Dudes. Out of Exile.
I have been waiting not at all patiently for this one to be rereleased on vinyl for what feels like forever. Their first self titled record absolutely blew my mind, and now this. Out of Exile builds upon their first steps but feels a little less rough around the edges. We can thank Rick Rubin’s production for at least some of that. Interesting intro riffs, acoustics into heavy overdrive, and that voice that needs no introduction. Adding Cornell to this trio of heavy hitters creates a sound that isn’t quite Soundgarden and definitely isn’t Rage. It’s nothing short of genius.
In its opening, Out of Exile gives you the first five songs In. The. Face. By the time Heavens Dead opens, there’s a palpable sense of relief. I love that the same musicians that gave us songs like Bullet in the Head and Bulls on Parade, can also pull songs like this, or I Am The Highway. That was one of the things I found surprising about this “supergroup.”
No rest for the wicked, here comes The Worm with Man or Animal hot on its heels. And then there’s Yesterday to Tomorrow. A love song. I’ve been in a love song kinda mood lately. Rock or otherwise. Dandelion starts out feeling like a song by a different band, but not in a bad way. Kinda like Led Zeppelin but with the Morello flare in the solos.
Honestly #1 Zero might be my favorite track…. Out of a record full of favorite racks. It has a certain swing to it. A creep that kicks you in the face when it’s time to put the foot on the gas again. All four of them screaming in their own way. Dynamics man. This record nails it.
Can you pick a better huge riff to close on than The Curse? No. No you can’t. I wonder if sitting here listening to it in order again is making it my favorite of the three studio records. I’m gonna chew on that for a while.
This is one of those records I not only hear, but feel. Perhaps it’s the years away from it. Whatever the reason, it connects.
Vertical Separation 