Alice In Chains (studio album) by Alice In Chains

Disappointing follow-up to Dirt. The songs are samey and boring, although I do like Heaven Beside You.

Overlooked and underappreciated, this album is very dark and grimy sounding, much more than Dirt is.

From hoyquarlow 09/28/2018 16:28

Back in 1995 I remember nobody liked that album, including me. Grunge was dead and it was all about disposable punkish-pop bands. But now, out of the "grunge is dead" context, I found this album to be surprisingly good. "Frogs" is an amazing song, as well as the other longer songs like "Sludge factory" and "Over now".

It has some AMAZING songs, songs that are at the level of Dirt. Really touching album

From LedZep 03/14/2018 23:46

The darkest, the sludgiest, the most hopeless of all AIC albums. Even better when listened at through the prism of Layne's degrading mental and physical condition. It almost needs to be this long (some say too long) to present to the slightest vivid detail the mind of a troubled and hopeless man. His last but not least masterpiece. RIP

From Eastwood 12/12/2016 11:08

Good album. Best 10 songs average is 85,8/100 and the album can get good 85/100. Best songs are "Heaven besides you" and "Over now" both 90/100. All other songs are ok to good 75-85/100.
Genre: Grunge, Alternative Metal

From junodog4 06/22/2013 17:08

Another inconsistent album from Alice in Chains. Dark, broody, and mired in addiction, but lacking the depth and punch of Dirt.

It started out great, but the last 2/3's were nothing compared to Facelift. But I'll listen to the album again soon.

From lightmyway 05/18/2012 01:34

A really dark and great album. It's long but this is one you like long. It beats the crap out of you.

This record together with Soundgardens "Down on the upside" was symptoms of an era that was about to end. The newer era, Britpop, was already rising, and people were about to have enough of the harsh and dark metal sound, and prefered another more quiet and soft sound (Radiohead), when it came to music dealing with themes like suicide, self-hatred and pessimism. This record may not be as succesful as the "Dirt" and "Facelift", too dark and gloomy, and not enough of that freaky acid sound. Yet it isn't a bad record at all. The opening track "Grind" captures the ear, with a groovy riff and a sublime chorus, and together with "Again" and "Head Creeps", it has some definite classics. Sadly the record has too many weak points, making this a good but not great record. The biggest tragedy though, is that Alice In Chains (the real Alice In Chains!) with the early death of Layne Staley, never got to make another record again.