This Can't be Happening

An Open Letter to Chris Cornell:

Now, Chris, I have admired you since my teen years.  When you led Soundgarden in the best era for music, your voice and your lyrics floated through the air, each note hanging to oxygen molecules.  "Outshined" provided me the insight and validation that led me through some rough times in college.  "Slaves and Bulldogs" guided me to build an emotional foundation for surviving moments of difficulty with boyfriends, friends, etc.  Moving on to Superunknown, you and the gentlemen from Soundgarden gave us anthems, like the epic "Black Hole Sun", and the tribute to "Spoonman".  With Down on the Upside being the final chapter in the Soundgarden story, you gave us the classic ballad of despair, "Blow up the Outside World". My personal favorite, "Burden in my Hand", provides a blues-rock fusion with a story of eliminating one's lover.   You gave us Euphoria Morning, which highlighted your songwriting and your musical range.  Oh, and "Seasons", from the Singles soundtrack--that is my favorite song and it has been on repeat a lot lately, as many of your songs are. Lest we forget, the genius of Temple of the Dog. . .

Moving on to the next era of your career with Audioslave, the supergroup with members of Rage Against the Machine, which was the mastermind of Rick Rubin.  "Like a Stone" told the story of the spiritual aspirant, with lyrics and melodies mirroring U2's The Joshua Tree.  The remaining two albums were also excellent, with the musical mosh of RATM and you.  You all were the first American band to play in Cuba, to adoring fans.  I had the opportunity to see you perform in Houston.  It was amazing, and I didn't sit down the whole time.  I felt a sense of disappointment when I heard that you left the band, but, I know that you are a talented musician, singer, and songwriter.  I purchased Carry On, and I must say, I was shocked.  Although it wasn't bad, and I really liked the cover of "Billie Jean", the album reminded me a little of, well, John Mayer.  I didn't hear the Chris Cornell that I have known and loyally loved for so long.  But, it was okay, just an experiment.  

I have been hearing of this collaboration with Timbaland for some time now, and I didn't want to believe it.  There is a place for Timbaland and Justin Timberlake, as they make some catchy pop songs together.  However, their place is on a secret playlist, buried in the vault of my iPod, where noone knows where it is.  They emerge when I run on the treadmill or use the elliptical trainer.  However, their place is not in a recording studio with you.  You are an icon in music, and you, along with many others, led a generation (known as X) through some confusing, dark, and frustrating times in our lives.  I completely understand the tradition of risk-taking and going outside one's comfort zone, so I wanted to give it a try.  I wanted to keep an open mind.  But, I am sorry, it was one of the most difficult things to hear.  I was hearing one of my favorite singers amazing vocal talent completely maimed by overproduced, synthesized beats, with the repetitive catch phrases.  If I remember correctly, the chorus of the first song was ,"This b---h ain't a part of me", and I felt like I was in some Twilight Zone, because you are a soulful singer, uttering the lyrics of some Lil Wayne-wannabe.  

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that you are better than this.  You don't have to sell out, so that my teenage cousins will download the Timbaland-produced catchy pop tunes off iTunes.  We love you, your voice, your music, your lyrics, etc.  You don't have to share a stage with the Pussycat Dolls.  You don't have to have Justin Timberlake sing background vocals.  You definitely don't need the hiccough-like grunt of Timbaland to ruin a song for you.  Please, play the music we all know and love from you.