Audioslave sticks to what works with newest album

September 11, 2006 —

When Audioslave formed four years ago, skepticism came easily. Could the remnants of two hugely successful rock bands merge to form something equally challenging and relevant in today's music scene?

The band pulled it off with their self-titled debut, creating a memorable, noteworthy disc of songs, including the haunting "Like a Stone."

The band has since traded in producer Rick Rubin for Brendan O'Brien, and Chris Cornell and company are already on album number three of their brand new career.

It is not surprising that album number two, Out of Exile, was just a continuation of what the debut began. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Revelations continues that trend.

This is not a band that will show the signs of the times. For the most part, they have their own sound and have remained loyal to that since their formation.

This just means that Revelations at times resembles Soundgarden featuring Tom Morello, and at other times could pass as Rage Against the Machine with guest vocalist Chris Cornell.

This amalgamation may be more melodic than Soundgarden ever was (unless of course "Black Hole Sun" made you cry the first time you heard it), but it also hits harder when necessary.

The disc starts off with the title track "Revelations," and right away it is easy to see that nothing has changed.

But these guys are not out to change the music world. They already did that in their previous bands. Audioslave is never going to be revolutionary - but at least they sound good.

The thing about Audioslave is that they have a knack for crafting great singles - and good filler for the rest of the album.

That is not to say that Revelations is a bore. Rather, one might find it easier skipping straight to the songs that are played on the radio than listening to the disc front to back. But, given time, even the filler sounds great.

Songs like "Sound of a Gun" and "Jewel of the Summertime" may never reach the airwaves - but who cares? Sure "Original Fire" is a great throbbing rock song reminiscent of those Badmotorfinger days of yore, but Revelations has a lot more to digest.

Even the slowed-down tracks merit a listen. "Nothing Left to Say but Goodbye" is a great song that highlights why Chris Cornell could never be on American Idol - a ballad of sorts with mangy vocals and a plodding drum beat.

"Moth" closes out the album in good fashion, with lyrics that could not be more appropriate: "Thought I was different / but it seems I'm just the same."

Audioslave may never be radically different - from Soundgarden or from any other band on Z93. But their music is consistently engaging and they don't dumb down their music with nonsensical lyrics or silly screaming for the sake of screaming.

This album is for fans of serious rock only. Anyone who can still listen to Disturbed with a straight face might want to leave this one on the rack at f.y.e.