Revealing a much softer side of the Seattle sounds innovator; Euphoria Morning features Chris Cornell in his bare, stripped-down form, yet still in all his glory. This is an album about the artist and his voice. Cornell demonstrates the full depth, range and richness of his amazingly powerful voice. Although comparisons to Soundgarden are inevitable (for obvious reasons), Chris Cornell has truly come into his own, expanding as both a songwriter and a singer.

Like the vision the title brings to mind, Euphoria Morning is a breath of fresh air. The record feels timeless and epic, like another of my favorite albums, Elvis Costello’s "Mighty Like a Rose." Most of the songs feature a clean simplicity of guitars laying the foundation for one of the most formidable male voices of all time. Cornell’s solo album also shows his compositional grace and genius. He delivers songs written with complexity and passion, offering deeply emotional lyrics. Cornell expands his horizons and shows his diversity, sounding anywhere from jazz influenced to "Beatles-esque."

Cornell has again surrounded himself with some extremely talented musicians. Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider, long time friends of the singer, and members of the band Eleven (whose album is due in early 2000), added their expertise and talents to this album, singing, playing and even co-writing a few of the tunes. Johannes helped give a more exotic feel to some of the tracks. In addition to playing guitar on every track and bass on a few as well. He also plays an array of instruments from mandolin to clarinet. Matt Cameron, the drummer from Soundgarden, lends his skill to the track ‘Disappearing One’.

Tunes like ‘When I’m Down’ and ‘Wave Goodbye’ are laden with blues melodies. Although ‘Mission’ is much heavier in soul and R&B influences than anything Soundgarden would have ever done, you can clearly hear Cornell sing this tune in the same fashion and with the same intensity as he would have in his previous band. ‘Pillow of Your Bones’ is probably the most reminiscent of a Soundgarden song. ‘Disappearing One,’ with it’s clarinet intro, opens like a funeral song, matching a mournful tone throughout, while Cornell belts out soulful lyrics with all his might. This tune will nearly bring tears to your eyes.

Cornell pours pure honey-soaked vocals over a devastatingly haunting melody in the poetic ‘Preaching the End of the World.’ This track features some pretty unorthodox instrumentation; a drill is used as both a sound effect and as a guitar pick, the end result sounds like a wash of waves on a beach. The track ‘Follow My Way’ has a touch of acid-tinged 60’s flavor. This tune is also very free and open with moments that are grandly orchestral. ‘Sweet Euphoria’ is a true showcase for Cornell’s vocal talents. Paired down to the singer and guitar, it is sweet simplicity. The ending track ‘Steel Rain’ has a very similar feel to a song with a like title; The Who’s ‘Love Reign O’er Me.’

This is a very sweet end to a beautiful album. Although I will admit there is a special place in my heart for Soundgarden that this album doesn’t quite touch, I did find it to be moving and passionate, and I know I will enjoy listening to Euphoria Morning for years to come.