Superunknown by Soundgarden

The Album of Record

Summary

In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss the album 'Superunknown' by Soundgarden. They provide background information on the album's release and its context within the grunge music scene. The recording and production process, as well as the impact and success of the album, are explored. The unique guitar tunings and intricate songwriting are highlighted, along with the powerful vocals of Chris Cornell. The legacy of the hit song 'Black Hole Sun' is discussed, and the role of producer Brendan O'Brien is examined. The episode concludes with a reflection on the remastering and sound quality of the album. Superunknown, the iconic album by Soundgarden, showcased advancements in music production and marked a significant milestone in the band's career. The length of the album, with its 15 tracks and 70-minute runtime, was a deliberate choice to include all the songs without cutting anything. The idea of cutting songs from the album was discussed, but both hosts agreed that every song on Superunknown is essential and contributes to its iconic status. The deluxe edition of the album includes additional tracks and demo versions, providing a deeper insight into the creative process. The production of Superunknown, led by Michael Beinhorn, achieved a balance between technical excellence and maintaining the band's sound. The dark lyrics of the album, in hindsight, take on a deeper meaning after Chris Cornell's passing. Despite the darkness, there are moments of optimism and beauty in the songs. Superunknown propelled Soundgarden to new heights and solidified their place as one of the leading bands of the Seattle scene.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 02:29 Initial Impressions of 'Superunknown' 06:17 Context of the Album's Release 10:42 Recording and Production 13:30 Impact and Success of 'Superunknown' 21:31 Unique Guitar Tunings and Songwriting 23:44 Intricacy of Songwriting and Instrumentation 27:31 Chris Cornell's Vocals and Impact 32:08 Legacy of 'Black Hole Sun' 33:02 Recording Style and Brendan O'Brien's Role 37:29 Remastering and Sound Quality 38:58 Advancement in Music Production 40:06 The Length of Superunknown 41:07 Considering Cuts to the Album 44:10 Personal Opinions on Cutting Songs 47:44 Deluxe Edition and Additional Tracks 50:17 The Role of the Producer 53:32 Comparing Production with Other Albums 55:03 The Dark Lyrics and Chris Cornell's Legacy 59:52 Limo Wreck and Heavy Metal 01:08:29 Superunknown's Impact on Soundgarden

https://waitingfornextyear.com/2017/05/trying-to-understand-chris-cornells-death-while-were-waiting/