It is true that the band eventually found a way to carry on with William Duvall, and they have done so very well. “I just wanna hug you all!…but I’m not gonna,” he exclaims at the end. Listening to MTV Unplugged, you can’t help but miss Layne. It has never been recorded in the studio, which makes the unplugged show that much more special. Like many of their songs it has atonal qualities that make it a difficult pill to swallow. “Over Now”, however, is a blast.Īlice finished the set with a new song called “Killer is Me”. It is more about the atmosphere than the notes. For songs that were always challenging, “Frogs” is certainly one, and it is no less so unplugged. “Heaven Beside You” was always (largely) acoustic, but live it has a swagger. Even though the band hadn’t played live in ages, and despite Layne’s fragility, they were certainly as good as ever on MTV Unplugged.Ī cluster of new material lies on the back end. Layne absolutely wails on “Got Me Wrong” from Sap, and if you want intensity then check out “Would?”. Sean Kinney’s marching band style drums give a slight military feel. It’s a song about Jerry’s dad, a Vietnam vet. “Rooster” too is more peaceful, though an undercurrent of angst is always present. “Angry Chair” is one of Alice in Chains’ heaviest songs to hear it unplugged is strange but oddly appropriate. Layne clearly poured himself into the song. Though was well received, “Down in a Hole” from Dirt earns more shouts of familiarity. (The other four were opening for Kiss, who also had an Unplugged album in 1996.) “Sludge Factory” is a difficult song from a murky album. They played only five shows Unplugged was the first. Due to Layne’s health, Alice were unable to tour in ’95-’96. Right after a lil’ bit of “Enter Sandman”, Alice in Chains do the newbie “Sludge Factory” for the first time ever. “No Excuses” is perfect, and just listen to the percussion work of Sean Kinney!Ī number of album tracks, better known as heavy electric songs, are next. They could do multiple takes, but one of them has to be perfect. The big single from Jar of Flies, “No Excuses” rounds out this trio. Their vocal blend was Alice’s most defining feature. “Brother” from Sap is next a showcase for the harmonies of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. The eerie quiet of the audience only adds to the tension. For this show, Alice added guitarist Scott Olsen to free up Jerry Cantrell’s hands to solo. It sets a dark, quiet tone that follows through the whole album. “Nutshell” from Jar of Flies is a brilliant opener. Their Unplugged focuses on mellow(ish) moments from everything but their debut, Facelift. At least in the early days, you could count on an acoustic EP between electric albums. It’s somewhat strange that Alice’s first live album was an acoustic performance, but they have always been a two sided band. Certainly Kiss’ instalment is up there, and so is Alice in Chains’. MTV’s Unplugged series is responsible for some of the best live albums you’ll find. Since I'm a huge AIC fan, and I enjoyed this a lot, I give this 10/10.ALICE IN CHAINS – MTV Unplugged (1996 Sony) When in the beginning of 'Sludge Factory' Mike Inez and the drummer play the beginning of 'Enter Sandman', the band joke around, and when the credits roll in the end, Layne shouts to the crowd, "I just want to hug you all!", they bring a small sense of hope, which is what everyone needs. But there comes to hopeful and lighter songs, like 'No Excuses' and 'Heaven Beside You', which relieve you of the burden of such heavy songs before. The show reveals a new song, never released on a CD, filled with melachony and endlessness. On the best songs his voice is like what it used to be, deep and strong,like on 'Rooster', a tale made by Jerry Cantrell on his Vietman vet father, but that is not most. Layne is clearly suffering from drug addiction,showing from his weak voice and black eyelids, barely opening. In a dim room, filled with candles and lava lamps, sings Layne Staley, his voice wavering on high notes and the climax in a song, and Jerry Cantrell, with his guitar, taking over the vocals at times, helping Layne to remember some lyrics.
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