For Week Ending:
22 July 2023

3rd Secret - 3rd Secret (2022)

[Grunge Rock]

The term 'supergroup' is often overused in music, but often when a bunch of big name musicians get together it is hard to describe them as anything less. Throwing Soundgarden's Kim Thayil, Soundgarden / Pearl Jam's Matt Cameron, Nirvana's Kurt Novaselic together with a few other lesser knowns promised an interesting experiment, and the first album doesn't fail to intrigue. Most of the music is actually pretty mellow, and the twin harmonised female voices are not what is expected, but the songs are consistently catchy. The album opens acoustically with 'Rhythm Of The Ride', setting the scene for the sprinkling of acoustic tunes throughout, with 'Winter Solstice' being a stand out. Moments of Soundgarden shine through on the louder tracks, with Thayil's distinct guitar tone and playing style evident, especially on tracks like 'I Choose Me'. The pop sensibilities on many of the songs leave the listener with a feeling of 'do I know this song?', and overall this is really pleasant and easy listen. You won't hear any Nirvana or Soundgarden heaviness here, but there are flashes of the grunge noise that made all these guys famous.

Arist Information
3rd Secret is an American alternative rock supergroup formed in late 2021. The band's lineup includes bass guitarist/accordionist Krist Novoselic of Nirvana, drummer Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, guitarists Kim Thayil of Soundgarden and Jon 'Bubba' Dupree of Void, and vocalists Jillian Raye and Jennifer Johnson. Novoselic, Johnson, and Raye played together in the band Giants in the Trees; while Cameron and Dupree played together in Hater.