change of style has led to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails criticising Cornell over Twitter, and has already had a poor reception in the states.

The reason for this album being ‘controversial’ stems from it being co-produced by Timbaland and it is fair to say his influence can be heard. To Cornell fans who are thinking ‘I'm sure it’s not as bad as everyone is making out’, it really is; next to no guitars involved, lots of over production and nothing like the Cornell of old.

Some tracks such as ‘Time’ and ‘Two drink minimum’ do showcase Cornell’s amazing vocal ability and they seem to have escaped the claws of Timbaland on the most part. But, for the rest of the album I can already picture former fans cringing, especially with the electronic, chipmunk like, voice changing effects on tracks like ‘long gone’. It is more for fans of artists like Justin Timberlake than for fans of Chris Cornell. This new direction could create an interesting reception at Download Festival this year, which Cornell will be at after missing last years.

Cornell has already peaked on the US billboard charts at number 10, so if he was looking for chart success he may well achieve it to some degree. However, Scream seems to be for new fans, not fans of old which is disappointing.

Damon Fowler
Comfort in Sound