Audioslave
by Audioslave
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Nov 19, 2002
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 154 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 154
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 154
  3. Negative: 9 out of 154

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  1. TyroneP
    Oct 25, 2010
    5
    Half of the cuts are interesting and the other half are just bad versions of the interesting ones. Listening to this from start to finish is a real chore and, basically, it's just too draining for it to ever be an enjoyable record.
  2. Vampire25
    Jan 3, 2011
    5
    Audioslave's debut is highly flawed. But I think deep down, it's kind of a good album. Chris Cornell's lyrics though are extremely bad. The lyrics suck. "I was standing at the rock, gathering the flock". I mean come on. Soundgarden was an amazing band but Chris Cornell in Audioslave just isn't that great. Rage Against The Machine band members on the other hand are what makes this albumAudioslave's debut is highly flawed. But I think deep down, it's kind of a good album. Chris Cornell's lyrics though are extremely bad. The lyrics suck. "I was standing at the rock, gathering the flock". I mean come on. Soundgarden was an amazing band but Chris Cornell in Audioslave just isn't that great. Rage Against The Machine band members on the other hand are what makes this album slightly ok. Tom Morello's guitar solos are brilliant. Brad Wilk on drums is great, and Tim Commerford is also great. All In All, if you can mind Chris Cornell and really enjoy RATM, Audioslave should be a good album to enjoy. C… Expand
  3. sds
    Feb 8, 2003
    0
    nah
  4. IanB
    Aug 4, 2004
    0
    Have any of you actually listened to these lyrics? They are so bad, they actually give boy bands some artistic merit as they at least made some iota of sense. "But Ian, lyrics don't count as long as the music is cool" Lyrics always count, but regardless this is some of the most bland and boring recycled music I have ever heard. Honestly, if you want to kill brain cells I suggest Have any of you actually listened to these lyrics? They are so bad, they actually give boy bands some artistic merit as they at least made some iota of sense. "But Ian, lyrics don't count as long as the music is cool" Lyrics always count, but regardless this is some of the most bland and boring recycled music I have ever heard. Honestly, if you want to kill brain cells I suggest doing it the old fashioned way by killing a prostitute and stealing her crack. At least that way you get some exercise.… Expand
  5. ohyea
    Apr 3, 2005
    1
    so...big socialism/communism enthusiast tom morello naturally farts out an utter charmless, commercial aspiring piece of third rate grunge schlock...awesome (no wonder de la rocha got the hell away from those guys, they have nothing to say, sans the hypocrisy). and chris cornell further clarifies that he is indeed suffering from ultimate creative bankruptcy. how did two cool bands from so...big socialism/communism enthusiast tom morello naturally farts out an utter charmless, commercial aspiring piece of third rate grunge schlock...awesome (no wonder de la rocha got the hell away from those guys, they have nothing to say, sans the hypocrisy). and chris cornell further clarifies that he is indeed suffering from ultimate creative bankruptcy. how did two cool bands from the nineties join up to make the most drab, unexciting, lousy, crap-rock. it's like what foghat and foregner were to 70's rock, so audioslave is to the rock of the 2000s...very depressing. hey zoran, if by brilliant you mean completely uninspired, unoriginal, well-marketed, cheesy, uninteresting, and downright lazy, then you're right on...so much better music out there right now.… Expand
  6. Anthraxian
    Jul 28, 2013
    10
    Chris Cornell is this generations answer to Freddy Mercury or Ronnie James Dio. The three albums Audioslave produced are as near perfect as any albums of the more classic era (of which I grew up with and am part of). Critics on this site claim that the lyrics don't mean much...... Are you kidding? Audioslave is PURE emotion. Love, hate, remorse, regret, it is all here. If you skipChris Cornell is this generations answer to Freddy Mercury or Ronnie James Dio. The three albums Audioslave produced are as near perfect as any albums of the more classic era (of which I grew up with and am part of). Critics on this site claim that the lyrics don't mean much...... Are you kidding? Audioslave is PURE emotion. Love, hate, remorse, regret, it is all here. If you skip Audioslave as part of your best bands of the 2000s, then you are completely out of touch with reality.… Expand
  7. aliceinwonderla
    Mar 26, 2017
    10
    This album is GREAT, awesome lyrics and sounds. Can't understand why so many critics disliked it. Whatever!

    Best tracks: Exploder, Shadow on the Sun, I Am the Highway, What You Are, Like A Stone, Getaway Car, The Last Remaining Light.
  8. mandyf
    May 5, 2006
    10
    Chris cornell has an amzing voice and is so talented playing guitar. This band is for real and one of the best considering all the fake rock bands around now
  9. FernandoF
    Oct 9, 2004
    10
    it kicks ass
  10. TonyD
    Jan 31, 2005
    3
    Did I just fall asleep and wake up in the late 70s? This is so reminiscent of bands like Rainbow & Ian Gillan that I felt like crying. I predict a thankfully short career.
  11. PatM
    Jan 7, 2005
    9
    It kick ass bitch
  12. joadf
    Jul 2, 2006
    10
    this band has such a loveable and raw sound that they cant be denied.
  13. DaveK
    Nov 28, 2002
    10
    Well done critics. Once again you have totally missed the mark. Everyone understands that this is not RATM or Soundgarden and that Cornell is no de la Rocha so of course it'll sound different. I never followed Soundgarden but I loved RATM. While I miss the political trashing, Cornell's wailing works well for the evolved band. Album rocks
  14. TheZ
    Dec 1, 2002
    10
    Chris Cornell is the best rock singer in the business right now, and has been ever since Soundgarden. When he fronts a band as good as Rage's, you know that it has to be a masterpiece.
