Based on the irregularity of the output, I’m thinking the Music Semi-Monthly (aka Music Not-Monthly) feature needed a new name. By going with Music Club, we won’t feel the intense pressure of listening to and critiquing an album a month. We’ve all seen how we respond to pressure…
This time, Jefim put Chris Cornell’s Higher Truth up for discussion. Steve, Jefim, and I were all taken aback last year with Cornell’s passing, and this was a good chance to revisit his musical legacy. We all love Superunknown and Down on the Upside, but Cornell’s 2015 release was something a bit different. Our impressions are below.
Mike
Since I'm the first to send my write up, I figure I should probably get this out of the way now: it's impossible not to look back on Higher Truth after Chris Cornell's suicide and see nothing but depression, negativity, and a man unable to make sense of his life. The first song is a painful cycle of hope and despair. It's a song about new love, but all of it is tinged by the curse of past breakups. In his late 40s when he wrote the track, his experience didn't allow him to be carried away by passion and excitement, instead being dragged down by pessimism. Musically, it establishes the tone of the album with the mandolin intro. The vocal melody is one of the strongest on the album, I think, and he proves up front that his vocals remain about as strong as they were on my favorite Cornell recordings circa 1996. It's worth pausing a moment to mention how surprised I was to learn that the album is mostly a two man show. Cornell plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, and contributes to the bass and percussion recordings. The other heavy participant was Brendan O'Brien. My opinion of O'Brien has evolved over the years. After discovering him through Stone Temple Pilots' Purple and Tiny Music, I was sure he was brilliant (and I still love the sound, writing, and overall production on those albums, Tiny Music in particular). It was later in the 90s when he produced the second Train and Tonic albums where I thought maybe his sensibilities were a little too polished and pop-oriented. On Higher Truth, I find the overall production to be clean and listenable, but it doesn't really do much for me to distinguish itself. The acoustics are clear and bright, but the bass and vocal production are generally pretty plain. There's some vocal delay and a few effects (like the "round and round" part of "Dead Wishes"), but not much sticks out and to my ears it doesn't establish itself as having a "sound." As the album goes on, I lose track of the songs. I had this same problem with TOPS, and I wonder if this is more my problem than an actual flaw in the music. To combat this, I listened to the full album six times, trying different track orders and listening setups (headphones, speakers, car, etc.). "Dead Wishes" is a solid track, but then others start to homogenize - with the most memorable ones being ones with melodies that grate, such as "Worried Moon" and "Before We Disappear." It's telling, in retrospect, that on nearly every song, Cornell focuses on his lack of control, the rain and darkness, and death. In one of the few songs where he looks forward to the future, he focuses on how he can't wait to be rid of someone in "Murderer of the Blue Skies." In some weird way, this reminds me of the reason I like The Beach Boys' Smile and Love You or Crash Test Dummies' I Don't Care that You Don't Mind. They were all written from very specific places in the songwriters' lives. They are windows into their psyche - sometimes in a way that it seems unlikely was intentional. For this reason more than the quality of the songwriting, performances, or production, Higher Truth is a worthwhile listen.
