Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains (1995)
Genre - Grunge
Alice in Chains was the third studio album by the American Grunge band Alice in Chains and was released on November 7, 1995. This would also be the band's last album with vocalist Layne Staley, whom died in 2002 of a speedball overdose.
Grind - The album opens up with a bang, due to this song's heavy intro. Grind has some pretty cool riffs and guitar playing that blend in rather well together. Grind also features one of Jerry Cantrell's awesome guitar solos. While Layne Staley's vocals are good on this song they are not the best they can be. 9/10
Brush Away - Nice little intro and melody here. The main riff of this song is good, but there are better by the band. The drums are rather below average for this song too. Brush Away overall is an okay song just not anything amazing or great. 7/10
Sludge Factory - The best song on the album in my opinion. This song is pretty experimental as well interesting. This song starts off having a sludge metal type feel to it. The drumming is rather odd but fit into this song and Layne is singing a little odd as well (high pitched). Sludge Factory has some cool guitar playing and probably the best lyrics on the album. 10/10
Heaven Beside You - The most well known song off the album. Heaven Beside You opens up with some nice acoustic guitar playing by Jerry Cantrell. The sound of this song mixes from acoustic to heavy back in fourth, but never explodes. Jerry and Layne do some nice harmonizing during the chorus. Overall Heaven Beside You is one of Alice in Chains' better songs. 9.5/10
Head Creeps - Somewhere my head creeps. This is Layne's solo effort without the help of Jerry. Head Creeps has the nice riffs present again like we have heard on Dirt and Facelift. Sean Kinney's drumming is probably at it's best on this song. The thing that hurts this song is that Jerry Cantrell is not here for the lead guitars, that however does not mean this song is bad. 8.5/10
Again -A good riff and notable drumming are present here. The guitars and drums keep building up here too. Layne's vocals are awesome here and even Jerry is singing his highest notes here. Again overall is a good song but nothing really notable. 6.5/10
Shame In You - This song seems like the misfit of the album. It really just doesn't belong. The song is more focused on the vocals rather than the playing. The song opens with a nice crisp riff and some slow drumming. Layne's voice sounds pretty beautiful here but you might end up losing interest half way through. This song lacks the Jerry Cantrell lead guitar awesomeness. Shame In You is a rather good song and will grow on you after a few listens. 7/10
God Am - This song is rather boring, has some okay riffs, and is very repetitive. Sean's drumming is pretty cool though however the ending for this song really leaves you a bit unsatisfied. 6/10
So Close - If I had to pick my least favorite song on the album it is this. This song is pretty much filler and has some lousy production. Overall really just skip this song it is nothing worth hearing. 5.5/10
Nothin' Song - After some average and below average songs we finally have something that will keep interest. Nothin' song is a pretty unique yet weird heroin lyrics inspired song. I mean Layne is talking about peanut butter! This song has some great guitar playing as well as the great harmonizing that Layne and Jerry are known for. This song is pretty good considering the songs we have had before it. 9/10
Frogs - The longest song on the album is pretty creepy. Frogs is a slow song with a creepy guitar riff intro. The bad production actually helps this song with the weirness. The lyrics on this song just make you think. The music itself is rather relaxing and soothing. The bass in this song is rather calm and could make you fall asleep if you're in the proper situtation. Overall as weird as Frogs is it is one of the best songs on the album. 9.5/10
Over Now - Over Now is not only the ending track of the album, it is also the last song the band recorded with Layne. This song is pretty beautiful. Jerry does some great vocals on this song. Ironic thing about Jerry's singing it was Over Now for Alice in Chains, due to Layne's drug addiction spiraling out of control eventually leading to death. This song has awesome guitar, piano, drumming, and vocals. Over Now is one of those songs that make you go "I'm glad I bought this album." after fillers. 10/10
Overall - If you are new to Alice in Chains I'd recommend not starting with this album. This album takes some time to enjoy but it is a good album, however it comes off as a disappointment compared to Dirt and Jar of Flies. Alice in Chains are one of those few bands I can honestly say have never put out a bad album. If you're walking in one day at Best Buy and already have Facelift, Dirt, and Jar of Flies, pick this up.
Trivia - This album is commonly refered to as Tripod because of three legged dog. Rumors have said the album's cover art was the band members feeling more like a 3 man band due to Layne's spiraling drug addiction.
