I’m a long time Alice In Chains fan and always felt Layne Staley was the class of the 90s alternative vocalists. I was excited when I first heard rumblings of the band reforming with William DuVall on vocals, as I had seen William perform with Jerry Cantrell in 2002 (State Theater, Portland, ME), and I remember thinking at the time “this is the closest I’ll ever get to seeing AIC.” I closed my eyes during “Rooster” that night, and it could’ve been Layne up there.
I pre-ordered the new album a couple weeks ago and hoped it would arrive Tuesday, its official relase date, but no luck. I went in to track my shipment and saw there were already several album reviews posted on amazon. The one that really stuck me was one saying it sounded like another Jerry Cantrell solo album and not AIC. That surprised me, but then I reminded myself I liked Jerry’s solo stuff, so maybe that wasn’t all bad, but it certainly wasn’t what I expected to read.
The album arrived yesterday and I’ve had a chance to listen to it a good dozen times by now. I really like it and think the critiques I read on amazon were unfounded. William DuVall’s harmonies bring back the classic AIC sound and he claims his own ground on several tracks. For those of you that can’t let Layne rest, may I suggest you procure a copy of the Bad Dreams bootleg (3-2-93, Glasgow Holland), a definite classic!
Black Gives Way To Blue opens with All Secrets Known, which kicks in with a pulsing riff from Cantrell that feels somehow optimistic. The first verse echoes that sentiment – ” Hope. A new beginning. Time. Time to start living.” I think that line sums up the song pretty well.
The second track is the album’s first single, Check My Brain. This song is pure, hard-rock bliss and I’ve found myself cranking it on the morning commute. A great guitar hook and a sing-along chorus will keep this on the radio for years to come. Oh Yeahhhhhhh….
The album’s third track “Last of my Kind,” is the first that leaves behind the classic AIC vocal harmonies and allows William DuVall to step out on his own. He’s not Layne Staley, but this song proves he doesn’t need to be to create great music. He leads the charge well and shows he’s capable of filling the rather large AIC front man shoes.
Your Decision sounds like it could be an out take from the Jar of Flies album and reminds you of how versatile the band is. The next track is the grungy, A Looking In View, the first track I heard from the new material. Another great hard-rock track that will remain a radio staple.
When The Sun Rose Again is a slow brooder that is my least favorite of the bunch and leads into Acid Bubble, which starts off on kind of a dreary note as well. This lull takes an abrupt u-turn with the introduction of a sledge-hammer Cantrell riff half-way through the song that takes it in a whole new direction.
Lesson Learned is another that is reminiscent of the Jar of Flies era and is the song that stuck with me after the first listen. The song’s lyrics focus on a theme that is at the core of all the songs - a reflection of the road they have traveled.
The album’s final and title track, Black Gives Way to Blue, features a piano accompaniment from Elton John, who was a fan of Layne and Alice, and agreed to Cantrell’s request to play on the song. In the latest Guitar World magazine, Cantrell discusses the process he went through writing it. It’s an interesting read.
December 2009 Cover with Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains
Final Verdict: This album rocks and Alice in Chains fans should find plenty to be pleased with. The poor speakers in my car stereo may never recover!
