Soundgarden, 'Storm' - Song Review - Audio Ink Radio Audio Ink Radio

Soundgarden, ‘Storm’ – Song Review

2014-11-04

Review by Anne Erickson

Soundgarden’s latest song offers Soundgarden noisy, echoing guitar noises and experimental guitar screams

Soundgarden spent a good chunk of last summer on tour with Nine Inch Nails, but didn’t release any brand new music. Until now, that is. Frontman Chris Cornell and the guys just unleashed their first bit of new music since the group’s 2012 album, “King Animal,” and it’s a rugged tune called “Storm.”

“Storm” opens with swirling, psychedelic guitars, warm and buzzing. Cornell’s voices enters the trappings low, slow and raspy, with some cool dissonant harmonies. It’s a tripy song—more so than anything found on “King Animal.” Guitar-wise, Soundgarden offer plenty of noisy, echoing guitar noises and experimental guitar screams.

“The storm has weakened minds of steel / They dream to capture hopeless ones / This fear has passed and many can be / Those words unspoken we know it straight / We know it straight / It’s straight,” Cornells sings in the opening verse. His low tones are a surprise. After all, fans are used to hearing Cornell’s clear, upper register, but with “Storm,” it’s clear Cornells range runs low, too.

“Strom” is raw and spontaneous, but still with enough polish to sound complete and precise. The tune is something that could fit on Soundgarden’s Sub Pop earlier releases – think “Louder than Love” or even the band’s Sub Pop EP’s, 1987’s “Screaming Life” and 1988’s “Fopp” – because of its retro sounds. “Storm” isn’t necessarily a radio-ready single, but that’s the appeal—this is Soundgarden being Soundgarden. Take it or leave it, and we’ll take it.

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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