Alice In Chains

i can only hope it isn't their swan song

Review Score:

(8/10)
for first time Alice listeners, this album may seem a bit of a mess with it's densely layered vocals and often super-sludgey riffs. However, after more than one listen, even the untrianed ear can pick up on the incredible aristry of this band. Grind and Again were obvious choices for singles. some say that Sludge Factory and Frogs would be better short, however i think that Sludge Factory's probably the heaviest song on the album and wouldn't have the same impact if it was shorter. For those who have only listened to about a minute of Frogs and turned it off, listen to it all the way through, it's a really emotional and powerful tune. Heaven Beside You is the radio-friendly song but is still a good showcase for Cantrell's understated tenor vocals, as is the album epic Over Now. Head Creeps is classic trippy Staley song writing. God Am is good enough to be a single and Shame In You and So Close are weird but good. This leaves the crazily lyricised Nothin' Song, which i have been able to stomach even though most hate it with a passion. Overall, a great and ultra-heavy cd.

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