I've made a decision. It's Superunknown.

pirlo21

I've finally decided that Soundgarden's 'Superunknown' is my all time favourite album!!

I'm not gonna be so arrogant as to say "it's the best", because like any art form, it's all down to personal taste and opinion.

After nearly 15 years, it's easily the album I listen to the most and get the most out of.
Only Pearl Jam's 'Vs' and Blind Melon's 'Soup' come anywhere near.

I just find it incredible that an album with so many obvious influences, can still manage to sound totally unique, original and innovative.
You can hear the slow, sludgy riffs of Black Sabbath. The mystical musings of mid-career Led Zeppelin. The psychedelic rock of Pink Floyd. The pop melodies of the Beatles. As well as hints of AC/DC, Tom Waits & Grateful Dead.
But despite all this, the album sounds unlike anything I've ever heard.

It's not just the flagship songs, the title track, 'Fell On Black Days', 'Spoonman' & 'Black Hole Sun', that make the album great. The lyrics and the textured layering of the sound make 'Let Me Drown', 'My Wave', 'Mailman' & 'Fresh Tendrils' more than just straight forward rockers.
Then there's the doomsday, apocalyptic feel to 'Limo Wreck', 'Day I Tried To Live' & '4th Of July'. Had it not been written years earlier, 'Limo Wreck' could easily have been about 9/11.

The beauty of the lyrics to 'Like Suicide' and the left field Eastern sound of 'Half' just add to the complexity of the album.

When you consider that Soundgarden are the only band from the 90s Alt/Rock scene that could get away with a track like 'Head Down' and the fact that 'She Likes Surprises' could easily have been found on a Beatles album, is just the final tick in the box for me.

This, of course, along side Chris Cornell's unparalleled vocals, Kim Thayil's unique guitar sound, and also that drummer Matt Cameron & bassist Ben Shepherd add so much as songwriters and not just as musicians.

Feel free to agree or disagree. It only my opinion!

Ledbetterus

pirlo21 wrote:

I've finally decided that Soundgarden's 'Superunknown' is my all time favourite album!!

I'm not gonna be so arrogant as to say "it's the best", because like any art form, it's all down to personal taste and opinion.

After nearly 15 years, it's easily the album I listen to the most and get the most out of.
Only Pearl Jam's 'Vs' and Blind Melon's 'Soup' come anywhere near.

I just find it incredible that an album with so many obvious influences, can still manage to sound totally unique, original and innovative.
You can hear the slow, sludgy riffs of Black Sabbath. The mystical musings of mid-career Led Zeppelin. The psychedelic rock of Pink Floyd. The pop melodies of the Beatles. As well as hints of AC/DC, Tom Waits & Grateful Dead.
But despite all this, the album sounds unlike anything I've ever heard.

It's not just the flagship songs, the title track, 'Fell On Black Days', 'Spoonman' & 'Black Hole Sun', that make the album great. The lyrics and the textured layering of the sound make 'Let Me Drown', 'My Wave', 'Mailman' & 'Fresh Tendrils' more than just straight forward rockers.
Then there's the doomsday, apocalyptic feel to 'Limo Wreck', 'Day I Tried To Live' & '4th Of July'. Had it not been written years earlier, 'Limo Wreck' could easily have been about 9/11.

The beauty of the lyrics to 'Like Suicide' and the left field Eastern sound of 'Half' just add to the complexity of the album.

When you consider that Soundgarden are the only band from the 90s Alt/Rock scene that could get away with a track like 'Head Down' and the fact that 'She Likes Surprises' could easily have been found on a Beatles album, is just the final tick in the box for me.

This, of course, along side Chris Cornell's unparalleled vocals, Kim Thayil's unique guitar sound, and also that drummer Matt Cameron & bassist Ben Shepherd add so much as songwriters and not just as musicians.

Feel free to agree or disagree. It only my opinion!

I agree that Superunknown is a great album. I'm glad you've found you're all-time favorite album

I still am looking for mine. It honestly changes every day/week/month/year. I like/love a lot of albums out there. I thought I had my favorite 12ish years ago when I discovered Dark Side of the Moon. Which lead to Animals, which quickly became my favorite Pink Floyd album. Over the years I have grown in and out of many phases. I was on a huge Beatles kick for a while there, which lead to another huge John Lennon phase. Somehow I got around around to Green Day a little bit too.

The thing is, the only band I've consistently listened to for as long as I was able to form my own coherent conclusions, is Pearl Jam. Strangely, I cannot for the life of me pick my "all-time" favorite. I think I just like the bands entire body of work so much that it's all gold to me.

And as I read this, without any sleep yet, I for some reason am taken by the fact that I don't have an all-time favorite album. Maybe I need sleep.

