Let’s take a trip back to February 1993 when the video for the Alice In Chains epic “Rooster” was released. The Mark Pellington directed video was poignant, dark ,deep and realistic. The video featured real Vietnam War documentary/news footage as well as some very realistic, graphically re-enacted combat scenes. Jerry Cantrell’s father was a consultant on the video, as it explores Cantrell Jr.’s interpretation of his father’s war experience. Something else that is interesting about this video is, at the time the video was also the longest music video ever aired in full on MTV (running approximately 7 minutes long).
They really don’t make videos like this anymore and that is a real shame. I will always remember how impactful the video was and still is.
Alice In Chains- Rooster:
Today is a great day. Alice In Chains released their first new song in 5 years called “The One You Know” and it’s fuckin awesome! I’m not going to waste your time talking about it. Just listen and you’ll get it!
Alice In Chains- The One You Know:
Two very different bands and both have a song entitled Dirt. This is going to be one of the most interesting same name song battles I’ve posted. I love both bands. Alice In Chains a bit more obviously but, there is no denying the impact The Stooges had on inspiring countless amounts of bands over the years, Alice In Chains included. The Stooges song dirt is off their album Fun House which I must add is one of the coolest albums ever! Alice In Chains song “Dirt” is from their masterpiece of a 2nd album of the same name. Both songs are so different but due to my love of Alice, I’m going to have to pick theirs but, The Stooges song is friggin great too.
The summer of 1993 was supposed to be huge for Arnold Schwarzenegger and the movie Last Action Hero. Instead Jurassic Park swallowed up the competition that summer. Even though Last Action Hero bombed, it was still a fun movie. The one real saving grace to that movie though was the soundtrack. In particular the Alice In Chains song “A Little Bitter” which was released exclusively on the soundtrack and not available anywhere else until their box set came out in the late 90’s. Enjoy this gem of a song.
I’ve been working on revamping the Audioeclectica Podcast for a while now. I didn’t want to make the same type of podcast/show that I’ve been hearing so, I went another route. Don’t think of this as a podcast but rather a radio show. Instead of me talking all the time, I’m going to play you all some great music and tell you interesting tidbits about the band, album, song, etc.
This is will also be completely interactive. I will be taking requests about what bands/songs you want to hear as well as topics you’d like for me to discuss and give my take on. I will be having guest on and they will be picking some of their favorite songs to play.
This is all an experiment but totally fun for me. I hope you all enjoy the show and find some great bands, songs, and cool info from listening.
When you look back at Alice In Chains’ discography, most people tend to look at Dirt and Jar Of Flies as the bands masterpieces. Facelift is often looked as a great album as well. Their self titled and final album with Layne is often overlooked. The album, most commonly referred to as “the tripod” album due to the three legged dog on the cover, is quite possibly one of the deepest and darkest albums the band has ever written.
This album is truly a remarkable record filled with all the things you know and love about Alice In Chains. In a way, it has a bit of a Jar Of Flies vibe to it with the way the acoustic layers are put in, as well as the signature heavy sound. Something else that I’ve always held in high regard about this album is that Layne wrote all the lyrics for the album minus three songs (“Grind,” “Heaven Beside You,” and “Over Now,” all of which Jerry sang lead on). Before this album was recorded, Layne spent his time working with Mike McCreedy on the Mad Season album.
I remember first hearing this album when it came out in 1995 and I was hooked, and that’s not just because “Again” was a rad song. There are so many great songs on this album that have truly become timeless classics like “Sludge Factory,” “Shame In You,” “Brush Away,” “Head Creeps,” “God Am,” and “Frogs.” Though Alice In Chains never toured on the record, probably due to Layne’s increased drug use, some of these songs were performed live during their Unplugged performance. My favorite of these songs done at that time has to be “Sludge Factory.” What a great song that is. I really wish the band would play more from this album live these days. Layne’s performances on these songs are absolutely remarkable. He’s always had a knack for creating great vocal melodies but on this album he really set a standard for how it should be done. Something else about this album that I’ve always loved is the way it flows. The themes of depression, isolation, drug use, anger and death are all found throughout but, the way the arrangement of the songs are on the album, really leaves a lasting impact the way all the emotions hit you.
I highly recommend you all taking some time and re-introduce yourself to this unsung masterpiece. Not only will it leave you with a sense of awe but, it will add another level of love for Alice In Chains.
Alice In Chains wasn’t the type of band that had many b-sides from their albums. The box set that came out, Music Box, was filled with two new songs, all the songs you know and love and demo versions of a lot of their songs (some of which were never properly recorded). On it as well were a few songs that were left over from the Facelift and Dirt era. The following are those songs that were written and recorded at that time.
Ever since I started Audioeclectica, I’ve constantly been thinking of different topic ideas to add to the fun. One that I’ve been thinking about a lot as of late is a spotlight on solo albums. There are so many out there and certain ones really deserve to be given their proper due. Solo albums are tricky to pull off. A lot of the time the solo album tends to fall flat or sound too similar to the artists main band.
