Euphoria Morning

Chris Cornell

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 21, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fontana a&M
• ASIN: B00001QGL2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (259 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,984 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Since Soundgarden's lamented breakup in 1997, grunge stud Chris Cornell has been working with his longtime friends and musical peers in the band Eleven--keyboardist Natasha Shneider and guitarist Alain Johannes. These stellar musicians make Cornell's latest album crisper, more musical, and less rocky than what one came to expect from Soundgarden. The soaring "Follow My Way" is epic in scope, and, in fact, Euphoria Morning is aptly titled; the album is a cohesive mood-invoking musical meditation, especially tracks such as "When I'm Down," which has a near-gospel feel thanks to backing vocals and a spare, uplifting vibe. Fans of Cornell's mellower work with the supergroup Temple of the Dog will enjoy this ardent and mellifluous 12-song collection from one of rock's most recognizable voices. --Katherine Turman

Product Description

UK pressing of the 1999 debut solo album from Soundgarden/Audioslave vocalist Chris Cornell features one bonus track. 'Can't Change Me' (French Version). Polydor. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Going his own way, March 12, 2000

By	Steve-O (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Don't dismiss this as a typical front-man-gone-solo attempt to cash in on his former band's residual fame. Listening closely to this album confirmed my opinion that Cornell's musicianship was the cornerstone of the band's success. In 'Euphoria Morning', Cornell has clearly grown and evolved as a musician, much like the post-Beatles' Lennon, forsaking 'radio playability' for honesty and grace. The musicians with whom he recorded (especially Alain Johannes) are rock solid and lay an impressively understated foundation upon which his superlative vocal skills are showcased. While several of the songs ('Pillow of Your Bones', 'Mission') clearly have their roots in Soundgarden's burial plot, the majority owe their existence and are a tribute to Jeff Buckley, Cornell's late contemporary and close friend. Cornell's soaring falsetto and anguished wailing aptly evokes Buckley's 'Grace'. The songs on the album are not immediately catchy and will appeal to neither corporate pop radio nor hardened Soundgarden fans, but I see this as a positive trait- it sends a clear message that Cornell has neither 'sold out' nor 'bought in'. Final Evaluation: superb musicianship, excellent songwriting, very good album

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chris Cornell post-Soundgarden, pre-Audioslave, July 17, 2006

By	Murat Batmaz (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Following the demise of Soundgarden in 1997, everyone was curious what Chris Cornell would do next. Would he immerse himself in another band where he could display his blood-curdling screams or would he surprise everyone with something totally different? He chose the latter. With Natasha Shneider on keys and Alain Johannes on guitars, Cornell found the opportunity to break away from his heavily Zeppelin and Sabbath-rooted musical background, and he also asked some other musicians to make an appearance on the record.

The result is a very diverse album, highlighting Cornell's immediately identifiable vocals and relatively simpler songwriting. That said, he had the chance to incorporate a multitude of other instruments, including tambourine, theremin, and timpani. Besides the trademark blues rock-ridden songs that helped Cornell make a name for himself, he also digs deep into psychedelia, best heard on "Preaching the End of the World", a song that finds Cornell opting for thick, Radiohead-like arrangements, lofty acoustics, and a strange mix of keyboard and guitar effects. Not too different is "Disappearing One", guesting Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron with its moving vocal melodies, shimmering keyboards and even a vague clarinet addition.

Surely, Soundgarden fans expecting a very heavy record with meaty guitars and lots of aggressive vocals will be sorely disappointed. But they need to realize Euphoria Morning was meant to be different way before Cornell started working on it. Solo projects serve the purpose of letting the artists express themselves in ways they are unable to in their own bands. And considering this, Euphoria Morning is a huge success. That said, there are still some songs where the band behind Cornell churns out some rocking riffs and rhythms, such as "Flutter Girl" and especially "Pillow of Your Bones" during the chorus. The former starts out in an almost poppy fashion but quickly picks up a playful funk bass line and is finished off with a cool blues lead; whereas the latter is more straightforward, employing lots of acoustic and electric guitars as well as weird percussion work. The final song "Steel Rain" is also a number that alternates between decidedly heavier parts and more haunting, ominous moments. The ethnic drumming (great tabla rhythms) on this track is quite experimental given Cornell's music with Soundgarden and later on with Audioslave.

"Follow My Way" and "When I'm Down" are the most moving songs, with the latter featuring a deft piano and organ melody beneath Cornell's heartfelt delivery. This is another song that embraces his love for bluesy guitar work and it also features some female backing harmonies during its pre-chorus. Similarly, the title track is a passionate piece where Cornell sings entirely a capella over acoustic guitars. There are no other instruments; Cornell plays his guitar and simply sings his heart out. A remix of the effect-laden "Mission" would later be included on the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack while "Moonchild" became a minor hit with its eerie atmosphere along with the opening song "Can't Change Me", perhaps the most modern-sounding, upbeat song on the album. Despite being only three minutes though, its flow is majestic, borrowing harmonica, tambourine and shimmering keyboards that climax at the final second.

My European copy of the album contains a very different version of the opening song, with French lyrics, accordion, mandolin, and female vocals backing Cornell. The song returns to its English chorus at one point, but the rest is all delivered in French and perhaps more engaging than the original version in some ways.

Chris Cornell is one of the greatest voices in rock and this solo album is testimony to his greatness. When freed from any band restrictions, the man is capable of crafting some of the most moving and brutally honest songs ever.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chris Cornell is the BOMB!, January 4, 2000

By	cameron (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

this CD is nothing short of brilliant! i was the person who had only heard a few Soundgarden songs here and there but I always thought his voice was moving. as soon as I heard "Can't Change Me" I knew I had to have his CD. i'm a 23 year old black rapper form Los Angeles (doesn't seem like this would be my first choice in music right?) BUT I dabble in other types of music besides rap. Chris' CD actually serves as motivation for me. I can throw in "Preaching To The End Of The World" and turn around and write some of the best lyrics I've ever written; weird but true. For those who didn't seem too interested at first, give it a chance....you won't regret it!