User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

King Animal
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
King Animal Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 82 Ratings

  • Summary: The sixth studio album for the rock band led by Chris Cornell is its first release of new music in 16 years.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Been Away Too Long
You can’t go home boy, I swear you never can You can walk a million miles and get nowhere I got no where to go ever since I came back Just filling... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Kerrang!
    Dec 10, 2012
    80
    In an era when so many classic bands return to tout but without risking new material, it's a delight to have Soundgarden take that gamble and win. [17 Nov 2012, p.52]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. AllMusic
    Nov 14, 2012
    80
    This is a surprisingly strong reunion, one that puts the band back on the track they abandoned long ago.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 8, 2012
    75
    [Skip tepid "Been Away Too Long"] to the latter half, home of the Stonesian psych flourishes ("Attrition")and a bluesy power ballad. [9/16 Nov 2012, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Paste Magazine
    Nov 13, 2012
    70
    While this record lacks the canonizing tracks like "Jesus Christ Pose," "Black Hole Sun," "Spoonman" and "Burden in My Hand," Soundgarden deserves to be commended for recapturing the feeling of grunge and reintroducing it today.
  5. Magnet
    Dec 4, 2012
    65
    A backhanded compliment, sure, but really--things could have been so much worse. [No. 93, p.61]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. PopMatters
    Nov 16, 2012
    60
    Soundgarden pivots and parries as usual, but a better sense of dynamics is much needed to make the performances truly pop.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Nov 15, 2012
    40
    Soundgarden's best material conjures a dense atmosphere of gloom that renders Cornell's angsty lyrics portentous and significant. But few of the songs on King Animal evoke much of anything in the way of feeling.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. metzger84
    Mar 6, 2015
    10
    Some very intricate and intriguing songs on this album. You might not get blown away on your first few listens, but you'll appreciate theSome very intricate and intriguing songs on this album. You might not get blown away on your first few listens, but you'll appreciate the songwriting as you go. Go buy it.… Expand
  2. eljuli
    Nov 24, 2012
    10
    Definitely a masterpiece, like they said, it takes where they left off, heavy, trippy, dark, and well written, it hava an awesome start withDefinitely a masterpiece, like they said, it takes where they left off, heavy, trippy, dark, and well written, it hava an awesome start with "Been away too long" and it ends perfect with "Rowing". glad Soundgarden is back!.… Expand
  4. TwisterAce
    Nov 13, 2012
    10
    The Knights of the Soundtable ride again! King Animal is Soundgarden's first studio album since their 2010 reunion, and their first album ofThe Knights of the Soundtable ride again! King Animal is Soundgarden's first studio album since their 2010 reunion, and their first album of new material since 1996's Down on the Upside. And this album was definitely worth the wait. Soundgarden, driven by the wailing (and no less powerful) vocals of Chris Cornell, the mighty guitar riffs of Kim Thayil, the bouncy basslines of Ben Shepherd, and the eclectic and versatile drumming of Matt Cameron, have crafted a magnificent work of rock 'n roll. The overall vibe is similar to that of the band's previous albums Superunknown (IMO their magnum opus) and Down on the Upside. The songs are grungy without sounding nostalgic; instead they sound like a fresh reawakening. The band maneuvers through odd time signatures with ease, performing with vitality despite their older age. There are fast songs and slow songs, heavy rockers and soft acoustic tracks, psychedelic dirges and energetic bursts of alt-metal. Hats off to Soundgarden for making not only an excellent comeback album, but one of the best albums of 2012.… Collapse
  5. Mandrke
    Jan 1, 2016
    9
    Any critic that refers soley to Chris Cornell is obviously an idiot. This is one of the best bands of the 90's THE 90's! They are back withAny critic that refers soley to Chris Cornell is obviously an idiot. This is one of the best bands of the 90's THE 90's! They are back with truely original and inspired songs. Use your head as well as your heart and you will find the way.… Expand
  6. Logic-Hawk
    Nov 13, 2012
    8
    An album that requires a series of listens to comprehend, ironic in a sense, as first impressions were of disappointment. Whilst not aAn album that requires a series of listens to comprehend, ironic in a sense, as first impressions were of disappointment. Whilst not a groundbreaking, or incautiously innovative discovery, there is undoubted quality and progressive intrigue that develops with each listen. Best tracks - Bones Of Birds, A Thousand Days Before, Blood On The Valley Floor, Eyelids Mouth

    Avoid - Halfway There - A track that can only be described as a plastic revolver amid a bag of shotguns.    … Expand
  7. BradGriffin
    Dec 3, 2012
    8
    Out of all the
  8. RainFall
    Nov 13, 2012
    5
    If i had to define this album in one word : uneventful. It's not terrible, but it's not great either. Every song feels like mediocrity afterIf i had to define this album in one word : uneventful. It's not terrible, but it's not great either. Every song feels like mediocrity after mediocrity. Perhaps it is Cornell's voice that is holding it back. Since Audioslave, his works have been in decline. I think die hard Soundgarden fans will be happy enough with new content. The most disappointing thing about this album is that it lacks even one great song. All of them are passable, but no more.… Expand

See all 24 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2012

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »