IT’S NOT NEW. STOP SAYING HE’S TRYING SOMETHING NEW. IT’S TEENYBOPPER CRAP. HE’S OBVIOUSLY GOIN THROUGH A MIDLIFE CRISIS.

LOOKS LIKE VEDDER AGED THE BEST OF THE BATCH! GO EDDIE!

money money money money money … mon-aa!!

The difference between this and when you joined Audioslave is that it was still guitar based rock. I’ve seen you 7 times in concert (Soundgard, Audioslave, and solo…all the way back to Austin City Coliseum when Pearl Jam opened for YOU), and own everything you’ve put out until the 3rd Audioslave album (which, if I’m not mistaken, came out after you got sober; sadly, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that something changed with everything you’ve put out since). Audioslave sounded better on paper than it did on record, but it was still good, guitar-based rock. Euphoria Morning was great; softer, more acoustic, but still guitar based rock. I have really given this new album and direction a chance – listening to every preview posted on Blabbermouth and the entire steam on Spin (sorry RS) – and I am a fan of dance music (Prince is probably one of my greatest influences, right next to you), but it’s just not good, even for what it is. IMHO, the greatest record you ever put out was Temple of the Dog (really, your FIRST solo record with PJ backing you up). If only you could get back to that level of songwriting…

It amazes me that people still think an artist OWES it to the fans to do the same old thing that they did 15 years ago.

A true artist writes and records for himself – FIRST and foremost.

If the public doesn’t buy it – so be it.

You have to be honest with yourself FIRST – the critics and fans come second.

Otherwise you’re Nickleback.

I agree with the comments. I cant get into this because it feels less like musical explorarion than a money grab. If Cornell makes another album on the level of Morning Euphoria, Temple of the Dog, or any of the last 3 Soundgarden albums, I will embrace it with open arms. He’s accomplished too much to write him off completely, but this is a risk that will probably not pay off.

Richard,

I essentially agree with your point. I also believe an artist should expres themself, not regurgitate watered down pop “art” that’s already been done to death by other people for the sole purpose of commercial viability.

I absolutely believe you have to make your art without worrying about what the fans will think. But listening to this album, it seems pretty obvious to me that it was made with a great deal of attention to what the mainstream thinks. THAT is my issue with it.

It’s not the obvious left-turn genre wise…it’s that he made a left turn into Justin Timberlake/Britney Spears territory.

DP

Backlash seems like such a harsh word in this case. I have listened to the album in full twice already and I think it’s my favorite album of 2009 so far. If you are expecting Soundgarden or Audioslave you will definately be dissapointed. But if you crave the raspy Chris Cornell voice this album is everything you can hope for with very limited rock.

I’ve heard the album and I wouldn’t compare it to Britney or Justin by any means.

It’s not Soundgarden either, but that’s fine too.

It’s just different.

It’s unfair to lump it in as pure pop because Timbaland produced it.

Is it my favorite Cornell album? No. But it’s still better than much of the crap on the radio right now.

This is a hoax right? Like Joaquin Phoenix’s rap career? He’s shooting a documentary/comedy about this right? Please tell me this is true!

Define “Teenybopper Crap” That’s right, you’re obviously too ignorant to actually know what this album really is. When I heard Long Gone last July I hated it. Now I have heard the whole album it’s actually very good. His vocalization has gotten back to his prime in soundgarden. Like Chris said, everyone knows he can do a rock album if he wants to. Let him try something else.

The album sounds great when he sing it live.
Why shouldn’t he do what he want? So stop talking shit.

In case you didnt know, the song the song he wrote for David Cook was intended to be for a Soundgarden reunion record. I know someone who is good friends with some guy that crappifies songs (like that one, as well as various other ones by the likes of Hinder, Nickelback, etc…) Why was it given to David Cook? Because Chris knew that stuff wasn’t gonna fly. I don’t really dig the new stuff he’s doing, but at least he’s doing what he wants, and that is important. He’s not just going to do a Soungarden tour, because he’s not ready to get all nostalgic. He constantly moving foward and doing his own thing. I respect that.

