Badmotorfinger Review

Release Date: 1991
Label: A&M
Genres: Alternative Pop/Rock, Heavy Metal, Grunge, Alternative Metal
Number Of Tracks: 12
Badmotorfinger is perhaps Soundgarden at their prime -a tumultous, pummeling titan equal parts Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, with a psychedelic metal tinge.

Sound:	9.8
Lyrics:	9
Impression:	9.8
Overall rating:	9.5
Users rating:	9.4
Comments:	40

Featured review by: unregistered, on march 07, 2006

Sound: I don't care what some other people say about Soungarden. This is a metal album, and a hell of a good one at that. Lead guitarist Kim Thayil coaxes some Tom Morello-like sounds from his instrument, using shrill feedback and various other effects. He pounds out numerous memorable riffs, from the opening frenzy, Rusty Cage, to the album epic (and my favorite), Slaves and Bulldozers. Chris Cornell shrieks like a madman, and is versatile enough to tone it down when the occasion calls. I swear, he could peel paint off the walls with his Robert Plant impression. He's easily one of the best vocalists of all time. As for the overall sound of this album, it's much more raw than it's follow-up, the smash hit Superunknown. While I do recommend that album too, this is the essential album for the average rock and metal fan. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: I have always thought that Chris Cornell wrote mediocre lyrics, especially now that he's formed Audioslave. But, he just sings them with so much conviction, I can't help but listen to every word he's saying. Although the lyrics on this album are decent. // 8

Impression: My pick for one of the best albums of the early '90s, along with Rage Against The Machine's debut. It's a shame that Badmotorfinger was lost among the mainstream successes surrounding them, like Ten from pearl jam and Nevermind from Nirvana, but this is still a great pick up. But if you're looking for that mainstream quality, I also recommend Superunknown, their Blockbuster follow-up, although it's a completely different album. // 9

overall: 9

Reviewed by: sicformyage, on december 20, 2006

Sound: When I hear this album, I said to myself, "Wow, they must have been really high when they wrote it.". Witch is pretty cool. It's a calm record that has a few upbeat songs. I listen to this album when I sleep, or when I'm angry I'll listen to slayer, or some other thrash band, then this to calm myself down. The sound of it is very low tuned but not like the nu-metal low tuned. it's only dropped 1 step with E at D flat. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: I love the lyrics. I was suprised at what the songs were about, and how Chris Cornell sang them. The lyrics to with the music very well. The music is slow sad kind of music, so are the lyrics. Like in "Outshined" He sings "I'm lookin' California/But feelin' Minasota." It's just awesome. I could go on and on about how Chris sings, But for times sake, I'm going to say he's a damn god singer. // 8

Impression: This is the only soundgarden album I own, But I have heard a few others. I think superunkown is probably the better album. But it sounds to me like he uses weird tunings on most of the songs. I first got this album for learning on guitar, but now I use it to relax, and I think that if your getting it for guitar work, get superunknown, but it's your choice. I think the most impressive song on this album is 'New Damage'. It's an epic. But most of the songs on this album are made to be like epic songs. Most of the riffs are very heavy like in 'Outshined' and 'Rusty Cage'. This album remains my favorite grunge album. If this album were stolen or lost I would rent it from my library again. If I had bought it I would have bought something else because I feel the need to have more influences. If I were to buy something else it would be blues, not grunge. But anyway, the whole album is awesome. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: slowhand91, on may 16, 2008

Sound: Soundgarden are easily one of the greatest bands of the 90s, perhaps even all-time, and Badmotorfinger is them at the peak of their musicianship, passion and intensity. The sound on this album is 100% raw, unbridled hard rock with heavy, detuned guitar thunder and piercing vocals to match. It might not be as musically mature as later efforts, but the amount of energy present makes up for it ten fold. Easily the heaviest record of the grunge era next to Dirt. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Chris Cornell's lyrical abilities are simply amazing. His master of metaphore and phrasing is second to none, and his voice is godly. This album really shows off his talent, especially as a vocalist. Take note to Slaves & Bulldozers and Jesus Christ Pose. // 10

