lambchops's Full Review: Alice in Chains by Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains found fame as part of the Seattle grunge scene following the release of their 1990 debut Facelift.” The fervor surrounding the band lasted just long enough for them to fade into oblivion following the release of their 1995 self-titled album.
Formed in 1987, Alice in Chains mixed metal and depression with seamless ease. This combination would go on to spawn scads of copycat bands. But, Alice in Chains isn’t the stereotypical example of the Seattle sound. Layne Staley’s gravelly vocals backed by the pensively talented guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez, and drummer Sean Kinney equate to an overall essence reminiscent of heavy metal forefathers like Black Sabbath.
The band’s debut was followed by head-banging in the form of 1992’s Dirt. 1994’s bleak vision Jar of Flies also struck a chord with depressed rock fans everywhere. But, Staley’s drug problems surfaced forcing the band to back out of an all-important tour with Metallica. Problems, be damned, each of their first three albums went on to sell at least to Platinum status.
1995 saw the release of Alice in Chains’ fourth—and weakest—album to date. Recorded in the midst of Staley’s increasingly troublesome drug problems, the self-titled album lacked the spark that made earlier releases special. Alice in Chainswas almost totally unable to tour in support of their album. During this dour time, they were able to record an intense Unplugged session for MTV.
I wish that Staley had fewer problems with drugs and depression. With all-star side project Mad Season, Staley was able to briefly contribute his talents. Members of that collaboration publicly put the addiction-ridden Staley on “suicide watch” in 1998.
Fans are left with four albums of new music and an Unplugged set. That fourth album is a bad example of Alice in Chains’ music. It’s even more depressing than usual. Their sound is ridiculously harsh and sour, making them seem like a musical cartoon of sorts. Honestly, earlier offerings show a much greater amount of talent. Alice in Chains managed to debut in the top position. It stayed modestly popular as a direct result of a large fan base and songs like ”Grind”, ”Heaven Beside You” and ”Again”
Fortunately, ”Grind” is a heavy, hard hitting metal song. It starts the album off on a good, yet depressing note. Staley’s vocals are clear, tight, and angry. Cantrell’s guitar mastery is evident throughout, but it’s only during the solos that it’s obvious just how talented the man really is. This isn’t my favorite Alice in Chains track…just a decent one.
”Heaven Beside You” is a lo-fi grunge track. It is sparse with pared down instrumentation, including a beautifully played acoustic guitar. This is a decent grunge song, but it seems a bit light and fluffy for the usually angry Alice in Chains. Also of note is the fact that this track was one of this album’s big hits.
Growling and intense are two words that are appropriate descriptions of ”Again”. It’s evident that Alice in Chains was particularly angry at the time of this recording. Staley’s lyrics are slow and methodical, yet the song is strangely fast and frantic. It seems to somehow reflect Staley’s unbalanced, addicted mind during this time period.
”Brush Away” fails to stake a claim on the album. It is boring with repetitive lyrics and music. The track just leaves a sour taste in my mouth. ”Sludge Factory” is a decent track with really heavy and loud guitars. Staley’s uninspired vocals lack the shiny brilliance he exhibited on earlier tracks from other, better albums.
Staley write the lyrics and music to the strange ”Head Creeps”. The song sound album exactly like the aforementioned ”Sludge Factory”…just more convoluted and twisted. Every album needs a tender song…commonly known as a ballad. So, Alice in Chains offers up the slow and listen able ”Shame in You”. Sure, it’s uncalled for to have Staley singing so pensively and modestly, but it’s a decent song anyway. This is one of the better songs on this otherwise mediocre album.
Alice in Chains strikes out at the world’s injustices in ”God Am”. Besides that obvious message, the show offers little of merit. The drums are repetitive and flat…often drowning out anything resembling a good song. ”So Close” is also boring and bleak. Plus, any song that even attempts to rhyme the words ‘again’ and ‘pen’ needs to promptly be put out of its misery.
Honestly, the rest of this album fades into nothingness thanks to two of the final three songs. ”Nothin’ Song” and ”Frogs” are sad, sorry, and utterly mediocre. The only saving grace is the understated and passionate ”Over Now”. The song’s intro is quite annoying, but one it gets rolling the track is heavy and hard and great!
It’s painful to give a band as great as Alice in Chains such a negative review…but, they’ve earned it with this album. By 1995, Staley had sunk into a drug induce hazy depression. Alice in Chains (1995) is the product of his royally screwed up life. Any one of their earlier albums will prove more satisfying than this messy CD. Each of them, in fact, easily earn four or five stars.
Alice in Chains (1995) is just too little too late. Cantrell’s guitar prowess still shines. Staley, on the other hand, is a lost cause. I am forced to give this album just three out of five stars. I will recommend this album to rock fans, metal fans, and grunge lovers alike. Just don’t expect brilliance out of this mushy CD.
Track Listing:
1. Grind
2. Brush Away
3. Sludge Factory
4. Heaven Beside You
5. Head Creeps
6. Again
7. Blame in You
8. God Am
9. So Close
10. Nothin’ Song
11. Frogs
12. Over Now
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