Album: Audioslave

Artist: Audioslave

Release Year: 2002

Label: Epic

Audioslave is: Chris Cornell (vocals), Tim Commerford (bass), Brad Wilk (bass), Tom Morello (guitar)

Tracklist:

1.  Cochise (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

2.  Show Me How to Live (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

3.  Gasoline (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

4.  What You Are (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

5.  Like a Stone (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

6.  Set it Off (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

7.  Shadow on the Sun (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

8.  I Am the Highway (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

9.  Exploder (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

10.  Hypnotize (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

11.  Bring Em Back Alive (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

12.  Light My Way (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

13.  Getaway Car (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

14.  The Last Remaining Light (C. Cornell, T. Commerford, B. Wilk, T. Morello)

Lyrics:

If you're expecting Soundgarden-esque lyrics, then prepare to be disappointed.  Granted, the lyrics on Audioslave's self-titled debut get the job done, many will recall the sometimes genius lyrics of Soundgarden, and when Cornell fails to deliver with Audioslave, many will be disappointed.  So, expect a decent set of lyrics on most songs, but nothing like Soundgarden in their prime.

Music:

The music is much more reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine than Soundgarden.  It's much harder than Soundgarden, and Morello delivers some serviceable solos.  However, the music, like the lyrics, doesn't live up to the work done in Rage Against the Machine.  Take Morello, for example.  He's well known for his shredding, but is reduced to a boring, one note solo on the track "Show Me How to Live".  Wilk is not an outstanding drummer, but never was.  He's pretty much the same as always.  Commerford still delivers on the bass, so that's a relief.

Highlights:

The best track on this album, despite the monotonous solo, is "Show Me How to Live."  "I Am the Highway" is also a quality track, and Audioslave's tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., titled "Set it Off," rounds out the top 3.

Overall:

Overall, it would be a solid album for any band trying to get on its feet, but with a lineup like this, it should be much, much better.  Still, there were many parts I liked.  The biggest problem with the album, though, is that it fades considerably in the latter half, after "I Am the Highway."  If they were able to keep up the energy that they had in the first half of the album, it would be so much better.  Either way, solid, but slightly disappointing.