Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Garden of Sound
Christopher John Cornell has lived a life centered around music, and has inspired millions to do the same. Known as one of the founding fathers of the grunge genre, Cornell's band Soundgarden was started in 1984 and from then forward he etched a name for himself in all popular media. Recognized for their hypnotic sound and eerie melodies, Soundgarden's new and influential sound took the mainstream happy go-lucky by storm, and created a following comparable to that of popular rap artists today. In 1988 the band signed with SST Records, and releashed their first album, "Ultramega OK," which received attention immediately, and the band was soon granted a grammy and a nomination for best metal performance in 1990. In 1991, Soundgarden released their most recognized album, "Badmotorfinger." The three top songs from the list were "Outshined" and "Rusty Cage," which would later be covered by Johnny Cash. These two along with "Jesus Christ Pose" topped the charts. However, it was the third that created the most controversay. The uprising against the song and it's graphic music video soon resulted in its cancellation from any kind of broadcast. Soon after, however, the band released their debut national album, "Superunknown," which gained immediate attention and was given a 4 of 5 stars in a rolling stones review. Cornell never let the sucess to his head, however, and strived to focus soley on his music. Soon sadly, he could no longer do this with Soundgarden, and in 1997, the band disbanded.
Having shaked the brooding tones of Grunge, Cornell soon started a solo project with a much more uplifting tone. His work was nominated for best male performance, but it left many confused with his sudden transition. Cornell's trouble with love may be the underlying causes of his moodiness, which reflects on to his musical style. Nevertheless, he was soon recruited to Audioslave. The guitarist, Tom Morello, had this to say of his first reaction to Cornell's voice: "He stepped to the microphone and sang the song and I couldn't believe it. It didn't just sound good. It didn't sound great. It sounded transcendent. And... when there is an irreplaceable chemistry from the first moment, you can't deny it." With a whole new crew, Cornell worked on a completely new sound, revealing another facet of his musical personality. Yet underneath all of the sucess, rumors arose of Cornell checking himself into a drug rehabilitation center, and band members reported that during the recording of the first album, he seemed like a completely different person. Stricked by extreme depression, his wife soon left him, and he fell into alcoholism.
But by the second album, just by listening to his music one could see things were getting better. Cornell verified that things were looking up, but critics reported that although he had a much stronger voice, his lyrics bordered the ridiculous. Compared to musicians of this day an age, however, Cornell's songwriting abilities would be widely accepted. This hints to his innate correspondence to music and exactly how much it can entail. His lyrics are described as haunting, existential poetry. They were characterized by a cryptic approach, and often referred to themes of existentialism, love, hedoism, spirituality, and Christianity.
Cornell's restlessness soon led to the disbanding of Audioslave, and soon he resorted back to his solo career, where he remains today. He is recognized as one of the most influential artists in the history of music, influencing bands such as Nirvana and Pearljam, while rubbing much of his distinctive sounds on many new artists today, primarily those described as punk, which holds its roots in the grunge genre Cornell had such a large hand in creating. Along with the creation of grunge, Cornell is also recognized as one of the few performers to ever hit a A5 above high C. All of this, coupled with his ranging musical abilities and profound lyrics, Chris Cornell has carved his name into the stone of popular culture.
In my eyes
Indisposed
In disguise
As no one knows
Hides the face
Lies the snake
The sun
In my disgrace
Boiling heat
Summer stench
neath the black
The sky looks dead
Call my name
Through the cream
And Ill hear you
Scream again
Black hole sun
Wont you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Wont you come
Wont you come
Stuttering
Cold and damp
Steal the warm wind
Tired friend
Times are gone
For honest men
And sometimes
Far too long
For snakes
In my shoes
A walking sleep
And my youth
I pray to keep
Heaven send
Hell away
No one sings
Like you
Anymore
Hang my head
Drown my fear
Till you all just
Disappear
Having shaked the brooding tones of Grunge, Cornell soon started a solo project with a much more uplifting tone. His work was nominated for best male performance, but it left many confused with his sudden transition. Cornell's trouble with love may be the underlying causes of his moodiness, which reflects on to his musical style. Nevertheless, he was soon recruited to Audioslave. The guitarist, Tom Morello, had this to say of his first reaction to Cornell's voice: "He stepped to the microphone and sang the song and I couldn't believe it. It didn't just sound good. It didn't sound great. It sounded transcendent. And... when there is an irreplaceable chemistry from the first moment, you can't deny it." With a whole new crew, Cornell worked on a completely new sound, revealing another facet of his musical personality. Yet underneath all of the sucess, rumors arose of Cornell checking himself into a drug rehabilitation center, and band members reported that during the recording of the first album, he seemed like a completely different person. Stricked by extreme depression, his wife soon left him, and he fell into alcoholism.
But by the second album, just by listening to his music one could see things were getting better. Cornell verified that things were looking up, but critics reported that although he had a much stronger voice, his lyrics bordered the ridiculous. Compared to musicians of this day an age, however, Cornell's songwriting abilities would be widely accepted. This hints to his innate correspondence to music and exactly how much it can entail. His lyrics are described as haunting, existential poetry. They were characterized by a cryptic approach, and often referred to themes of existentialism, love, hedoism, spirituality, and Christianity.
Cornell's restlessness soon led to the disbanding of Audioslave, and soon he resorted back to his solo career, where he remains today. He is recognized as one of the most influential artists in the history of music, influencing bands such as Nirvana and Pearljam, while rubbing much of his distinctive sounds on many new artists today, primarily those described as punk, which holds its roots in the grunge genre Cornell had such a large hand in creating. Along with the creation of grunge, Cornell is also recognized as one of the few performers to ever hit a A5 above high C. All of this, coupled with his ranging musical abilities and profound lyrics, Chris Cornell has carved his name into the stone of popular culture.
In my eyes
Indisposed
In disguise
As no one knows
Hides the face
Lies the snake
The sun
In my disgrace
Boiling heat
Summer stench
neath the black
The sky looks dead
Call my name
Through the cream
And Ill hear you
Scream again
Black hole sun
Wont you come
And wash away the rain
Black hole sun
Wont you come
Wont you come
Stuttering
Cold and damp
Steal the warm wind
Tired friend
Times are gone
For honest men
And sometimes
Far too long
For snakes
In my shoes
A walking sleep
And my youth
I pray to keep
Heaven send
Hell away
No one sings
Like you
Anymore
Hang my head
Drown my fear
Till you all just
Disappear
Thursday, November 20, 2008
"To be different is to be lonely." This morose phrase of unfortunate truth plays on the sarcastic tone of Brave New World while still keeping the sound of a common adage. It's eerily true message is meant to disturb and disgruntle it's reader, working on their own insecurity that comes with a sense of not belonging. Yet it also questions if conformity is what human nature truly calls for, but if its possible that it's own misguided sense of rebellion prevents it from ever giving itself that liberty. In the world of twisted freedom within Brave New World, this quote seems to be all too acceptable. But what the real question is, how does it sit in our society?
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