We didn't want it to be like this. Nor did any of us expect it. We'd kind of been putting off covering Soundgarden for The Album Club, not because we weren't fans; Seattle's finest are well rooted in our collective venn diagram. We just wanted to save such a rich dish for later; the promise of delayed gratification. Sadly for us and for anyone else who loves the 90s' fiercest and most beautiful alchemists of bullish Sabbath riffs, Eastern Zeppelin flair, and Black Flag stomp, all pushed into the maelstrom by THAT (literally) inimitable voice, the sudden passing of our un-met friend Chris Cornell meant that we had to do this now. We felt, as many other fans have, compelled to celebrate one of our favourite bands, so we kind of go off format for this special episode, each picking our favourite Soundgarden songs (wasn't easy) and go through every odd timed and off kilter riff, frenzied drum fill, and knuckle-dragging bassline and marvel at each soulful croon, lion's roar, banshees's howl and timeless melody that our man Chris kept us in goosebumps with throughout our youth. Far from being a somber affair, however, we find time to geek out about the band's bombastic presentation, scratch our heads at Chris Cornell's obsession with dogs and the animal kingdom in general, and his penchant for refusing to have his inhuman powerhouse voice be tethered by the confines of a shirt. Like, ever. Thanks, Chris. RIP.
view more