20 Albums, 20 Days: Superunknown

20 Albums, 20 Days: Superunknown

While all their contemporaries had major albums and big songs, Soundgarden was a step behind come 1994. This all changed with this record, which turned down the more metal influences of previous material and worked in some pop flavor. The reviews were tremendous, and the sales were the best they ever had, topping out at five million copies. The album runs 70 minutes long because Chris Cornell couldn’t figure out what songs to cut. “Black Hole Sun” was the massive hit from the album with “Spoonman” and “Fell On Black Days” also classics.

Fun Fact: The image on the front of the album cover is the “screaming elf”. It is a photo of the band but totally warped and distorted. Also, Matt Cameron was cut out of the photo by accident.

Learn more about the album:

Track-by-Track Review

Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell on ‘Superunknown,’ Depression and Kurt Cobain

The Enduring Mystery of “Black Hole Sun”

Essential Video:

Listen to the album: