Chris Cornell’s higher truth

cornell, live
by andreas eldh

Ethan reviews Cornell’s newest offering

by Ethan Butterfield, contributor

Chris Cornell, whether it’s a solo album, performing with numerous bands, or teaming up with Timbaland is one of the main men of music… actually, you can scratch that last one. Regardless of the former statement, Cornell is a juggernaut of a musician who never fails to make an impact.

So who is Chris Cornell? I feel like I shouldn’t even be asking this question. I mean honestly, who doesn’t know who Chris Cornell is? He was born in Seattle, Washington; he was a member of Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Audioslave; he is a two-time Grammy winner and a Golden Globe nominee. Yes, it’s been one heck of a career to watch and it does not show signs of slowing down one bit. Despite all of his accomplishments though, Cornell has come back roaring with a new track list and that same old sound that’s going to have you replaying it over and over again.

The Higher Truth was released Sept. 18, 2015. It’s the fourth solo album put out by Chris Cornell and the third one that doesn’t blow (see his album Scream for details). As far as first impressions go, I was unsure if I was going to be a fan of this one. After re-listening to it again on occasion, I managed to get a better feel for it. For a point of reference, if anyone has heard “The Keeper” by Mr. Cornell, it would be like if he was inspired by that song and made an album based on it.

Speaking of the tracks, what should you listen for? Well there’s the main single which is “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart,” a beautiful song that starts out easy going, but then builds up to the point where you are 100 per cent into it, singing along and all. Then there’s “Worried Moon,” which has an amazing harmony to it. It’s sort of like going to a concert where that one song comes on where you just jam out and get lost in the music; just something that’s good all the time, all around. Next there’s “Dead Wishes.” I really enjoyed this song, but it’s a hard song to explain though. If I had to make a comparison, I’d say that it was like if someone was telling you something really bad happened, but that same someone has a shoulder you could lean on and trust. The last song I’ll mention is “Before We Disappear,” a sort of passage of timepiece, something that you just sit back and think to. To be completely honest, these are just a few tracks on a truly wonderful album.

So do I recommend The Higher Truth? Yes, yes, and yes again. Buy it, listen to it, and get lost in it. I could say more great things, but it speaks for itself. All I know is, if Cornell keeps pumping out albums like this, he’s going to have a lot more money and fans.