Soundgarden
Down on the Upside
(1996) A&M Records

The familiarity is distant. There are only a few moments where I recognize that I put a Soundgarden disc in the player. '70s influences are abound, one song sounds like ELO. Sometimes I miss Hiro. Where is Kim on this record? Maybe this should've been a Ben & Chris side project. I don't recognize any of this at all.

Normally it's not a good sign, for any artist, when the BEST songs on the album are the same tracks that are in heavy rotation on the radio or Mtv. If you're sick of the songs 'Pretty Noose', 'Burden in My Hand' and 'Blow Up the Outside World' then don't pick up this release. There's not much else happening Down on the Upside.

On the other hand, if your band's seventh album sounds just like its second or third, you're probably Aerosmith. Kudos to Soundgarden for having the courage to try new stuff that makes even its hardcore fans uncomfortable. Perhaps this record will grow on me.

–Mattro