Chris Cornell – Higher Truth

Easily better than his previous very soft sounding solo releases, 'Higher Truth' by Chris Cornell opens with a great selection of artistic, expansive, vocals and guitar....
Chris Cornell : Higher Truth
9.0 EMI
2015 

Chris Cornell : Higher TruthEasily better than his previous very soft sounding solo releases, Higher Truth by Chris Cornell opens with a great selection of artistic, expansive, vocals and guitar.

“Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart”, “Dead Wishes”, and “Before We Disappear” are all interesting, solid, and emotional. “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” is mostly notable for the guitar, which is not to say his vocals are not polished.

There are some folk songs but also a lot of ballads. Moving along, “Worried Moon” is also really emotional and moves through some twisting folk. Where young Chris Cornell was almost classic rock vocals and alternative dark guitar, this album is really polished, emotional, evocative, and relaxed.

“Murderer of Blue Skies” is acceptable alternative rock, and frankly the studio polish is amazing, but even though it is emotional it is not the best side of his music. “Dead Wishes” is amazing rock, and most importantly a diversion to simple guitar that makes it atmospheric. “Through the Window”, “Let Your Eyes Wander”, and “Josephine” are all impressive and intriguing, folk and ballad vocals. “Misery Chain” is a reasonably good emotional hymn – “Pretty Noose” by Soundgarden anyone? As great as most of the songs are, the themes do not change much, and if one is not totally into the lovey-dovey vibe, they might find a line like, “Time is nothing if not fair” a bit much.

Even more so, songs like “Our Time In the Universe”, “Wrong Side”, and “Circling” can be daunting for people who are not typically listening to non-rock ballads. While it is great Cornell is more at peace, this is not what his non-solo fan base may be interested.

Overall though, all praise goes to Chris Cornell, as he goes from one song to another laying down solid ballad vocals and intricately composed guitar.

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