The Yahoo premiere of Chris Cornell’s video for “Scream” starts with an intimate conversation between Timbaland and Chris, discussing their terrible new collab project. Cornell says: “I just wanted to do things different … disconnect with all preconceived ideas of what a rock singer should do … It’s like the most album-oriented album I’ve ever done.” And for a second I thought, “Shit, that makes sense. Maybe I was a little harsh on “Long Gone. The man’s just trying to keep it real.” (I always end my inner monologues “just trying to keep it real.”) And then the second was over, and the video started playing, and Chris is driving with the top down and a lady on his side through a dramatic night with the wind in his hair and I puked.
I mean, OK, this is the new Chris, and this video captures his art, and his art captures what’s on his mind — being rich and having domestic strife (see: Cornell seated in a modern art gallery with kids on either side of him). So sexy-time Timbaland beats may be an appropriate accompaniment to his suave new lifestyle brand. But even then … “Hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head”? Even for what it is, it’s tough to imagine a lyric being any more banal. Or any more unintentionally ironic. (Seriously, “Long Gone,” “why you keep screaming,” it’s like he’s writing these songs with hidden meanings for his old fans.) Have a watch, and keep your eyes peeled for Chris striking Jesus Christ Pose Circa 2008: in an art museum. Fitting.
Chris Cornell was once the singer of Soundgarden.
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oh goodness.
“and the video started playing, and Chris is driving with the top down and a lady on his side through a dramatic night with the wind in his hair and I puked. ”
ditto that.
If I see one more Interscope artist fulfilling their contractual obligation to wear Dr. Dre’s new headphones in their video, I will scream at the top of my head.
Is it possible that Mr. Cornell and Mr. Land are completely messing with us? It doesn’t sound like this record could have cost that much to produce. If it is a joke, it’s a great one. If not, they have ruined my middle school memories.
Yeah, I can’t decide if my favorite part is the Phil Collins drum break at about the 3:45 mark or the sense of UNBELIEVABLE RAGE I feel for having watched the whole thing. What were the other members of Soundgarden doing when he made this that would have rendered a reunion impossible?
It looks like Cornell’s a pretty neglectful father/husband…
The chorus is pretty bad.
god damn this is depressing
chris cornell should’ve blown his brains out instead of kurt cobain.
i know this is the internet and all and we’re supposed to be jaded, ironic, and snarky, but that’s a pretty shitty fucking thing to say.
Ditto that. Besides, for all we know Kurt Cobain might be composing theme songs to Disney flicks were he still alive. If this song teaches us anything, it’s that we can never predict how far removed from their signature sound an artist is willing to travel over time.
That said, this is an atrocious song, and I’m not surprised it would draw harsh reactions such as this.
I don’t think any of my childhood musical heroes have disappointed me as much as Chris Cornell. That said, he looks pretty gaunt and terrible in that video, maybe his new sound is sickening him too.
What is this?
Timbaland needs to take a break. (And Lil Wayne too, while we’re at it)
Why does Chris look so emaciated? What is this?
What is this?
Heroin.
Scream is one of my favorite songs from the new album. The video compliments the feel of the music perfectly. The lyrics are more simplistic than what Chris has written in the past but more complex wording wouldn’t work with the music and beat. Even with simpler lyrics, the feel to this song and video is still dark and brooding. Some people want to label this “Pop”. I just call it “Cornellian”!
I’ll just call you ‘stupidian’
Amrit: what does it say about you that you think an “art museum” is somehow indicative of creative decline?
OK, I confess I don’t get it with Timbaland, his contribution sounds really old fashioned to me and well done for spotting the Phil Collins drum break Mr FitchPork.
That irony aside, Cornell’s moving on, what does it say about rock fans that they are now the crabby old establishment sitting around in club chairs bemoaning the fact that things aren’t what they used to be? The last Pearl Jam album (and I love Pearl Jam) sounded like a Pearl Jam album – they haven’t moved an inch in almost twenty years – is that good?!
All subjective of course, but I thought Cornell looked cool in the vid and the chorus to the song is good, nice . . . what is it a ninth? in the b vox.
Well, the difference is the last Pearl Jam album was pretty good, these new songs from Chris Cornell are not. I’m all for bands branching out and trying new things but there’s about as much depth and creativity to this as the new Pussycats Dolls single. It’s such a shame because Cornell’s first solo album was different to Soundgarden, he was trying new things and it was good, interesting. The only thing was it wasn’t successful, and it seems like Cornell wants mainstream success more than artistic success. That’s fine and all, but personally it doesn’t do it for me
If you think Pearl Jam haven’t moved an inch, you must have stopped listening after Ten. Though they may be feeling a little nostalgic of late, from Vs. to Riot Act they were probably the most adventurous mainstream band out there. You make them out to be like some Nickelbackian recycled garbage band.
Seriously, you can’t say you love Pearl Jam and then say something as blatantly ignorant as that. I’ll have to check your papers on that one.
When people think “things aren’t what they used to be,” they aren’t thinking “grunge,” they’re thinking “good.”
Those who wish Cornell dead were never Cornell fans. They were grunge fans or rock fans, but never Cornell fans.
I read couple posts, but couldnt read them all, cause they are all full of shit, and hate and fucking disapointment. Only you said very smart and beautiful thing. Bravo.
His background singing is pretty good. But then you just have the mellodramatic singing in the close up. Doesn’t make any sense. I guess he still has talent, he just may not have chosen the proper channel for it. Reminds me too much of that one republic song(blechh).
I give it a week before this is sitting at the top of the Vh1 countdown. It’s sad. Someone please help Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, and Axl Rose before they collectively bring about the end of existence.
The four promos I had to wade through just to watch that tripe is what made me rage-filled. Also, “Why you keep screaming at the top of yo head” is replacing “CODE 10, MAN DOWN AFFAIR” as my facebook quote.
The musicianship sucks. Bring back the guitars, I say.
Barf tits
This is on par with the new McDonald’s chicken McNugget video..lol
Give the poor boy a sandwich. Maybe he’s too weak to rock anymore. I remember seeing Soundgarden eons ago. One of the best concerts. He rocked so hard. I know no one can keep up that level forever but come on. This sounds like any pop singer. I used to think he was a great singer but ????
…that painting of the cat’s head in the museum was cool.
haha! something is wrong here.
Finally! Another Days of the New Album!
????
This isn’t that bad….
Did no one else catch the “In the Air Tonight” drum sample at the end?! Who the fuck does Timbaland think he is?! GAH!
if there is a god i will never hear this song again
Have you heard One Republic’s Too Late to Apologise? It’s exactly the same thing.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/–50771925
grunge is dead and turning in it’s grave.
Sounds terrific. I love the mixture of rock vocals and hip hop sounds. Timberland has a great ear for music and mixing. Cornell has powerful vocal cords and his writing takes a simple argument turns it into a beautiful song. Kudos to the combinations. It came out wodnerful.