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Scream
by
Scream Image
Metascore
42

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 151 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest solo album for the singer/guitarist was produced by Timberland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 6 out of 19
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    What's more surprising than Scream's R&B bells and whistles (provided by überproducer Timbaland) is that Cornell almost succeeds at that goal without tarnishing his hard-rawkin' legacy.
  2. musicOMH.com
    70
    This is a startling new direction, and while not entirely successful, it confirms Cornell as a vocalist of versatility and strength.
  3. Urb
    60
    Scream may be the most compelling train wreck of an album in recent memory.
  4. The A.V. Club
    42
    The problem with Scream isn’t that Cornell is too much of an artist to go pop, it’s that the fit is so unbecoming.
  5. The Guardian
    40
    Timbaland, who has sprinkled his hip-hop fairy dust on weaker voices, rinses away Cornell's inherent dirt and power, and compresses the godfather of grunge until he squawks.
  6. AllMusic
    30
    It never seems like a collaboration, it seems like it was assembled by committee, discussed in boardrooms, farmed out to contract players and stitched together on computer.
  7. No Ripcord
    0
    The record sounds phoned in, plain and simple, and its awkward concessions to cliche, its trash heap lyrical conceits, and its dopey production have a cumulative effect that would be insulting if it weren’t so transparently uninspired and uninteresting.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 77
  3. Negative: 35 out of 77
  1. ST33L3RZ
    Oct 17, 2020
    10
    Chris Cornell's voice does work well with Timbaland's production. This album has aged well.
  2. RickS.
    Mar 13, 2009
    10
    This kicked my ass. While this is not usually my type of music, Chris Cornell made it happen.
  4. AndrewS
    Mar 17, 2009
    9
    I started listening to it thinking I would hate it. Not a hip hop fan at all, but I like Chris Cornell so much, I thought I would give it a I started listening to it thinking I would hate it. Not a hip hop fan at all, but I like Chris Cornell so much, I thought I would give it a chance. I'm glad I did. This dude's vocals are insane. I think this is a fresh new sound that music needs. I'm surprised how much I like it and it grabs me more with each listen.… Expand
  5. SimG
    Mar 13, 2009
    5
    As a pop album, I have heard worst. As a Chris Cornell... it is the worst. It's hard to believe that the guy once was the lead of legend As a pop album, I have heard worst. As a Chris Cornell... it is the worst. It's hard to believe that the guy once was the lead of legend bands such as Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden and Audioslave. I understand that any artist that has been doing music for so long, might want to try something new. This might be new for him, but we've heard this type of pop music so many times before. Timbaland was obviously not inspired on this. He might have done it simply to get more visibility, and of course more money, but I taught his success with You Know My Name would've been enough. On the cover, you see him breaking his guitar, which says all about the album because you won't hear any of it. I sure hope he buys himself a new one, so that we can forget this mess. Still, I gave this album a 5. Simply because it let itself listen easily, there some interesting moments... mostly the hidden track which is an acoustic song.… Expand
  6. WilC.
    Mar 12, 2009
    2
    I really cannot believe how horrible this album is. I was hoping that maybe Timbaland wouldn't screw it up (like the 2 songs he produced I really cannot believe how horrible this album is. I was hoping that maybe Timbaland wouldn't screw it up (like the 2 songs he produced for Bjork that were pretty good) but ultimately it sounds like Timbaland took Chris by his balls and did his best to fit his vocals to Justin Timberlake instrumentation. I hope Mr. Cornell gets his act together-- another one like this, and I'm just giving up.… Expand
  7. sergem.
    Mar 18, 2009
    1
    I have all Cornell music has done since 1984. He's said some times he felt frustated because he never had the recognisement of the I have all Cornell music has done since 1984. He's said some times he felt frustated because he never had the recognisement of the public. He's been after "success" since he stopped drinking and married with a model. Now he has what he was aiming for. He's happy, has recognisement from the music industry, but he's lost his loyal fan base and has changed them for a bunch of people that never listened to Badmotorfinger when it came out. That said, I still admire him and I'll always love him for the music he's made. I wouldn't be the same without those Soundgarden songs. Chris, take care. And please, stay away from Timbaland. You are not and never wil be Justin Timbarlake.… Expand
  8. MikeH
    Mar 10, 2009
    0
    This man has lost all credibility with this album. This is the very definition of a sell out. People will praise it as experimentation - This man has lost all credibility with this album. This is the very definition of a sell out. People will praise it as experimentation - don't delude yourselves - this one is all about $$. I've loved this man for a very long time, up until last year when this monstrocity broke out. This is how hard the mighty can fall.… Expand

See all 77 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2009
87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2009

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