Back in 2002 following the passing of Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell was readying a new solo album. The album was recorded before Layne had passed but, was dedicated to him when the album was released two months later. The album I’m speaking of is Degradation Trip. This opus is truly a remarkable album. The story behind it is pretty interesting too. To quote Jerry, “In ’98, I locked myself in my house, went out of my mind, and wrote 25 songs. I rarely bathed during that period of writing; I sent out for food; I didn’t really venture out of my house in three or four months. It was a hell of an experience.” Something else that makes Degradation Trip a stand out solo album is Jerry using a different backing band, enlisting the help Mike Bordin (Faith No More, ex- Ozzy Osbourne) on drums and Robert Trujillo (Metallica, ex- Ozzy Osbourne. Another intriguing tidbit about this album is that while making it, Jerry would be left without a label and a slew of studio bills. Jerry would go on to mortgage his home to continue on making this record. Upon completion, Jerry would sign a new deal with Roadrunner Records. After the signing, the label had asked for the album to be condensed from 25 songs to 14, but promised it would release the other songs at some point. Which explains why there are two different versions of Degradation Trip.
Jerry Cantrell is one hell of a songwriter and on this album he really carves his own niche. While the material on this album has many similarities to Alice In Chains, there is a purity to it that makes this a memorable and artistic triumph. Songs like “Psychotic Break,” “Owned,” “Angel Eyes,” “Solitude,” “Hellbound,” “Gone,” “Castaway,” She Was My Girl,” “Anger Rising” and “Thanks Anyway” are among my favorites on the album. The guitar work on all throughout the album is masterful. Not only are Jerry’s riff skills impressive, his use of melody is what really separates him from the pack. Always one to write deep and introspective words, Jerry doesn’t stray from that on this album. In fact I find these songs to be some of the most poetic songs he’s written since Dirt.
Jerry Cantrell really comes through on delivering a true solo album. This album deserves to be regarded and given the proper accolades it deserves. It’s not easy to go out on your own especially when you are part of something as special as Alice In Chains but, Jerry did it with grace and artistry. Check out Degradation Trip and let the music consume you.
2016 was a great year for music. So many great albums were released. I’ve mentioned this before, but I really think that in ten years, 2016 will be looked back on as a great year for music.
So as 2017 is right around the corner, here are my most anticipated albums for the new year.
With Our Arms To The Sun- Orenda
AFI- AFI (The Blood Album)
Black Map- In Droves
Code Orange- Forever
Marilyn Manson- Say10
Mastodon
Wear Your Wounds
Stone Sour
The Black Queen?
Alice In Chains?
Soundgarden
Corrosion Of Conformity
A Perfect Circle?
Tool?
Royal Thunder
Royal Blood
The Cure?
Brand New?
Nothing More
Wild Throne
Incubus
Cold
L.A. Guns with Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns
Will Haven
Less Art
Cult Leader
Killer Be Killed?
He Whose Ox Is Gored
Spirit In The Room
Depeche Mode
Rammstein
Here Lies The Hero
The wounds are still fresh and the scabs haven’t even begun to form. Now is not the time. Since Scott Weiland’s passing late last year, the surviving members of Stone Temple Pilots have taken it upon themselves to continue on. On one hand I totally understand their need and want to get back out there, but it’s just too soon. Their failed attempt to move on while Scott was still alive was atrocious. Their picking of Chester Bennington was awful. Have you seen the footage of it? I mean seriously, what are you guys thinking? The clips that I saw just showed Chester trying to emulate Scott all the way down to dying his hair pink, and swaying and moving on stage just like Scott would. Not too mention that Chester’s voice is too high and sounds nasally. It’s as though they created a tribute band already with the addition of Chester. At least when the band took a hiatus in the 90’s, the guys had the decency to start a new group under a different name. Remember Talk Show?
With enough time, I think that people would welcome an STP return. Look at Alice In Chains. When Layne passed away, they all did their own things and came back when enough time had passed. Granted there were quite a few doubters, but those that took the time to see the new Alice, saw that it’s a breath of fresh air that does the band justice. Jerry, Sean and Mike found the right guy in William DuVall. And now people are loving what William has done for the band.
What I’m saying is that now isn’t the time to get back out there. Let the people have the chance to get over Scott’s passing. Dean, Robert and Eric take some time and do something else. By getting STP going again, you are tarnishing the memory of what a great band you were. All people will think is that who ever you pick to sing for the band, it isn’t Scott and won’t come close. Start up Army Of Anyone again. I’m sure Richard Patrick from Filter would be down to get that rolling again. Or just start a new band and call it something else. You can play a few songs from your STP catalog, but don’t make an entire set from it. With enough time the wounds will heal enough for you guys to get the band back together with the right person.
As it says in the song “Creep”… “Take time with a wounded hand, cause it likes to heal.”
AUDIOECLECTICA 