Question: How long will it take me to mention Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden in this review?

Answer: 10 words.

Of course, when it comes to Audioslave -- the band made up of three former members of Rage and Chris Cornell, the former lead singer of Soundgarden -- comparisons are going to come up constantly.

In all honesty though, it's not really fair to make these sort of comparisons. On Audioslave's self-titled album, the band hardly ever sounds like any of the members' former bands. Die-hard fans will be disappointed to find nothing too reminiscent of Rage's "Killing in the Name" or "Guerilla Radio," or of Soundgarden's "Loud Love" or "Pretty Noose."

Audioslave sets out to create its own sound on its first album, and manages to do that fairly successfully. Cornell's voice is recognizable, because his voice is distinct, not because he's copying anything he's done before. Tom Morello's guitar-work is also identifiable, although it sounds more reigned in and succinct than ever before.

Certainly, trying to create its own sound instead of seeking to capitalize on earlier glories is admirable, but there's one problem: on the rare occasions that Audioslave lets loose and pays homage to their former sounds, the album is far and away at its best.

The opening track and first single, "Cochise," is one of the most fuming and energetic songs on the album. More than any other track, "Cochise" sounds like Chris Cornell backed by Rage Against the Machine, and it sounds great. Morello is able to make sounds that never seem to come from other guitarists.

The same is true for other similar songs like "Set It Off" and "Exploder." While these songs might not be staking claim on any new sound, they at least sound full of fire and fury.

As the album goes on, it seems steeped more in slow or mid-tempo songs, which were never really the strong suit of any of the musicians in the band. Songs like "I Am the Highway," "Getaway Car" and "The Last Remaining Light" simply lack any of the energy or emotion that defined the Audioslave members' best work.

It is also startling that there is literally no mention of anything political in the album. Apparently Chris Cornell did not want to write political lyrics and, in taking that stand, has effectively taken Rage's voice away. Instead of sounding like livid activists, they now sound more like pre-processed rock stars.

It's not that the album is bad. Audioslave is not bad at all, just highly disappointing. If there were no preconceived notions about the band then it would probably be better off, but when marketing keeps reminding the listener of who these men are, the album just comes off as more and more disappointing.

With Audioslave, the 21st Century's first high-profile supergroup, the question that should be asked is: Can a band actually be less than the sum of its parts?

Grade: B