Genre - Grunge
Alice in Chains was the third studio album by the American Grunge band Alice in Chains and was released on November 7, 1995. This would also be the band's last album with vocalist Layne Staley, whom died in 2002 of a speedball overdose.
Grind - The album opens up with a bang, due to this song's heavy intro. Grind has some pretty cool riffs and guitar playing that blend in rather well together. Grind also features one of Jerry Cantrell's awesome guitar solos. While Layne Staley's vocals are good on this song they are not the best they can be. 9/10
Brush Away - Nice little intro and melody here. The main riff of this song is good, but there are better by the band. The drums are rather below average for this song too. Brush Away overall is an okay song just not anything amazing or great. 7/10
Sludge Factory - The best song on the album in my opinion. This song is pretty experimental as well interesting. This song starts off having a sludge metal type feel to it. The drumming is rather odd but fit into this song and Layne is singing a little odd as well (high pitched). Sludge Factory has some cool guitar playing and probably the best lyrics on the album. 10/10
Heaven Beside You - The most well known song off the album. Heaven Beside You opens up with some nice acoustic guitar playing by Jerry Cantrell. The sound of this song mixes from acoustic to heavy back in fourth, but never explodes. Jerry and Layne do some nice harmonizing during the chorus. Overall Heaven Beside You is one of Alice in Chains' better songs. 9.5/10
Head Creeps - Somewhere my head creeps. This is Layne's solo effort without the help of Jerry. Head Creeps has the nice riffs present again like we have heard on Dirt and Facelift. Sean Kinney's drumming is probably at it's best on this song. The thing that hurts this song is that Jerry Cantrell is not here for the lead guitars, that however does not mean this song is bad. 8.5/10
Again -A good riff and notable drumming are present here. The guitars and drums keep building up here too. Layne's vocals are awesome here and even Jerry is singing his highest notes here. Again overall is a good song but nothing really notable. 6.5/10
Shame In You - This song seems like the misfit of the album. It really just doesn't belong. The song is more focused on the vocals rather than the playing. The song opens with a nice crisp riff and some slow drumming. Layne's voice sounds pretty beautiful here but you might end up losing interest half way through. This song lacks the Jerry Cantrell lead guitar awesomeness. Shame In You is a rather good song and will grow on you after a few listens. 7/10
God Am - This song is rather boring, has some okay riffs, and is very repetitive. Sean's drumming is pretty cool though however the ending for this song really leaves you a bit unsatisfied. 6/10
So Close - If I had to pick my least favorite song on the album it is this. This song is pretty much filler and has some lousy production. Overall really just skip this song it is nothing worth hearing. 5.5/10
Nothin' Song - After some average and below average songs we finally have something that will keep interest. Nothin' song is a pretty unique yet weird heroin lyrics inspired song. I mean Layne is talking about peanut butter! This song has some great guitar playing as well as the great harmonizing that Layne and Jerry are known for. This song is pretty good considering the songs we have had before it. 9/10
Frogs - The longest song on the album is pretty creepy. Frogs is a slow song with a creepy guitar riff intro. The bad production actually helps this song with the weirness. The lyrics on this song just make you think. The music itself is rather relaxing and soothing. The bass in this song is rather calm and could make you fall asleep if you're in the proper situtation. Overall as weird as Frogs is it is one of the best songs on the album. 9.5/10
Over Now - Over Now is not only the ending track of the album, it is also the last song the band recorded with Layne. This song is pretty beautiful. Jerry does some great vocals on this song. Ironic thing about Jerry's singing it was Over Now for Alice in Chains, due to Layne's drug addiction spiraling out of control eventually leading to death. This song has awesome guitar, piano, drumming, and vocals. Over Now is one of those songs that make you go "I'm glad I bought this album." after fillers. 10/10
Overall - If you are new to Alice in Chains I'd recommend not starting with this album. This album takes some time to enjoy but it is a good album, however it comes off as a disappointment compared to Dirt and Jar of Flies. Alice in Chains are one of those few bands I can honestly say have never put out a bad album. If you're walking in one day at Best Buy and already have Facelift, Dirt, and Jar of Flies, pick this up.
Trivia - This album is commonly refered to as Tripod because of three legged dog. Rumors have said the album's cover art was the band members feeling more like a 3 man band due to Layne's spiraling drug addiction.