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Black Gives Way to Blue

Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue Audio CD

A fair review of the Alice in Chains "Black Gives Way to Blue" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Alice in Chains reviews here, or go back to the Alice in Chains tabs.

Band: Alice in Chains
Title: Black Gives Way to Blue
Rating:

Release Date: 2009-09-29
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: All Secrets Known 2: Check My Brain 3: Last of My Kind 4: Your Decision 5: 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

Shocking Comeback
An uninspired unplugged album that left the very talented Sean Kinney practically incapacitated as a musician, an obligatory greatest hits album, two Jerry Cantrell solo albums, and the tragic death of Layne Staley left this band as good as dead. Have the past 13 years just been a nightmare? Did Layne finally pull it together and kick the drug addiction that was tearing this band apart?

Of course the answers to both questions are no.

Roaring back like it is 1996 all over again, it's like Alice in Chains never missed a beat. This album is a true Alice in Chains album that none of its long time fans could have ever dreamed of hearing after Layne passed away.

Time and location seemed to lead this band to getting pigeon holed into a genre that included such bands as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and the Stone Temple Pilots. The palm muted 'E' guitar riffing confused those of us who could detect the speed metal influence that nodded back to the humble beginnings. That, along with the untimely bus crash of Death Angel led to their rather bizarre invitation to open for Clash of the Titans, where they were nightly tormented during their 20 minute sets by metal heads who just wanted to see Slayer rip into Raining Blood. This left music fans scratching their heads as to how to classify the great Alice in Chains.

This album, with its diversity of well written songs, shows the music world that they couldn't and still can't be pigeon holed into any genre. They are simply Alice in Chains, and this album shows the music world what we had the misfortune of missing for the past 13 years. Well done and welcome back! .

a true Alice in Chains album
bottom line, this is a true AIC album and it matches all their great previous releases. when this great band reappeared after 13 years, i was very hesitant buying this CD. highly recommended.

Not expected greatness
Alice in Chains' new CD busts that myth. Usually when bands have a comeback with a pivotal member absent,it it usually a flop. This cd basically has no weak songs,all are a piece of the puzzle.

I am no authority on all their releases but recognize when a good cd is put out. This group sounds fresh,hard ,dark and just good.
Way to go Cantrell and gang!!!.

AIC is back and in Fine form
"Time to start living, like just before we died. . . . . "
Alice in Chains is back people. The riffs the songs the mealodies and lyrics all as depressing and meanigful as ever. Yes Layne is gone I actually am quite sick of hearing about people giving this album a bad review because there is a new singer or because they are still called Alice In Chains. I won't bore you with how big a fan I am of the band and Layne so I'll just focus on the material in this cd.

1. All Secrets Known -------- the lyrics are simply amazing to kick off an album by a band who hasn't recorded and album 14 years. The album couldnt have started off any better lyrically. The riffs and feel to the song is very gloomy and dark very nostalgic sound for them.
2. Check My Brain --------- the first time I heard this on their website, I thought wow this is a great and erie riff. That thought still stands out for me. It def. is their "radio song" but I dont't think its a bad one. The lyrics of the chorus may not be the greatest but all in all this is a fav song of mine non the less.
3. Last of My Kind --------- this has some great lyrics and is really the first time you get to hear Duvall's voice exposed without the harmonized combo with Cantrell. Duvall actually wrote some of this song as well. This is another fav of mine and has great energy in the chorus.
4. Your Decision --------- more of Cantrell's superb lyrics. This guy just has a nack for writing good lyrics and music in general. This song has the sound as though it could have been released on "SAP" or "Jar of Flies".
5. A Looking In View --------- all I have to say is wowwwww !!!! the opening guitar solo is spooky erie crazy good. There is a lot of energy in this song and the pounding riffs make you want more and more. It clocks in at over 7 minutes the structure is a little similar to "Sludge Factory" by the time the song is over you certainly will not hae thought it was a 7 minute song though.
6. When The Sun Rose Again --------- primarly acoustic, pretty slow moving song with harmonized chorus and guitars, has a kind of sad hoplessness to it.
7. Acid Bubble ----------- this song took some getting use to at first becuase of the transition changes which intially I did not find to my liking. Now after listening to the album a good 30 times this song is certainly one of the stronger ones. It clocks in at 6:56 nearly 7 minutes. It has an over all gloomy dark feel to it then you get hit with upbeat transitions of choppy guitar riffs and the structure of the song is well done.
8. Lessons Learned -------- very catchy song I intially didnt care to much for this one, but now its just as good as the others.
9. Take Her Out --------- this song has my fav. opening guitar riff sounds very unique and well put together one of my favs on the album.
10. Private Hell ---------- if theres anyone who says that this is just another Cantrell solo album this song will prove them wrong AIC is all but present in this song, very gloomy feel to this song def one of the best on the album.
11. Black Gives Way To Blue ------- Jerry had problems recording this song in the studio as stated on their website. He actually go to the point of getting to sick to sing this song. This is Jerry's homage to Layne, and the first time that he has ever really spoken out musically about it. This song is beautifully sad, with Elton Johns added piano work. You can hear the pain of sorrow in Jerry's voice. It's def. best to close the album with a tribute to Layne.

I like to wait till I have listened to an album before I give it a fair judge or opinion. I did the same with Megadeth's "Endgame" see my review. . . . .
Alice in Chains is back and they still have the same sound but are pushing on in a new direction that Jerry and company are going.
If you like straight up great music look no further. This album is as enjoyable as past releases by the band in my opinion. And I have been listining to them for a long long time. It is equally on par with the other albums.

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good music by a great band that fits modern styles
i wont get into a song by song review of this album as i am not as big of alice in chains fan as other music . . but if you like any type of "modern" rock - whether it be alternative - hardcore - garage - heavy - screamo - metal . . . whatever it is that you profess to be a fan of . . . play this cd once, give it a chance because it will grow on you. it has been a sort of revival for me because after listening to it a few times ive gone back and listened to some older alice in chains .

You can see a complete list of all Alice in Chains discography, or go back to the Alice in Chains tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.