It’s great he trying to “evolve” as an artist, but does anyone really want to listen to Chris Cornell trying to sound like Justin Timberlake?

if lil wayne can make an idiot out of himself tryn to play guitar then whats stoppn cornell from doing with with the beat box! music is dead!

P. Diddy’s actions to rescue these kids from the danger of destruction by American media and the justice system is well deserving . It is unimaginable that this volume of media hype is directed at 19 amd 20 year old children, (George Bush and many American leaders were smoking pot at same age)What these kids need is a mentor, they also need the protection of older black brothers to help them through the challenges of fame and big money. Chris Brown could be heading at the same direction like Michael Jackson and other black artists who were brutally halted irrespective of the glory and fame they brought to America world wide. For those Black artists who seem to get their joy by the watching their brother knocked down by the iron hand of unjustice system , watch out , the next will be you .

and the europe tour?!you only want the money you should be ashamed…soundgarden,audiolav e even temple of the dog fans are thinking the same…you are destroying your image…your presence on alive festival in portugal was canceled because you are working with a guy like timbaland!?
keep on singing loud not making money

BLOW UP THE OUTSIDE WORLD

I’ve been a fan through all of Chris’s career. I love it when an artist stretches themself and tries new things, like Chris did do with Euphoria Morning. But this isn’t new. It’s the same ole crap that is already out there.

Not only that, it lack integrity with throw away lyrics and ridiculous production. At points, I felt like Timbaland was having fun seeing what he could get away with at Chris’s expense. What a refreshing change it would have been to hear this type of music without the standard misogyny and Chris trying to be “street” and just being himself. Chris has an exceptional voice and that is drowned out throughout this train wreck. Chris in every incarnation before sang with heart and meaning and that is completely lacking on Scream.

Sorry Bro – I’m not coming around to the concept. Try all you want to sell this junk and good luck with it. But don’t expect long term fans to adandon their taste just because you have.

Funny how the so called 90’s integrity and ideology have been trow to the floor in the last 10 years.

-Smashing Pumkins meets Hanson.
-Billy Corgan trashing his fans.
-Eddie Vedder making videos and tv apareances (”This is not a tv studio!”).
-Thom Yorke making TV ad’s for the phatetic Grammys show just to get a trophy.
-Courtney Love begging for attention.
-Rage Against The Machine preaching about third world poverty while living in a mansion.

I wonder why the 80’s are back!

I rather see Michael Jackson on tour then this fake ass punks, the whole 90’s scene was about the same thing of the 80’s, sell out, the BIG DIFERENCE is that the 80’s artists never play the “I’m just a guy with a t-shirt, not a superstar” thing. Even Posion and Ratt had more integrity.

Hipocricy!!

I can’t believe the pointless prejudice of the people commenting on this story and can only assume most of them haven’t actually listened to the album, which is lyrically dark, musically complex and resembles Justin Timberlake about as much as Stockhausen resembles Kylie. If Cornell wanted money above all, he’d be slogging round the world on a creatively redudant Soundgarden nostalgia tour like all the other old rock lags you guys plainly admire so much.

Sure it’s good that he’s trying something different to what he usually does, but please Chris, please, don’t do it again. I try to keep a pretty open mind when it comes to music and i tried listening to the stream of the album on MySpace, but I just couldn’t sit through it. Timbaland is a good producer for what he does, and I think he does what he does better than most of his contemporaries, but trying to smoosh him together with Chris Cornell is liketrying to make a Hannah Montana movie with Christopher Walken in the lead role. Gross. Sorry Chris, respect for trying something different, but I vote this album biggest disappointment of the year.

Sure it’s good that he’s trying something different to what he usually does, but please Chris, please, don’t do it again. I try to keep a pretty open mind when it comes to music and i tried listening to the stream of the album on MySpace, but I just couldn’t sit through it. Timbaland is a good producer for what he does, and I think he does what he does better than most of his contemporaries, but trying to smoosh him together with Chris Cornell is liketrying to make a Hannah Montana movie with Christopher Walken in the lead role. Gross. Sorry Chris, respect for trying something different, but I vote this album biggest disappointment of the year.

You know what disappoints me more than the fact he’s teamed up with Timbaland and his ilk? The fact that he’s dumbed himself down so much to appease a different generation. It pains me to think of the pubescent pop listeners who’ll buy ‘Scream’ and have no idea of just how talented he is.

This man was once the poet who penned some of the 90’s most pithy, sublime lyrics – and now he’s peddling songs with choruses that rhyme “No, that b*tch ain’t a part of me” with … err … “No, that b*tch ain’t a part of me”.

I respect the man’s desire to try new things, but this career progression is painful to watch.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to climb off my soapbox, put on ‘Seasons’ and cry into my beer.

Like Tom above said money – the root of all evil. I wish he gets out of Timbaland’s control and produces his own records in future. Thanks for the article.
DG

Like Tom above said money. That is the root of all evil.
I wish he leaves Timbaland’s control and produces his own records in future.
BTW thanks for the article.

DG

Sorry – double post. I blame the server of course.

Chris is having the worst public mid life crisis around. You can marry a young bride, drive your motorcycles, and “dumb it down” (as someone before me brilliantly pointed out)for the younger kidz. But you are a still a 44 year old man and you just look and sound stupid and sad.

The real kicker – is a generation looked up to you because you were the antithesis to all of this. Or so we thought. How disappointing.

I like how most rock music fans think that doing something R&B or Hip-Hop based is “dumbing it down”. I make lots of rock music, and honestly, it’s a lot harder to make a good R&B or Rap album than it is to make a good rock album. I applaud Chris for pushing the envelope, even if the results aren’t the best work of his career.

I think its easier to make a rock record than a rap record. I must be an idiot because i can’t figure out how to push buttons on a keyboard with a computer program! I guess playing a guitar is too easy for me! Maybe I’ll conduct a symphony, that’s probably easier than recording a rap cd, too! I’m very knowledgeable about recording music and not ignorant at all!!

Y’know…those that are citing the “bitch ain’t part of me” chorus of “Part Of Me” as evidence of lyrical dumbing down might benefit from going back and listening to some old Soundgarden toons…”hard headed fuck you all” or “I’m gonna fuck, fuck, fuck you” spring to mind. He’s always written a few like that. On “Time”, second rack on this album, the line “the perfect present is no longer the future” is vintage, elegant Cornell wordplay. There are many other examples, but people want to think what they want to think, don’t they? Whether or not the product bears out their prejudice.

Some of these comments are dumb

Guess what….his new music sucks plain and simple. I liked everything he did up until now. The fact that some say its “harder” (yea right..) to make an R&B cd is irrelavant. The music is AWFUL.

Have you idiots even HEARD the album? Funny he is putting his ass out there while everyone here bitches. Give the man some credit for trying – he has more to lose than anyone criticizing him.

Once a hack always a hack. The castle constructed around this guy is made of air. Soundgarden sounded like discarded audition tapes for Whitesnake, with Cornell doing his level-best Coverdale impersonation and the godawful Kim Thayall who could never figure out how to play more than one string at a time.

Shouldn’t this guy be running a shisha bar or tattoo parlor by now?

After reading these comments I just have this to say. Grow up. So he wants to try something different, don’t buy the album, simple as that.

This album is terrible! Rap/hip hop isnt even music! If you cant sing,play an instrument or actually write music,YOUR NOT A MUSICIAN! Audioslave was his last good project, he should never have left. He’s done.

You people and your ridiculous comments. Like somehow this box makes you all qualified music critics. Your all a bunch of music snobs, the type that list Velvet Undergoround as a great band, even though we know they sucked. Youre all too cool for the room. Chris Cornell is trying something different. Good for him. Should he play the same song for 25 years like AC/DC?
Remember, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and in most cases they stink.

