My Wave cover

Released 32 years ago this October

My Wave

Soundgarden · 1994

22 min · 4 tracks · alternative rock

A swirling blend of heavy riffs and introspective lyrics that captures the essence of 90s grunge.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    My Wave — The title track encapsulates the album's fusion of powerful guitar work and Chris Cornell's dynamic vocals, creating an anthem for self-empowerment.
  • →
    Spoonman (Steve Fisk mix) — This mix highlights the band's experimental side by incorporating unique percussion elements, showcasing their willingness to push genre boundaries.
  • →
    Birth Ritual (demo) — The demo version offers a raw glimpse into Soundgarden's creative process, featuring haunting melodies and lyrical depth that resonates with listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

This single captures Soundgarden's blend of heavy riffs and introspective lyrics, showcasing their grunge sound effectively.

What we noticed

  • The title track features a dynamic structure, alternating between heavy guitar riffs and quieter, introspective verses.
  • The live version of 'My Wave' at the end showcases a rawer performance style, differing from the studio recording.
  • The demo of 'Birth Ritual' provides insight into the band's creative process, highlighting variations in arrangement and instrumentation.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — 'My Wave' solidified Soundgarden's place in the grunge movement during their peak.
Themes
90s grunge ethos· Seattle sound evolution· self-empowerment anthem
Career context
Released on October 1, 1994, 'My Wave' came during Soundgarden's peak following their critically acclaimed album 'Superunknown'. This single showcased the band's continued evolution, further solidifying their influence in the alternative rock scene as they navigated mainstream success.
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Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 My Wave 5:12
  • 2 Spoonman (Steve Fisk mix) 6:55
  • 3 Birth Ritual (demo) 5:50
  • 4 My Wave (live) 4:34

What to play next

Superunknown
Listen next

Superunknown

1994

Continues the heavy riffs and introspective themes from My Wave.
Badmotorfinger
Go back to

Badmotorfinger

1991

Precedes My Wave with a similar grunge sound and energy.
Full Soundgarden discography Where to start with Soundgarden Artists like Soundgarden
alternative rock hard rock heavy metal

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Dirt

Dirt

Alice in Chains

Shares dark introspection and heavy riffs, embodying the 90s Seattle sound.

Vs.

Vs.

Pearl Jam

Features a blend of hard rock energy and personal lyrics that echo the grunge ethos of the era.

Core

Core

Stone Temple Pilots

Combines heavy guitar work with introspective themes, aligning with the 90s grunge aesthetic.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata