It's subtle, but telling, that the cover of Audioslave's eponymous debut is designed by Storm Thorgerson, the artist behind Pink Floyd's greatest album sleeves. Thorgerson, along with Roger Dean, epitomized the look of the '70s, the era of supergroups, which is precisely what Audioslave is -- a meeting of Rage Against the Machine, minus Zack de la Rocha, with former Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell. Though both bands were leading lights of alt-metal in the '90s, the two c...   [ read more ]

CD $9.49

The fact that Audioslave only has one album makes the intent of this quickie tribute suspect. And though the band's self-titled debut had its weak moments, there's no question that the union of a de la Rocha-less Rage Against the Machine with Mr. Huge Voice, Chris Cornell, is an interesting dynamic that's hard to fake. "The Highway Sun All-stars" -- in other words, the studio musicians hired for this job -- can't make their guitars melt like Tom Morello or scream out of hell like {$Cornel...   [ read more ]

CD $10.43

This should probably be called "The String Quartet Tribute to Chris Cornell and Audioslave," since it draws on the vocalist's Soundgarden past while running through highlights of his album with the guys from Rage. Of the six interpretations of Audioslave, the roaring "Cochise" is a strong start, and the layered cello and violins work wonders with the urgent underpinnings and swaying melody of "Like a Stone." The musicians have some fun with the introduction to "Rusty Cage," trans...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13