I really enjoy this album. It comes off all “bee-boppy” but if you sit and listen to the lyrics, they’re deep. Simplistic but deep. You don’t always need to write ten words to convey a feeling when three can be so much more impacting. I think someone refered to this as “dumbing down.” Hardly!!!!

Some collaborations work some don’t. This doesn’t for me. I won’t be buying it.
Carly D – Do you still get street team points even though you run the team and work for Cornell?

Oh here come the troops. lol.

Soundgarden were the real deal right to their demise (Down On The Upside) His first solo record was decent, the 1st Audioslave record had its moments, but after that…I don’t think I’m alone in saying, What the f@*k happened? As for everyone going on about “He’s sold out, it’s all about the money” I don’t agree. Soundgarden would have reunited by now if that was the case and unfortunately, most likely put out an album that would no doubt tarnish any legend associated with this amazing band from yesteryear.

Timbaland? Timberlake?!?!?! What a sellout! You suck, Cornell

Break your rusty cage and do a jazz-blues album, something that suits your style and voice. Now, THAT I’d buy!

Funny how the so called 90’s integrity and ideology have been trow to the floor in the last 10 years.

-Smashing Pumkins meets Hanson.
-Billy Corgan trashing his fans.
-Eddie Vedder making videos and tv apareances (”This is not a tv studio!”).
-Thom Yorke making TV ad’s for the phatetic Grammys show just to get a trophy.
-Courtney Love begging for attention.
-Rage Against The Machine preaching about third world poverty while living in a mansion.

I wonder why the 80’s are back!

The whole 90’s scene was about the same thing of the 80’: Sell out!, the BIG DIFERENCE is that the 80’s artists never play the “I’m just a guy with a t-shirt, I’m not a superstar” thing. Even Posion and Ratt had more integrity.

I rather see Michael Jackson on tour then this fake ass punks.

Hipocricy!!

Remember when the whole grunge/alternative scene used to make fun of the 80’s? A whole new generation talking about leading a new Rock revolution, praising the 60’s and 70’s and preaching out integrity values. Guess what happen.

Isn’t ironic that the 80’s look more cool now then the 90’s?

“I could make a wall-to-wall guitar record tomorrow, I want people to understand that”

yeah? well, do it then. because this lame pop garbage isn’t working. I doubt anyone who listens to music outside of the top 40 will enjoy your new record. sorry chris, you’re a great singer, but go back to what you do best.

Yes, of course Mr. Cornell, we’ll come around to your new concept – making music only for money. I totally get it, but do not understand.

I agree with Richard. Be true to yourself Chris. The die hard fans will be standing right by your side, new fans will embrace your music too, and the others can turn away. So be it. I’m 42y/o and love my music heavier than ever before but being a long time fan of yours, i can appreciate the ‘whole’ journey. You know you can still crank out thrashing tunes like you did 20 years ago, but hey, if Scream is where you’re at now, then i’m gonna enjoy the ride with you. I love it! I’m hoping you might go down the ‘blues’ track next. You rock my world, stir my soul and i’m with you all the way my friend. Cheers!

Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog was the stuff I listened to for years. Now CC has lost some integrity. There are a million other genres of music you can explore. Now you are basically Nelly Furtado. She never had a choice but to go down that road. You did! Your new song sounds like a deathmarch, but do what you want.

So now it’s ok to sell out and made Pop records?

Blind fanatics face it: Chris Cornell is a fake!!

I totally agree, this is not about if the record is good or not, this is about integrity, the 90’s were a farse, even Thom Yorke is doing publicty stunts juts to be “IN” with the new generation. But no one cares anymore.

I wonder why MGMT and M.I.A. are the coolest shit out there, utleast they are honest.

Blind fanatics.

Smashing Pumkins with Hanson.
Soundgarden with Ncync. What’s next? Thom Yorke with Kanye West? you betcha!

