Chris and I

I may have mentioned in this forum that I am a huge fan of the musical stylings of Chris Cornell. He's been part of three of my all-time favorite bands, Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden and the amazing Audioslave.

As a diligent fan, I signed up for myspace for the single purpose of reading his blog -- or should I say, the blog his production company put up for him in order to mass market to Gen. Y.

I knew he was working on some solo stuff, he recently penned the soundtrack to the latest Bond flick, "Casino Royale." I also knew that Rage Against the Machine, the rest of Audioslave, was doing a one-time show at Cochella this year.

Today I received the sad news -- via Chris's myspace page (just typing that makes me puke in my mouth a little) -- that he is officially leaving Audioslave.

I teared up, my nose ran and the emotions flowed. I love that band. But just like everything that's so damn sweet you almost can't stand it: It cannot possibly last.

According to his press release, his solo album will be out May 1 and contains a remake of Micheal Jackson's "Billy Jean." What the ...? Who knows.

I pasted the release below in case you're super, really, truly curious to read the sordid details. I know my friend Pam joins me in my sorrow. She won't be dancing in her chair at work at the yet-to-be-named tax prepartion company to the next Audioslave CD that I bootlegged just for her.

It's a sad thing.

Thank God LOST is back from it's 12 week hiatus or this may have sent me over the edge.

Oh, Chris ... can you hear me....?

CHRIS CORNELL'S 13TH CAREER ALBUM RELEASING MAY 1ST ON SURETONE/INTERSCOPE; CORNELL PERMANENTLY LEAVING AUDIOSLAVE

Fourteen Tracks Join Cornell with Grammy® Winner Lillywhite

Los Angeles (February 15, 2007) – Two-time Grammy winner, singer-songwriter and voice of a generation, Chris Cornell, announced today the release date of his 13th career album, Carry On, in stores May 1st on Suretone/Interscope. Steered by Grammy Award-winning British super-producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones, Morrissey, Dave Matthews Band), Carry On is a mature and content departure from the acrimonious artist who brought us Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.

Additionally Cornell is permanently departing super-group Audioslave stating, "Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors."

The new album's fourteen tracks offer the bluesy and soulful "Safe and Sound," psychedelic "Scar On The Sky," country-flavored "Finally Forever"... paeans to persistence in "Disappearing Act" and a slow-grind cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean" that gives the familiar song a completely new feeling. More personal selections include "Ghost," "Arms Around Your Love" and "She'll Never Be Your Man" and alt-rock experimentations ("Killing Birds" the anthemic "Silence the Voices"). Fans of Soundgarden and Audioslave will appreciate the harder edge of "No Such Thing" and "Poison Eye" and the redemptive "Your Soul Today."

Carry On will also include the Top 10 European smash hit "You Know My Name," the main title song for the current James Bond theatrical release, Casino Royale, appearing for the first time on a full-length release. Cornell wrote and recorded the track with long-time James Bond composer David Arnold for the film.

With this collection of songs, it is evident that Cornell was inspired by songwriters from Elvis Costello to Tom Waits. Cornell says that his own lyrical approach leans on stream-of-consciousness, "getting out of my own way" to allow themes to naturally arise, whether topical or biographical. "The most exciting thing is to let yourself expose your true, vulnerable feelings, which is what resonates with people most," he explains. As far as his vocal style, he points to such R&B singers as Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin for showing masterfully how emotion can best be conveyed, even in subtle phrasing, also praising Bob Marley's expressive range and Tom Waits' use of his voice as an instrument.