Audioslave -- Music Review

  Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, could things get any better? Not a chance! I've been listening to the debut CD of this match made in heaven...over...and over...and over again. Sharp. Edgy. Melodic. Chris Cornell's voice is fantastic! Following Zach de la Rocha's rather selfish departure, which ended Rage Against the Machine, it was almost heart breaking to think that we may never hear another distorted guitar solo from Tom Morello. 

Thankfully, Audioslave's debut album abolishes the thought. Morello delivers and he delivers like he's never delivered before. Some of these solos will, no doubt, make you play a little air guitar yourself. You can feel the emotion pour out of Morello's strings, it's that fierce and touching. Chris Cornell with his emotionally charged and ferociously powerful voice make Audioslave one of the finest collaboration efforts I can think of. Obviously, it's mostly about Cornell and Morello for me, but I can't go on with this review without mention of Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums). Most notable tracks include (in no order): 

• What You Are

• Like a Stone* 

• Bring 'Em Back Alive*

• Shadow of the Sun*

• The Last Remaining Light 

• Light My Way 

• Exploder

This CD is, overall, incredibly well done. 

Lyrics: 8.8
Instrumentals: 9.5 (Morello, Morello, Morello!) 
Enjoyability (tilt): 9.1

Overall: 9.2

* = Tracks with great guitar solos.