Alice in Ultraland [Import]

Alice in Ultraland [Import]

ASIN: B000BCIBVC

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Amorphous Androgynous is the psychedelic band created by the Future Sound of London. Alice In Ultraland is a funkoid rocktronic cosmic ambient oozescape, merging the sonic with the lyric, vintage rock with modern electronics. Features 14 total tracks including "The Witchfinder", "Billy The Onion", "The Wicker Doll", "High & Dry", "All Is Harvest", "The Prophet" and more. EMI. 2005.

Tracks:

Them Bones
Dam That River
Rain When I Die
Down In A Hole
Sickman
Rooster
Junkhead
Dirt
God Smack
Intro (Dream Sequence)
Hate To Feel
Angry Chair
Would?

Amazon.com essential recording

Alice in Chains were initially tagged with the "grunge" moniker, when in fact their haunting, ponderous sound was far closer to the progressive rock of Queensryche. Their second album, Dirt, is a moody, portentous affair, filled with occasionally inspired riffing from guitarist Jerry Cantrell and hair-tossed wailing from singer Layne Staley. Perhaps the band got lumped in with Generation X because their lyrics focused upon depression, death, and drugs. Certainly, titles such as "Down in a Hole," "Junkhead," and "Hate to Feel" didn't leave much room for doubt as to Cantrell's perspective. The quartet did have a slightly lighter, almost poppy side to them, though, as "God Smack" and "Hate to Feel" indicate. Ultimately, Dirt is classic angst rock. --Everett True

Album Description

Millenium digipak edition, with original sleeve and 6 page booklet. 12 tracks including 'Rooster', 'Would' & 'Them Bones'.

Album Details

Digitally remastered millennium digipack edition. Includes a special 6 page booklet.

Customer Reviews:

Dirt - a classic album, R.I.P. Layne Staley.......2007-07-04

While other people were noting the rise of bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, the band I felt that was the new great "rock" if you will, was Alice in Chains. Dirt was the 2nd album they had and it has so many songs on it I like I could talk about them forever. With Dirt I just felt like it was good in all aspects, but especially songwriting. Staley and Cantrell are in sync here till the end, and despite the death of Layne a few years ago I still think they had enough albums to solidify themselves for a higher status than so many other bands that seemed to be riding the grunge train later in the 1990's like Silverchair and Creed. Rooster is my favorite song; it is so dark and powerful like most of the material found here, but also because it was a tribute from Cantrell to his father who fought in the Vietnam War. I still go back and enjoy listening to this album often, I just wish Layne could have stayed with us but I am happy for the great material this band produced during their tenure.

One of the Greatest Albums of All Time.......2007-06-30

Alice in Chains is to this day one of the most creative bands of all time and this album is the best way to be introduced to their music because not only is it their masterpiece, but it is the best representation of their music in every way. AIC makes dark, depressing, and creepy music and no other band has ever been able to capture these moods like this band has. It seems that it comes naturally to AIC because they convey these emotions through their songs so perfectly but effortlessly. Jerry Cantrell's spooky guitar playing and backing vocals and Layne Staley's chilling and powerful vocals are the most perfect match music as a whole has ever seen, and is the reason AIC was so perfect and unique in their songs. Their first album was more upbeat and fast-paced while their third and final studio album was extremely slow-paced and almost too creepy. This album, however, is AIC at their prime and contains their best songs including Down in a Hole, Rooster, and their greatest song, Would?. Every time I listen to that song I can't believe how great it is along with the band that made it.

Damn, Absolutely owned by them........2007-05-08

Back when I was young, I enjoyed listening to a ton of 90s bands. Around 1996, my friends were spitting out music from the recently passed grunge scene including Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and of course...Nirvana (Unplugged) along with a ton of other rock bands of that time (Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, RHCP, etc...)

But there was one band I didn't listen to when I was young. Alice in Chains. It was just 1 year ago when I learned about them and decided to get myself acquainted with the band. I bought the album Dirt after hearing some of their songs on the radio. After just one viewing, I was hooked. Not only is this album quite possibly one of the most under-rated/under-appreciated album of all time, but it could be one of the greatest albums of all time. Almost every single song has a soul to it thanks to the songwriting of Jerry Cantrell as well as vocals by Layne Staley. Songs like Them Bones and Angry Chair gives the music a darker feel while others like Down in a Hole, Rooster, and Rain When I Die pack in a ton of emotion. God Smack is another decent track (and very likely the track where the band Godsmack got their name from)

And Dirt isn't just AIC's best music. There are still the Jar of Flies EP, Facelift, and their Unplugged album (when MTV was still showing music). All are highly recommended. Pretty much anyone should give Alice in Chains a listen...I don't care if you are part of the emo scene or the indie scene or still trapped in the 80s with your hair metal, give Alice in Chains a try. This is the best album really to start with.

