Album Spotlight Review

"Revelations"
AUDIOSLAVE
Epic
Audioslave's previous two records have borne the unmistakable signs of a band swinging for the fences but whiffing more than it should, so "Revelations" finds them shuffling their offensive strategy. The rhythm section takes lead duties from the acidic melodies of Chris Cornell, which have never been as insistent as they might be, though his ragged howl is aging quite nicely. The change is for the better. Morello's instantly recognizable wah-wah powers the title track, "Broken City" furnishes a nice swampy choogle and the handclap-addled "Original Fire" does a decent job channeling, of all people, T. Rex. But once again, the results feel too spotty. Three discs into an experiment that's stuck, Audioslave still hasn't jelled into the uniformly cohesive unit that Rage Against the Machine or Soundgarden were on their sleepiest days. If nothing else, these aren't guys who'll give up fighting.