An Uplifting Review of Soundgarden's "Superunknown"

[Vyn]

"Superunknown" by Soundgarden—where optimism goes to die and the guitars are tuned to the frequency of existential hopelessness. In this recording, Soundgarden masterfully crafts a tapestry of despair, painting with every shade of black imaginable. And a few they invented. It’s a magnificent monument to misery, so overwhelmingly bleak it circles back to being impressive. If there was ever a doubt that grunge could make you feel like embracing the abyss with open arms, this album puts it to rest.

"Let Me Drown" – Kicking things off with a title that doubles as a cry for help, Soundgarden wastes no time plunging us into the deep end. It's like they're saying, "Welcome to our party! The theme? Perpetual sorrow." And you better believe the guitar riffs are as thick as the melancholy in the air.

"My Wave" – This one's a bit catchier, giving you that false sense of hope before you remember the lyrics are basically telling everyone to back off and mind their business. It's the musical equivalent of a "No Trespassing" sign, but with a guitar solo.

"Fell on Black Days" – Ah, the soundtrack to realizing your life’s highlight reel is just varying shades of grey. If there was ever a song to make you ponder every wrong turn you've ever taken, this is it. Chris Cornell’s vocals soar through the misery, reminding us that yes, it can always get worse.

"Mailman" – Here, Cornell decides to serenade us with the joys of being metaphorically walked all over. It's like receiving a love letter that’s just a detailed account of your personal failings. And yet, you can't help but admire the craftsmanship.

"Superunknown" – The title track, where the band decides to explore every avenue of existential dread, just in case you hadn't caught on yet. It's an invitation to a journey where the destination is always obscured by fog. Of enlightenment or confusion? Soundgarden leaves that for you to decide.

"Head Down" – A title that could double as advice on how to listen to this album. There’s a certain beauty in its somber tone, a reminder that if you’re not at least a little sad, you’re probably not paying attention.

"Black Hole Sun" – The pièce de résistance of despair. It's as if Soundgarden looked at the concept of a black hole and thought, "Yes, but what if it was sadder?" A song so bleak, even the sun doesn't want to stick around.

"Spoonman" – Finally, a song that sounds like it might be about something other than emotional turmoil—until you listen to the lyrics. But hey, at least there are spoons! It's Soundgarden's way of saying, "We can be fun too! But also, everything is terrible."

"Limo Wreck" – A slow-building testament to the inevitability of decay and destruction. Its vivid depiction of ruin is like watching a car crash in slow motion, if the car was your hopes and dreams.

"The Day I Tried to Live" – Soundgarden kindly reminds us that even the effort to escape the gloom is a journey fraught with peril. It’s an anthem for the try-hards, the optimists who didn’t get the memo that we’re all doomed.

"Kickstand" – With a runtime that barely gives you time to catch your breath, this one's a sprint. It's as if they realized they were being a bit heavy-handed and decided to throw in a quick, "But we can do upbeat, too!" Spoiler: It's still about disillusionment.

"Fresh Tendrils" – The musical equivalent of a foggy morning in a graveyard, offering a moody atmosphere that makes you contemplate the fleeting nature of existence. Because, why not?

"4th of July" – In which Soundgarden celebrates Independence Day by diving into the heart of darkness. The guitar riffs are as fiery as fireworks, if those fireworks were actually just more black holes.

"Half" – This one's a bit of an oddball in the doom and gloom, like finding a single ray of sunshine in a storm. Except the sunshine is also kind of depressing.

"Like Suicide" – Ending the album on a cheery note, are we? It's a haunting closer that makes sure if you hadn’t already contemplated the void, you’re definitely doing it now.

fin

[Zzzptm]

I remember getting this album after Badmotorfinger, hoping it would be more together than the previous release, which I thought was about 40% good.

I then remember playing it and going like "wait wut" as there were a total of 2 songs that really rocked out. Well, 1.5, given the time "Kickstand" is allowed to exist.

I then thought like "no way" and played it again and got kinda ticked off that even though it was one of those 11 CDs for a penny, provided you buy 8 more at vastly inflated prices deals, I could've gotten a different CD for my 1/11th of a cent.

I wound up liking less of this album than the previous one, swore off of Soundgarden, ripped only 2 tracks from it and never bothered listening to it at any time this century. It stayed in the 90s for me.

[Vyn]

Superunknown is such a poster-child for dated music - if I had to pick one Soundgarden song as representative of the mid-90's Seattle sound, it would be a song by Alice in Chains.

[Charger]

I could say few things about soundgarden and grunge in general but I feel like I don't need to...

[Zzzptm]

I'll be happy to say a few...

Grunge had a nice aesthetic with the flannel shirts. Quite comfy, really. Could have done more with that.

But slowing everything down only works for funk and soul. You need more fast rockers if your band's playing rock. Otherwise, it's over-amplified Linda Rondstadt with a depressive twist. Shoegaze, sludge, and screamo are other styles I can live happily without.