Alice In Chains Masterpiece Was Born...'Dirt' Is Tasteful Metal..........2007-05-01

Alice In Chains...they were a band millions of people admired because they never got caught up in the quagmire of nu-metal junk. FACELIFT was the birth of the metallic side of the Seattle sound, and after it went gold months after its release, Alice In Chains followed themselves up with the more melodic and less explosive SAP, the ep which surprised many fans already built on the hugely metal-grunge sound the band had under its belt. But nobody expected the groups follow-up, the bleak and monstrous DIRT to become an unexpected turn of events for the band. But there's so many reasons why DIRT became such a hit.

First of all, vocalist Layne Staley's bleak lyrical portraits of drug addiction and isolation are given life with his aching and haunting vocal performance all over this album, and Jerry Cantrell's guitar work is disorienting and his riffs dip and rip throughout, all the while the throbbing bass of Mike Starr and the frenetic drumwork of Sean Kinney pulse as the sturdy backbone to the music. This is the work of a true unit of Seattle musicians who have built together one of the best grunge-metal albums of the 90s...period.

"Them Bones" hammers home with some chugging riffs and Staley's haunting drone to open the set like a ten ton wall of bricks coming at you. Then you have the relentless thunder of the angry fight song "Dam That River" (which guitarist Jerry Cantrell wrote about an altercation between him and Kinney). Then we go into the beautiful metalscape of "Rain When I Die", which features an ending that fades out and then comes back full blast at the end, but it's a haunting song as well. Then it all changes with the beautifully aching "Down In A Hole" which is by far one of the most heartfelt performances from Staley and Cantrell. Then you go into the kinetic and pulse-pounding monster "Sickman" that features a dramatic breakdown inbetween the two throbbing verses. Then it starts to turn into a hugely operatic show from these guys with two of biggest songs on the record.

"Rooster", written in tribute to Cantrell's father who served time in Vietnam, is a stunning portrayal of an armyman's time in such a place (got my pills 'gainst mosquito death/my buddy's breathing his dying breath). "Rooster" climaxes many times with its giant, crashing chorus and it's aching beginning and end. For all of its six minutes, you won't take your ears away as you are sucked into its melodrama. A very strong number that's instantly memorable. Then, out of nowhere, "Rooster's" melodrama is blown to bits by the starkly confessional drug anthem "Junkhead", which depicts Staley's harrowing drug addiction to a lethal degree. It's one of the most confessional drug songs ever written by Staley with a powerful depiction.

Elsewhere, the band keeps on chugging with blustery anthems ("Hate To Feel", "Dirt"), and then reaches it's apex with two of the best songs on DIRT to close out the set. "Angry Chair" is haunting, dark, melancholy, and somewhat explosive to a degree, but it's one of the best songs written solely by Staley. The words have a depth to them unlike many grunge-metal songs these days ("saw my reflection and cried/so little hope that i died"). It's a powerhouse song, flowing right into probably the biggest hit Alice In Chains have ever had, "Would?". "Would?" is a tribute to late Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood, and it features one hell of a vocal turn from Staley, especially during the chorus, but one can't forget Cantrell's haunting turn in the verses. The song pounds away until the very last notes with Staley screaming "If I would could you?!" And so ends a masterpiece record that sold millions of copies as the droves of grunge metal fans ate it up.

So while the next record, the vastly melodic and introspective JAR OF FLIES showed another different side to the band, DIRT holds up as the band's masterwork, with the self-titled "tripod" album coming in at a close second. DIRT is aching, revealing, dramatic, bleak, hopeless, dark, painful, but most of all, DIRT is pure beauty from the inside out.

Their second best album.......2007-04-24

This album was a warning shot over the bow that Layne was killing himself with heroin. The entire album is heroin influenced (some good, some bad). When Alice was "on," they were on (on their game, spot-on, on to something...) like nobody's business. this highly underappreciated band was the third part of the Seattle triumvirate [Gods I hope I spelled that right]. With Nirvana at the head, and the boys of Pearl Jam on the right, this was the left (sinister) hand of Satan - er... heroin, I mean Seattle (sowwy). Alice in Chains came to life in the first half of their debut album, but really hit a stride here, only to finally define their art in Jar of Flies.

