Chris Cornell interview by Chridtopher John Farley, Wall Street Journal

As the frontman for the band Soundgarden, Chris Cornell was at the vanguard of the 1990s alternative-rock boom that launched such seminal groups as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Now, with "Scream," his third album as a solo artist, Mr. Cornell is taking a break from pure rock and embracing R&B and hip-hop. His album, due out on Tuesday, was executive produced by hip-hopper Timbaland. Mr. Cornell says he originally contacted Timbaland to do a few remixes, but the two quickly hit it off and decided to record original material. Mr. Cornell is known for his raw rock vocals, but on much of this album his singing is more soulful, and his voice is accompanied by beats that are more common to dance floors than mosh pits. Mr. Cornell talked about three tracks from "Scream."

'Ground Zero'

Over a restless groove punctuated by yelps and turntable scratches, Mr. Cornell sings, "When all the world keeps holding on to ground zero/ we'll end it all with war." He says that he wrote this song in response to the reaction that many other people had to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. "There's another tragedy to what happened on 9/11 which is that it's sort of been used as a way to intimidate Americans into supporting American policies that were really bad," says Mr. Cornell.

'Take Me Alive'

When pop singer Justin Timberlake, a frequent Timbaland collaborator, popped by a recording session, Mr. Cornell was quick to incorporate his background vocals into this Indian-flavored song. "[Justin] immediately kind of went into the vocal booth and said, 'Oh, I've got an idea,' and started singing this melody that ended up being the chorus of the song," says Mr. Cornell. "It was really amazing to watch. This guy works really fast and is an incredible singer."

'Scream'

This cathartic midtempo track, which features a spoken interlude by Timbaland, is about "communication breakdown" in relationships. "That's one of the most universal songs I've ever been able to do," says Mr. Cornell. "I've been performing it over the last couple months and seen the reaction of people who have never heard the song before, and halfway though the first chorus they're singing it back to me."



	A Rocker Gets a New Groove The ex-Soundgarden singer works with hip-hopper Timbaland by christopher john farley, wall street journal, march 2008
	As the frontman for the band Soundgarden, Chris Cornell was at the vanguard of the 1990s alternative-rock boom that launched such seminal groups as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Now, with "Scream," his third album as a solo artist, Mr. Cornell is taking a break from pure rock and embracing R&B and hip-hop. His album, due out on Tuesday, was executive produced by hip-hopper Timbaland. Mr. Cornell says he originally contacted Timbaland to do a few remixes, but the two quickly hit it off and decided to record original material. Mr. Cornell is known for his raw rock vocals, but on much of this album his singing is more soulful, and his voice is accompanied by beats that are more common to dance floors than mosh pits. Mr. Cornell talked about three tracks from "Scream." 'Ground Zero' Over a restless groove punctuated by yelps and turntable scratches, Mr. Cornell sings, "When all the world keeps holding on to ground zero/ we'll end it all with war." He says that he wrote this song in response to the reaction that many other people had to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. "There's another tragedy to what happened on 9/11 which is that it's sort of been used as a way to intimidate Americans into supporting American policies that were really bad," says Mr. Cornell. 'Take Me Alive' When pop singer Justin Timberlake, a frequent Timbaland collaborator, popped by a recording session, Mr. Cornell was quick to incorporate his background vocals into this Indian-flavored song. "[Justin] immediately kind of went into the vocal booth and said, 'Oh, I've got an idea,' and started singing this melody that ended up being the chorus of the song," says Mr. Cornell. "It was really amazing to watch. This guy works really fast and is an incredible singer." 'Scream' This cathartic midtempo track, which features a spoken interlude by Timbaland, is about "communication breakdown" in relationships. "That's one of the most universal songs I've ever been able to do," says Mr. Cornell. "I've been performing it over the last couple months and seen the reaction of people who have never heard the song before, and halfway though the first chorus they're singing it back to me." Reprinted from wsj.com- originally available as an online feature here
	Chris Cornell Fan Page © Clare O'Brien 2009

The ex-Soundgarden singer works with hip-hopper Timbaland

'Ground Zero'

'Take Me Alive'