King Animal [LP]

by Soundgarden

Overview

Soundgarden split acrimoniously after the 1996 release of Down On the Upside, but they always seemed a band ripe for reunion, and not just because Chris Cornell flailed through his new-millennial solo career. Soundgarden always seemed a band built for the long haul, destined to have their love of '70s metal roots overtake their punk roots. That's what happened with their 1994 breakthrough, Superunknown, and that's where Soundgarden return on their 2012 reunion King Animal, acting like nothing -- not even the murky Down On the Upside -- happened in the ensuing 18 years. As heavy as it is -- and it is, the slower songs either being dirges or semi-psychedelic swirls; the burnished introspections of Cornell's solo work have been banished -- King Animal is a big, bright album, executed with precision and professionalism. The bandmembers sound older, not quite as loud, and possess a keener sense of good taste, and it sounds as if they've aged together, which is a testament to their innate chemistry. Simply put, Soundgarden sound like they belong together; Cornell sounds richer, fuller when anchored by drummer Matt Cameron, bassist Ben Shepherd, and the deceptively sinewy and brainy guitarist Kim Thayil, whose presence has sorely been missed over the past decade. Apart from the occasional lapse of smutty humor, all of Soundgarden's signatures are in place, and it's a pleasure to hear Cornell's modulated wail, just as it is to hear Thayil's brawny riffs tangle with Cameron and Shepherd. All this is apparent upon the first listen, and if it does take some time for the songs of King Animal to sink in, that doesn't diminish the album in the slightest: this is a surprisingly strong reunion, one that puts the band back on the track they abandoned long ago. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/13/2012
Label:	Mercury / Republic / Universal
UPC:	0602537198184
Rank:	108950

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Been Away Too Long
2. Non-State Actor
3. By Crooked Steps
4. A Thousand Days Before
5. Blood On The Valley Floor
6. Bones Of Birds
7. Taree

Disc 2

8. Attrition
9. Black Saturday
10. Halfway There
11. Worse Dreams
12. Eyelid's Mouth
13. Rowing

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Soundgarden   Primary Artist
Flower of Power Horns   Featured Artist
Jeff McGrath   Trumpet
Ben Shepherd   Bass,Guitar,Guitar (Baritone),Vocals (Background)
Matt Cameron   Drums,Percussion,Moog Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Mike McCready   Guitar
Adam Kasper   Piano,Tambura
Kim Thayil   Guitar,Mandolin
Chris Cornell   Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin
Brad Stevens   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Bubba Dupree   Guitar
Greg Powers   Trombone (Bass),Trombone (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Soundgarden   Producer,Additional Production
Ted Jensen   Mastering
Ben Shepherd   Composer
Greg Keplinger   Studio Assistant
Sam Hofstedt   Engineer
Matt Cameron   Composer
Adam Kasper   Producer
Kim Thayil   Composer,Horn Arrangements
Chris Cornell   Composer,Engineer
Joe Barresi   Mixing,Additional Production
Jay Follette   Studio Assistant
Jun Murakawa   Assistant
Don VanCleave   Photography
Neil Hundt   Studio Assistant
Chris Siglin   Merchandising
Rod MacSween   Booking
Josh Evans   Engineer,Studio Assistant
Brent Smith   Booking
Nate Yaccino   Engineer
Don Muller   Booking
Josh Graham   Design,Sculpture,Cover Photo
Gina Schulman   Publicity