The classics on this album (and you know what they are if you have heard this album or read ANY reviews of it) define who Alice were and how they affected the world around us in less overt, but no less lasting ways than their more flashy counterparts. This is not "happy music" but then when is life "happy" really?

Average customer rating:

#1 Jewel Fan
Highly Underrated
Jewel the way I know and love her
Still Shining
Ohh thank God! Jewel is back!!!

Goodbye Alice in Wonderland
Jewel
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Taking The Long Way
I'm Not Dead
Stand Still, Look Pretty
Spirit
This Way

ASIN: B000ESSTMO
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Tracks:

Again and Again
Long Slow Slide
Goodbye Alice in Wonderland
Good Day
Satellite
Only One Too
Words Get In the Way
Drive To You
Last Dance Rodeo
Fragile Heart
Stephenville, TX
Where You Are
1000 Miles Away

Amazon.com

The word "confessional" is frequently applied to folk of all stripes, including folk-rock and folk-pop, which is where Jewel comes in. Even within the bounds of folk, however, her music is more nakedly confessional than most. (Too nakedly, some have carped.) Along with a coterie of Nashville pros, she began her latest musical journey by laying down another introspective song cycle in the vein of 1995's Pieces of You. Dissatisfied with the results, the Texas-based artist scrapped that effort and re-recorded with Rob Cavallo (Green Day). This lends her sixth album the expected rock edge, but Jewel hasn't changed her spots. If anything, she sounds more like, well, Jewel than she did on dance-oriented departure 0304. She's still pop star ("Fragile Heart"), sensitive folkie ("Long Slow Slide"), and scrappy country gal ("Stephenville, TX"). Her Joni Mitchell-esque soprano soars as high as ever, with more of a sardonic Dylan chaser than before. What's changed is that maturity has granted Jewel, now in her early 30s, greater perspective--"Growing up is not an absence of dreaming," she states in the title track--and a sense of humor missing from her more earnest early work. On "Satellite," for instance, written when she was 18, but revamped since, she notes that "the Pope," "rock and roll," "Valium," even "Miss Cleo" can't fix her broken heart. In her statement about the album, Jewel claims that, after years of ups and downs, she's "not broken, just more myself." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Album Description

Jewel is about to deliver her most personal and autobiographical record so far-Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. Not content to relegate herself to a traditional music arena, or to be typecast, Jewel has established herself as a culturally significant and relevant brand. Author, songwriter, actress, poet-there are no limits to how Jewel can and will deliver her message. The underlining truth that ties it all together is the integrity of that message.

Customer Reviews:

#1 Jewel Fan.......2007-07-05

Jewel will always have a special place in my heart. I've loved her music since the day I heard "You Were Meant For Me" come on the radio. I wasn't too fond of 0304 but in Goodbye Alice in Wonderland she brings a bit more of the real Jewel back into our hearts. I really enjoy this album.

Highly Underrated.......2007-06-21

Jewel through many a curveball back in 2003 when she released 0304, which took her trademark confessional lyrics and set them against a mostly upbeat(and occasionally dance-driven)beat, much to the consternation of many of her fans. I was in the minority, as it was in my opinion her best album to that point, and follow-up GOODBYE ALICE IN WONDERLAND is on an even level of quality with that disc. Returning more to the sound of her THIS WAY album, Jewel again keeps things rather upbeat(musically) this time around, not thanks to dance backdrops but with the addition of a slightly harder rock sound, probably due to producer Rob Cavallo's hand in things. It's a good fit for the singer, who rocks out harder than ever on such tracks as "Only One Too", "Works Get In The Way", and "Drive To You". It also provides her with her most accessible set of songs to date, which is a shame considering that the album has been all but ignored since its' release--as was noted elsewhere, nearly every song here could have been a single. Too bad her record company didn't have the good sense to see that.

Jewel the way I know and love her.......2007-04-28

I was aghast at 0304 when it seemed Jewel gave up her folk music so I was more than relieved by Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. I was like, oh thank GOOOOOOOD Jewel did another album that shows off her great songwriting and guitar talents. It was really hard to watch her video for Intuition with the back up dancers and trashy wardrobe. Jewel is beautiful just the way she always has been. Love this album.

