Product Description Carry On is the 13th album by two-time Grammy winner, singer-songwriter and voice of a generation, Chris Cornell. Steered by Grammy Award-winning British super- producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Dave Matthews Band), Carry On is a mature and content departure from the acrimonious artist who brought us Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog. The new album's fourteen tracks offer the bluesy and soulful "Safe and Sound," psychedelic "Scar On The Sky," country-flavored "Finally Forever"... paeans to persistence in "Disappearing Act" and a slow-grind cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean" that gives the familiar song a completely new feeling. More personal selections include "Ghost," "Arms Around Your Love" and "She'll Never Be Your Man" and alt-rock experimentations ("Killing Birds" the anthemic "Silence the Voices"). Fans of Soundgarden and Audioslave will appreciate the harder edge of "No Such Thing" and "Poison Eye" and the redemptive "Your Soul Today."Carry On also includes the Top 10 European smash hit "You Know My Name," the main title song for the current James Bond theatrical release, Casino Royale, appearing for the first time on a full-length release. Cornell wrote and recorded the track with long-time James Bond composer David Arnold for the film.With this collection of songs, it is evident that Cornell was inspired by songwriters from Elvis Costello to Tom Waits. Cornell says that his own lyrical approach leans on stream-of-consciousness, "getting out of my own way" to allow themes to naturally arise, whether topical or biographical. "The most exciting thing is to let yourself expose your true, vulnerable feelings, which is what resonates with people most," he explains. As far as his vocal style, he points to such R&B singers as Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin for showing masterfully how emotion can best be conveyed, even in subtle phrasing, also praising Bob Marley's expressive range and Tom Waits' use of his voice as an instrument. .com Change has been a constant in Chris Cornell's life since Soundgarden split in 1997. Sober and over 40 now, he lives in France with his wife and daughter. His first solo album (1999's Euphoria Morning) was lauded in the press, but disregarded by the public. And his supergroup Audioslave eventually fizzled after a trio of albums. But on Cornell's long-awaited sophomore solo effort, it's obvious something hasn't been altered: the voice, a distinguished instrument still pure and resonant--and authoritative enough to take on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and turn it from throbbing dancefloor anthem to portentous ballad. The unforeseen cover is sequenced midway through 14 tracks that have Cornell softening the edges of his music without losing the power of the messenger. No less than a half-dozen songs have hit potential, including "Arms Around Your Love," with its soaring chorus, the R&B-flecked "She'll Never Be Your Man," and "No Such Thing," where restrained verses give way to crunchy-riffed choruses. He uses the bluesy "Safe and Sound" to call for peace, asking "Why can't we pull it together?" Ten years after the breakup of his pioneering band, Chris Cornell has done just that, and it's evident that the change has done him good. --Scott Holter
A**R
Great.
How can you go wrong with Chris Cornell?
L**R
Love this one!
I am such a huge fan of Chris Cornell. I've been listening to him for nearly 15 years now. I've loved soundgarden, temple of the dog, audioslave and his solo projects. Carry On is so incredible and I listen to and enjoy the entire thing. Poison Eye, She'll Never Be Your Man, Scar on the Sky and Your Soul Today are great songs and worth the price of admission. The songs that touch me most deeply, though, are Arms Around Your Love, Ghosts, Finally Forever and Disappearing Act. Any of these can move me to tears on any given day for many different reasons. And Safe and Sound is one of those songs that really should be in a hymnal. It's a call from one soul to another to envision our world as a more beautiful place. This song inspires me to be a better human being and I truly hope that everyone who hears it gets the same feeling. This CD is such a truly amazing gift from a powerful songwriter/musician.
R**R
Wonderful surprise...
This CD is awesome. I liked Soundgarden growing up and Audioslave never disappointed, but I've never owned any CDs by those bands. I just heard the cover of Billie Jean last week (a little late to the party, I know) and liked it so much that I decided to give the album a try. Was not too keen on it until I hit "Safe and Sound." From that point on, I was entranced by every song...now, I even like the first three songs. Usually, I only like a couple of songs on a CD, because they all start sounding the same and it gets boring. This one turned into a really great surprise, so I would recommend it.
N**M
He's still got it
Despite the negative reviews that are prevelant throughout "Carry On", make no mistake that Chris Cornell still has it. With the disbandment of Audioslave (which actually lasted longer than I thought it would), Cornell is once again on his own with his second solo release, and be glad he is. Give a listen to rousing opener "No Such Thing" which finds the former Soundgarden frontman demonstrating his always more than solid guitar work (along with Brian Ray) and his incredible voice work which never fails to impress even all these years later. Standout tracks include "Arms Around Your Love", "She'll Never Be Your Man", and "Finally Forever" which find Cornell tapping personal experience and mixing it with his somewhat new age-y outlook that isn't as prevelant here as it was with "Euphoria Morning" or his early work with Audioslave. His cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" is inventive, and the album is rounded out with the surprisingly awesome and rocking "You Know My Name", AKA the theme song from the latest, and excellent, James Bond film, Casino Royale. While "Carry On" doesn't excel the way "Euphoria Morning" did (let alone come close to any of Cornell's Soundgarden material), make no mistake that this is one solid, rocking album that further proves the notion that this pioneer still has what it takes to make a musical impact on his own.
C**Y
Hubby Loves it!!
My hubby wanted to hear something from Chris Cornell in the solo realm. So glad to find this and he truly loves it. It is different and that was a great surprise. So thank you Amazon for such a wide selection of CD's!! Amazing find. Hubby says it is worth the listen:)
B**S
perfect album
Often times when the lead singer of a band makes a solo effort it sounds like material that they could easiliy do with the band they sing for. Steve Perry you know who you are. This , howver, is not one of those albums. Chris Cornell song writing is excellently driven by his musicianship. It reminds you of great singer/songwriters like Rufus Wainwright and the Late Jeff Buckley. Yeah, it really is that good.He puts so much of emotion in songs that it will give chills. This a perfect album and possibly deservs conciderable recognition for album of the year.
J**X
A Very Mature Artist
Chris Cornell has recorded one of the finest collections of songs in his storied career. This CD does not suffer from the sameness of sound Audioslave was sometimes guilty of. Some of Chris' best songs are on this CD. Open your ears & open your mind when you listen to this one. The songs Poison Eye, She'll Never Be Your Man, & Billie Jean are reason enough to buy this. Great production & arrangements on every song. Great Job!!!
R**Y
Disappointing
First let me say that Chris Cornell rocks! He's an alternative rock god. He has the most unique and distinctive voice of the 90's. Soundgarden was great and Audioslave blew to doors off the place. And then there's this album....yep, another solo project. He seems to be going toward different musical vehicles for his voice. Some of these work (the cover of Billie Jean is freakin' amazing) but most don't. There seems to be a systemic problem with the song writing throughout the album. The largest one is the transitions to chorus and flow of the choruses with the rest of the songs. It almost seems like being alone on this one left Cornell without bandmates to say "Hey Chris, we need to rework the chorus on these." Which REALLY surprises me because Steve Lillywhite was the producer on the album and he's a great polish guy. He's done wonders for a lot of U2's rougher stuff. I wanted this to be a great album but it just wasn't. However, I would recommend picking up a single of the cover of Billie Jean.
Trustpilot
5 days ago
4 days ago
