Alice In Chains

[Ben_Jamin]

I haven't heard any of it yet, but just heard this one for the first time in a few years and was reminded of how good some of their stuff really was

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODTv9Lt5WYs

I actually really love Jar of Flies and consider that EP their best stuff.

[sfam2112]

I was afraid I'd have to be a bit harsh on the album, since the first several listens reminded me of Dinosaur and how bland and samey it was. But the pieces are starting to come together and I'm really enjoying at the moment.

I'm kinda torn. On one hand, I feel like it's mostly more of the same compared with the last two albums. The mid-tempo thing gets a little frustrating. Not sure if that's the right word.

On the other, there are little nuances and still a lot here that I like that I keep coming back to. It's a grower. I can't think of any songs that I flat out don't like, necessarily. Not crazy about "Maybe" but even that one's still kinda sorta ok.

Favorites are the title track, Never Fade, Red Giant, and So Far Under.

[Nel]

I'm kinda torn. On one hand, I feel like it's mostly more of the same compared with the last two albums. The mid-tempo thing gets a little frustrating. Not sure if that's the right word.

On the other, there are little nuances and still a lot here that I like that I keep coming back to. It's a grower. I can't think of any songs that I flat out don't like, necessarily. Not crazy about "Maybe" but even that one's still kinda sorta ok.

Favorites are the title track, Never Fade, Red Giant, and So Far Under.

That's about where I am. I'm enjoying it; there's a lot of little parts that happen in the songs that make me smile, but it just feels like I'm listening to BGWTB and TDPDH... again.

[Samsara]

I am absolutely loving this record, and think it is the best they've done with William.

The record lacks some of the bigger, radio-friendly chorus and immediate hooks of some of their prior material. But I think each song is really a lot more interesting as a whole, and a bit more proggy, at least in regard to mood shifting and some time changes as well. It's incredibly strong top to bottom, which was certainly NOT the case with Dinosaurs (for me, I thought there was a ton of filler).

I am now on my fourth listen since I got it on Friday. Each time I am hearing something new. It feels like a complete band, on the same page. Whereas while I liked the last two AIC albums,they felt like they pushed and pulled at times trying to figure out that balance of being "Alice in Chains," and being something new. This record they've settled into a sound (to my ears) and I really love what I hear. My least favorite of these is "Maybe." My early favorites are Red Giant, All I Am, and The One You Know.

[Architeuthis]

I've never been much of a AIC fan. I'm a minority living up here in the Pacific Northwest. They just never grabbed me for some reason. I would probably get tarred and feathered if I said that out loud in these parts. However, I'm willing to give their new album a listen after hearing positive reviews here.

[jammindude]

I am in the minority.   I absolutely LOVED Facelift, and was disappointed with Dirt.   I've never heard any of the self-titled or any of the albums with the new guy.  (Oh...I adored Sap and Jar of Flies as well). 

So while I really like some of the early stuff, I haven't followed them much.   They are probably my least favorite of "The Big 4", but I still think they are OK.   

[Phoenix87x]

I loved Facelift, Sap and jar of flies.  I love half of dirt. The first half that is. Them bones up to including Would, I think is awesome and then I'm not so hot on the 2nd half. I've never gone beyond one listen of self titled. Unplugged in NY is fantastic for me.

[Kwyjibo]

I've only listened to the new one twice but it's definitely better than Dinosaurs, and it's a grower.

For me, Dirt is still where it's at and I really like the self-titled a lot. Facelift starts very strong but can't keep up the quality in the second half imo, still a lot to love about it.

I love half of dirt. The first half that is. Them bones up to including Would

That would be the whole cd?

[Phoenix87x]

I've only listened to the new one twice but it's definitely better than Dinosaurs, and it's a grower.

For me, Dirt is still where it's at and I really like the self-titled a lot. Facelift starts very strong but can't keep up the quality in the second half imo, still a lot to love about it.

I love half of dirt. The first half that is. Them bones up to including Would

That would be the whole cd?

Oops, that's my fuck up. I customized the song arrangement in Itunes and forgot about it. So I have Would coming after Rooster. My bad

[mikeyd23]

I'm going to have to check out this new record, seems promising.

[Art]

Red Giant is freaking amazing.

[ReaperKK]

Checked out the new album, it's great!

[Cyclopssss]

Fantastic album.

[Mladen]

Yep, it's very good, and certainly more creative and interesting that Dinosaurs. The lyrical content is brilliant. Favorites: Maybe, Never fade, The One you know.

[devieira73]

This the first AiC album that I really heard in full and I'm truly loving it! Despite being aware of Chris DeGarmo on Drone (acoustic guitar in the middle), I'm surprised that, in many songs, I'm hearing guitar lines very much in Queensryche's style, cool!
Also the album has a very good sound and mixing

[Samsara]

This the first AiC album that I really heard in full and I'm truly loving it! Despite being aware of Chris DeGarmo on Drone (acoustic guitar in the middle), I'm surprised that, in many songs, I'm hearing guitar lines very much in Queensryche's style, cool!
Also the album has a very good sound and mixing

While I am totally biased, I hear that too. It's been in a few tunes (that sort of style) on the last couple of records to my ear. It's no secret that Jerry and Chris are pretty tight. Jerry probably picked up on some of it over the years.

