Having sold millions of records fronting two of the most successful rock bands in recent history, Chris Cornell has finally earned the right to chill out. As the former lead singer of Seattle grunge pioneers Soundgarden and the recently disbanded “supergroup” Audioslave, Cornell has been praised as one of the best singers in rock. He possesses a voice with incredible power and a full vocal range that makes it one of music’s most resilient instruments.

Since the demise of his group efforts (isn’t it amazing that bands with songs like “Blow up the Outside World” and “Drown Me Slowly” would cite irreconcilable differences?), Cornell is all about the freedom he feels as a newly liberated solo artist.

In June 2007, Cornell released his second solo album, appropriately titled Carry On, a musically confused clutter of stylistic variations that even features a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.” As for the decision to transform Jackson's most popular song into a brooding ballad, it seems to be perfectly in line with Cornell’s newfound ideology: I can do any damn thing I want.

Cornell’s album shows that, once again, he’s fully capable of going beyond his role as a product of early ‘90s grunge to become a lasting musical icon.

Cornell’s two day stint at the Beacon Theater begins tonight.