Jar Of Flies
Enzo's Review
30 minutes. 7 songs. 1000 feelings. It's something that couldn't be a surprise for those who know what AiC means. It starts with a surrounding bass line:
- Rotten Apple. Guitars & drums introduce you into mysterious world of semi-acoustic Alice's sound. Layne's voice advices you that you couldn't even try to stop listening this album, and at chorus you can only laugh or cry about the beauty and darkness you're enjoying.
- Nutshell and its broken heart lyrics continue the paths of sadness that you needed to be really understood when nothing seems to be nice around you: it brings you consolation, in a way.
- I Stay Away. Personally one of my favourite Alice's songs. Great music, great Layne. The last minute is simply stirring for any human being with just a little bit of feeling.
- No Excuses is doubtlessly (I think) the most "nice" song of the album. Despite it has the same component of the darkness, it's the song that masses can enjoy, and that's not bad. A great song.
- I must confess that I never had heard the violins cry before I heard Whale & Wasp. Simply frightening. You have two alternatives: you stop the tape off, or you start crying out with the violins! (I've almost always chosen the second option, hahaha).
- Don't Follow is a very beautiful song too. Jerry's voice is sufficiently "swallowable" to make it a nice song and not a heart aching one. But at the end, Layne interrupts totally, as the song gets higher in intensity. Finally we get the same result: wonder, pain, beauty, emotion, 1000 feelings only AiC knows how to mix in that perfect measurement.
- Finally: Swing On This. Swing. But how heart rendering can be a song whit Layne Staley's voice! This is one of the best examples. A great ending song for a great album.
This album demonstrates that Alice in Chains never depended on a certain sound (hard guitars, heavy riffs) to give us the best music. In any sound, anyway, anyhow, AiC knows how to get deep into your feelings.
Emily's Review
Okay, here's the scene. I'm standing in my room. My stepmom has just been in here, digging through my stuff, yelling at me. I'm feeling trashed and crying. I've just gotten Facelift, Tripod, and Jar of Flies, and I have Dirt. Tripod is actually in my CD player, but at this point I'm feeling so awful that I can't deal with the grinding beats. So what do I do? Why, I pop in Jar of Flies.
- Rotten Apple fills the room. The tears are flowing faster now, I'm laughing and hiccupping and muttering, "This IS the best thing they ever put out," because it's so beautiful. I can't get over those "hey ah na na"s.
- Nutshell. The lyrics are EXACTLY what I'm feeling at the moment. It cements in my heart immediately. "
- I Stay Away. I hadn't been able to get through this song before because it made me so sad, but now I can really see the full magnitude of its beauty. I think I started crying again.
- No Excuses. Those beginning drum beats make you feel happy! Now I'm grinning harder, rubbing the tears from my eyes. What a brilliant song... I didn't get to hear the last three tracks until a few days later, but they hit me just as hard.
- I played "Rotten Apple" through, of course, and then I went on.
- Whale & Wasp. WOW! This was the first time I started getting those visions with songs. This track speaks of cool forests, of oceans, of peace...I drifted off to sleep that night with this cooing in my ears.
- Don't Follow. Oh...my...god!! Layne's voice came out SO strong in that middle section, it just blew me away. I couldn't believe it. It absolutely filled my veins. And the rest of it, of course, was incredible.
- Swing on This. I can't say anything specific about this one. It's too wonderful. I quiver with joy every time Layne gets to the "Let me be, I'm alright" part. This song mirrored everything I'd been thinking about lately, about consciousness and death and reality, and our place in everything. How he can't decide if he's awake or not...
Sometimes I need the pain of Dirt. Sometimes I want the darkness of Tripod. And occasionally I need the rough, raw power of Facelift. But when I'm feeling down, I know that Jar of Flies, with the quiet beauty of its music and perfect golden harmonies drizzled over everything, will bring me peace.
Mitch's Review
At the brink of success following their breakthrough hit, Dirt, Alice in Chains shimmers brightly with the acute sounds of acoustic-driven mayhem and new bassist Mike Inez. Starting off things with a bluesy-rock number called "Rotten Apple", AiC has done it again by showcasing the mellow side to the artistic imagery and the fan favorite "Nutshell" sets this EP off with a kick and with the classic lines, "We chase misprinted lies/We face the path of time", Staley's voice is superb when showcasing his pitch and tone qualities. "I Stay Away" and "No Excuses" set the media-friendly side off with these two mind-blowing hits, with "No Excuses" being the only AIC song to hit #1. An acquiesce instrumental, "Whale & Wasp" gives the listener a base riff with over-laden guitars progressing throughout. Arguably the bluesiest song AIC ever had was a personal favorite among many fans, "Don't Follow", which takes the devotee on a trip and back again and with the amazing EP coming to a close, the swing-type, appropriately named "Swing on This" is the heaviest this bluesy EP gets praised as the first-ever EP to reach #1 on the Billboard charts and with arguably the greatest work by such a great band, they have undoubtedly shown their true colors.
Cameron's Review
It's the best CD anyone has ever created there is so much emotion in it, so much truth so much pain and agony that is so my life. The song "Nutshell" is the only thing that keeps me going I listen to it every night. Knowing that my buddy Layne went through some of the toughest times and things that I could never be able to deal with, Maybe he had a better understanding of life than the rest of us, that's why we loved him so much. We will all miss him dearly; I would love to have met him to be able to see what was going on inside his head. But I can't. Rest in peace my departed hero. This album truly captures the essence of this man's life. To of which is still a mystery to us all. If there is one album that can get me through the toughest of times it's this one.
Jason's Review It was quite a cold Christmas back in 2004. I had asked for this CD seeing how I owned every other Alice CD. I really don't know why I got this album last; seeing how it's the finest work I have ever heard. After a long day of eating and having a nice Christmas with my family I went home and uploaded Jar Of Flies into Windows Media Player. The next half an hour was an experience that I will never forget. From the starting riff of "Rotten Apple" to the last few laughs of the band in the closing seconds of "Swing on This," I was in total awe. I could not believe what I was hearing. I spent the next three hours listening to the short half an hour on the disc over and over again. I soon knew all the lyrics to every song by the end of the night. I just could not believe the beauty and sorrow put into each and every song.
Jerry once again opens this CD with a powerful riff. Mike and Sean join in and make "Rotten Apple" a compelling opening ballad. Then of course the sorrowing voice of Layne comes in. As the song ends at a lengthy seven minutes one can only think "Wow, what's next?" or "What can beat that?". "Rotten Apple" ends; I began to now listen to the most powerful and inspiring song that I have ever heard - "Nutshell." Not only does "Nutshell" hit a tune with my emotions but I immediately feel sad and can't help but tear up a bit once Layne stops singing. I remember how much of a great guy Layne was and just can't help it. As "Nutshell" ends the listener is taken into the soft clear tones of "Stay Away." Layne uses his dark voice to make many statements in this song. Jerry, Mike and Sean back him up with one of the best compositions of music I have ever heard. Next is the sad, but truthful song "No Excuses." One of my favorite Alice songs, the lyrics are simply beautiful. After "No Excuses" comes the only full instrumental song Alice has put on a CD. "Whale and Wasp" tells a story, even without words. "Don't Follow" is next. Jerry has the main vocals and then Layne ends the song in a great way. Love the lyrics, very touching. The last song breaks the sad mood with a very dark blues song by the name of "Swing on This," which is quite louder then the rest of the songs on the disc.
After that night my life changed. Not only does this CD help with troubled times in my life but I can't help just taking a listen every day. I never get bored of it and it will continue to play a big part in my life due to the fact that this was the CD that got me into playing guitar. Thank you Alice in Chains for the beautiful art and music you gave to your fans.
Tom's Review
Dirt was a devastating offering, serving up plenty of heaviness and stark emotional landscapes. Jar Of Flies is hauntingly beautiful from the first notes of "Rotten Apple" all the way to the jazzy breakdown of "Swing On This." It was a stunning tour-de-force demonstration of what a really talented rock band could do. Alice in Chains, intentionally or not, was refusing to be typecast or set into any mould, save their own. Two million plus sold and counting, it is a watershed disc, notwithstanding the fact that it is a seven-song EP.
Recorded in about a week in September of 1993, it certainly has edges. But the very occasional roughness serves only to make this diamond shine brighter. They were loose and fluid, yet tight and structured all at the same time. And it sure sounded as if the addition of Mike Inez was taking the music to bigger and better places. A track-by-track rundown of this record is unnecessary. When you do it right, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Suffice to say that all of the work here is outstanding.
Speak to rock musicians about what makes a great band, and you'll get plenty of examples. But a few things keep popping up, namely, versatility and influence. No question there were legions of young musicians in the early '90s listing Alice in Chains, among others, as an influence. However, I doubt the ability of most of the bands that erroneously get lumped in with AiC to pull off something like Jar Of Flies. Anyone can do mellow. But Alice in Chains' ability to do something uniquely "them" on this record speaks volumes about where they were coming from, and where they may yet still go. It's not common when your mother hears the CD, comes in your room, and says "Who is that?" You answer, and the look changes to disbelief, "I never would have guessed." How good is that? Versatile in the way that Led Zeppelin could do "That's The Way" or "Trampled Under Foot", and still be Zeppelin. And that's damn good. You will hear people speak of how Alice in Chains were the masters of wringing all of the emotional power out of despair. This EP, which is something of a masterpiece, exposes the lie. Its ethereal songwriting and ability to form a cohesive whole out of its seven songs scream "hope". And it still rocks.
Stuart's Review
When I first started to listen to AiC, I only knew about the hard tracks because that's all they played on the radio. Then I was looking at this EP called Jar Of Flies. It was quite and sombre. It was completely a different mood. A mood that would make you think and be quiet. The first thing that came to my mind is that "Wow, acoustic kicks as much ass as these hard tracks." "Rotten Apple" reminded me of Kafka's Metamorphosis that I read in English class. This album made me open my mind into the mellow sounds of acoustic.
Tristan's Review
Jar Of Flies is simply one word: brilliant. Since all Alice in Chains albums are great and none are better then the other I cant say this one is the best. Jar Of Flies proves that the earth is the second best thing that was made in seven days.
- Rotten Apple: Deep, dark, mystical; my favorite on the album and one of my fav songs period by AiC.
- Nutshell: A deep truth that is life in addiction.
- I Stay Away: One of my top three favorite songs. Simply superb.
- No Excuses: A really weird and new sounding song; a classic none the less.
- Whale & Wasp: The most beautiful song I've ever heard. Haunting melodies that bring tears to my eyes.
- Don't Follow: Another tear jerker and a great addition to the album
- Swing On This: A great way to end a great album an upbeat catchy song. After the crying this is a great pick me up for this album.
So all I can say is "Thank you Alice in Chains for making this album. RIP Layne Staley and God bless your souls.
Missy's Review
The first time I heard this album and still to this day it sends chills right up my spine. I feel this is Alice at their most vulnerable and honest. Layne's soft vocals and Jerry's floaty guitar sound makes it some of the most touching music I have ever heard. "Nutshell" is a beautiful almost torturing song to listen to; Layne's pain shines through like never before. On "Whale and Wasp," one of the most beautiful musical pieces I have ever heard, the riff is kept simple and is still as effecting. Got me wrong and Brother are another two beautiful songs written from Jerry's experiences part of the reason I find them both to be so affecting. My favourite though has to be "Don't Follow," the transition from Jerry singing the first few versus to Layne bellowing out the next is truly breathtaking, I find this to be a musical masterpiece and severely underrated.
Joe's Review
To the best of my knowledge, this is where Alice in Chains really shine. Jar Of Flies starts off with "Rotten Apple". This song serves as a good opener for the album for a couple of reasons. The main reason is that right off the bat, we are introduced to Mike Inez through his beautiful bass intro. "Rotten Apple" seems to never let up. It is one of the few songs that I've heard that really keeps pulling you in and will not let you go. Superb song, in my opinion, the best on the album.
"Nutshell" is a classic Alice in Chains song. There is not a ton of lyrics, but Mr. Cantrell's guitar work really does all the talking. Great acoustic work with beautiful leads over it makes this a great song. Continuing with the acoustic guitar work, "I Stay Away" is fascinating. This song has a great opening/verse riff with an over the top chorus. I think this is a dangerous song, and I mean that as the utmost compliment. It really takes you on a ride. The guitar solo is in the top 5 solos of Jerry Cantrell. "No Excuses" gets right to the point, great song and great vocal work by Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. Whale and Wasp is an unfamiliar Alice in Chains song because it is instrumental; but, with that said it is just as good, if not better than most of their songs musically.
"Don't Follow" highlights Jerry Cantrell's vocal work much more than any previous Alice in Chains song to that point in their career. Amazing texture and flow to this song, followed by a harmonica riff, and Layne Staley blowing the roof right off with an amazing vocal performance on this song. And to end the album, "Swing On This" was the best song they could have chosen out of the seven songs on this album. Dark at times, but very catchy, and leaves you wanting more. All in all, this could have been called 'The Best of Alice in Chains', because even though it is not a greatest hits collection, it is the guys at their best.