  15. JohnG
    Dec 4, 2002
    4
    I'm torn on this album, the Cornell moments are wonderful. You can easily hear the parts Chris wrote vs. the parts Morello and the ex-Ragers created. I've never liked Morello's style. They say he's doing things with a guitar no one else would ever do. This is very true, as no one else would want to sound like that. Chris should go back to his solo career, or at least I'm torn on this album, the Cornell moments are wonderful. You can easily hear the parts Chris wrote vs. the parts Morello and the ex-Ragers created. I've never liked Morello's style. They say he's doing things with a guitar no one else would ever do. This is very true, as no one else would want to sound like that. Chris should go back to his solo career, or at least lose Morello and bring in ex-Soundgarden-er Kim to play guitar and write the music, then, we would have a savior of rock in our pop-owned shallow music world.… Expand
  16. RobertF.
    Jan 11, 2003
    7
    Yeah! Cornell + RATM, it´s good combination!
  17. NseE
    Nov 5, 2003
    8
    Great cd full of great songs like the razor sharp 'Like a stone', 'What you are', 'I am a highway', 'Hypnotize' (Which does just that), and the epic 'Getaway car' with Chris Cornell's forlorn voice bleeding throughout. Downside, a couple of ok tracks and songs tend to go on for too long and you feel it.
  18. RonB
    Feb 15, 2003
    9
    fantastic Great rock pure talent the mixture of both bands is oustanding a pure classic
  19. GothicBabe
    Mar 20, 2003
    10
    Unbelievable Stuff... This album is just amazing. The combination of Rage Against the Machine's inspirational music and Cornell's remarkable voice is SO refreshing. This album will be remembered as one of the "great ones". *** Orlie ***
  20. RossG
    Apr 19, 2003
    10
    Great album. Whats that arsehole from pitchfork on about?
  21. ChrisT
    Apr 8, 2003
    10
    Great album
  22. tonyr.
    Jul 18, 2003
    10
    Critics are just that. They screwed up on Zeppelin and now they are screwing up on Audioslave. Great band. The album does take a couple of listens to grow on you, once it does you cant get it off. Thanks to Audioslave for bringing back what rock was meant to sound like.
  23. AlisA
    Sep 9, 2003
    10
    I have been a Chris Cornell/Soundgarden fan since Badmotorfinger. The attraction continued through the Euphoria Morning solo (it was a bit of a surprise but I loved it - expecialy the Pillow Of Your Bones), and it hasn't faded with this album either. Through the years of listening to his music, I can freely say that Cornell never disapointed me with what he had to offer to the world I have been a Chris Cornell/Soundgarden fan since Badmotorfinger. The attraction continued through the Euphoria Morning solo (it was a bit of a surprise but I loved it - expecialy the Pillow Of Your Bones), and it hasn't faded with this album either. Through the years of listening to his music, I can freely say that Cornell never disapointed me with what he had to offer to the world of music. The guy is a true talent, and now combined with Morrelo's guitar (another unique tallent) and one of the best rhytam sections (Timmy and Brad) as a foundation for everything that they create surely gives the audience a unique opportunity to enjoy a good record that will definitely be remembered as one of the best rock records of the decade. This CD is a must-have for any Cornell fan out there. PS: Greetings from Bosnia.… Expand
  24. Syko
    May 28, 2004
    7
    Having been a huge RATM fan i have to say this album just doesnt excite me as much as the old band. However, im not putting this band down. They have a few great tracks, but I think they have the potential to make some great albums. This one just one lacks that edge RATM know of. The songs all sound too similar, at the same tempo, and all start with guitar and drums without any cunning Having been a huge RATM fan i have to say this album just doesnt excite me as much as the old band. However, im not putting this band down. They have a few great tracks, but I think they have the potential to make some great albums. This one just one lacks that edge RATM know of. The songs all sound too similar, at the same tempo, and all start with guitar and drums without any cunning build ups or break ins. Still some nice work by morello, but bass and drums arent given any action on this cd. They have tremendous talent, and a great singer, now i'd wish theyd use it. Trust me, they can do a lot better.… Expand
  25. JonH
    Jun 7, 2004
    4
    Shockingly bland
  26. Jesse
    Jul 19, 2004
    10
    Cornell has the best voice in rock, and Tom Morrello does things with the guitar others can only dream about
  27. MarcS
    Jul 5, 2004
    10
    An absolute masterpiece. This is an album that may take you a while to absorb its full weight; but when it finally hits you, you will feel every song. Chris Cornell's unique voice is perfectly matched with Tom Morello's grooves and anti-guitar hero antics. Don't listen to the critics, if you even remotely liked Rage Against the Machine or Soundgarden pick up this album.
  28. ayush
    Dec 10, 2005
    7
    Loved the album... but hey i really had no clue of Soundgarden. And after "superunknown"... kinda okay!
  29. Zoran
    Feb 7, 2005
    9
    This album is fantastic. The band show a musical maturity, which can only be achieved from years of songwriting experience. I couldn't do without Audioslave; they're one of the best rock acts in the world today. This album is simply brilliant.
  30. Aj
    May 25, 2005
    9
    If you don't like hard rock - then you won't like this. However, I LOVE hard rock and this is on3e of my favorite albums.
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2002
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. Blender
    60
    This is feel-good stuff, the sound of a rejuvenating artistic vacation. [#12, p.136]
  2. The A.V. Club
    70
    A curious idea from its inception, pairing Soundgarden's singer with Rage's musicians promises a unique alchemy it can't entirely deliver, obscuring the latter's politics and distinct sound.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    The result isn't a faux Rage album; rather, it's the true follow-up to Soundgarden's ''Superunknown'' that neither that band nor a solo Cornell ever managed.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »