Alice in Chains (Tripod)
Victor's Review
I have got to say, when I first heard this album, it was way different from what I expected. I don't blame them, of course not, I appreciate diversity. Though it may be different from Dirt, I still consider this a rather brilliant piece of work. It has memorable songs that show just how great the band really is. If you were to ask me, considering this album, Alice In Chains is capable of doing anything and at the same time, making it sound great. On an important side note, Jerry Cantrell has truly become an idol to me personally. This album might be different from what one expects, but diversity and capability to do what one feels sounds good, I admire that. All the same of how I admire them for creating this album.
Andrew's Review
"GRIND" and you're in there! Opening tracks don't come much better than this fine piece of music. Jerry's howling wah-wah guitar riff over the chunky power chords, tight bass and heavy-as-hell drumming will open your eyes to the wonderful world of Alice. The album can almost be seen as a slow descent into insanity and self-loathing. Though it isn't a concept album, the tracks flow so beautifully into each other that it could very easily be mistaken. Highlights of the album include the tense, but laid back "Sludge Factory"; wondrous lyrics and singing style in "Shame in You" and the uncertainty of "Frogs" - the latter track starts with tense guitar work and ends with laid back musings from Layne. The downside of the album? This is most likely the overuse of vocal harmonies, in some tracks it works however in others it seriously does not. Other than this, Alice in Chains is certainly a fantastic album worthy of any fan's collection.
Dylon's Review
Is it possible? Is it even fair to say? Who cares? I'll say it anyway. In my own opinion, I think that this is their best CD. Whether it's the haunting, dark, painful riffs of "Grind," or the mellow, acoustic songs such as "Heaven Beside You," "Frogs," and "Over Now." This is one album that is aiming to please. Below is my track-by-track description.
- Grind: A Dark song, that, to me, has kind of an upbeat chorus.
- Brush Away: Another dark one. He seems to be talking about stopping, and resting, and falling back.
- Sludge Factory: Wonderful. One of the many songs about drugs / drug use. Still a great one.
- Heaven Beside You: One of the most radio-friendly AiC songs I can think of.
- Head Creeps: This song is ALL Layne. The music and lyrics. A dark, creepy song with a catchy chorus.
- Again: Some will disagree, but I think more work could have went in this song. Still a good one, but not great.
- Shame In You: A sadder, power-ballad where Layne seems to be singing about drugs and how they have negatively affected his life. Great through and through.
- God Am: I think this one could have passed off as a single. It has a great, radio-friendly chorus. And it shows true Alice, in my opinion.
- So Close: A short one. The verses seem to get stuck in my head (in this case its a good thing).
- Nothin' Song: Kind of the underdog of the CD. I've heard a lot of people claim they dislike it. I really like it even though the lyrics are random.
- Frogs: It's eight minutes long!! I made my friend listen to it, then he said: "Oh man! It's eight minutes of pure greatness."
- Over Now: A great closer. One of the other acoustic ballads. Was it saying this is AiC's last album, or was it saying that for Layne (if he can't stop his addiction) that it is over for him? Whatever it is, this a damn good song to end a damn good album.
Linda's Review
Alice in Chains, their last CD. Not their best, but their most interesting. Well first off, the drums and bass are mixed in really low, but it fits the mood of the CD pretty good. Seeing Layne was at his worst with his heroin habit, and the band was having complications, that's why the CD isn't their greatest. But still, it has some classics. First off, "Grind" is a definite classic. "Brush Away" is pretty cool. "Sludge Factory" is probably AiC strangest song. That or "Frogs." It is definitely a creepy heroin song, and by the second half, it gets pretty weird. The weird voice talking and eventually saying "YOUR WEAPON IS GUILT!" a million times, and then ending with the song basically falling apart. And then it is enlightened by "Heaven Beside You," one of the ballads. "Head Creeps" gives me head creeps, and it's the first time I heard Layne scream like that. It is still one awesome song. "Again" is another one of my favorites. "Shame In You" is kinda weak, but I like it. "God Am" is awesome starting with some pothead smoking a bong I think, and that weird guitar noise, but turning into another classic. "So Close" and "Nothin Song" are awesome. "Frogs" is pretty creepy, especially with Layne's little speech in the end. And "Over Now" sounds better acoustic on the Unplugged CD, but is still an amazing song and a good way to end it. It's too bad Layne's habit eventually got to him. He could have went on to make some more great music for us, but sadly this is the last official CD Layne would do with the band. And by listening to this amazingly weird CD, you can understand why.
Brad's Review
Alice in Chains always put out amazing albums. Facelift is one of the greatest debut releases of all time, and Dirt was a phenomenon that established the band as legends. While both of these albums present a dark atmosphere, neither of these compare to the darkness of Alice in Chains.
Alice in Chains is an album that is centered around lead singer Layne Staley (who wrote most of the albums lyrics). The album's cover features a three-legged dog, which possibly encodes that Layne is the missing leg due to the fact that he was always missing in action. The album is their most personal album, as Layne explores different captions of his life, and the struggles he deals with on a day to day basis from the media at the current time.
Songs written by guitarist/backing vocalist Jerry Cantrell seem to be more hopeful and comforting, but you will always a find a Layne song to destroy the hope brought on by Cantrell's lyrics. Songs like "Grind" and "Again" are aimed at the media and radio stations, while "Sludge Factory" and "Shame in You" seem to reflect the personal relationships Layne Staley had in his life time. Unfortunately, "Over Now" has taken a new meaning in today's times, as Layne's career with the band is "over" and now the band must finally "pay their debt." The album is certainly Alice's best work, and is recommended to anyone who loves dark/depressing lyrics mixed with an experimental music touch.
