Audioslave’s self-titled debut album boasted the combination of Rage Against the Machine’s three instrumentalists and Soundgarden’s frontman Chris Cornell. The production was top notch, the grooves were super tight and the vocals naturally howled into superhuman registers. But the project felt like an impromptu jam session quickly thrown together before they had a chance to gel as a unit. The result: 14 tracks of predominately uninspired lyrics, bland and repetitive choruses and a plodding, riff-heavy sound that stagnated in a hurry. The follow-up, Out of Exile, marks Audioslave’s transformation from supergroup/collaboration to legitimate band. They clearly took the time to write and develop compelling songs and explore their mellower, more mature side with greater frequency and success. Plus, when they crank up the power, Tom Morello’s guitar solos often squawk, shriek and freak out in ways even the most loyal Rage Against the Machine fan has probably never heard. Ultimately, this sounds like the logical progression from Soundgarden’s final and weakest effort, Down on the Upside, and in that context, Out of Exile ranks a notch below.
Heavy Rotation track: “Doesn’t Remind Me“
Medium Rotation tracks: “Yesterday to Tomorrow“; “Man or Animal“; “Drown Me Slowly“
Grade: B

(As posted 6/6/05 on davepowersmusic.com)
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