(flickr/focka)
I’ve been a big fan of Chris Cornell since the early 1990’s. As a kid, I discovered Soundgarden around age 18, and quickly purchased their early albums. In 1991, they released their first album that really affected me, ‘Badmotorfinger’ was a kick in the head. Amazing guitar riffs from Kim Thayil, and soaring vocals from this guy Cornell. Soundgarden was part Black Sabbath, part punk, and all Seattle angst, but the band was unique, due to the sound and style of Chris Cornell and ‘that voice.’ Cornell could sing louder and more passionately than his counterparts. He hit those high notes like no other. This Monday, Chris and his solo band invade the Peoria Civic Center Theater, and I’m damn excited to see him in all of his glory, here, up close in Peoria! Below are my top five Chris Cornell songs, and moments. These are my choices….
5. “Rusty Cage”-Just one bad ass song, long, full of kick ass guitar riffs, and Chris nailing those screaming high notes. Epic!
4. “Spoonman”-This song really stood out in 1993 as the album ‘Superunkown’ exploded, and was a huge hit. Odd lyrics about a real person. Chris was more direct and sang this one more calmly, but overall, one of his best with Soundgarden.
3. “Black Hole Sun”-Probably the most haunting and eerie Soundgarden songs, with a big dose of the Beatles. The chorus sticks with you, this song is one of the biggest and best from the Soundgarden catalog. Just a great tune.
2. “Outshined”-Just completely kick ass on every level. Crunching heavy guitars, a big dose of Sabbath influence, and Chris just screaming and wailing all throughout this song. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a singer sound more loud and intense in one song. Friggin’ incredible!
1. “Hunger Strike”-Clearly the most recognizable song from the kickoff of the Grunge era, next to Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’ This song is a tribute to Chris’s good friend Andrew Wood, who had just died of an overdose. Enter Eddie Vedder to sing along, and you got yourself a masterpiece. The high notes of Chris in this song stands out as one of the seminal moments of 1990’s Rock. It also ushered in Vedder, as the new singer of this new band called Pearl Jam, with the former ‘Mother Love Bone’ members.
See you at Cornell this Monday!
-Bahan