Jefim
Mikey - let me first say your review was wonderful. Agree completely with everything you said about Cornell's state of mind - it was so evident throughout this album, and it's interesting to notice the differences between this and some of his other work. Interesting comments on Brendan O'Brien and his influence. I think it's easy to overlook how much influence producers have on an artist if you're not paying attention. In terms of my thoughts - From a couple listens to "Higher Ground", it's evident Cornell had fallen back into a very negative space, and after hearing this work I feel like his suicide is not as surprising (sadly). I'd submit his solo albums through the 00s were more poppy and lyrics were really..."happier" in general. It made me think that Cornell was in a much better place mentally and had conquered his demons. Higher Ground put me right back to the somber tone of his Soundgarden lyrical days in the 90s, or his work on Euphoria Morning, which I know were rough times for him from reading interviews and knowing all those songs. Themes of loneliness, unworthiness, listlessness, sadness/unhappiness throughout this album. Musically I don't feel Cornell is breaking any new ground which I felt was a little disappointing. Instead I hear a polished form of most of his other work - I hear the folky guitar and worn vocals of his "Songbook" album; the composition style from most of his solo career; I even heard a little bit of the "Scream...aka Timbaland" album on here too. I hear the blues and piano from Euphoria morning, and I hear some of the "pop" vocals and guitar from "Carry On". In terms of career album rating - and mostly because I think it's a decent summary of his musical career and provides insight into his state of mind - I'd put this in second place behind Euphoria Morning, but I don't think it's that close. I felt that album was amazing (maybe 4 or 4.5 out of 5), I thought this album was ok. Maybe 3 out of 5 overall? And finally, below is that rating system I did before, with a small twist. The first 5 or 6 tracks I listened to at two different times. First time I was in a "stable"/"happier" state of mind, Second time I was having a rough morning. Interesting to see I felt differently about some of the tracks as a result. "Nearly forgot my Broken Heart" 1st Listen: How Happy am I About this Track (1-5): 4 2nd Listen: 3 - Feels like a throwback track right away - Man his voice sounds rough - Interesting Bridge Part...like the vocal chorusing - Lyrics are ok, I feel like he's done better in the past "Dead Wishes" 1st Listen: How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 3 2nd Listen: 4 - Much folkier than I expected from Cornell - Sounds a little bit like later Audioslave, or something Pearl Jam was doing with "Backspacer" album. - The song is so sweet, and his voice sounds so rough when it gets higher...wish he would avoid that part of his range for it. - I don't care for the bridge section - It's weird, I started out liking the song, but I like it less and less as it went on. - There is some cool stuff in there...that ending was interesting and I kind of liked it. "Worried Moon" 1st Listen: How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 2 2nd Listen: 4 - This track has some weird mix of simple folkiness (guitar), and high production (drums, epic sounds). Not sure how I feel about it yet. - Weird lyrics, he even mentions being talked out of committing suicide. Really sad. - The music sounds a little like something that might have been on his first solo effort, Euphoria Morning - Again with the folkie harmonica. Not sure I dig this mix of Folk/Produced sound. - Maybe I've been listening to too much pop, but I was ready for this song to end sooner than it did. Felt like it went on and on and wasn't that interesting. "Before We Disappear" 1st Listen: How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 3 2nd Listen: 3 - This seriously sounds like something straight off the second Audioslave album. It's like a slowed down "Dandelion". - I'm having a little trouble with the connection between the Verse and Chorus. - I'm liking the lyrics, I'm not used to Cornell being this transparent. - I feel like his voice sounds the best on this track so far. - I started off not caring for this one, but it grew on me as it went on. "Through the Window" How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 4 2nd Listen: 3 - Digging this beginning, very soulful, probably the most soulful I've heard Cornell. - I seriously wish this had just remained folky, it started as such a nice track. When the vocal doubling starting and all the other stuff came in, I felt like it made the song worse. - I still liked it overall, but I felt like he made some weird choices that made the track lousier. "Josephine" How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 3 - There is a certain sweetness to this track - I'm almost feeling like its a bit...too derivative? Something like that? - Definitely an "epic-ness" they were going for with the strings in the background "Murderer of Blue Skies" How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 2 - Hmm...starts off a little different, light instrumentation, cool vocal doubling, more "poppy"? Really clean drums/production? - Digging the piano and vocal doubling part...is that the bridge? Chorus? Like it a lot. - Ok, this guitar solo and vocal part sound like they don't fit at all...wtf? - I don't care for the addition of the heavy guitar in the second half of the song. Kinda ruined it for me. Felt like they took the song somewhere it didn't need to go. "Higher Truth" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 3.5 - Another piano heavy beginning. I like this. His voice sounds really good with the piano. - This has a real "beatles-ey" vibe to it, especially the verse. Sgt Peppers maybe? Makes