Of course the 1990 Facelift debut of the band Alice In Chains was a suprising one for all of the critics. After the release of Sap in 1991 (with many positive reviews) the underground started to listen to Grunge music. As Nirvana came out with Nevermind, Pearl Jam with Ten, and so Alice in Chains were put in the same genre as the other 2 powerhouses with their new album Dirt. Of course Layne Staley was abused on drugs every song points that. This album must be the most depressing biopic of a single man in a single album. Which is saying alot.
As soon as you enter the CD and the first track hits the screams of Staley and the high noise of the band are heard with ''Them Bones'. Just like in Facelift with 'We Die Young', Alice In Chains put in another high-paced song to enter their new album. The song focuses on the loneliness of Staley and as the guitars keep pounding riff after riff of depressing notes (or as it sounds). Staley's voice is so recognizable because its just so dark. You can hear it in his very voice that Staley is in pain. Though 'Them Bones' starts with a fast-paced lyrics - Damn That River is almost 'slower-paced' but, Jerry Cantrell makes his presence heard as he does in 'Rain When I Die'. 'Down In A Hole' probably the softiest sounding and most depressing song on the whole album which expresses the most easily how badly Staley was going through heroin addiction at the time. The guitar goes very well in this track and shows how depressing the track can get as it gets lower and lower as he says "I've been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth."
The next track 'Sickman' is very self-explaintory as it says whats the point of living if no one wants to get near you? Cantrall and Staley go together when they sing vocally as they scream in parts of the song. 'Rooster' which was based on Cantrall's dad fighting in Vietnam and also has a heavy feeling with the rest of a album. As Staley sings while the chorus soothes the ears, you can easily feel the sorrow around this track (The whole song just seems so dark that it's hard to see how it can be about Cantrall's dad coming back home from Vietnam and not being treated like a war hero as he thought he would be.) Junkhead which is clearly the most direct song about Staley's drug interaction with other people and with his heroin abuse. The bass and guitar are so sludgy that it goes so well with Staley's voice its great. His honest lyrics "What have you got, so I don't go broke" powers this drug addicted track as the perfect example for the whole album. 'Dirt' as the album's title suggests that Staley just can't take the abuse of heroin anymore and just committing suicide would be the just choice "One who doesn't care, is one who shouldn't be". 'God Smack' as the nickname of heroin is easily described that smack has taken over his life and thats completely what he lives for. "As I think your not blind, to the ones you left behind - I'll be here". 'Hate To Feel' is pure feeling of pain in Staley's soul as the tempo of the song spirals downward as it did in 'God Smack'. 'Angry Chair' of course as many known is one of Alice In Chains' best song. 'Angry Chair' is quite simple - Layne's addiction has taken over his life as his previous songs but he knows that he has made a mistake which could cost him his life in the end. But of course 'Would?' he mega-hit of Alice In Chains which brought them into superstardom of the golden era of grunge. The last track of course is somewhat a cry of helplessness for Staley as he cries out to someone. As if he needs hope to get back up again.
Each song with it's own story of drugs, depression, loneliness, and self-doubt. This album is one that many will not forget as it tells the story of Staley's downfall with drugs and the downfall of Alice In Chains (clearly shown in the Self-Titled Album). Alice In Chains are probably the most non-talked about grunge band in the magazines presently. As Cobain is talked about every April Anniverserry...But who gives a shit really? Staley deserves the credit he earned but no one is giving it to him
Shining Moments:
-Them Bones
-Rain When I Die
-Down In A Hole
-Rooster
-Junkhead
-Angry Chair
-Would?
Low Points:
-Iron Gland (If you want to call it a song....a 0:43 song that is which was probably to freak out the listeners at the time.)
Rating: 10/10
This is a pure masterpiece especially because Staley voices his lyrics so strongly and deeply that it's not wonder how honest every song is.