Impression: Rusty Cage- The breakdown from a fast, frantic rocker to a sludgy, pounding riff make this one of the best on the disc. Outshined- Heavy riff. Ripping vocals. Slaves & Bulldozers- What a song! Very heavy. Props to Chris on this one, he really screams his lungs out. Jesus Christ Pose- A frenetic song with superb musicainship, especially on Matt Cameron's part. Face Pollution- A short and uptempo little song. Very cool. Somewhere- Time to slow it down a bit. Love the melody and chorus on this one. Searching With my Good Eye Closed- Amazing. The riff is so haunting and the lyrics are phenominal. Room A 1000 Years Wide- Carrying the mistique of the last track over, this one rocks a little harder. Awesome. Mind Riot- I adore this track. The melody, the vocals, the lyrics, the musicianship, everything. The best slow track on here. Drawing Flies- Another short, fast one like Face Pollution. Holy Water- Midtempo rocker with cool vocals by Cornell, as always. New Damage- The only track I'm not too fond of. It closes the album well and Chris really sings on this one. It just never stood out to me. Overall, Badmotorfinger should be in anybody's collection if they're a fan of hard rock. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: RATM_Rocha, on june 24, 2006

Sound: Personally I love Soundgarden, they should have been the grunge heroes of the early '90s, And this CD proves how Soundgarden should have been the heroes of grunge, not Nirvana. Chris, Matt, Kim etc. put the record together very well, with different mixes of music, from slaves and bulldozers to jesus christ pose to searching with my good eye closed! A very good mix of grunge metal which fits together to make one hell of an album, that got cancelled out by Nirvana's "Nevermind." // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics vary from song to song, Cornell doesn't sing with the same voice twice, the lyrics just blew me away "And you stare at me in your Jesus Christ Pose, Arms held out, Like you've been carrying a load." Lyrics like that blew me away, Cornell is a real genius, and my favorite lyricist. Cornells voice fits in well with the drums, the bass, and guitar, he knows what note to hit his voice out, Cornell is just a pure Genius, without him I don't like I'd be into metal/grunge, I'd be liking that MC crap if it wasn't for Cornell, thanks Chris. // 10

Impression: This is the best grunge album ever in my opinion, beating out rivals like Pearl Jam's "Ten", Nirvana's "Nevermind" And Alice in Chains "Dirt", And the best grunge song of all time "Jesus Christ Pose" Destroys All other grunge! My Favorite songs off the album are "Outshined," "Slaves And Bulldozers," "Face Pollution," "Rusty Cage" and the all time Classic "Jesus Christ Pose" (what a song). I love everything about this album, the riffs, the vocals, the complex drum beats, everything is amazing. There is nothing bad about it, apart from the artwork on the front, I'm not too keen on that, but oh well, Its still a belter album. If it was stolen, I would be right down to HMV even if it's midnight and buy it, I can't live without this CD. // 10

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: MorbidAngel333, on march 13, 2006

Sound: Ths album is a sonic force to be reckoned with. Cornell's vocal abilities combined with fuzzed out guitars, basslines and powerful drumming make this album devastating and inspiring all at the same time. In the early '90s Soundgarden, even with their handful of hit songs, were real grunge kings. During this time period, while most others were pushing along power ballads or having overnight dance music succeses, Soundgarden were the supreme beings of grunge music, and their third album proves this further. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Chris Conell's religious insights and intellectual lyrics move along nicely with the rhythm section. Whether he sings of being breaking away, being outshined, freedom, or jesus christ, the feeling of overcoming obstacles usually comes across. // 9

Impression: Compared to it's most prominent pier, Pearl Jam's Ten, this album does much better as far as vocals, song structure, and overall talent. Rusty Cage, Outshined, Slaves and Bulldozers and Holy Water are among my favorites, but every song on the album is far better than anything else from their counterparts. I love the way the album flows along rampaging heavily through time at a nice pace, never too fast nor too slow. There's nothing I can say I dislike about this album, and I would definitley have to buy it again, but it's not like I would let anything happen to it. // 10

Comments

[SoundofSeattle]

i always found the single outshined so ironic in light of this album, they way it was 'cancelled out by nirvana's nevermind'

[StringsofBlack]

I thought Superunknown was a lot better. This album was alright to me.

[bassplayer496]

I can't decide between this and superunknown, and they both beat nevermind. I'm sure this will be unpopular, but I think Nirvana might be the most overrated band of all time. Grunge bands like Soundgarden, AIC, and Pearl Jam are all a lot better. What I love about Soundgarden is that they may be called grunge, but they're more metal to me. Same with AIC
~Love, Dallas~

[bassplayer496]

And by the way, I agree with Rage against the machine Rocha, Jesus Christ Pose is in my opinion the best song by any grunge band ever, one of my all time favorites.
~Love, Dallas~

[fenderdude0071]

imo dirt is a much better album

[mitch311]

I love this album ,but saying it's better then nirvanas albums is a bit extreme. If you actually listen to nirvana, you'll realize while they're rated number 1 grunge.