Julien

Superunknown is a great album, without any doubt. It's not my all time favorite but it's obviously in my top 10...
Nothing's bad on that album. And i like the production. and the cover. and everything about it.

hendrix78

Awesome, awesome record. Just yesterday, I was listening to Let Me Drown while working out. I'd really forgotten how much ass that song kicks. I actually like Badmotorfinger just a little bit better though. Not really sure why, but it sticks with me a little more than Superunknown. If I was trying to introduce someone to Soungarden, though, I'd definitely give them Superunknown.

reversedarwinism

Great album. Its the top album for me battling with BMF and VS. PJ, SG, and RH are just the best. I've gone through many favorites. A complete 2+ months of just Beatles, LZ is my first true love, Neil is the greatest and right there with those 1st three.

SUK: Its so dense with .... fucking SOUNDgarden... a brilliant output by a band that is the best ever, IMO. Some of Cornell's songs were instant classic rock, but classic rock of the best quality. And the rest of the album is unbelieveable Fresh tendrills, Mailman, suk, 4th, everything on it fuckin-a it. Crazy mood, by the guys that were best at that expression.... Hard to think of an album that good.

And then its ends with:

Heard it from another room
Eyes were waking up just to fall asleep
Love's like suicide
Dazed out in a garden bed
With a broken neck lays my broken gift
Just like suicide

And my last ditch
Was my last brick
Lent to finish her
Finish her

Bit down on the bullet now
I had a taste so sour
I had to think of something sweet
Love's like suicide
Safe outside my gilded cage
With an ounce of pain
I wield a ton of rage
Just like suicide

With eyes of blood
And bitter blue
How I feel for you
I feel for you

She lived like a murder
How she'd fly so sweetly
She lived like a murder
But she died
Just like suicide

Get_Right

GREAT record

my all time fav

tough

led zep 2 or Europe 72 (GD)

blinddogsdontbelieve

pirlo21 wrote:

I've finally decided that Soundgarden's 'Superunknown' is my all time favourite album!!

I'm not gonna be so arrogant as to say "it's the best", because like any art form, it's all down to personal taste and opinion.

After nearly 15 years, it's easily the album I listen to the most and get the most out of.
Only Pearl Jam's 'Vs' and Blind Melon's 'Soup' come anywhere near.

I just find it incredible that an album with so many obvious influences, can still manage to sound totally unique, original and innovative.
You can hear the slow, sludgy riffs of Black Sabbath. The mystical musings of mid-career Led Zeppelin. The psychedelic rock of Pink Floyd. The pop melodies of the Beatles. As well as hints of AC/DC, Tom Waits & Grateful Dead.
But despite all this, the album sounds unlike anything I've ever heard.

It's not just the flagship songs, the title track, 'Fell On Black Days', 'Spoonman' & 'Black Hole Sun', that make the album great. The lyrics and the textured layering of the sound make 'Let Me Drown', 'My Wave', 'Mailman' & 'Fresh Tendrils' more than just straight forward rockers.
Then there's the doomsday, apocalyptic feel to 'Limo Wreck', 'Day I Tried To Live' & '4th Of July'. Had it not been written years earlier, 'Limo Wreck' could easily have been about 9/11.

The beauty of the lyrics to 'Like Suicide' and the left field Eastern sound of 'Half' just add to the complexity of the album.

When you consider that Soundgarden are the only band from the 90s Alt/Rock scene that could get away with a track like 'Head Down' and the fact that 'She Likes Surprises' could easily have been found on a Beatles album, is just the final tick in the box for me.

This, of course, along side Chris Cornell's unparalleled vocals, Kim Thayil's unique guitar sound, and also that drummer Matt Cameron & bassist Ben Shepherd add so much as songwriters and not just as musicians.

Feel free to agree or disagree. It only my opinion!

Could'nt have said it better myself! A truly amazing album from an amazing band.

i like matt.c

Superunknown is awesome! It's not my fav but it's definitely a good one to have as a favourite. Everything about it is perfect.

uninnocent

can't argue with your decision.

Edved82

uninnocent wrote:

can't argue with your decision.

seconded. makes cornell's current solo work all the more puzzling :O

facepollution

reversedarwinism wrote:

Heard it from another room
Eyes were waking up just to fall asleep
Love's like suicide
Dazed out in a garden bed
With a broken neck lays my broken gift
Just like suicide

And my last ditch
Was my last brick
Lent to finish her
Finish her

Bit down on the bullet now
I had a taste so sour
I had to think of something sweet
Love's like suicide
Safe outside my gilded cage
With an ounce of pain
I wield a ton of rage
Just like suicide

With eyes of blood
And bitter blue
How I feel for you
I feel for you

She lived like a murder
How she'd fly so sweetly
She lived like a murder
But she died
Just like suicide

I think a lot of the Cornell bashers would do well to actually listen to that song. It is, in my opinion, absolute perfection, musically, lyrically and the vocals are just immense.

jamie uk

It's a grand record, but it's not even my favourite Soundgarden album. Surely that accolade must go to the wonderous, most awesome Badmotorfinger !!

catefrances

jamie uk wrote:

It's a grand record, but it's not even my favourite Soundgarden album. Surely that accolade must go to the wonderous, most awesome Badmotorfinger !!

i second that emotion mr. jones.

nowayimfaithfull

pirlo21 wrote:

I've finally decided that Soundgarden's 'Superunknown' is my all time favourite album!!

