OUT OF EXILE
With
Out Of Exile, the band's second disc since emerging from the ashes of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and SOUNDGARDEN, the members of AUDIOSLAVE have proven that they're not just a flash-in-the-pan, one-off, gimmick band. While
Out Of Exile features some very catchy songs, they're mostly the slower tracks. Chris Cornell, Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums) still have yet to create their signature, bombastic, crowd-rallying anthem that most career rock bands carry in their arsenal. For instance, the title track "Out Of Exile" is ALMOST. The chorus riff is 100% Morello, and Cornell's howling accents them perfectly. It's just that in between choruses, the song gets a little too mellow for my tastes. I like the marching-band breakdown, but it could have been a little punchier.
"Your Time Has Come" is another song that's almost there (in terms of being that anthemic rocker); it showcases the raw talent, emotion, and fury that these four can cram into a song. It's a perfect showcase of how Audioslave has taken the best of Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine, and morphed it into something brand-spanking-new. Remember "Hair of the Dog" by NAZARETH? The main riff comes relatively close to evoking that vibe, but it's not quite as angry as I'd have liked it to be. Yeah, I know Chris Cornell is not Zack De La Rocha, and I can respect what he's doing. I just wish he'd get a little more enraged with these gritty riff-rock songs.
Another song that almost hits the mark is "Man or Animal"...Morello's main riff hits you square in the jaw when the song kicks off, and the tempo keeps this sucker moving like a freight train. Cornell sounds like he's trying to find his place in the song. Maybe I'm overanalyzing, but maybe Audioslave is just trying to find their rhythm...It's not to say these aren't great rock tracks; I just think we have yet to see the BEST of this so-called 'Supergroup'.
Where this band really shines is with the slower tracks "Heaven's Dead" and the first single "Be Yourself" show that Cornell has not lost the ability to get bummed out and show you he can still spill his guts with his lyrics. Morello's playing is much more tasteful than anything I've heard from him in a while on "Heaven's Dead". However, slower tracks do not a great rock band make...well, not unless you're trying to be JOURNEY...and I don't think that's where we want to see Audioslave going.
I can't wait to see how this band develops, and I look forward to many more releases from Cornell and co.