[con job]

mitch311 wrote:

I love this album ,but saying it's better then nirvanas albums is a bit extreme. If you actually listen to nirvana, you'll realize while they're rated number 1 grunge.

I only have one album from both bands but I gotta say i prefer Soundgarden. It's just that little more mature than Nirvanas

[StringsofBlack]

Sorry Kurt's self depravity and tongue in cheek lyrics blow Chris Cornell out of the water. Sorry guys. I mean Kurt sings "Throw down your umbilical noose, so i can climb right back." It's a perfect description of maternal bondage of sons. I love Chris Cornell (mostly because of his voice) but Kurt has him beat.

[con job]

Nah, I completely disagree. Some of Cornells lyrics in Soundagrden were good, but his solo albums lyrics beat Cobain any day.

As for Badmotorfinger, got it yesterday and it FUCKIN rocks

[montressor]

this was the album that featured the ultimate vocal power of cornell especially on slaves and bulldozers and jesus christ pose..... hey kurt cobain and chris cornell should not be compared to each other.. as far as i know.. i saw a picture of chris wearing a nirvana tshirt and kurt stating he was a big fan of soundgarden...

[Battery Chicken]

This album was way ahead of it's time, if it were released these days it would've done way better but people just didn't get it in '91.

[sevenchurches]

"I can't decide between this and superunknown, and they both beat nevermind. I'm sure this will be unpopular, but I think Nirvana might be the most overrated band of all time. Grunge bands like Soundgarden, AIC, and Pearl Jam are all a lot better. What I love about Soundgarden is that they may be called grunge, but they're more metal to me. Same with AIC
~Love, Dallas~"

Yeah but dude, those bands are great but at the same time they're as popular if not more opular than Nirvana.

Try Mudhoney, Screaming Trees and Temple of the Dog and then perhaps your comment will be validated

[uberphreak]

mitch311 wrote:

I love this album ,but saying it's better then nirvanas albums is a bit extreme. If you actually listen to nirvana, you'll realize while they're rated number 1 grunge.

I personally think Nirvana is EXTREMELY overrated. They're good, at best. Most of their stuff is fairly mediocre and boring to me. Plus, Kurt Cobain's emo-kid attitude was never something I liked. Don't ****ing flame me just because I'm 'bashing on a dead guy,' I'm not bashing him. I'm just saying I don't like his music as much as everyone else seems to. I still respect him and the band for their impact and influence on music. However, that being said, musically AIC, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam are all vastly superior IMHO.

Soundgarden is amazing. They're more original and have a better sound to me. Plus, Cornell can ****ing sing his lungs out... his voice is fantastic. I love the kind of grunge sound that could almost be considered metal... to me it's just superior to run-of-the-mill grunge. Superunknown is better, but this album is certainly great. Definitely give it a listen if you like grunge, or even if you're a metalhead. Just my two cents.

[mitch rite]

Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, AiC, Temple of the Dog, Screaming Trees, Mad Season ALL > Nirvana.

[AnimatedHand]

Soundgarden > Nirvana

Don't get me wrong, I love Nirvana, but Soundgarden were in my eyes much better. Solos better lyrics better, chunky riffs... genius

[jahyarain]

forget about superunknown. that's when they started going downhill. Badmotorfinger, then Louder Than Love, then everything before them.

[thbeekk]

When talking about the best albums from the 90s how can you possibly leave out 'Blood Sugar Sex Majik'?! Or 'The Bends'?! Come on man!

[shwilly]

Only 5 reviews of this epic powerhouse record? Guess I'm gonna ad another one as soon as I finish my exams

[mickjones76]

Superunknown is better than Badmotorfinger?

How can i say this and not get banned, i dont think I can.
Please stop posting your opinions, when fact is fact.

[axelaxe]

Battery Chicken wrote:

This album was way ahead of it's time, if it were released these days it would've done way better but people just didn't get it in '91.

????? It was huge in 1991. Of course people got it! We loved it!

[Guitarded_Guy]

thbeekk wrote:

When talking about the best albums from the 90s how can you possibly leave out 'Blood Sugar Sex Majik'?! Or 'The Bends'?! Come on man!

mate PLEASE.. were talking GRUNGE here!
dont mess it all up.

and its 'maGic' by the wayy.

[Guitarded_Guy]

thbeekk wrote:

When talking about the best albums from the 90s how can you possibly leave out 'Blood Sugar Sex Majik'?! Or 'The Bends'?! Come on man!

mate PLEASE.. were talking GRUNGE here!
and its 'magik' by the wayy.

[FloydFan89]

This album blows nirvana to shit.

