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Dopo un album piatto e praticamente privo di idee come l'ultimo Audioslave (gruppo che a mio parere doveva sciogliersi dopo il primo disco), c'è curiosità intorno a questa prova solista di Chris Cornell, una delle migliori voci nel panorama internazionale nonché ex leader di una grandissima band dell'era grunge, i Soungarden.
Furbescamente cavalcata l'onda del successo dell'ultimo 007 con il tema portante della colonna sonora di "Casino Royale" (utilizzando quella "You Know My Name" che ha ottenuto un buon successo, con la sua melodia molto "cinematografica" e le chitarre un po' in secondo piano), Chris si prepara quindi al ritorno solista dopo "Euphoria Morning", il suo primo (datato) solo-album.
Chiariamo subito: il nuovo progetto non accontenterà i fans dei defunti Audioslave, mentre l'unica speranza (peraltro già ventilata) per i supporters dei Soundgarden è una storica reunion, considerato che siamo di fronte ad un album chiaramente impostato su coordinate pop-rock di alto appeal radiofonico.
Fa eccezione l'opener "No Such Thing", futuro nuovo estratto, ancorata ancora al pianeta Audioslave ma senza gli ormai ovvi assoli annegati nell'effettistica Morelliana. "Poison Eye" è già maggiormente poppettara ma mantiene una grande e piacevole energia di fondo, "Arms Around Your Love" (attuale singolo) è una rock-ballad altamente orecchiabile, ma molto molto bella; idem con patate per "Safe And Sound". "She'll Never Be Your Man" è ripetitiva e scontata (oltreché in possesso di un titolo orrendo), "Ghosts" è invece un numero semiacustico molto gradevole. "Killing Birds" riporta un po' di elettricità nel calderone, anticipando una "Billie Jean" (cover a sorpresa) irriconoscibile, rallentata ed emozionante, con un'interpretazione Cornelliana da urlo (nel vero senso della parola!!!). "Scar On The Sky" non convince, troppo lenta e stereotipata, "Your Soul Today" è invece l'altro numero Audioslaviano (o Audioslaviese, boh...) e induce finalmente a smuovere le chiappe. Purtroppo, se fino a qui era etichetabbile come medio-grande album, scade il tutto; il buon Chris piazza tre lentoni ("Finally Forever", "Silence The Voices" e "Disappearing Act") da latte alle ginocchia, prima del congedo con la bella e succitata "You Know My Name".
Rimane un album gradevole e ben confezionato, ma il pensierino finale è che se fosse stato assemblato con 11-12 pezzi, la sensazione sarebbe stata maggiormente gradevole.
Aspettando i Soungarden (?).
Elenco tracce testi e samples
06 Ghosts (03:51)
I know what you're looking for
You've looked in these eyes before
and all you saw was blue-green water
Searching for a mirror that shows the world not who you are but who wanna be
and you thought you found that one in me
but it's been a long time since I've heard that name
He doesn't live here anymore
Don't know where he's residing
You can wait here if you want
but I don't think he's coming back...
Sure, you've found the right place; same address you knew before
but that won't change what lies behind the door and what hides underneath
Had it changed from the inside out
He doesn't live here anymore
Don't know where he's residing
I think its better if you go
'cause I don't want him coming back
Yes, I know the name sounds a little bit familiar
like a melody to a dream
Yes, I know he wore the same face, the same clothes
but that was so long ago
I know who you wanna find; somewhere is the memory of somebody I left behind
Well let's take it all in stride
It's that time to say goodbye
He doesn't live here anymore
08 Billie Jean (04:41)
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie screen
I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
She says I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She said her name was Billie Jean, and she caused a scene
And every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Who will dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
Mother always told me be careful who you love
Be careful what you do before the lie becomes the truth
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
For forty days and forty nights
The law was on her side
And who could stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and her plans
'Cause we dance on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, and remember to always think twice
Do think twice
She told my baby that we'd danced till three
She looked at me, showed a photo
My baby cried, his eyes were like mine
Cause we danced on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
Don’t go around breaking young girls' hearts
Then she stood right by me
The smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
When she called me to her room
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son
14 You Know My Name (04:01)
If you take a life do you know what you'll give?
Odds are, you won't like what it is
When the storm arrives, would you be seen with me?
By the merciless eyes of deceit?
I've seen angels fall from blinding heights
But you yourself are nothing so divine
Just next in line
Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?
The coldest blood runs through my veins
You know my name
If you come inside things will not be the same
When you return to the night
And if you think you've won
You never saw me change
The game that we have been playing
I've seen diamonds cut through harder men
Than you yourself
But if you must pretend
You may meet your end
Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?
The coldest blood runs through my veins
Try to hide your hand
Forget how to feel
(Forget how to feel)
Life is gone with just a
spin of the wheel
(Spin of the wheel)
Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you ready to die?
The coldest blood runs through my veins
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
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Di TheChosenOne
"Ben pochi artisti nel panorama della musica rock sono riusciti ad essere poliedrici come Chris Cornell."
"Consigliato a chi è rimasto catturato da 'You Know My Name' o adora il pop\rock più stereotipato."
