Album Review

Soundgarden - King AnimalSoundgarden – King Animall

Wow, here is a new album I never thought I’d be reviewing; one of Grunge’s founding fathers and fully fledged icons Soundgarden chose to reform in 2010 it was a tremendous shock, well more of a great surprise than a shock. Not only that but they’ve took a break from the live shows to record an actual full studio album; the first studio album since 1996, whilst other may be put off after front man Chris Cornell’s recent solo venture I am more intrigued than anything else to see where we stand after an enormous 16 year break in releases.

It’s clear throughout that this hasn’t been a wasted opportunity and that they’ve really threw themselves into it to really recapture the magic from a time where their name reigned supreme above all others; it’s great to see Cornell can still really bring it irrelevant of what he was putting out throughout the 00’s, his writing is just as strong as it has always been, it compensates heavily on the fact that the years have taken their toll and have hindered his ability to really fly up and down the spectrum. The quality of material is great which makes up for it not being by any means one of their longest records; give “A Thousand Days Before” and “Rowing” a spin and see for yourselves, all the traditional bits and pieces are there, some just toned back and others more “mature” although that may be a tad off as I can also see people claiming that to be a bit of an overkill.

All in all with everything about it and surrounding it being a relevant factor this had all the potential to be a complete and utter abolishment of an album, as many acts who split for a long time but decide to come back for what one can only assume as a “cash cow” cash in have put out before now. They could have run this reunion business into the ground as they’ve got more than enough hit singles in their increasingly impressive back catalogue to ride it out for a few more years before fading away again, they have not however, instead they’ve really pushed themselves to at least attempt to recapture the magic, it’s been a journey and I’ve actually enjoyed being on it.

3.5/5

Review by James Webb

 Band Members

Chris Cornell
Kim Thayil
Matt Cameron
Ben Shepherd
 Track Listing

1. Been Away Too Long
2. Non-Slate Actor
3. By Crooked Steps
4. A Thousand Days Before
5. Blood On The Valley Floor
6. Bones of Birds
7. Taree
8. Attrition
9. Black Saturday
10. Halfway There
11. Worse Dreams
12. Eyelid’s Mouth
13. Rowing

 Band Related Links
Soundgarden Facebook
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?