Sorry Audioslave, But Your New Song Sorta Sucks

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After the 22-second snippet released last week failed to shed much light on what Audioslave's first single in six years would be like, we got revelations galore thanks to the full length track's radio premiere earlier today.

After first listen, it seems Audioslave are content to underwhelm with their hotly anticipated return; Live To Rise certainly doesn't match the bombast of any prior Audioslave release.  Instead it merely plods along down the path of generic rock that's been so well worn by countless hack bands (many of which also appear on the upcoming Avengers Assemble soundtrack) that it less resembles a path proper than a slick, muddy concert site as the Lollapalooza crowd files out.  But hey, enough out of me; check out the new Audioslave single for yourself:



Edit: Upon further reflection, I remembered that this isn't Audioslave but Soundgarden.  And the wait hasn't been six years, it's been fifteen.

Okay, I kid; I knew this all along.  But you get the joke, no?

Honestly, this song does nothing for me or for Soundgarden's legacy.  In the late 80's thru mid 90's, Soundgarden were the refreshing take on what so many labelled "grunge".  Always bringing strong hooks but never shy of wild experimentation, it was the appreciation of their willingness to go on a sonic adventure that endeared me so to this band.  To hear them shitting out this cookie-cutter dumb rock fare saddens me.  I can only hope that this is one of the songs they threw away while recording their new album (slated for release later this year); there may be some folks out there who want a new Audioslave album, but they're in the distinct minority.

Still, Live To Rise is sure to be high art compared to some of the other absolute drivel that's set to appear on the Avengers Asstacular soundtrack.  You've got Five Finger Death Punch's nauseating From Out Of Nowhere cover from a few years back, an electronic mix of an Evanescence song, and Shoot To Thrill (I assume a cover of the AC/DC track) by Theory of a Badband.  Not to mention throwaway tracks by the like of Papa Roach, Buckcherry and Bush.

If you're into that sort of thing, the Avengers Asscracks soundtrack comes out May 1.

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