Still Shining.......2007-04-24

I think it strange that Jewel's latest album did not top the charts. It was certainly masterful in design and execution. And therein lies the problem. I suggest that she do another tour and record a live album with some new material. We all know how wonderful her concerts can be, and how beautifully her voice can soar underneath the stars and trees... I caught her act in Central Park, and of course ..... I just had to say yes to all of that heartfelt emotion that poured over me like a pristine waterfall - splendid Jewel!

Ohh thank God! Jewel is back!!!.......2007-04-20

Guys,

I fell in love with Jewels' music when I was a teenager. She has such a tender voice and her own style that I think, not one country, pop , light rock artist has.

Since i've heard 0304 I kind of let that piece in my heart for Jewel to be extinguished. I found out about the album only two weeks ago by accident searching on the net in hope of finding a revival.

My good Jewel admireres. She's back. Finally. That beautiful voice is not waisted on shallow music no more.

Warmly do I recommend. Enjoy.

Average customer rating:

One of my Top Ten CDs..
Alright...
The Best
Jar of Flies
Reviewgium Classic: 10/10

Jar of Flies
Alice in Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dirt
Alice in Chains
Facelift
Sap
Unplugged

ASIN: B0000029F8
Release Date: 1994-01-25

Tracks:

Rotten Apple
Nutshell
I Stay Away
No Excuses
Whale and Wasp
Don't Follow
Swing On This

Amazon.com

While not their most definitive album (that honor belongs to 1992's Dirt), Jar of Flies represents an important step in Alice in Chains' recording career. Witness "I Stay Away," which is made up of equal portions of hummable guitar riffs and the spookier, scarier, more grinding elements that most fans associate with Alice in Chains. This song most clearly delineates the dichotomy that was a highlight of the band's sound--Jerry Cantrell's listenable tunes and often gorgeous arrangements (just listen to what he does with "Whale & Wasp"!) and Layne Staley's growling vocals, which are just the teeniest bit flat. The collection as a whole, brief as it is, has an elegance that's unusual for metal. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

One of my Top Ten CDs.........2007-06-26

Got into AIC late but now its among my most-played stuff... Of course Nothing Safe & Unplugged are also great.

BTW, saw the "new" AIC @ the Elect Factory in Philly and while some may say its sacrilege I really enjoyed the show. Hey, they deserve to make a living & they seem to be trying to stay true to the originals... They also incorp a tribute to Layne.

Alright..........2007-05-17

Like what has been said, this album is amazing. Alice in Chains is the only band that I can listen to non-stop and absolutely love. I can listen to the same song over and over, or once every month with the same reaction (if not better). Nutshell is one of the best songs I've ever listened to.

The Best.......2007-05-15

Alice in Chains is definitely one of the best bands to have come out during the 90s. I can listen to their songs non-stop, over and over, without ever getting tired of their songs. Every song, in every CD is good or excellent. No, nothing bad at all about Alice in Chains.

Jar of Flies.......2007-05-14

I had previously owned this recording, but it was on cassette and I had lost it. I really missed it and kept looking for it in stores on CD, but could not find it. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who even minimally likes Alice in Chains.

Reviewgium Classic: 10/10.......2007-05-04

What can I say about this album? Only that I have been listening to it on a consistent basis since practically the time it was released, and I enjoy it as much now as I did then. My musical tastes have changed much since 1994, but one thing remains constant: my love for this album, and indeed pretty much anything and everything done by this band. The strange thing is, it contains what is probably my least favorite Alice In Chains song ("Swing On This"), and yet I still consider it my favorite album by the band, and I still feel confident in giving it a perfect rating.

Yes, I still remember back in the day seeing for the first time the video for "I Stay Away" (you know, back when MTV was kinda-sorta good...compared to now anyway), and being completely entranced by what I was seeing and hearing. I barely knew the band back then, but somehow I felt that I had known them forever. It was everything I wanted and needed to see and hear. And so I discovered Jar of Flies. From the haunting opening bass line and ghostly vocal harmonies of "Rotten Apple," and the heart-wrenching melodies of "Nutshell" and "Don't Follow," to the catchy rhythm of "No Excuses," and the mystifying wailing of Jerry's guitar in "Whale and Wasp," I knew from the very first listen that this was something special...something that would be a part of me forever. There is so much passion at play on this album from all members of the band, and I feel that with Jar of Flies, they were really truly pouring their hearts out in a way they had never done before. Indeed, I feel that "Nutshell" is the defining song of Layne Staley's life, and every time I hear it, I shed a tear for him. It was the first song I heard, the very moment that Layne's death was announced that grim morning years ago, and that will always be the first thing I think of whenever the song graces my ears. I consider this album to be perfect. Perfect in that everything syncs together in such a genuinely meaningful way; perfect in its blend of acoustic and electric; perfect in that it displays the constant progression Alice In Chains had by releasing albums that each had a completely authentic sound that was never repeated.

