Dirt
by Alice In Chains

One of the best metal records ever and the album that cemented Alice In Chains as a far superior group to the massively overrated Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

Because unlike the “best” works of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Dirt has actually stood the test of time and I’d hardly classify this album and AIC as “grunge music.”

They have a way of stretching out the melody which gives a psychedelic edge to what was merely heavy before - given that this music is based on the sound of Black Sabbath and Metallica. I also liked the crunching guitar, and the off-kilter slightly warbly vocals and backing vocals are unique. The band really gels too. Overall it just works, and it's edgy enough, even if it isn't terribly sophisticated musically.

Note the cute power pop moment on the chorus of "Angry Chair". A bit more variety like that could have been nice.

Also kudos for explaining the rationale of a junkie with intelligence on "Junkhead", even though I totally disagree with that lifestyle.

A classic landmark grunge/hard rock/metal album that has been on the US Billboard 200 albums chart for a total of 104 weeks.

I think the difference IMHO between the 4s and 5s is skewed to how much you relate to Laynes personal struggles and I don’t think it needs to be about heroine addiction I revisit this album daily just for shared pain from alcoholism and that’s the least of my problems. For the one who said the end of the album is unworthy except for Would? I call BS the last 3 tracks of this album are unmatched IMO with respect to genius and continuity of life

Album is underated

One of the grunge's greatest acheivements and definitely conceptually the most ambitious. Instrumentals are heavy with haunting atmosphere and massive riffs, which work excellently with lyrics giving emotional, insightful look into mind of a person struggling with drug addiction and depression that are boosting each other. Listening to tracks like Rain When I Die, Angry Chair or Down In A Hole (all amongst my favorites here) can be a truly devastating experience.

I find myself repeating the same pattern whenever I revisit this album as I really get into the first 6 tracks and then there is this run of just nothing tracks that don't captivate me which is only ended by the final song which is great. This long stretch of poor and filler cuts completely takes me out of the album. Those songs could be removed and I would argue the record would be far superior. Other than this run, the music is fantastic with songs like Rooster, Them Bones, Down In A Hole and Would? being amongst their strongest ever songs. The instrumentals on these tracks are brilliant as well and demonstrate the group at their peak as all members are demonstrating their quality. Overall, this is a frustrating listen for me as it is inconsistent but I love revisiting this album for that strong run at the start and that sensational closing song.

I thought this album was pretty great 30 years ago when I was 15. At present, I find it has aged extremely well.

Layne’s voice, whether by itself or in harmony with Cantrell, is legendary. The rhythm section gives a master class on how to play bass and drums in absolute lockstep.

The problem is that the songs are so personal and so dark that you feel a bit guilty for participating in an early prophetic statement on Layne’s eventual demise. I get that this album was gritty and honest, but the man needed treatment far more than he needed a gold record.

From pedro1976 05/05/2022 17:37 | #284976

Album of the year -1992