Soundgarden fuckin’ rule. End of story. Please excuse the rash judgmentalism, but if you need to be reminded of Soundgarden’s cult status then you’re most likely: a) a horse’s arse; b) Rick Astley’s love child; c) someone who hasn’t got a copy of Telephantasm
Soundgarden fuckin’ rule. End of story. Please excuse the rash judgmentalism, but if you need to be reminded of Soundgarden’s cult status then you’re most likely: a) a horse’s arse; b) Rick Astley’s love child; c) someone who hasn’t got a copy of Telephantasm or; d) all of the above. For those who want the convenience of a track list spanning the band’s 14 year career, or just another album with a portmanteau title, you’re in luck. Telephantasm features Hands All Over, Outshined, Rusty Cage, Black Hole Sun, Burden In My Hand and a few other songs that achieved high rotation at adolescent parties across the Western world throughout the nineties.
Bear in mind that Telephantasm comes in two versions – a 12 track album (one CD) or, for the more dedicated fans, there is the limited edition two CD set with a bonus DVD containing the band’s singles. Less fortunate humans might have to be content with the truncated version of this release (as I must be). Run-of-the-mill Soundgarden enthusiasts are likely to have most of the songs somewhere in their music collection already, but the bonus – if not on the DVD etc. – rests in the lesser-heard releases, including number one on the track list, Hunted Down – the band’s first ever single and the first song from their first release … ever… from Screaming Life, 1987. Birth Ritual also made the list (from the Singles movie soundtrack, 1992); a strong chugging track featuring reverse effects on the guitar intro and occasionally on the vocals, as well as a rocking 7/4 rhythm in the verses.
Another welcome inclusion is Black Rain—a previously unreleased song from the Badmotorfinger sessions. Telephantasm aptly showcases the unique alchemistry of this legendary band. Enjoy! In whatever form you find it.