Album: Alice In Chains
Original release date: Nov. 7, 1995
Label: Columbia

Personnel:

• Layne Staley - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
• Jerry Cantrell - Lead Guitar, Vocals
• Mike Inez - Bass
• Sean Kinney - Drums, Artwork
• Stephen Marcussen - Mastering
• Toby Wright - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
• Tom Nellen - Engineer
• John Seymour - Mixing Assistant
• Rocky Schenck - Photography
• Mary Maurer - Art Direction
• Doug Erb - Design, Cover Design

 Track list:

1. "Grind" (Cantrell) – 4:45
2. "Brush Away" (Staley/Cantrell/Kinney/Inez) – 3:22
3. "Sludge Factory" (Staley/Cantrell/Kinney) – 7:12
4. "Heaven Beside You" (Cantrell/Inez) – 5:27
5. "Head Creeps" (Staley) – 6:29
6. "Again" (Cantrell/Staley) – 4:05
7. "Shame in You" (Staley/Cantrell/Kinney/Inez) – 5:35
8. "God Am" (Staley/Cantrell/Kinney/Inez) – 4:08
9. "So Close" (Staley/Cantrell/Kinney) – 2:45
10. "Nothin' Song" (Staley/Cantrell/Kinney) – 5:40
11. "Frogs" (Staley/Cantrell/Kinney/Inez) – 8:18
12. "Over Now" (Cantrell/Kinney) – 7:03
    ~~~~~
    
13. "Again (Tattoo of Pain Mix)" (Cantrell/Staley) – 4:01 (Japanese bonus track)
14. "Again (Jungle Mix)" (Cantrell/Staley) – 4:01 (Japanese bonus track)

 Singles:
"Grind"
"Heaven Beside You"
"Again"

Billboard Top 200 peak: #1

 

The third and final full-length studio release with Layne. The album is self-titled, though fans often refer to it unofficially as _Tripod_ (three-legged dog, three-legged man...get it?). Show some love. HEAVINESS. SLUDGE.

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For a long time I thought that Dirt is their best album, but over the years I've changed my mind. This one doesn't open up as easily, but once it does, there's nothing like it. It's unique, ingenious and stands time better than anything they've written. It has it's weaker moments too, but who cares when there's Frogs that is pure perfection! Or Sludge Factory with it's clever melody and lyrics. The guys sound like they no longer have any interest in trying to show or prove anybody how great singers, song writers, guitar players or what ever they are because they have already proved it many times before in their earlier albums. They just do their thing, play and sing what they like, and to me that proves how great they are better than any complicated guitar solo. 

Minerva:

For a long time I thought that Dirt is their best album, but over the years I've changed my mind. This one doesn't open up as easily, but once it does, there's nothing like it. It's unique, ingenious and stands time better than anything they've written. It has it's weaker moments too, but who cares when there's Frogs that is pure perfection! Or Sludge Factory with it's clever melody and lyrics. The guys sound like they no longer have any interest in trying to show or prove anybody how great singers, song writers, guitar players or what ever they are because they have already proved it many times before in their earlier albums. They just do their thing, play and sing what they like, and to me that proves how great they are better than any complicated guitar solo. 

I agree 100%

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"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity, and in the end we are what we pretend to be" -Jerry Cantrell-

My favorite release by Alice. Although overshadowed by Dirt, s/t contains their 2 most epic songs imo, Sludge Factory and Frogs, both of which are very powerful. I love the flow of the cd from Grind to Over Now. Dirt is a depressing album, but it has nothing on this one.

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Evacuate, assemble here

http://www.last.fm/user/BlackSession323

There is just something about this album, it hits a certain spot which nothing else ever has. It never gets old and the songwriting and sound is very mature. This is the AIC album I find myself listening to the most, it works best as a complete body of work. The other albums have stand out tracks which work well on their own and on the album, but this album really does reward the listener for digesting it as a whole. It is so real.

This album just kept growing on me, and is now probably my favorite. I remember hearing Sludge Factory for the first time with a buddy and both of our jaws dropped. Grind and Again are personal favorites but this whole album rocks. This band was really blooming. I think all of us fans wonder what the next album would have brought.

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RIP Layne. The music lives on..........

To me, this album is Alice in Chains at their purest form.  Many of the songs are longer and more jam oriented.  They explore a lot of musical territory on this album.  It's without a doubt their most complex record.  Many people are turned off to this one because perhaps it's too deep or makes them think too much.  They prefer short simple rockers like Dam That River and the like.  However, this album is a "statement" album to me.  AIC had a lot to say with this album and I think they got the message across.  You could say this album is only for "tr00" listeners.  I love this album.

I agree coolguy. They let it all out in this one........no holds barred. This one is definitely my favorite.

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I'm not fine, fuck pretending.

my favorite album ever its so dark and powerful(well besides heaven beside you which is my least favorite AIC song annoys the shit out of me), frogs is by far AICs best song and shame in you and sludge factory are great too, a masterpiece!!

You hit it right on the head Minerva!  I always loved Dirt the most, but as I listened to Tripod more and more I realize that this CD is pure magic and there is nothing like it.  I said on the New Album thread that I thought this abum was a huge turning point for the band.  I always thought that the next album (Back then i thought there woudl be one) was going to be a continutaion and perfection of the sound they had on Tripod which was very heavy and very dark.  Get Born Again and Died are sick songs and I hate thinking about what that next album would've been like.  We're getting the next best thing though with Duval on the mic.  I cant wait!  Sorry got off topic a little. 

captainmorgan:

my favorite album ever its so dark and powerful(well besides heaven beside you which is my least favorite AIC song annoys the shit out of me), frogs is by far AICs best song and shame in you and sludge factory are great too, a masterpiece!!

hahaha I dont really enjoy Heaven Beside You either!!

It's funny how about every month or so I switch favorite songs with AIC. From like 6th grade...

Right now I can't stop listening to God Am.

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I'm not fine, fuck pretending.

this is the first aic album i bought and i'd have to say it's still my favorite ablum for the same reasons that are stated above.

Grind, Again, Shame In You, and Frogs are my favorites off of this album.

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"Walls of thought strong and high"

I love every song on this album, but Sludge Factory in particular really hits a spot with me, for reasons I won't get into.

-C

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-You don't understand who they thought I was supposed to be

This is an EXCELLENT album, though sadly it was their last. Brush Away, Sludge Factory, Again are all classic tunes. Layne's vocals are killer, as always. Shame In You is one of my favorite Alice songs ever. Layne's lyrics on this song are really introspective, but it's hard to tell with him sometimes. Sadly, I think this effort has sort of an unfinsihed feel to it, Ruimors at the time said that Jerry wrote a few of these tunes (Heaven Beside You and Over Now) with a possible solo album in mind. I guess things had already began to fall apart at the seams. That may be the reason for the unfinished feel I always perceived about this one. Whatever, this is still classic Alice, hard and heavy yet delicate at times as well.  This new Alice has a lot to live up to because, essentially, they are following up this album!!! SCARY!!!!!

I COULD USE SOME TIME TO CURL AWAY

MY AGGRESSION IS WHERE YOU STAKE YOUR CLAIM

 

 

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