I have never successfully compiled a satisfactory list of what I would call my "top ten albums of all time," but I know for sure that Jar of Flies would be on that list, and quite high at that, despite the fact that it is not a full-length album. Obviously, this album means a lot to me in a personal way, but all that aside, I feel that this is an absolute must-have in any serious music lover's collection.

Average customer rating:

Alice in Chains-Facelift
Alice In Chains Debut A Fierce Tour-De-Force of Grunge Metal...4.5 stars...
Alice in Chains will always rock!
Facelift is fine the way it is, no work required.
Needs remastering

Facelift
Alice in Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dirt
Alice in Chains
Jar of Flies
Sap
Unplugged

ASIN: B00000272N
Release Date: 1990-08-20

Tracks:

We Die Young
Man In The Box
Sea Of Sorrow
Bleed The Freak
I Can't Remember
Love, Hate, Love
It Ain't Like That
Sunshine
Put You Down
Confusion
I Know Something (About You)
Real Thing

Customer Reviews:

Alice in Chains-Facelift.......2007-06-27

I didn't care for this CD as much as "Dirt" and "Jar of Flies", but still some good tunes. Love Layne Staley's voice.

Alice In Chains Debut A Fierce Tour-De-Force of Grunge Metal...4.5 stars..........2007-05-02

Four young men from Seattle were in the music business to take over the airwaves with their metal-grunge style and sound. They sold millions upon millions of records in their illustrious career, and it began with a debut full of hard metal blues, a little boogie, and impassioned performances. This young band was known as Alice In Chains and the debut album I'm speaking about is the maelstrom known as FACELIFT. Brimming with enough angst to kick a cow from here to Timbuktu, FACELIFT was heavy on metal and classic rock styles, with an undercurrent of grunge lying underneath it all. Honestly, this is the heaviest album next to DIRT that Alice In Chains ever made.

There are two main ingredients here that make this album sizzle hotter than a firecracker on the 4th of July: Layne Staley's unbelievably amazing and caterwaul vocal performance, and Jerry Cantrell's powerful metal riffs and rip-roaring solos. But, you cannot count out the great rhythm section of bassist Mike Starr and drummer Sean Kinney, who hold their own ever so capably underneath the two stalwarts and they are important pieces themselves.

"We Die Young" is a short burst of aggro-grunge that fires at you at 100 miles per hour, with Cantrell's razor-sharp riffing and Layne Staley's menacing voice growling lines like "scary's on the wall/scary's on his way/watch where you spit/i'd advise you wait until it's over". It brims full of anger yet the chorus shines and pummels at your face. Then "Man In The Box" rips open the door with it's heavier-than-thou grunge riff and Staley's stated scream of "Feed my eyes!". It became a staple on radio thanks to it's catchy rhythm and stellar musicianship, and one hell of a solo by Jerry Cantrell. "Sea of Sorrow" is damn near classic itself, featuring a great chorus between Staley and Cantrell, and yet another great solo by Cantrell, with Kinney and Starr keeping steady pace. Then we dip into the creepy crawl of "Bleed The Freak", again with Staley turning in another great vocal turn, and even the slightly melodic "I Can't Remember" thunders and growls with a quiet intensity lying underneath. Then comes a track like "Love, Hate, Love", which is a chilling tale over Staley's lamenting and musing about doing a horrible thing to his lover, all the while Cantrell shines one of his best solos on the album, and Staley turns in probably the most gut-wrenching vocal performance on the album, especially when he growls in a terrifying scream "Love! Hate! Love!" The chugging dinosaur riffs of "It Ain't Like That" hammer home with a precision of a clock. Then things start to get a little jangly with the boogie-metal of "Put You Down" and "I Know Somethin' (Bout You)", both of which are very damn catchy numbers. It all comes to a close with "Real Thing", which ends the album on a bluesy note, and a crashing finale featuring Layne coughing, most likely for show and not for real.

