Artist: Alice in Chains
Album: Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
Genre: Alternative Metal/ Alternative Rock
Personnel:
Jerry Cantrell – lead vocals, lead guitar
William DuVall – co-lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mike Inez – bass, additional backing vocals
Sean Kinney – drums, percussion
Elton John – piano on "Black Gives Way to Blue"
Lisa Coleman – vibraphone on "Black Gives Way to Blue"
Chris Armstrong – tabla on "When the Sun Rose Again"
Stevie Black – string arrangement, performance, and engineering on "Your Decision" and "Private Hell"
Produced by Nick Raskulinecz and Alice in Chains
Recorded by Paul Figueroa with additional engineering by Nick Raskulinecz, assisted by John Lousteau, Martin Cooke, and Kevin Mills
Mixed by Randy Staub
Mastered by Ted Jensen
1. "All Secrets Known"
2. "Check My Brain"
3. "Last of My Kind"
4. "Your Decision"
5. "A Looking in View"
6. "When the Sun Rose Again"
7. "Acid Bubble"
8. "Lesson Learned"
9. "Take Her Out"
10. "Private Hell"
11. "Black Gives Way to Blue"
This is the first album to appear from Alice in Chains in 14 years, following the demise of Layne Staley. Having the close relationship the band had prior to Layne’s death, has made it very tough for the band to bounce back with the same vigor AIC had in the 90's. When the band hired William DuVall, they didn’t want to box him as a clone of Staley, but to find a vocalist that still had the same "groove" that Staley had. IMO, they have accomplished this harmony and vibe with DuVall. It is evident after listening to the album, the band has put a tremendous amount of energy and work into this album.
Black Gives Way to Blue is a positive addition to the Alice in Chains legacy. The album is written from many experiences the band has had following Layne’s death, and also makes tribute to Layne. The lyrical topics deal with pain and loss, and surviving this type of pain and moving on in life. The sound isn’t anything new, the album is very nostalgic of the past. Although, the sound is very reminiscent of the past, the album is also exactly what has put Alice in Chains back on track. It is exactly what fans need to hear, Cantrell’s rolling sludge-like riffs and haunting melancholy vocals, which were the signature of AIC. The final track of the album, the title track, has Elton John on piano, even though this track is way too short, it shows that the band has finally healed from losing Layne.
The tracks "Private Hell" and "When the Sun Rose Again" show Cantrell’s ability to layer multiple guitar sounds, a dark sound that is so signature of AIC. "Private Hell" is the best track on the album, IMO. The lyrics are very deep and speak of feelings the band had preceding and following Laynes’ death. The tracks "Acid Bubble" and "Check My Brain" are very long tracks, with a dark tone, and a lot of distortion. A lot of the tracks on this album clock in at approximately 5 minutes in length, but none of them become overbearing, they all contain twists and turns to keep your interest. This album is some of the most creative songwriting and musicianship in the band’s career, IMO. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for the AIC of the 2000’s.
You may listen to the tracks below:
All Secrets Known
Check My Brain
Last of My Kind
Your Decision
A Looking in View
When the Sun Rose Again
Acid Bubble
Lesson Learned
Take Her Out
Private Hell
Black Gives Way to Blue
My rating for listening pleasure 5/5
Album: Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
Genre: Alternative Metal/ Alternative Rock
Personnel:
Jerry Cantrell – lead vocals, lead guitar
William DuVall – co-lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mike Inez – bass, additional backing vocals
Sean Kinney – drums, percussion
Elton John – piano on "Black Gives Way to Blue"
Lisa Coleman – vibraphone on "Black Gives Way to Blue"
Chris Armstrong – tabla on "When the Sun Rose Again"
Stevie Black – string arrangement, performance, and engineering on "Your Decision" and "Private Hell"
Produced by Nick Raskulinecz and Alice in Chains
Recorded by Paul Figueroa with additional engineering by Nick Raskulinecz, assisted by John Lousteau, Martin Cooke, and Kevin Mills
Mixed by Randy Staub
Mastered by Ted Jensen
1. "All Secrets Known"
2. "Check My Brain"
3. "Last of My Kind"
4. "Your Decision"
5. "A Looking in View"
6. "When the Sun Rose Again"
7. "Acid Bubble"
8. "Lesson Learned"
9. "Take Her Out"
10. "Private Hell"
11. "Black Gives Way to Blue"
This is the first album to appear from Alice in Chains in 14 years, following the demise of Layne Staley. Having the close relationship the band had prior to Layne’s death, has made it very tough for the band to bounce back with the same vigor AIC had in the 90's. When the band hired William DuVall, they didn’t want to box him as a clone of Staley, but to find a vocalist that still had the same "groove" that Staley had. IMO, they have accomplished this harmony and vibe with DuVall. It is evident after listening to the album, the band has put a tremendous amount of energy and work into this album.
Black Gives Way to Blue is a positive addition to the Alice in Chains legacy. The album is written from many experiences the band has had following Layne’s death, and also makes tribute to Layne. The lyrical topics deal with pain and loss, and surviving this type of pain and moving on in life. The sound isn’t anything new, the album is very nostalgic of the past. Although, the sound is very reminiscent of the past, the album is also exactly what has put Alice in Chains back on track. It is exactly what fans need to hear, Cantrell’s rolling sludge-like riffs and haunting melancholy vocals, which were the signature of AIC. The final track of the album, the title track, has Elton John on piano, even though this track is way too short, it shows that the band has finally healed from losing Layne.
The tracks "Private Hell" and "When the Sun Rose Again" show Cantrell’s ability to layer multiple guitar sounds, a dark sound that is so signature of AIC. "Private Hell" is the best track on the album, IMO. The lyrics are very deep and speak of feelings the band had preceding and following Laynes’ death. The tracks "Acid Bubble" and "Check My Brain" are very long tracks, with a dark tone, and a lot of distortion. A lot of the tracks on this album clock in at approximately 5 minutes in length, but none of them become overbearing, they all contain twists and turns to keep your interest. This album is some of the most creative songwriting and musicianship in the band’s career, IMO. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for the AIC of the 2000’s.
You may listen to the tracks below:
All Secrets Known
Check My Brain
Last of My Kind
Your Decision
A Looking in View
When the Sun Rose Again
Acid Bubble
Lesson Learned
Take Her Out
Private Hell
Black Gives Way to Blue
My rating for listening pleasure 5/5