The mix by Joe Baressi is pretty damn good. Really dig it.

[pfillion]

Yes I agree, it's a great album!

[devieira73]

While I am totally biased, I hear that too. It's been in a few tunes (that sort of style) on the last couple of records to my ear. It's no secret that Jerry and Chris are pretty tight. Jerry probably picked up on some of it over the years.

The mix by Joe Baressi is pretty damn good. Really dig it.

Chris's influence on Deaf Ears Blind Eyes was something that caught my attention on first listen. But there's more moments like that on the album. I'm glad that you noticed it too.
I was thinking "WOW this time Nick Raskulinecz made a great job mixing!", but now I see... . Indeed Joe Baresi made an excellent job. Great drum sound and all the instruments and vocals are clear and breathing.

[Samsara]

While I am totally biased, I hear that too. It's been in a few tunes (that sort of style) on the last couple of records to my ear. It's no secret that Jerry and Chris are pretty tight. Jerry probably picked up on some of it over the years.

The mix by Joe Baressi is pretty damn good. Really dig it.

Chris's influence on Deaf Ears Blind Eyes was something that caught my attention on first listen. But there's more moments like that on the album. I'm glad that you noticed it too.
I was thinking "WOW this time Nick Raskulinecz made a great job mixing!", but now I see... . Indeed Joe Baresi made an excellent job. Great drum sound and all the instruments and vocals are clear and breathing.

Take a listen to the intro riff on "Take Her Out" from Black Gives Way to Blue. Totally influenced by DeGarmo, IMO.

[devieira73]

I will, thanks for the recomendation 

[bosk1]

I am not familiar with modern AiC.  But, again, given that Jerry and Chris have spent a lot of time together, and Jerry is clearly a student of music in the bigger sense, it makes sense that he would have incorporated some of that.  What Queensryche did in terms of creating a huge sound by playing different parts of the same or complimentary chords isn't rocket science, but it also isn't something a lot of metal bands have done.  But once you figure it out, it makes pretty good sense. 

[Art]

The opening riff on Drone could be on the first Black Sabbath album. 

[Mladen]

Take a listen to the intro riff on "Take Her Out" from Black Gives Way to Blue. Totally influenced by DeGarmo, IMO.

I've known that song for years now and I'm a big fan of that riff. However, DeGarmo never crossed my mind when I was listening to it. Does is remind you of particular Queensryche riffs?

[Samsara]

Take a listen to the intro riff on "Take Her Out" from Black Gives Way to Blue. Totally influenced by DeGarmo, IMO.

I've known that song for years now and I'm a big fan of that riff. However, DeGarmo never crossed my mind when I was listening to it. Does is remind you of particular Queensryche riffs?

It's weird. No, not really. It's just the feel of it, the melody in the riff that to me, sounds very much like something he'd write, and very different for Jerry to write.

[Mladen]

Interesting. It is a slightly different riff for Jerry, but I'm not picking up on the DeGarmo influence. It is possible, though.

[Samsara]

Interesting. It is a slightly different riff for Jerry, but I'm not picking up on the DeGarmo influence. It is possible, though.

We just hear it differently. I know some other QR fans who feel like you do, and some who agree with me. That's music for ya.

[bosk1]

I just listened to it.  I wouldn't have automatically heard a Chris influence in it.  But having had that suggestion planted going in, I totally hear it.

[Kwyjibo]

Rainier Fog is such a great record, so much better than Dinosaurs.

Random observation: the most Alice-In-Chains-of-old-sounding song is So Far Under, and it's written by William Duvall. He clearly has absorbed the style.

And I'm in the camp that can't hear the DeGarmo influence. Not saying it isn't there, but I just don't hear it.

[Samsara]

That is funny regarding So Far Under - I didn't think that sounded like Alice at all.  I like it, but to me, that was the "which one of these is not like the other" track.

But completely agree that Rainer Fog is light years better than Dinosaurs.

[Kwyjibo]

This is the interesting thing about music. Two people listen to the same record, both like them, but they hear things (completely) differently.

To me, especially the vocal lines in the chorus sound like something Layne would/could have come up with. So Far Under sounds (to my ears) like it it was written for Dirt or the self-titled, that's why I was surprised that its not a Cantrell penned tune.

[?]

Listened to the new record today and the first impression is very positive Red Giant, Drone and All I Am jumped out as immediate standout tracks, and I already really liked So Far Under and Never Fade beforehand. This may become my favorite post-Layne album, and it's a huge improvement over the overlong and somewhat samey Dinosaurs.

[Kwyjibo]

I got the chorus to The One You Know stuck in my head the whole day. One of my faves from Rainier Fog.

I agree that it might be the best post-Layne record.

[Art]

I still think BGWTB is a better record, but Rainier Fog is much, much better than Dinosaurs, for sure.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I can't decide if I like RF more than Dinosaurs or not. Both are great for me.

[Mladen]

I still think BGWTB is a better record, but Rainier Fog is much, much better than Dinosaurs, for sure.

Same here.