Higher Truth

This is an amazing CD that first grabbed our attention with the remarkable "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart". Unlike this lushly produced pop song, however, many of the remaining tracks are acoustic and much more intimate, focusing on acoustic guitar and Chris' wonderful voice. This isn't a criticism of course and any fan of Cornell will want to add this disc to their collection! Now, this has no bearing on my 5-star rating of the music, but I think there is a problem with the pressing of this CD. My first one had digital distortion and noise, particularly on the track "Misery Chain", to an extent that it was unplayable. I exchanged the CD for another copy - and the replacement copy had the same issue! Thankfully, the album is available to stream via Amazon Prime. R.I.P. Chris

Excellent album by the late Chris Cornell. His heart and soul was poured into these songs. "Through the Window" and "Wrong Side" are p'rly my 2 favorites but the entire thing is awesome.

Fabulous album. Great recording.

Chris Cornell's newest solo album comes at a time when the music created by many of his peers seem to induce yawns and a familiar sense of been there, done that. I have been a longtime fan of his since the very beginning. I love all of his projects, including Temple Of The Dog, Soundgarden and Audioslave, going all the way back to the beginning. I'm a 33 year old male and the best way I can describe this beautiful piece of work is to say that it is a breath of fresh air, and not only NEEDED in a somewhat stale musical landscape as far as rock is concerned, but also the absolute best thing Chris could have done at this time. I'm in love with this album. There isn't a single track I don't like. Even on first listen, I was completely enthralled. As usual, his lyrics, sense of melody and haunting voice shine here. Make no mistake, those expecting it to be anything like his former projects may be slightly disappointed. However, if like me, you can appreciate the artist for his artistry and you allow yourself to change with him and recognize where said artist currently IS in their life then this album will make complete sense to you in every way. It is a beautiful and mature album full of catchy songs helmed by one of the greatest voices of the past several decades. If you even almost like Chris Cornell then do yourself a favor and check this out. If you're disappointed then quite frankly you just don't understand good music. 5 stars all the way! And just as a side note, make sure to get the deluxe version!!!! The extra tracks in my opinion are some of the standout tunes on the album.

Revised review. I originally gave this album 3.5 stars, but upon further listening, I'd bump it up to four stars. The album has grown on me and took a few listens to fully appreciate. I still think it may be a tad overly long, but it's still superb. Chris Cornell, one of rock's greatest singers from the past 25 years, has had a hit-or-miss solo career. While he has released a number of classic albums with Soundgarden, and a few very good ones with Audioslave, his solo work is a little spotty. His debut, 'Euphoria Morning' (later released as 'Euphoria Mourning') (1999), was fantastic. More laid back and relaxed than his work with Soundgarden (or later Audioslave), it was clear that Cornell's solo work was going to sound a lot different than what his fans were used to. Going back to the haunting "Seasons" from the 'Singles' soundtrack, Chris' solo music generally avoids hard-rock terrain, going for a stripped down, mellower sound, with maybe slightly more reflective lyrics. 'Euphoria Morning/Mourning' is probably the most overlooked album in Chris' long, impressive resume and the best of his four solo albums. After three albums with Audioslave, the supergroup made up of RATM alumni, came Chris' second album "Carry On" (2007). The album boasted one great song, "You Know My Name," from the James Bond film "Casino Royale." Other than that one terrific song, 'Carry On' was rather forgettable. It's not that the album was horrible, it's just that it was a rather bland, pedestrian affair. Two years later Cornell returned with the Timbaland produced "Scream," maybe the most critically lambasted album since "Van Halen 3." While I personally like "Scream" and find it to be a bizarre, interesting album, I hope he never makes another one like it again. After returning to Soundgarden and hard-rock with the excellent "King Animal" (2012), Chris is back for his fourth solo album, the Brendan O'Brian produced "Higher Truth." "Higher Truth" sounds like a cross between the laid-back but intense "Seasons" and 'Euphoria Morning/Mourning.' "Nearly Forgot my Broken Heart" is easily the best, most memorable song on the album. The rest of the album is a collection of relaxed, melon collie, tightly written confessionals about interpersonal relationships . "Higher Truth" shows a middle-aged, contemplative Chris Cornell, at ease. The album reminds me a little bit of Paul McCartney's self-titled debut (1970). Both albums are organic, with its creator playing everything or most everything himself (O'Brian and others did contribute to this album) with neither artist overthinking anything. While the album starts to sound a little monotonous about two-thirds through, and maybe the four bonus songs should have been left off for a leaner album, it is never-the-less a relaxed, enjoyable album that would be appreciated most on a lazy Sunday morning or while taking a walk on a sunny Fall day. While "Higher Truth" isn't the best album Chris ever released, it should be of interest to his fans, especially those who enjoy his quieter side.

