Chris Cornell
Euphoria Morning
On Sale Now
For $13.75

And you thought he had disappeared into the category of ghosts-of-grunge-past. Think again.

Chris Cornell, one of the more distinctive voices of that early '90s alternative rock phenomenon, has come back to haunt us with a new solo CD, entitled Euphoria Morning, released September 21, 1999. It's been 2 years since his former band Soundgarden broke up and Chris's solo work represents a departure from the old grinding grunge sound.

His new effort is marked by visceral rhapsodies, driving but gentler crooning, and more dynamic sound textures. The 12 songs on Euphoria Morning reveal that Chris has done some soul searching since the breakup. The subject matter is more personal and the music itself is more explorative.

"Can't Change Me," the first track on the album, also the first single Chris released, is far from the angst anthems of the Soundgarden years, but it has already begun infiltrating the airwaves and music charts, re-establishing Chris as the intense vocalist and songwriter he has always been.

The overall sound is less jagged and hard but equally as heavy and urgent. If you miss the raw Soundgarden sound, Chris Cornell's solo material will only soothe your cravings with the comfort of his familiar howling. The hard rock, distortion-laced Soundgarden vibe has been traded for intense ballads and more introspective lyrics. The only songs reminiscent of the old Seattle sound are "Mission" and "Moonchild."

On many of the tracks, Chris seems to be looking at the world through a romanticized lens with his lyrics and musical style. The result is sometimes trite, but at other times refreshing and thoughtful. The words are poetic, reflecting fanciful imagery and heartfelt-even melancholy-thoughts. On the track entitled "Sweet Euphoria," Chris's lone guitar strummings are accompanied by surreal lyrics almost reminiscent of the Beatles. "Gone are your dandelions falling like mine/ Falling like daydream mangos."

And it's no wonder that Euphoria Morning calls the Beatles to mind on many of the tracks. Chris says he was inspired by the band and their eclectic, experimental style.

Chris and collaborators Alain Johannes (guitar) and Natasha Shneider (keyboards) from the band Eleven did some experimenting of their own and delved into the bag of studio technology tricks to create Euphoria Morning's sound. During the recording, they used vintage guitar amps and equipment to get a warm, organic sound, but added some tweaked out electronic sounds to the tracks-a reflection of the hybrid of musical technologies which is rapidly becoming a recording industry standard.

The effects often give an added dimension and depth to the music. But, on the track "Preaching the End of the World" electronic chirps and industrial swishing sounds pollute what could have been a more beautifully spare ballad.

Solo projects are intrinsically give-and-take. Audiences want to hear the old and familiar while the artist wants to try something new and uncharted. Surely, Chris Cornell's Euphoria Morning will win over a new audience with its warmer, more personal sound, while maintaining loyal listeners from his Soundgarden fan base with Chris's unforgettable voice.

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