sense, he's always said he was heavily influenced by them. - Don't know how I feel about the Chorus, kinda "blah" to me. - Ok, kinda dig this bridge, the crunchy/ugly/old school distorted guitar, the vocals through it. - Woah...that ending felt really Beatles. Like..."Hey Jude" or something. - Kinda dig the sloppy production at the end, don't know why. "Let Your Eyes Wander" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 4 - Really somber lyrics about love here, surprising. I had thought he was happy with his relationship, but I'm hearing this theme on the album more and more. - His lack of self-confidence about his value as a partner is so evident here. - I'm really liking the simpleness of this track. Vocal, simple guitar, with some synth and piano. Really reminds me how much I like his voice, especially his lower range. So much emotion conveyed. "Only These Words" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 2 - Feels like the "happiest" track on the Album - I liked the semi-upbeat lyrics, kind of a throwback to his 2nd Solo Album - The song kind of bored me, felt a little "forgettable". "Circling" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 3 - Woah..."Circling the drain", this feels like his whole frame of mind, especially given his suicide. He's talking about it right now. - Themes of loneliness, feeling lost, a wandering heart. - I like some of the vocal doubling in this track. - I feel like this whole track is telling the listener how much he's struggling, and how close he is to taking his own life. Crazy. "Our Time In the Universe" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 3 - Woah, are those middle-eastern melodies in the background at the beginning? Kinda cool. - This drum beat...something from his "Timbaland" album? - I would not have guessed that chorus was coming from the rest of the track - I'm kind of liking this verse. Different, cool. - Not digging the chorus as much. It's ok, just kind of sounds like a generic "Cornell Chorus". High flying drawn out vocals. - Oh man, I like that middle-eastern melody. Wish the song centered more around that. "Bend in the Road" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 4 - Man his voice sounds tired in this track. Really worn. The song kind of has that feel to it - how worn out he feels. He's 51 at the time of recording, not that old. - Again with the theme...not being enough for his love. It's come up a few times on the album. - I like the soulfulness of his voice, the harmonica, the epic/folky feel of this track in general. I know it's cliche, but I'm digging it. "Wrong Side" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 2 - Jeff Buckley-like guitar at the beginning of this track? Hallelujah? - Man, crazy reverb/delay in general. - I feel like I've noticed this a bunch, but I hear the bass mimicing the vocals a lot, especially in the choruses. Feel like I noticed this before, but Gonna have to re-listen and hear if it happens in other tracks too. - Classic Cornell Verse/Chorus switch. Almost feels like they don't belong together, but somehow he makes it semi-ok. - I don't know why, but I'm picturing an old gun-fighter through this track who always seems to get himself in trouble/trouble finds him. No idea why. "Misery Chain" How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): - This track feels a little boring to me. Almost uninspired. Piano - Guitar - Typical Cornell vocals. I know it's harsh, but I feel like this is a track Cornell could come up with in his sleep. - Wish the album was ending on a better note. - Very somber lyrics here.
Blonski
My apologies for slowing up the works. I had put off listening to this album, mostly for no good reason. However a part of me didn't want to listen to it, because I have such strong memories of all of the things Chris has done that I've loved. I had listened to some of his other solo stuff in the past and while it was good I wasn't too into it beyond a couple songs I felt were way stronger than others. I think this is mostly due to the songwriting, but maybe its also not a style I was really into. I definitely wanted to see what he was up to more recently, and how he was singing these days. Part of me was nervous that there was a fall off in quality, but after listening to this album I don't think its that bad at all. Some of the higher work is strained, but at times it adds a color to the songs. He sounds strong on many of the tracks, and you can tell his passion for the subject matter in them as well. I really liked reading both of your takes on it. The musicianship and production on the record is overall pretty enjoyable; I was surprised to hear it was a small crew and that O'Brien was a part of it, but as Mike mentions it does make me think of the cleaner pop-rock records of the early 2000's. There's still a little bit of heart to it though that makes it much more enjoyable than other artists in the same vein. OK lemme jump in. I like your format Jefim and want to make sure I weigh in on each track, so I'm biting it! =)
"Nearly forgot my Broken Heart"
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 2
Mando intro, I'm on board instantly, hehe. String pizzicato makes it sound super poppy to me, also the claps and some of the backup vocals. Not bad overall, but some of the lyrics fall flat. Overall not a big fan.
“Dead Wishes”
How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 3
I’m digging the folky feel, pretty solid guitar playing. I can hear a similarity to an Audioslave song in the feel of it as well. A little hokey with the four-on-the-floor drum beat. I like his voice on this track, the reverb is too much for me though, takes me out of it, and i know its partly there to mask some of the higher work. This and the first track has nice piano accompaniment, very tasteful. Bridge is a little meh.