Definitivamente es uno de mis favoritos, pura poesía !!

２０１７年死亡したクリス コーネルの事実上遺作となった本作。 サウンドガーデンからオーディオスレイブ、そしてソロ活動と 精力的に活動していた彼のソロ作。 ほとんどはアコースティックギターで始まり壮大な展開を見せていく曲が多い印象だが そこに彼なりの枯れないロックシンガーとしての意地を見せた。 もっと評価されてもいいロックシンガーだった。 合掌。

Ein fantastischer Künstler ist von uns gegangen. Er hat Frau und Kinder zurückgelassen und seine Stimme wird nie wieder ein neues Album krönen. Die höhere Wahrheit über Chris Cornell ist, dass ein Sänger verstorben ist, der es in den letzten Jahren endlich geschafft hatte, aus dem Schatten seiner Bands zu treten (Soundgarden und Audioslave) und als Solokünstler zu überzeugen. So sehr ich seine gigantische Stimme schon immer gemocht habe, so schwierig waren seine ersten drei Alben in Eigenregie. "Euphoria Morning" war nett, aber nicht durchgängig aufregend, "Carry On" stand im Schatten des Bond-Songs "You know my Name" und bot Halbgares, wie das Jackson-Cover von "Billie Jean" und "Scream" war ...nun ja, sagen wir mal ein gewagtes Experiment. Somit waren es immer die Soundgarden- oder Audioslave-Songs mit denen man sich als Freund von Cornells Stimme wirklich identifizieren konnte. Seine unfassbar gute Liveperformance mit dem "Songbook" hat Teile seiner Solokarriere noch einmal in einem ganz anderen Licht beleuchtet und erblühen lassen. Nun ist "Higher Truth" tatsächlich das letzte Album seiner Solokarriere und er war auf einem überragenden, emotionalen Level angekommen. Das musikalisch Dargebotene hat den Grungeballast abgeworfen und keine Timbaland-Produktionsanleihen mehr im Blut. Es ist ein pures und sehr herzzerreißendes Album. Allein der Opener "Nearly Forgot my broken heart" gibt eigentlich durch den Titel schon den Ton an. "Dead Wishes" ist unfassbar berührend... und ich könnte jetzt alle Titel durchdeklinieren. Spärlich instrumentiert, Singer/Songwriter statt Rock, Stimme pur. Wahnsinn! Für mich ist "Songbook" das Vermächtnis und "Higher Truth" tatsächlich die höhere Wahrheit über einen unfassbar talentierten Menschen, der viel zu früh von uns gegangen ist.

Having been a big fan of Soundgarden since the release of 'Superunknown' I recently decided to delve further into Chris Cornell's solo albums. This is the third time listening to this album in the last week and it just gets better with every listen. Kicking off with the brilliant 'Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart'. The album is mainly acoustic based with drums, keys replacing the the loud heavy guitars. This allows Chris' voice to shine even more with great lyrics and melodies. If anyone reading this had the pleasure of seeing one of his acoustic solo shows (which I was lucky enough to see twice) and is considering purchasing this then you will love this. Every track gets better with each listen. 'Dead Wishes' 'Murderer of Blue Skies' and 'Worried Moon' are great (though I admit the line 'maybe you could talk me out of doing myself in' is a hard listen on this track). Hearing this album is a melancholic experience at times when you think of the circumstances of his death and just what a great talented man he was with an amazing vocal range. I love tracks here like the brilliant 'Let Your Eyes Wander' and the eastern feel of the closing track 'Our Time In The Universe'. The only track that has yet to make an impression on me ironically is the title track the rest is fantastic and is great music to listen to at the end of the day but unlike some albums it will keep you gripped and won't bore you to sleep. This is proving to be one of the best albums I have bought so far this year. A great album from a much missed talent.

Higher Truth è stata una sorpresa, non pensavo di riscoprire un disco così ispirato di Chris Cornell a distanza di tempo dalla sua uscita. Avevo una pessima idea di Scream e pensavo che la vena creativa di Chris fosse definitivamente esaurita, e invece mi sbagliavo; H.T. è un disco tendenzialmente acustico, dalle melodie accattivanti ma non banali. Si percepisce anche dai testi che l'autore deve aver scavato in profondità per scrivere su temi anche personali che lo hanno particolarmente coinvolto. Disco senz'altro interessante anche se l'orecchiabilità potrebbe far storcere il naso ad un primo ascolto.