In the November 2010 issue of Modern Drummer is an article by Patrick Berkery titled “11 Reasons to Love Matt Cameron”. It’s hard to choose only 11 songs from Matt’s catalog, and Berkery offers a wide sampling. “Jesus Christ Pose” and “Spoonman” are foregone conclusions, and I’m happy to see “Let Me Drown” on the list, as that’s an oft-overlooked Soundgarden tune and one of my favorites. I don’t disagree with any of his selections, but I would like to offer a few of my own favorite tracks that didn’t make his cut.

• Soundgarden, Badmotorfinger: “Slaves and Bulldozers”

  This is one of my favorite Matt Cameron groove tunes. I love the cymbal placement, the dynamics, the fills. Great stuff.

• Soundgarden, Badmotorfinger: “Searching with my Good Eye Closed”

  I played along to a lot of Soundgarden when I first started drumming, and the groove and the fills on this one always gave me a hard time for some reason. It’s gotta be the feel, man!

• Soundgarden, Superunknown: “Mailman”

  The slow, chugging groove on this one is classic Matt. The space occupied and the space left is so perfect. This is another great example of his somewhat atypical placement of hi-hat opening and crash cymbals. And I love how he smooths out the mixed meter.

• Soundgarden, Superunknown: “Head Down”

  This isn’t my favorite Soundgarden song, but it’s practically a drum feature throughout, so its placement here is obligatory.

• Soundgarden, Superunknown: “Like Suicide”

  Another great drum feature. Matt does some dynamic tom work, then busts into a crushing groove with killer fills sprinkled in.

• Soundgarden, Down on the Upside: “Zero Chance”

  I like this one for many of the same reasons as “Mailman”. It’s another awesome, chugging groove. I love Matt’s placement of hi-hat openings and cymbal crashes, and his simple “4-e-&” fills on the snare.

• Temple of the Dog, S/T: “Your Savior”

  Matt gets to play a solo groove in the beginning that’s just slammin’ in the pocket. He whips out some great fills at the end, too.

Jeez, I wish Soundgarden would hurry up and record that reunion album already…!