This is the type of music young artists get pushed into making because some suit thinks it will sell. It is not the type of music, you gamble a solid respected reputation to make. Your going backwards man and losing all your credibility. WTF?

90’s sucks!

The new Chris Cornell album is actually really great and innovative. stop being so close-minded, and listen to it from start to finish with an open mind.

the record sucks…you can’t polish a turd…and i challenge anyone of you to say otherwise…listen to the first three lines of scream, it goes something like this: “hey little girl, you are sexy…” i mean come the heck on..

We saw Chris and the “new Soundgarden” at The Fillmore last Halloween night, and what we noticed is the new album definitely was an attempt to explore new angles from his voice and the bands roots in Soundgarden, and I’m sure Chris will tell you he simply needed something to tour with, Timbaland is one of the greatest rappers alive and he guaranteed an audience as far as their scheduled gigs that would compensate any falling out with the fact Chris broke up Soundgarden, and to top it off, if you go on Youtube.com and search for Chris Cornell 2009, you notice the damn thing turned into Soundgarden again, so this album was simply a way to tour and see if they wanted to continue with Soundgarden, who seized the world with Black Hole Sun on behalf of Alternative in 1995. The next album will be great, and the new guitarist is better than Jim with leads, and does play those crunching Alternative Metal parts note for note. Check them out on YouTube, SG’s back and Chris is better than ever and you’ll like the fretboard and chord work from the new guitarist.

Cornell is a living legend. He can’t do anything that is going to take away from the great body of work that he has already given us. His name will live forever in our hearts as a true artist; a voice of his generation.

That said, I believe that he is reaching with his latest project. To me, the new stuff sounds contrived at best and even lazy, at times.

Both the work he did with SG, and his first solo album was easily some of the most original and interesting music to come out of the 90’s. That music was forward-looking and inspiring.

No, I’m not being nostalgic here. I hate nostalgia, but I love creativity.

Chris, if you are reading this, your fans aren’t asking for the rock album you know you can make. We are asking for the rock album you didn’t know you could make. Judging you by your previous work, I am positive that, given the time, you could find areas you haven’t explored in the genre known as “rock”! You did it very well with “Euphoria Morning”. I found it to be a strange and beautiful album.

Give it another try, Chris. Surprise us again.

Good for you Cornell!!!!! You’ve paid your dues, it’s perfectly OK to tell people to KISS IT if they don’t like it! If people complain, let ‘em write their own music!

Good for you Cornell!!!!! You’ve paid your dues, it’s perfectly OK to tell people to KISS IT if they don’t like it! If people complain, let ‘em write their own music!

I have been unable to listen to the entire album, what a shit. Uneatable.

A part from the music, as a person looks like the has sold his soul to devil (I mean Mr Money).

He continues being the best singer and the best composer so let see what´s next.

He has his place in Olympus of the gods for Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and that sad, dark and f***ing beutiful thing call Euphoria Morning.

The peace that this mans exudes at this time in his life, has produced this brilliant offering. I am not alone when I say that artistically, this is beautifully done and offered. Try to open your minds and hear the rhythms and challenges that must have given him. Try to appreciate this piece of work in the spirit that it is given; an exploration into an area not yet covered. I love every song and the way that it ebbs and flows right into the next. This is a work of art. You don’t have to love it, or even like it, but please do yourself a favor and give it the open-minded, true listen with the same open arms that Chris has always given his fans. If you do, you will hear your beloved Chris and you will hear an excited and soulful Chris. Bravo to your braveness Chris!

Whatever. If it wasn’t for Nirvana and Pearl Jam nobody would give a shit about him anyway. He was just at the right place at the right time, now we finally see what the spineless sellout wimp is really made of. Good riddance.

People say he’s doing this for just the money. He might be saying, ’screw it’ because his last solo efforts didn’t sell all that well, and didn’t get much radio play.

Anyway, I like this disk. It’s certainly not my favorite Cornell offering, but I think it is an honest one.

