Soundgarden - Superunknown (1994)

Soundgarden's 70-minute sprawling epic 'Superunknown' was perhaps the last great grunge record of the 90's.Released in 1994, it was a period when the grunge movement was in decline; many influential bands having disbanded or nearly disbanded. Kurt Cobain's death that year would be the final nail in the coffin for this short lived musical movement that provided many young listeners an alternative image to sugary pop music , rap music and the like. Formed in 1985, Soundgarden were one of the big four of grunge music. Although they were more heavy metal than actual grunge, they influenced many bands of today such as Wolfmother and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Although overshadowed commercially by Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden found their first true commercial hit with 'Superunknown', selling over 6 million copies in USA alone, driven by the singles 'Black Hole Sun' and 'Spoonman'. Both songs earned the band a Grammy in 1995.

At the very outset one can tell the album is extremely bleak with song titles such as 'Fell On Black Days' and 'Like Suicide', the latter being one of the finest 'depressing' songs i've ever heard. Chris Cornell's lyrics deal with death,suicide and substance abuse. While the band retains their heavy sound from previous albums such as 'Badmotorfinger' and 'Louder Than Love', it is taken one step further on this album by introducing pop and psychedelica elements on songs such as the beautiful and desolate 'Black Hole Sun' and the brilliant 'My Wave' which is a perfect fusion of psychedelic and heavy metal.Despite the songs enduring popularity, it could very well be one of the weakest songs on the album. 'Spoonman' is a quirky gem of a song with a call-and-response dynamic reminiscent of Led-Zeppelins 'Black Dog'. 'The Day I Tried to Live' deals with isolation featuring a brooding base line and a lively chorus and is one of the highlights of the album.Other songs include the self-depecriating 'Mailman' and 'Limo Wreck'.The album does have its share of filler songs such as 'Half', 'Head Down' and 'Kickstand' but they do not detract from the album's strength whatsoever. 'Like a Suicide' is a befitting album closer; it perfectly sums up the entire mood of the album and has a blistering guitar solo by Kim Thayil, whose guitar work is consistent throughout this magnificent album. When I look at Chris Cornell now as compared to what he was during his days as Soundgarden's frontman, I feel bad. The man obviously has a lot of talent but not the right outlet which Soundgarden provided. Superunknown remains as Soundgarden's magnum opus.

Song Picks :

• My Wave
• Fell On Black Days
• Black Hole Sun
• Spoonman
• The Day I Tried To Live
• Like Suicide