TOMORROW ON OUTQ: CHRIS CORNELL, KELLY CLARKSON

Tomorrow on OutQ, I'll be discussing the already-much-discussed new album by Chris Cornell, Scream. The album has been delayed a few times, but it finally came out today. It was produced by hip-hop/pop producer Timbaland, much to the chagrin of many of Chris' fans. I think it was a brave move by Chris. I don't think all of it works -- I particularly don't love the first song "Part Of Me" with the lyrics "that bitch ain't a part of me." But some of the songs are fantastic, they'd be fantastic played by a rock band, and Timbaland did a fantastic job producing them. I know he's been playing live shows - I wonder how these songs sound played by a rock band. I don't know if I'd want to go to see him just do new songs though.

Before people start blasting me: I saw Chris with Soundgarden in 1988 or 1989 at The Ritz opening for Voivod. I've been on board for a long time. I think he should be allowed to try something different, and I think that this album isn't as successful a reinvention as, say, U2's Achtung Baby, it's still a very good album. I think he needed to do something different this time around, and he also needs a collaborator. I don't think he's ever going to be in a band again, so he needs to work with a co-writer or producer who is won't be intimidated by him, and Timbaland fit the bill. I give the album a B.

As for Kelly Clarkson, I don't hate on her. I'm not the biggest American Idol watcher, but I got to interview her a few times a few years back, and I respect her. I like some of her new songs.

CHRIS CORNELL, YOU'RE NOT MAKING IT EASY TO BE A FAN!

I'll stick up for Chris Cornell's decision to work with Timbaland on his upcoming album. Timbaland is clearly a really creative guy, and has made some great records. But I wish Chris hadn't performed at Fashion Rocks a few weeks ago. It was basically a performance by three artists Timbaland is working with: a group called One Republic, The Pussycat Dolls and Chris Cornell. Each group performed a portion of thier song, but the Dolls got about twice as much stage time as Chris. Really.

Chris is going to do a west coast tour with Timbaland where they do the entire new album and nothing else. I'm not sure how much I'd pay for that. I think what I've heard is ok, but money's tight, know what I mean?

And now I've heard that Chris has written the first single for American Idol winner David Cook's upcoming album. I think it must be really liberating for Chris to let go of the hangups that indie rock or alternative rock had in the '90s. But I feel like he's lowering his "stock," for lack of a better way to put it. I don't think you should say yes to anything, just because it puts you in front of a new audience. Although I do wonder if younger pop kids will care about Chris Cornell (or, for that matter, Linkin Park fans, since Chris toured with them this summer).

CHRIS CORNELL'S NEW SONG

I've written about Chris Cornell's upcoming album, produced by Timabland. Now you can hear the first song, "Long Gone," here. I haven't heard anyone say that they like it. The way I look at it, Bruce Springsteen's "Streets Of Philadelphia" sounded weird at first, but now I (and most fans) recognize it as a classic. Then again, few would say the same about Neil Young's Trans. I need some time to get used to this. I'm curious how he's going to perform this material live. 

WOW, CHRIS CORNELL IS SERIOUS ABOUT THIS TIMBALAND THING

I've written about how Chris Cornell has mentioned working with Timbaland on his next album. He must be really into it: on his website, he's announced that he has postponed his upcoming spring European tour to continue work on the album, which he says is his "best work ever." Not best solo album, his best work ever. I'd be glad if it was better than Audioslave or his first two solo albums, but will it really be better than Soundgarden and Temple Of The Dog? That's hard to imagine, but I'm looking forward to hearing this.

Meanwhile, Chris will be touring the U.S. this summer as part of the Projekt Revolution tour, which is Linkin Park's version of Ozzfest I think. I saw Linkin Park once when they opened for Metallica... boring. I'll wait for Chris' next tour, but I have to wonder how he will be recieved.

CHRIS CORNELL'S NEW SOUND

Chris Cornell was interviewed by Billboard recently about some kid from American Idol doing Chris' version of "Billie Jean." But the cool thing about the interview was Chris saying that he is working on his next album with Timbaland. Timbaland, of course, is most well known for working with hip-hop artists, or pop artists with a big hip-hop influence.

Still, I think it can be an interesting collaboration. Chris isn't going to embarass himself by trying to be hip-hop.

In the aforementioned Billboard interview, he mentioned being surprised that someone was using his arrangement on American Idol, given his "indie" roots. I would think he was referring to the fact that Soundgarden's first albums were on the (very credible) independent labels SST Records and Sub Pop. Some lame blogger (and probably more than one) had a little laugh at that. Don't worry dude, I'm sure Chris isn't saying he's indie like, say, The Strokes (whose albums come out on RCA - at least until they get dropped). Please return to your regularly scheduled activities. I hear Lou Barlow is reuniting Sentridoh. No just kidding.