Here we have it, Alice in Chains' swan song, unless you count their Unplugged or the Music Bank...so at least it's their studio-swan song. Anyways, the songs with really long descriptions I wrote a while back.

Back to the album, this is my favourite Alice in Chains album due to the scrathcy guitar solos, variance in tempo (which "Dirt" somewhat lacks), the ethereal, meandering folk-tinged passages, and Cantrell's excellent input on vocals.

Grind -

The album is kicked off with this (appriately grinding) piece with notably pessimistic lyrics, "In the darkest hole, you'd be well advised Not to plan my funeral before the body dies." Sadly, it proved prophetic that this was their last studio album and also sad that due to their hiatus, Staley had essentially buried himself out of the limelight before he did die.

Brush Away -

Starting off with a guitar passage reminescent of gold olde folk-infised thrash, it turns to a somewhat whiney verse that moves just at a floating pace. And the chorus is textured by some tom work and some trippy Cantrell guitar.

Sludge Factory -

Somewhat slow, but I like it due to more great guitar work. Be warned that it stretches out to seven minutes as it meanders.


Heaven Beside You -

Some nice bends on an acoustic followed by some snappy drumsand some more eerie guitar. And Cantrell's vocals are perfect in the verse as the compliment the deceitful calm of the verse. The whole chorus brings in more eeriness and the evident lines, "Like the coldest winter chill Heaven beside you...Hell within." Then, add some more distortion and some scratchy vocals from Cantrell...then onto more distortion, but with more drums and more layering in the guitars. Then it all goes back to the lax verse and it starts all over agin.

Head Creeps -

Fun drum fills and more whiney guitar makes this songs fun and a....nice trip.

Again -

Probably my least favourite song from this album (thanks to it's dull performance on Letterman). Still a good song, but that video sort of made Staley look a really boring performer, as he just stands there.

Shame in You -

QUite ethereal and delicate, I really like the chord progression in the pre-chorus and also the hi-pitched tom in the verse.

God Am -

Following with "Godsmack", another sacrilegious song with a tight-wound verse.


So Close -

Starting of with "Big big money!", a punky beat comes in, whichis brushed aside by another whiney verse, and by the time the chorus is reached, the the song feels alsmot like its rotting thanks to some eerie chord texturing, but this only complements the song itself.

Nothin' Song -

Somewhat slow and it does drag on, but I can't help but liking the chorus, "Well the nothin song sticks to your mouth, like peanut butter on the brain"

Frogs -

Also somewhat slow and it does drag on for seven whole minutes, but it acquires a laid-back its own distinct flavour, and is a rewarding listen, thanks to Cantrell's skills later on in the song.

Over Now -

A perfect closing song in name and character, it's go a verse that I've jsut gotta love.

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This album gets damn pretty spacey and cerebral and is a great way to top off the Alice in Chains discography.

Wish I liked this album better. Actually, I wish I liked this album at all. The songs sound tired, and in most places forced. "Grind" gets a note for being one of the few AIC songs that's actually in E minor (it might be the only one - I can't think of another offhand). It's also a nice way to start the album. "Brush Away" is a nice little low-end grinder.

Unfortunately, that's about all there is to say. In order to call it an "album" they had to have more songs. Theyhad clearly lost the fire that permeated Dirt and Facelift, and seemed content to replace it with "Made for MTV-Unplugged" fare that was catchy enough but completely forgettable.

"Heaven Beside You" and "It's Over Now" are just plain terrible, and "Head Creeps" and "Again" sound idiotic (although I do get a kick out of that "Doot-doot" bit in the latter). "Sludge Factory" and "Frogs" are boring. This album is representative of little more than a tired band that aged before their time. After listening to this album, I realized that Jar of Flies was a harbinger, instead of merely a pleasant side-step.

Since being boiring was hardly an offense from grunge artists who were busy riding down the other side of their peak (see: Nirvana's last album, Soundgarden's last two albums), you really can't hang them for this release. The whole movement wasn't merely dead; it was actually UNDEAD. The same people were still making the music, but it was almost completely devoid of passion. Downtuned guitars? Check. Vague and not-so-vague drug references? Check. Self-pity and self-exploration? Check. Anger and exuberence? Whoops.

It would be nice to simply write this off as the maturing process of a band, except that the very scene from which they sprung was the antithesis of this. When you create "mature" grungy music, it puts people to sleep. This is why I am so critical of the later releases by similar bands. You go buy the CD, you rush in on the player, and then immediately notice something missing. Thankfully they didn't go and do another of these albums.

Unlike Seerix I learned to love this album. Though I do agree the album is boring (in first listens). But I soon started to love this album like their other releases. And yes Grunge was a thin line (in mainstream bands). And Seerix if your saying that Soundgarden's last 2 albums and Nirvana's last studio album was boring I can't agree with you. Except with Soundgarden's last release. (Some dull moments and horrible tracklisting).