Temple Of The Dog Review

Released: Dec 1990
Genre: Rock
Styles: Hard Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Grunge
Number Of Tracks: 10
The album's strength is its mournful, elegiac ballads, but thanks to the band's spontaneous creative energy and appropriately warm sound, it's permeated by a definite, life-affirming aura.

Sound:	10
Lyrics:	10
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	10
Users rating:	9.7
Comments:	9

overall: 10

Reviewed by: ZeroOneSun, on may 22, 2009

Sound: The sound on this particular album is very good. The producer performed well especially since this album was only a part-time project for Chris Cornell. Temple of the Dogs only CD was a tribute to Mother Love Bone frontman, Andrew Wood. Chris Cornell and Andrew Wood were room mates at one point and upon hearing of Wood's heroin overdose, Cornell wrote Say Hello 2 Heaven. Soundgarden was on tour at the time of Wood's death so Cornell was left alone to deal with this personal trajedy. While on tour Cornell also wrote the song Reach Down. Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard were also members of Temple of the Dog. This album was released before Pearl Jam's Ten came out and Eddie Vedder performed background vocals on several tracks. The songs on this album are generally much lighter than those of Soundgarden, however, Chris Cornell's god-like belting vocals shine throughout. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Chris Cornell is an gifted lyricist. All the songs on the album were fueled by the emotions felt by Cornell after Wood's death, therefore, making them quite powerful songs. Chris Cornell's vocals on this record were near perfect.The lyrics on this album deal with drug abuse, particularly abuse with heroin, as heard in Times of Trouble. // 10

Impression: Seeing that Temple of the Dog contains members from both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, it makes sense that there are some influences from each band. Say Hello 2 Heaven features very powerful emotional singing from Cornell which was quite impressive. Reach Down, a dramatic 11 minute thriller was quite a pleasent suprise. I have no complaints about any of the songs on this album. If it were stolen I would buy it again ASAP. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 19, 2007

Sound: This album is absolutely amazing. Every single track is a pure work of art. None of these tracks sound like filler at all (although, ironically enough, Hunger Strike was admittedly intended to be a filler track). McCready and then entire band have some awe-inspiring moments, but Chris steals the show. To me this album is more like an emotional journey than just popping in a CD. I wish I could be cliche and say that this CD grew on me, but I was completely hooked the first time I listened to it. I still cannot play this CD without getting chills. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics in this CD are so much better than any other because they have such a deep and personal meaning behind them. Songs like 'Say Hello 2 Heaven' and 'Call Me A Dog' almost brought me to tears when I heard them. Still do, actually Chris' voice never soared like it did on this cd. Make it throught the solo on 'Reach Down' and listen to the breakdown when Cornell does like a 5 part harmony with himself. I promise you it will make a believer out of you. // 10

Impression: This album is without a doubt the best piece of music ever produced. If you like Pearl Jam or Chris Cornell, or even if you don't, this CD has an undeniable magic about it. 'Say Hello 2 Heaven', 'Reach Down', 'Call Me A Dog', and 'Four Walled World' are the best tracks on this CD. Go buy this thing! Spread the word! I love it so much I have 2 copies, one for the car and one at home. I would seriously pay $50 for this CD. I'm just glad you and I don't have to. To put it simply, this album is a masterpiece. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on march 01, 2005

Sound: This album is very much like any Pearl Jam album only with Cornell screaming vocals and Matt Cameron pounding the drums. This album delivers one of the greatest vocal performances (Say Hello 2 Heaven) of all time. The guitar is quite distorted with great heavy, powerful riffs. Some song have a lighter, bluesy sound which is quite good. This is a must-have for any rock fan. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Well to put it simply Cornell is the greatest singer alive. He was only topped by Freddie Mercury. So naturally his performance on this album is astonishing. his lyrics are great, not as good as Kurt's but still good. He wrote the music on all but 3 songs, so his lyrics fit the music excellently. // 10

Impression: This album actually sounds moer like a Pearl Jam album than a Soundgarden one. It doesnt exactly have the metal edge that Soundgarden had but its still some great grunge. Say Hello 2 Heaven is mind blowing but the album also includes the hit Hunger Strike. I love this entire album, any so wuold any fan of rock, not just grunge fans. If it was lost or stolen id without a doubt buy a new one. Great album grab yourself one today. // 10

Comments

[scottishmob]

Hmmm... I'm definately going to write a review for this album.

[sambargun]

This is a superb album. Some tracks may be a bit too long(hunger strike for one) but there are some good ones. 'Pushing forward back' is a kickass track, so is 'Say hello to heaven'. Definitely a must have for any hard rock or grunge fan.....

[RoshanC]

Incredible. Worth owning even if you dont like SOundgarden or Pearl jam

[cuige]

Class cd!! Chris Cornell is a legend and it's really interesting to hear an Eddie Vedder before he became hugely famous! Awesome record!

[con job]

I havta pick this up heard Hungerstrike yesterday and it blew me away

[hunger_strike]

Wow. What can I say. No words can describe this piece of music. It is definately one of the best albums I have ever heard. I am a HUGE fan of both Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, and those 2 together is just heaven....Every song is brilliant, but Times Of Trouble is the icing on the cake. Simply beautiful.

[soundgardner]

this is chris cornell at his absolute peak. his vocals are stronger and more controlled on this album than any of his other work, which is really saying something. his lyrics improved exponentially with this album which made superunknown, one of the best albums of the 90s, possible. this is definitely his best album, and i am a soundgarden fanatic.

on to the rest of the band. matt cameron is amazing. by far my favorite drummer. ament and gossard do a solid job. mccready is flat out amazing on this album. reach down. enough said.

how did nobody say anything about why they made this album?
andrew wood, lead singer of mother love bone which also had gossard and ament and roomate of chris cornell, ODed on heroin. cornell wrote say hello 2 heaven and reach down as a tribute to wood. he invited gossard and ament to help him out. they eventually added mccready and cameron (drummer of soundgarden).

thank god pearl jam made it big or this album might have slipped into oblivion

[NicB115]

Great Album, check out the song Wooden Jesus.

[koolfoolinapool]

Mercury was good, but he was no Cornell.

He didn't even have half the range Cornell does and couldn't deliver it as powerfully as Cornell.