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CD Review: Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue

It's turning out to be a bit of a music-heavy week here on BOTM (cross blogination will be here tomorrow), so if you don't share my tastes then apologies, but I couldn't let these two releases go without note.  Two of my favourite bands of the last twenty years, one who has never been dormant, the other returning after the death of its talismanic lead singer.

Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue

I remember hearing about the death of Layne Staley, one of the most gifted and unique voices of his generation, and being poll-axed. It came on FA cup final day, and my whole house went into a stoned mourning, playing old VHS collections of every live gig and video for hours, barely speaking to each other.  It seemed so inevitable and yet so tragic, another example of the needle and the damage done.

But it also robbed the music world of one of its most iconic and interesting bands. One of the true grunge pioneers (indeed they went platinum a good year before Nirvana) their sound was heavy and melodic, melancholy and yet strangely uplifting.

Now, they are back, replete with new singer, William DuVall, and a new album, and from opener 'All Secrets Known' its clear that this is an album with a preoccupation with Layne's death.  It is also clear that the band haven't lost their touch, its wistful guitars and downbeat vocal harmonies working just as well as they ever did. DuVall sings in a similar registry to Staley, but never sounds as though he is imitating him, and his voice works effortlessly with Jerry Cantrell's to create the rich harmonies that made AIC stand out in the first place.

By the time second song 'Check My Brain' kicks in, it's also clear that Cantrell's riff writing abilities haven't diminished with time, its stomping chorus riff easily showing the likes of Audioslave and Velvet Revolver how it should be done. 'Last Of My Kind' replicates this chugging stomp with an epic chorus line. When DuVall sings 'I'm the last of my kind, still standing' he's not lying, there is simply nobody out there making music like this any more. Despite reams of copycat bands in the intervening years, nobody does it quite like Alice.

'Your Decision' takes things down a notch and reminds you just how good Cantrell is with melody, before first single 'A Looking In View' returns to pummell  the listener with one of the darkest and heaviest riffs not to have been written by Slayer.  The trick to a good AIC song is to pit the gloom of its verses against a big epic chorus, and every song here does that with aplomb.

Every song here is of a high enough quality to sit alongside their back catalogue, and that's about the highest complement I can give.  By the time the final title track rolls around, replete with cameo from Sir Elton John on piano, you're left with the unquestionable reason why Alice In Chains are back.  Because there's simply nobody out there who can touch them when they are at full stride, so why leave that sort of chemistry and talent up on the shelf?

This is an album all about putting demons to rest (the lyrics to 'Black Gives Way To Blue' are beautiful and poignant, and a fitting tribute to their fallen comrade) so here's hoping that they can move on from Layne's death and continue for many years to come.  On this evidence, they can quite easily reclaim their mantle as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

5/5

CD Review: Pearl Jam – Backspacer

It's turning out to be a bit of a music-heavy week here on BOTM (cross blogination will be here tomorrow), so if you don't share my tastes then apologies, but I couldn't let these two releases go without note.  Two of my favourite bands of the last twenty years, one who has never been dormant, the other returning after the death of its talismanic lead singer.

Pearl Jam - Backspacer

Unlike Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam have never really been away.  Certainly they've had periods where they haven't been as visible as others, but a new album by these once kings of grunge is as reliable as clockwork.  And every time it is an event in my household.

Now I'm not going to beat around the bush.  Pearl Jam are my favourite band of all time.  They have never to my mind released a bad album, and never set a foot wrong. Over the years they have proved themselves to be better than any other band at treating their fanbase as a family, from suing Ticketmaster to lower ticket prices, to their impeccable fan club (which gives away a christmas vinyl every year which is worth more than the price of admission) to making every gig they do available to download. 

This trend continues with this album, which gives you access to two full concert downloads from the website along with lavish packaging.  Of course all of this is nothing without a good album at its core, and thankfully Backspacer doesn't disappoint.

Opener 'I'm Gonna See My Friend' sets the stall early.  Punkier and more upbeat than the last few albums, it brings to mind the Ramones jamming with early REM.  Next song 'Got Some' is the kind of song Green Day would be making if they hadn't decided to morph into U2.  'The Fixer' calls to mind Ryan Adams and Springsteen at their most upbeat, a perfect summery pop song.

Every song on this album is a perfectly crafted 3 minute marvel, and over the course of the full 11 songs they manage to cover the breadth of all that is good about rock music, without ever sounding anything other than themselves.  'Johnny Guitar' is the most obviously Pearl Jam tune, with its angular riff underpinned by the always fantastic drumming of Matt Cameron. 

'Just Breathe' is reminiscent of Eddie Vedder's solo album, a lovely little tune that leads into the sparkling 'Amongst The Waves,' before the epic 'Unthought Known' dazzles with one of the band's biggest ever chorus'.  'Supersonic' picks up the energy levels again, sounding like the Who jamming with the Ramones.  This movement of moods continues perfectly until closer 'The End,' which ends the album as a neat summation in the event it turns out to be their last, a trick they have played for years.

Musically the band are as taut and angular as ever, with Eddie Vedder's lyrics twisting their way around the tunes to make them vital and exciting. For a band as political as Pearl Jam it was inevitable that the removal of Bush would have an impact, and while lyrically there are nods to hope here and there, it's in the overall optimism and joy in these songs that this is most reflected.

My only complaint is that too many of these songs have a slightly throwaway nature to them. There is no 'I Am Mine' or 'Elderly Woman..' here to anchor the album, and as such it's a little forgettable, albeit eminently listenable.  It may win them over a few new fans, but realistically if you didn't like them before this isn't going to change your mind. For fans, however, this is a fine continuation of form from one of the most reliable bands around.

4/5