I love this bullshit about “real” Chris fans, him being “true to himself” and “supporting” him – like you’re his friend or something. Why on earth would you care about anything but the music? You don’t know the man and never will. It’s about the music, NOT the man, and his music now sucks.

“I love this bullshit about “real” Chris fans, him being “true to himself” and “supporting” him – like you’re his friend or something. Why on earth would you care about anything but the music? You don’t know the man and never will. It’s about the music, NOT the man, and his music now sucks.”

THANK YOU. Not enough people express this sentiment. All this nonsense about the artist’s dating life, fashion sense, philosophical excuses for a shitty record, whether or not something is “relevant…” ugh. Here’s how you tell if a piece of music is for you:

- Listen to it.
- Decide if you like what you heard.

That’s it!

Being able to explore different ways of songwriting was always something I liked about Chris Cornell. Unlike many of his generation of 90s musicians he has already proven that he’s capable of changing his artistic style and still making it feel like he put his heart and soul into it.
What I don’t get is why someone with such obvious talent as a songwriter and musician would need someone like Timbalake in the first place. I like what this guy did with Nelly Furtado and others. But that’s just an entirely different approach to music and what it should be about.
To me Cornell has always been someone who stood for a kind of ‘handmade’ music. Sadly, this album feels like it was designed on a computer.

oh my god some of the people commenting here must be so fucked in the head. For goodness sake if you don’t like him; don’t read about him. But if you feel drawn to read up on him, don’t make such rude comments, no one wants too hear you rant, (or me for that matter but I will any way since everyone else gets away with it) just because you don’t like it doesn’t make the people who do wrong. Yes, everyone’s entitled to their opinion (just like me) but there is no need to be arseholes. Chris Cornell has created some amazing music, and some i’m not so keen on, BUT he is still around so that must mean something!! Plus he is awesome live!

I heard the CD and I’m still in shock. Is this a JOKE??

Timbaland and Chris Cornell go together like dipping your chocolate into somebody else’s ketchup. An acquired taste maybe, but not for most of us.

Timbaland is good at what he does and that’s pretty much make anybody sound CHR radio friendly. Chris Cornell, with one of rock’s greatest voices did the only thing guaranteed to haunt his career forever and that’s stoop to Justin Timberlake wanna-be.

I mean, how old are you Chris? Shouldn’t you be trying out innovative ROCK instead of the latest teen pablum? This isn’t progress dude. You’re not Madonna.

Please, for the sake of your loyalest fans, stop it. It’s embarrassing…..

Like it or not. For me it is fabulous piece of music. At first I was worried, especially after many negative reviews. But now, as I am typical 80-90’s generation kid, for me it is a musically totally new stuff. But needs carefull listening and no prejudice. This album is about Cornell’s courage, talent, musical imagination. I really like it. Open your mind and this music will reward you. Chris, go on …

big fan…made sad by this crap

and by crap i mean this album

Man i had such hopes for this album. The ROCK Version of long gone is so mch better then this POS album. WTF was Chris thinking.

wow, seriously it’s a good album, different? sure, but good. He’s been doing rock for like the last 2 decades, he wanted to try something new and he did. this most likely isn’t his last recording, and he will probably go back to rock or maybe even try something else. a lot of you should respect him for doing scream because he more than new he was going to get controversy, but now he has a wider more diverse fan base, which gives him more room to do pretty much whatever he wants, this isn’t stupid or a sell out this is strategy and chris is playing the field very well.

I went to see Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath) after the concert I thougth that R.J.Dio at ‘60 still make you said in the end of his concer “WOW!!!”
Chris I’m sorry but you change direction and we don’t like it, Graung is what make you special and some artist when they change direction just lost control and fame.
I like to see you back on your roots and want to think again WOW this guy is one of the best rock voice in the world (& Glenn Hughes- Coverdale- Ian Gillan- Mike Patton – Dio R.Plant)

Chris From Grung hero…to Fashion victim.
So sad