After dropping probably the most disappointing album of 2005, Audioslave should have been thinking of ways to improve upon the creative letdown and bore that was their “Out of Exile” album. But on “Revelations”, the majority of the music sounds much like a retread of “Out Of Exile”, only showing moments of full potential of the strong pedigree of the members previous bands (Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden).

The 12 song, 50 minute album gets off to an uproarious start with the strong one-two punch of the title track, and “One In the Same”. The tracks show off guitarist Tom Morello’s virtuosity, and gives listeners a little sample of the fury he created in Rage. The band’s sound works when it mixes that intensity with the classic rock and 70’s funk, such as on the leadoff single “Original Fire”. The track is one of the tightest riffs and percussion that the band has done, but the sing-along of “the original fire has died and gone” makes you wonder how much the band believes in the future of music.

Many times, the band goes to slower material and the album starts to fade toward boredom. Through the middle of the album, on songs such as “Broken City”, Cornell’s signature crooning hurts the album more than it helps. “Wide Awake” is Cornell’s first dive into political issues with Audioslave, and the attack on Bush is middling at best. The album rebounds briefly, with the classic sounding track “Jewel of the Summertime”, where the funk influences meet a charging hard rock sound.

In the end, “Revelations” isn’t very revealing at all. The band sounds like it’s on autopilot through most of the record, and makes you wonder if this really is it for the band. If so, the name Audioslave will be remembered for a strong debut, but not really living up to those expectations with their subsequent albums.

GRADE: C+