Can you believe it’s been 16 years since Down on the Upside was released? Good God. But it’s like they never left. Soundgarden is one of those bands who’s music is timeless and King Animal continues their legacy. Like they never left. The classic and familiar line-up of Kim Thayil, Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron & Ben Shepherd still holds with the album produced by Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters producer Adam Kasper.

I’m listening to the album as I write this and am thoroughly intrigued as to what I’m going to hear next. I’m up to song #6 “Bones of Birds” and so far I’ve heard ripping Zepplin’esq guitars, fluid time changes, Matt Cameron’s familiar drum rips, Cornell banging out vocals with a renewed sense of urgency and Shepherds slightly distorted, intertwined bass lines. It’s Soundgarden alright, but new. Fresh. Quality. Powerful. I don’t hear another “Black Hole Sun” or “Spoonman”, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This is definitely an album that will get more interesting as I listen to it over and over again. Get it.

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