“Worried Moon”
How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 3
I actually kinda like the feel of this song, but it sounds too antiseptic… agreed with Jefim that it’s a strange mix. Great musicianship in the band though. Something about this song feels a lot like late 90s early 2000s. Good singing overall. I’m getting a sense for his lyric writing on this album and I’m not really into it. I can’t put my finger on it, except for the fact that it seems a little generic.
“Before We Disappear”
How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 1
Interesting piano sound in the intro. chord progression makes me think of other modern pop, but not in a good way. that heartbeat rhythm also makes it feel super-cheesy. The chorus is un-inspired, bridge is even more generic. I skipped this one on my 3rd listen.
“Through the Window”
How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 4
Solid guitar part, his voice sounds great to me. Pretty song in the beginning, also with the horns coming in! As the song goes on I think it almost gets too crowded, I liked the small beginning. Also that damn reverb! A little long too.
“Josephine”
How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 2
Sounds like anyone could have written this song. Also sounds like a couple songs at parts. Makes me want to listen to Hootie and the Blowfish in their heyday =). Strings are a nice touch; I really think the music on these tracks is well produced. Not very interesting song overall though.
“Murderer of Blue Skies”
How Happy Am I About This Track (1-5): 1
Sounds like Chris’s attempt to sound more “modern”, even in the production. Boring pop song for me. However, when the electric guitar came in it gave me something fun to listen to. The guitars in general have a cool tone on this song. Fucking reverb. Song ends like Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and also makes me think that there are some harmonic similarities to it throughout the song.
“Higher Truth”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 3
Agreed, some Beatles/ELO inspired chord progressions, I dig. I kinda like this song, it feels like the ending credits for a movie, in a good way. The chorus is a little lackluster, but solid music throughout. Bridge is cool, reminds me of a rock ballad from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, which was probably also inspired by a more iconic classic rock song. Ending traverses into the “experimental Beatles-esque” and sounds kinda cool, but in the context of the rest of the album sounds forced.
“Let Your Eyes Wander”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 4
Jefim’s analysis of the lyrics on this tune helped me appreciate it a little more. Not bad lyrically overall. Nice little tune, I liked how they kept it small. The bridge was kind of like a musical, wasn’t crazy about the strings in there. Glad they didn’t keep them around for the end of the song.
“Only These Words”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 1
Kinda boring song… bridge really sounds like it was phoned in. Has aspects of it that once again make me think of derivative pop. Have I mentioned anything about reverb yet? =)
“Circling”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 1
Can’t get Norah Jones out of my head. The beginning of this song is like Cornell’s interpretation of that type of song. He doesn’t seem as into it as some of the other songs. Kicks up in the middle but still not that interesting. Sad lyrics, boy.
“Our Time In the Universe”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 2
Jefim mentioned the drum beat, but it actually sounds a little like Audioslave to me because of it. The arabian feel is plugged into this song, and gets dropped in sections where I guess they just didn’t feel like keeping it. Still, some cool playing on the guitar and bass parts. Also his reverby “iconic voice” schtick is starting to make me think he’s trying to sound like Bono… it just gets in the way of a powerful voice like his sometimes.
“Bend in the Road”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 3
I really like his voice on this one. A lot more grit and vulnerability, and a slight less polished feel, which is awesome when he does cause he can sing so consistently. The music is nice, a solid ballad feel. The song feels a little small but builds in the middle, great blend of all instruments. I dig
“Wrong Side”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 1
Yeah, that reverb... a little excessive. His higher parts grate on me a little on this song. The song in general doesn't do much for me, it adopts this spaghetti western feel and just feels kinda theatrical, which could be cool but the story it seems to be telling doesn't catch my interest. Even his singing sounds less committed.
“Misery Chain”
How Happy Am I About this Track (1-5): 1
I pretty much agree with Jefim on this one; seems derivative. Stripped down in a way that seems like a less-finished song, not so much an intentionally sparse song. There is a part about halfway through where he kills some vocal lines, and for some reason it reminds me of some of the QOTSA's slower songs, I feel like Josh Homme wants to sound like this guy when he's ballading sometimes, but doesn't come close, hehe. Chord progression makes it feel like a song from a musical kinda. Man, that ending chord tho... leaves you hanging, so ominous considering his plight. RIP Cornell