Classic 90's Album Review: Superunknown by Soundgarden

For many of today's 30-somethings, the best music to come out of the '90s was alternative and grunge, arguably led by Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam. A crowning achievement during this era was Soundgarden's Superunknown, released in 1994.

They had released three previous albums: 1988's Ultramega OK; 1989's Louder Than Love; and 1991's Badmotorfinger, none of which catapulted them to mainstream success. With the release of Superunknown, however, Soundgarden found themselves at the forefront of '90s alternative rock.

The album opens with the bone-crushingly powerful "Let Me Drown," in which vocalist Chris Cornell bellows the dark lyrics:

Stretch the bones over my skin
Stretch the skin over my head
I'm going to the holy land

So begins an album of murky lyrical themes, wailing guitar, pounding drums, and brilliantly sinister vocals. Perhaps one of the first singles that the majority of young listeners heard was the third track, "Fell On Black Days," which bombarded the airwaves and made its presence known on MTV during its heyday.

Like most of the tracks, "Black Days" features some of the ominous lyrics that personify the entire album:

Whatsoever I've feared has come to life
And whomsoever I've fought off became my life
Just when every day seemed to greet me with a smile
Sunspots have faded; now I'm doing time.

This song also prominently displays some of the skillful guitar work of Kim Thayil, who gained a devoted fan base through this album and later endeavors. Yet another notable solo of Thayil's can be heard in "Black Hole Sun," which some may consider the best Soundgarden track of all time.

"Black Hole Sun" is memorable for the eerie reverb effect on Thayil's guitar throughout the verses, in addition to its apocalyptic lyrics:

In my eyes, indisposed
In disguise as no one knows
Hides the face, lies the snake
In the sun, in my disgrace

Its accompanying music video, too, has achieved legendary status. The promo incorporates a twisted look at modern-day suburban life, with a visual representation of the "black hole sun" in the lyrics obliterating all the residents of a deceptively pleasant town.

Officially, the album's first single was track 8, "Spoonman," inspired by Santa Cruz, California street performer Artis the Spoonman, according to Wikipedia's entry "Spoonman."

The song itself is highly rhythmic, and actually features Artis the Spoonman on "spoons," according to the liner notes. The Wikipedia article also states that Artis uses various other unconventional forms of percussion in his music.

The title track "Superunknown" is probably better known (no pun intended) to devoted fans than casual listeners. It fits beautifully right next to its neighboring tracks, with lyrics evoking paranoia and schizophrenia:

If you don't want to be seen
You don't have to hide
If you don't want to believe
Well, you don't have to try
To feel alive

Alive in the Superunknown
First it steals your mind
And then it steals your soul

Near the album's end is the heavily distorted "4th of July," beginning with a dissonant guitar riff that continues throughout. The lyrics, which have been widely interpreted by fans and critics alike, seem to foretell nuclear holocaust:

Shower in the dark day
Clean sparks diving down
Cool in the waterway
Where the baptized drown

Naked in the cold sun
Breathing life like fire
I thought I was the only one
But that was just a lie

Debatably, the most powerful song on Superunknown is reserved for the end, namely "Like Suicide." Allegedly, Cornell was inspired to write the song when he found a bird dying in a garden outside his home, and decided to put it out of its misery, according to Songfacts.com.

What gives "Like Suicide" its vigor, however, aren't merely the lyrics; the interplay of the band is incredible. Beginning with Matt Cameron's solid drumming, and Cornell's low, intimidating vocals, the song builds in intensity right up to the very end, in which Cornell intones: "She lived like a murder/But she died just like suicide."

If you love '90s grunge and never had the chance to get your hands on a copy of Superunknown, do so today. You certainly won't regret it. Wondering where to find the album? See below:

Amazon.com: Superunknown by Soundgarden

CD Universe: Soundgarden Superunknown CD

Overstock: Soundgarden - Superunknown

Artist Direct: Soundgarden - Superunknown

MusicMP3.RU: Soundgarden - Superunknown