As the first grunge band to be signed by a major label, Seattle's Soundgarden opened the pop floodgates, and a deluge of thrash-o-rama bands began swamping the airwaves. Followinga series of trend-setting releases on the independent Sub Pop and SST labels, Soundgarden's initial A&M releases LOUDERTHAN LOVE and BADMOTORFINGER signaled the return of the classic guitar band to popular consciousness.
Using the time-honoured Led Zeppelin/Aerosmith approach as a jump-off point--not to mention influential bands like Black Sabbath, MC5,The Stooges and Killing Joke--Soundgarden has formalised their own approach to raw power. Their stylised melodic hooks,however, along with their sometimes surreal lyrics, set them apart from the pack. Whether they get dazed and confused on the vamping "Limo Wreck", or cut loose with a wham- bam-thank-you-ma'am 4/4 cruncher like "Kickstand", Soundgarden canrock and roll with all the jet-propelled, no-nonsense crunch of all your favourite bands, from Zeppelin to the Ramones--and lead guitarist Kim Thayil's chops never outrace his melodic imagination.

1. Let Me Drown
2. My Wave
3. Fell On Black Days
4. Mailman
5. Superunknown
6. Head Down
7. Black Hole Sun
8. Spoonman
9. Limo Wreck
10. Day I Tried To Live
11. Kickstand
12. Fresh Tendrils
13. 4th Of July
14. Half
15. Like Suicide
16. She Likes Surprises