I hesitated to get this album, for fear that it would just be a joke. A pale amalgham and facsimile to the REAL AIC. Esp. after Laynes Death would be heavy on the minds of any true AIC fan who would want to hear it.
I think they did the right thing. They took Jerry Cantrell's solo touring guitarist (the guy who sang all of Laynes parts when Jerry played them live sans AIC) and added him into the group. His influence is quite minor, save for some songwriting on two tracks, co-written by Cantrell. In many ways, it feels like a solo Cantrell record, but much more sludgey and a tad more direction. There are some standout tracks like ALL SECRETS KNOWN, ACID BUBBLE, LESSON LEARNED and the radio friendly: CHECK YOUR BRAIN. In those songs, the album is strong. The other songs really seem faded and uninspired. Except for the last track: BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE... a song directly about Layne's death. (with piano by Elton John I might add)
The album artwork is extremely lacking, as is their extra materials for the release. Its a barebones album. Like, take us as it comes kind of feel. Also Sean Kinney doesn't really step up his shine on this like he has on other albums, notably Jar of Flies... where he became one of my absolute favorite drummers around.
The guys in AIC did a good job here though. It SOUNDS like AIC and they did exactly waht they had to do. Does it make that Seattle Sound re-emerge? Maybe not. But it does remind you of it. ITs not a dissapointment by any means, but it will make you spin it and probebly harken you back to their earlier albums to relive it all again. Once again, you'd be well advised not to plan the funeral before the body dies. Just like on that song, the opening track from 1995's Alice in Chains (their last album before this), their new album opens with this lyric: "Hope, a new beginning. Time, time to start living. Like just before we died. there's no going back to the place we started from." Perhaps not. But in many ways it sure sounds like you never left.
Grade: B
2 comments:
Though travel insurance can be an extra expense if already owing medical plan with all the required cover. [url=http://www.fillerobe.com]canada goose outlet[/url] It was a liberty weekend, so a bunch of us got hotel rooms at the Colonial Inn, but better known by the sailors as Division 11. [url=http://www.d2now.com]men's chilliwack bomber sale[/url] Kjnrofavg
[url=http://www.jacketstorontoonsale.com]banff down parka[/url] Mrqsgkrwb [url=http://www.louboutinstoreuk.co.uk]christian louboutin outlet online[/url] gzqwsylhl [url=http://www.cheapcanadagooseparkas.ca]canada goose vest[/url]
longchamp cmvljxrm longchamp sale mamrlmqb longchamp bags kfnbcuqb longchamp uk lpwqukpz longchamp bags uk vdmtzggj
Post a Comment