I was not quite sure about this Album when i first bought it. I mean after listening to the "Nirvana Unplugged", I thought there could be nothing better because I thought I'd seen it all.
.........................And i must say i was stupid......................

Unplugged-Alice in chains actually helped me through the most darkest times of my life when i really needed help and also a very strong source of encouragement. I was feeling really down and lost those days because of all the unfortunate events that were taking place in that phase of my life. Little did I know that I was destined to find the key to a happy and successful life, the strength to carry on and immense encouragement in the voice of an Angel - Layne Staley(RIP)

After a three year hiatus,
Alice in Chains performed the "Unplugged", which was nothing short of gift from heaven to all the people who say- "I love rock/thoughtful lyrics/good guitaring"

The Magical show starts off with all the band members walking in one by one to make history.

1. The first song is Nuthshell, which is absolutely wonderful and quite depressing at the same time. This song is taken from the EP "Jar of Flies". The band continues to receive applause from the crowd even when they've started to play.

2. Then follows Brother. This is a rather mellow song and sounds so very serene, when both Jerry and LAYNE sing together - pictures in a box at home/yellow wing and green with mould/so i can barely see your face/wonder how that colour taste.
This one sends me and my friend into a dimension of a mixed emotions where one wouldn't be quite sure of what he's feeling but I believe I've found happiness in it's most primitive form.

3. Before starting the next song which is called No Excuses, Layne Staley talks to the crowd. The pain in his voice is so obvious when he says- "We've been waiting a loooooooooong time to play this show..."
It is so amazing to listen to this song because it sounds just like the electric version. This song is definitely brought to life by Jerry Cantrell. Although this song is depressing and full of regrets, one can derive whole lots of confidence from this song provided it is channelised in the right direction.

4. The next song is Sludge Factory. The introduction to this song is given by Mike Inez(Bassist) and Sean Kinney (drummer) as they play Enter Sandman for a few seconds.
huuun aaan aaan aaan.....aaan aaan aaan...
These amazingly amusing cries by Layne Staley begin the song and this is one of the most unique songs you will ever listen to.It is quite different from the original version (maybe even better!)

5. You can again feel the hurt in HIS voice when he says- "This is called Down In a Hole."
It's like, HIS voice is oozing with immense pain and i feel pity for him even before the song starts in which Layne Staley cries out his heart to the people through this song.
The lyrics of this song are severely depressing but pretty intelligent at the same time. Jerry Cantrell wrote this song for his girlfriend. Layne's disease is also quite relevant to this serene song.Layne cries - I'd like to fly, but my wings have been so denied. This song just reminds you that songs written by this band were out of heartfelt emotions.

6. Angry Chair starts off immediately as the previous song ends. This song is a very good illustration of the kind of talent the band possessed which is displayed by the unbelievable co-ordination between all of the band members.
Lonliness is not a phase/killer field is where I graze/serenity is far away/saw my reflection and cried/so little hope that i died/Ohhhhhhhhh
You dont need to be a brain surgeon to know that Layne Staley is talking about his addiction problems here.

7. R00ster is the next song which ofcoarse is about the Guitarist Jerry's dad's experience in the Vietnam war. The original version is actually pretty haunting, thanx to Layne Staley but this one is....hmmmmmmm... quite soothing and nonetheless - A piece of sheer Perfection!

8. Got Me Wrong is taken from the album "SAP". This is undoubtedly a beautiful and mellow song, wherein LAYNE STALEY and Jerry Cantrell sing together in harmony.
This song always manages to send chills down my spine whenever i listen to HIM sing - I havent felt like this in so long

9. Heaven Beside You. Well! ...... What else can I say? This song touches the very soul deep inside of me and I cant help singing along - Like the coldest winter chill/heaven beside you/hell within/So there's problems in your life/thats up/I'm not blind/I'm just see through faded/superjaded/out of my mind
This song is definitely pretty different from the original version which uses whole lots of distortions.

10. Would?
This song was written as a tribute to Andrew Wood(Mother Love Bone). This song is basically a bass driven song with divine vocals from LAYNE. In the original version,from outta no where there is this immaculate scream which goes like: yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh,
right in the middle of the Heavenly Guitar solo.
This song is featured in the James Cameron movie called Singles.

11. This next onesong is a real cool song with some attitude.It is called Frogs. One of the most wierdest and yet wonderful songs you will ever listen to in your life. TRUST ME ON THIS ONE. Layne does this cool stuff with that "Voice-Box" Gizmo of his!
it is basically about all the regrets in your life and letting out your feelings in the form of whining, anger and grief.

12. Layne tries to get the hell out of there by singing this song called Over Now (Too bad the crowd didn't let him leave). This song reflects on Jerry Cantrell's guitaring skills even when he is playing in Acoustic.
Yeah its over now/i seem alive somehow/when its all gone wrong/its hard to be so strong
It ends with unexpected but pleasant variations in the tempo of the guitar (leaving u craving for more)....
JERRY CANTRELL IS GOD!
On continued requests from the resilient crowd LAYNE changes his mind and postpones his 'SMACK SESSION'.

* After the previous song and before the the next song Jerry Cantrell fools around a bit with the crowd and shows off some of his guitaring skills while trying to make people laugh at the same time.He sings this cool piece which goes sum like this:
That Senator he don't like no drug programme, he been a Dope-Head for thirty years / That Senator he don't like no women, he prefers young Boys in Leather...Yeeeeeaaaaah *

13. They play a brand new song called Killer Is Me. Layne Staley plays some additional Guitar on this song.
I am not a very big fan of this song but some of my friends do love this song. Give it a listen and maybe you'll love it!


Finally, the show comes to an end. The band receives a very big and well-deserved applause from the roaring (& lucky)crowd.
Layne Staley says to the crowd "I wish I could just hug you all but I'm not gonna."
Cantrell goes "Thanx! That was really fun."

It's really unbelievable that inspite of a pathetic physical condition like that, Layne was absolutely brilliant at the "Unplugged" and he did sing like a "Lark".Thats what HE used to say -
"I(Layne Staley) sing like a Lark".
To me this Show is and will always be more than just great musicians playing together...To me it is like a "Magic-Show". I've listened to "Unplugged" atleast a Godzillion times now and i can honestly say that even now : Every time I listen to it I get the same ecstatic feeling that I used to experience when I first heard Unplugged-Alice in Chains.


The 'Bottom Line' is that this a very good Album even for someone who is not a fan of Alice in Chains. Most of the songs are pretty catchy here and all the songs are decorated with Thoughtful lyrics and absolutely Meticulous Song-Writing which are kissed by Jerry Cantrell's talented Guitaring and nonetheless Layne Staley's Heavenly Vocals which make this one of those albums that will easily make it's way through your 'Heart' into your Music-Collection and will stay there forever!


RIP
LAYNE STALEY.

































Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Romancing