I'm not gonna be so arrogant as to say "it's the best", because like any art form, it's all down to personal taste and opinion.

After nearly 15 years, it's easily the album I listen to the most and get the most out of.
Only Pearl Jam's 'Vs' and Blind Melon's 'Soup' come anywhere near.

I just find it incredible that an album with so many obvious influences, can still manage to sound totally unique, original and innovative.
You can hear the slow, sludgy riffs of Black Sabbath. The mystical musings of mid-career Led Zeppelin. The psychedelic rock of Pink Floyd. The pop melodies of the Beatles. As well as hints of AC/DC, Tom Waits & Grateful Dead.
But despite all this, the album sounds unlike anything I've ever heard.

It's not just the flagship songs, the title track, 'Fell On Black Days', 'Spoonman' & 'Black Hole Sun', that make the album great. The lyrics and the textured layering of the sound make 'Let Me Drown', 'My Wave', 'Mailman' & 'Fresh Tendrils' more than just straight forward rockers.
Then there's the doomsday, apocalyptic feel to 'Limo Wreck', 'Day I Tried To Live' & '4th Of July'. Had it not been written years earlier, 'Limo Wreck' could easily have been about 9/11.

The beauty of the lyrics to 'Like Suicide' and the left field Eastern sound of 'Half' just add to the complexity of the album.

When you consider that Soundgarden are the only band from the 90s Alt/Rock scene that could get away with a track like 'Head Down' and the fact that 'She Likes Surprises' could easily have been found on a Beatles album, is just the final tick in the box for me.

This, of course, along side Chris Cornell's unparalleled vocals, Kim Thayil's unique guitar sound, and also that drummer Matt Cameron & bassist Ben Shepherd add so much as songwriters and not just as musicians.

Feel free to agree or disagree. It only my opinion!

Its actually my fav too.

Hebejebe

jamie uk wrote:

It's a grand record, but it's not even my favourite Soundgarden album. Surely that accolade must go to the wonderous, most awesome Badmotorfinger !!

I'd agree that Badmotorfinger is their best album. Must be honest though, I'm not particularly keen on Soundgarden any more, kinda out grown them.

Brisk.

nah man

badmotorfinger ftw!

OutOfBreath

I can second the sentiment. I think superunkown is among my top 10 of all time actually. Or at least close. It's one of those albums that I can still pick up from time to time, give it a couple of spins, and realize yet again what a great record that is. One of those stayer albums that never get old. Or in other words: classic.

Peace
Dan

HermanBloom

pirlo21 wrote:

I've finally decided that Soundgarden's 'Superunknown' is my all time favourite album!!

I'm not gonna be so arrogant as to say "it's the best", because like any art form, it's all down to personal taste and opinion.

After nearly 15 years, it's easily the album I listen to the most and get the most out of.
Only Pearl Jam's 'Vs' and Blind Melon's 'Soup' come anywhere near.

I just find it incredible that an album with so many obvious influences, can still manage to sound totally unique, original and innovative.
You can hear the slow, sludgy riffs of Black Sabbath. The mystical musings of mid-career Led Zeppelin. The psychedelic rock of Pink Floyd. The pop melodies of the Beatles. As well as hints of AC/DC, Tom Waits & Grateful Dead.
But despite all this, the album sounds unlike anything I've ever heard.

It's not just the flagship songs, the title track, 'Fell On Black Days', 'Spoonman' & 'Black Hole Sun', that make the album great. The lyrics and the textured layering of the sound make 'Let Me Drown', 'My Wave', 'Mailman' & 'Fresh Tendrils' more than just straight forward rockers.
Then there's the doomsday, apocalyptic feel to 'Limo Wreck', 'Day I Tried To Live' & '4th Of July'. Had it not been written years earlier, 'Limo Wreck' could easily have been about 9/11.

The beauty of the lyrics to 'Like Suicide' and the left field Eastern sound of 'Half' just add to the complexity of the album.

When you consider that Soundgarden are the only band from the 90s Alt/Rock scene that could get away with a track like 'Head Down' and the fact that 'She Likes Surprises' could easily have been found on a Beatles album, is just the final tick in the box for me.

This, of course, along side Chris Cornell's unparalleled vocals, Kim Thayil's unique guitar sound, and also that drummer Matt Cameron & bassist Ben Shepherd add so much as songwriters and not just as musicians.

Feel free to agree or disagree. It only my opinion!

Nice to see that Blind Melon is up there on your list; however, Badmotorfinger is much better than Superunknown, but neither are the all time best.