[Cobalt Blue]

this is a great album, you don't have to look further then the half the track list making up like half of the best of A-sides to tell you it's a solid album. it's probably my favorite Soundgarden release, if not my favorite release of all of Chris's career.

[CapnKickass]

the cow says: MOOOOOooooOOO!

[nave890]

best 90's grunge album period, jesus christ pose, rusty cage, outshined, room of a thousand years, awesome songs, they had the talent, the awesome riffs, I think Cornell's lyrics are much better than Cobain's ,although I think that Vedder wrote the best lyrics, I love nirvana, i love AIC, and I love Pearl Jam, but this wrecks all of them

[axis56]

uberphreak wrote:

mitch311 wrote:

I love this album ,but saying it's better then nirvanas albums is a bit extreme. If you actually listen to nirvana, you'll realize while they're rated number 1 grunge.

I personally think Nirvana is EXTREMELY overrated. They're good, at best. Most of their stuff is fairly mediocre and boring to me. Plus, Kurt Cobain's emo-kid attitude was never something I liked. Don't ****ing flame me just because I'm 'bashing on a dead guy,' I'm not bashing him. I'm just saying I don't like his music as much as everyone else seems to. I still respect him and the band for their impact and influence on music. However, that being said, musically AIC, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam are all vastly superior IMHO.

Soundgarden is amazing. They're more original and have a better sound to me. Plus, Cornell can ****ing sing his lungs out... his voice is fantastic. I love the kind of grunge sound that could almost be considered metal... to me it's just superior to run-of-the-mill grunge. Superunknown is better, but this album is certainly great. Definitely give it a listen if you like grunge, or even if you're a metalhead. Just my two cents.

kurt cobain had an emo-kid attitude?????

what the **** are you saying man, he was there before it was kool he was like that because thats him, hes not sopme fag trying to look kool, listen to in utero and the unplugged album if you want to listen to quality music from nirvana

aside from that i really like soundgarden and the entirity of grunge as a whole, theres no best or worst band in the genre, ther all insane

[Dontfakedafunk]

You all have no idea what you are talking about. Sound Garden is not grunge. Alt Metal would be the correct label if you have to label. Kim Thayil said this himself in an interview with Spin. Also Chris Cornell is a great singer and good songwriter, but Kurt Cobain was a great songwriter and a mediocre singer(which is not the point of his artistry).

[Dontfakedafunk]

Soundgarden is not grunge

[redh0tchilip3pp]

mitch311 wrote:

I love this album ,but saying it's better then nirvanas albums is a bit extreme. If you actually listen to nirvana, you'll realize while they're rated number 1 grunge.

Nirvana are the worst of the 'Big 4' grunge bands.

Dontfakedafunk wrote:

Soundgarden is not grunge

Hahahahahaha.

[Coldiscool]

I love how people think there iponions on music are facts that everybody should think.

[sorrykid77]

con job wrote:

mitch311 wrote:

I love this album ,but saying it's better then nirvanas albums is a bit extreme. If you actually listen to nirvana, you'll realize while they're rated number 1 grunge.

I only have one album from both bands but I gotta say i prefer Soundgarden. It's just that little more mature than Nirvanas

but its not as raws as nirvana

[g00fy_130]

This is one of my all time favorite albums!

[savory_softy]

Coldiscool :
I love how people think there opinions on music are facts that everybody should think.

And because you don't agree with their music taste you must be stupid and know nothing about anything.
It's sad but true.

[wildchild6660]

mickjones76 wrote:

Superunknown is better than Badmotorfinger?

How can i say this and not get banned, i dont think I can.
Please stop posting your opinions, when fact is fact.

There is no such thing as fact in music or any art for that matter. Its about opinion and it varies. Live with it.

[koolfoolinapool]

montressor wrote:

this was the album that featured the ultimate vocal power of cornell especially on slaves and bulldozers and jesus christ pose..... hey kurt cobain and chris cornell should not be compared to each other.. as far as i know.. i saw a picture of chris wearing a nirvana tshirt and kurt stating he was a big fan of soundgarden...

Yeah. Pretty sure they were friends.

[aycebmike]

Kim Thayil's beard is better than Nirvana.

[shinnanigan]

Nirvana is great, and so is soundgarden... everyone calm your hormones

[aycebmike]

yea, but Kim Thayil's beard is better than Nirvana. Look at his beard!

[TiptonPhantom]

Personally, i much prefer Soundgarden. Especially in terms of pure musical skill, and to me i get more from Chris' lyrics than Kurts. But i do still love Nirvana. I love almost all 90's rock. Lenny Kravitz is still a god to me.