Alice in Chains and Girls
Hey folks!
Today, I have two reviews for you from one of my favorite artist and a new band on the scene.
The first album, Black Gives Way to Blue, is a real welcome.
After the death of Layne Staley, Alice in Chains disappeared into the past along with the mullet, flannel shirts, and cassette tapes. But with the addition of vocalist William DuVall, the band has risen again. While the guitar play is just as vigorous as before, with hard and acoustic throughout, AiC has filled in that void we've had since their last album fourteen years ago.
What I appreciate most about this new album is that they are not trying to replace Layne, but stand true to that sound of longing and misery that this band once had perfected. I was fortunate to see the perform several songs last weekend, and the presence they were able to conjure was just another reason why I think this might be their finest work since Dirt. With some surprises like a cameo appearance by Elton John in the title track to the breeziness of When the Sun Rose Again, it's a testament to what this band was and what it will continue to be.
Choice Tracks: When the Sun Rose Again, Check My Brain, Black Gives Way to Blue
The second album, Album, is just that, an album.
Despite being a relatively new band, this release seems to be as ambitious, especially for such a emo-driven album. I was a bit standoffish about them because they seemed EXTREMELY "trendy". I had heard about them for months, how their live performances were a sight to behold and how they seemed to be too exposed, getting into Animal Collective and Dirty Projectors territory, which I'll admit took me more than I liked to admit that I adore those albums. But than I gave them a chance and listened. And what I found was a new Elvis Costello. If you know me at all, you know that I consider Elvis Costello a thousand times better than the other Elvis and one of my favorite artists, a living legend. So to hear this sound again, I was more than pleased.
My favorite song is Summertime. I think its the most underrated song of the collection, with its psychedelic intro to its heartfelt lyrics, it holds its on to the singles, Laura and Lust for Life.
Choice Tracks: Summertime, Lust for Life, and Hellhole Ratrace
Have a good night!!!
Today, I have two reviews for you from one of my favorite artist and a new band on the scene.
The first album, Black Gives Way to Blue, is a real welcome.
After the death of Layne Staley, Alice in Chains disappeared into the past along with the mullet, flannel shirts, and cassette tapes. But with the addition of vocalist William DuVall, the band has risen again. While the guitar play is just as vigorous as before, with hard and acoustic throughout, AiC has filled in that void we've had since their last album fourteen years ago.
What I appreciate most about this new album is that they are not trying to replace Layne, but stand true to that sound of longing and misery that this band once had perfected. I was fortunate to see the perform several songs last weekend, and the presence they were able to conjure was just another reason why I think this might be their finest work since Dirt. With some surprises like a cameo appearance by Elton John in the title track to the breeziness of When the Sun Rose Again, it's a testament to what this band was and what it will continue to be.
Choice Tracks: When the Sun Rose Again, Check My Brain, Black Gives Way to Blue
The second album, Album, is just that, an album.
Despite being a relatively new band, this release seems to be as ambitious, especially for such a emo-driven album. I was a bit standoffish about them because they seemed EXTREMELY "trendy". I had heard about them for months, how their live performances were a sight to behold and how they seemed to be too exposed, getting into Animal Collective and Dirty Projectors territory, which I'll admit took me more than I liked to admit that I adore those albums. But than I gave them a chance and listened. And what I found was a new Elvis Costello. If you know me at all, you know that I consider Elvis Costello a thousand times better than the other Elvis and one of my favorite artists, a living legend. So to hear this sound again, I was more than pleased.
My favorite song is Summertime. I think its the most underrated song of the collection, with its psychedelic intro to its heartfelt lyrics, it holds its on to the singles, Laura and Lust for Life.
Choice Tracks: Summertime, Lust for Life, and Hellhole Ratrace
Have a good night!!!