Chris Cornell Says New Soundgarden Album is 'Mostly Done'

Chris Cornell Says New Soundgarden Album is ‘Mostly Done’

2011-11-09

Story by Anne Erickson

Soundgarden’s first studio album since 1996 is almost finished

While many followers of Soundgarden are pleased as punch that lead crooner Chris Cornell is circling the states on his solo, acoustic “Songbook Tour,” the main question remains, When will Soundgarden finally release their new full-length? According to the man himself, that new album — the band’s first studio release since 1996 — is nearing completion, and fans won’t have to wait long.

“It’s mostly done,” Cornell told Billboard. “We just need to finish a couple of songs and mix it, so that will be happening probably over the holidays.”

Those expecting more of the same from Cornell and the guys of Soundgarden are in for a shocker. “It’s certainly not nostalgic,” Cornell explained. “It’s definitely forward. It sounds to me exactly like it should sound — like we took a break and we got together and we’re making an album. I don’t think we’ve taken any dramatic new approaches to writing or recording, and yet there’s definitely changes… So it’s very refreshing and it feels to me like the next logical step in Soundgarden, creatively.”

Cornell’s solo album, Songbook, arrives Nov. 22, and he’s on the road now through Dec. 17 in San Diego to promote the collection. On tour, Cornells says he rarely uses a set list. “If I had done, I’d rarely follow it,” he said. “I’m lucky to get three songs out before I completely deviate from whatever it was that I was going to do — to the point where I don’t really plan anything. There are points in the set where I’ll do a song because it’s where I want it to be. It’s really something that we’re figuring out.” Cornell also recently said that if he were to give his 18-year-old self advice when first starting on the grunge path, he would simply say, “Don’t drink.”

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.

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