Chris Cornell, indie-rocker. While discussing his turgid, bowel-stirring rendition of “Billie Jean,” recently jacked on American Idol, Cornell revealed just how much street cred he was risking. “I stuck my neck out being a guy that comes from the indie rock world doing a Michael Jackson song. You can clearly see that the judges are giving this guy credit for it on national television. My fans were like, ‘Wait a minute! That’s Chris Cornell’s moment.’” Your indie rock fans, Chris?
Chris also brought up his roots (which amount to two EPs and an album respectively released on Sub Pop and SST twenty years ago) last week when discussing his upcoming, Timbaland-produced solo album.
“This is different from anything I’ve ever done. I’ve come from an indie rock world, where, if you have a producer, it’s somebody who’s not a musician, not a songwriter. He’s just someone who twists knobs and can kinda tell you if they think a song is too long or too short or needs to be more aggressive. Tim’s a songwriter, so I was working with him in a collaboration, sort of as if we were in a band.”
An indie-rocker cursed with the voice of Sammy Hagar, and slighted by Simon Cowell. I almost feel sorry for him.
Cornell Chats ‘Idol’/'Billie Jean’ Performance [Billboard]
CHRIS CORNELL Taps Hip Hop Producer TIMBALAND For New Solo Album [Blabbermouth]
Does grunge mean indie now? I can’t keep up with the kids and their slang anymore.
He went from being indie in the “after hardcore, shit truly started to become interesting” sense to being indie in the the “103.1 in LA at drive time” sense.
First, The Killers, and now Chris Cornell? “Indie”?
Working with Timbaland is being “indie”?
Srsly?
Oh wait — is this an April Fools’ joke by Billboard???
P.S. Soundgarden’s Superunknown was the crowning achievement of the “grunge” era. I’ll never forget the cover tagline of Spin magazine that read: “Soundgarden Kills Grunge Dead”. That album, alas, also killed Soundgarden dead, because, what else was there to say after that great record?
it’s a year and a half old, but it’s still on point:
[idolator.com]
Sweet boob pic.
@Maura Johnston: Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
I’d rather live in his indie world than live without him in mine.
@Maura Johnston: @Rob Murphy: Wow, mp3 links on idolator. Memories…
@How do I say this … THROWDINI!: *snif*
When I was producing, I was always like, “Too long!” “Too short!” “More aggressive!”
@exposition: Wow! And you didn’t even know that “Midnite Train To Georgia” is on my “Top ___ Songs Of All Time” list.
Clap…clap…clap…
God this is depressing and embarrassing, in a way. I mean, Audioslave was pretty embarrassing, too, but I allow the “indie rock forefathers” some room for mistakes. Is it fatherhood? Living in France? His new wife? What turned CC into such a douche?
Black days, friends.
@FionaScrapple:
Yeah, everyone that trashed Audioslave(usually people who only heard the singles and never saw them live) have helped with the demise Cornell’s career. Way to go, music experts. You probably won’t ever hear him sing again after this Timbaland fiasco.