So after you listen all the way through FACELIFT's 12 tracks, you'll find yourself recovering like a boy who's recovering from a swift and hard punch. That's how I can describe FACELIFT...it's more like a good punch in the face that will leave a little blood in its aftermath yet shines on because it's determined to leave a lasting impression on you. And by all accounts, FACELIFT leaves a big impression from it's stormy brew of grunge metallic, alternative darkness.

Alice in Chains will always rock!.......2007-01-12

Facelift is one of those albums that will forever stand the test of time. Although "Man in the Box" gave Alice in Chains their big break, songs like "We Die Young", "Ain't Like That", "Sea of Sorrow", "Bleed the Freak" and "Put You Down", just to name a few, proved they were no one hit wonder.

Layne Staley's vocals really shine on this album. When do they not, right?

Get this album.....You won't be disappointed!

Facelift is fine the way it is, no work required. .......2006-12-05

Although lumped into the Grunge genre, AIC's debut makes them stand apart from their fellow Seattle peers of that era. Although it has an '80's "guitar album" feel more akin to Van Halen or some of George Lynch's work, it is full of the imagery, tempos, and vocal styles that became AIC staples. There are sludgy, gloom songs (Bleed the Freak, It Ain't Like That, Confusion, Love-Hate-Love, I Can't Remember) but there are also shredders and up-tempo songs, as well (Can't Put You Down, I Know Something). Not to be forgotten is the radio hit "Man in the Box" or the now-prophetic drug song "The Real Thing," a taste of things to come from the "Dirt" album and a view into the problems that would plague the band clear up to Layne Staley's tragic death in 2002. Several of these songs were staples in the 2006 tour and rightfully so...you must have this album!

Needs remastering.......2006-08-17

This album is starting to age. It needs to be remastered. I will buy it again. Overall a great album from begining to end.

Average customer rating:

Great unplugged album!
Outstanding CD if looking for diff version, laidback version of AIC songs
Amazing Band, Amazing Performance
BEST CD EVER!
Acoustic brilliance.

Unplugged
Alice in Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Jar of Flies
Dirt
Alice in Chains
Facelift
Sap

ASIN: B000002BM5
Release Date: 1996-07-30

Tracks:

Nutshell
Brother
No Excuses
Sludge Factory
Down In A Hole
Angry Chair
Rooster
Got Me Wrong
Heaven Beside You
Would?
Frogs
Over Now
Killer Is Me

Customer Reviews:

Great unplugged album!.......2007-06-27

Nirvana's unplugged album is unmatched, but this album gives it a run for its money. This is a must for any Alice in Chains fan.

Outstanding CD if looking for diff version, laidback version of AIC songs.......2007-06-26

One of my more-played CDs... Nice if you want a variation of AIC classics or a slightly laid-back version of them.

Used this to get others that thought AIC too much for them to reconsider AIC.

Amazing Band, Amazing Performance.......2007-04-04

The Unplugged acoustic series is one of the best concepts to emerge from MTV in recent years, and Alice in Chains' performance ranks among the best of the MTV Unplugged series.

Alice in Chains was one of the heaviest bands to emerge from the Seattle grunge scene in the early 1990's, and listening to albums like Dirt and especially Facelift it's hard to imagine the band in an acoustic setting, stripped of all of the pummeling heaviness of those two albums. But when you consider the more melodic direction the band took with their Sap and Jar of Flies EPs, you knew the idea had potential.

To sum up the band's Unplugged performance in one word - powerful. As much as I love the Alice in Chains studio albums, once you strip the songs down to the acoustic level it exposes just how good these songs really are, and showcases the incredible songwriting talents of Jerry Cantrell. Layne Staley's emotional vocals are another key element of this album's power. The late vocalist had the ability to channel so much of his self-destructive energy into his performances, and this is no exception. No matter what your opinions on addiction, it's hard not to be moved by Staley's singing, particularly on songs like "Down in a Hole" and "Would". Ultimately, I think this MTV Unplugged album is the best of what Alice in Chains had to offer. With few exceptions, I prefer the acoustic songs on this album to their studio counterparts. They just seem to resonate more in the acoustic setting.

In the end, Alice in Chains Unplugged serves as the band's crowning achievement as well as a testament to wasted potential and what might have been. All Alice in Chains fans should own this album, as should anyone who's into alternative rock, grunge, or hard rock in general.

BEST CD EVER!.......2007-03-29

I could listen to this CD over and over again without interuption for the rest of my life. Every song captivates your mind and soul. Greatly recommended to anyone and everyone out there, no matter what genre of music you listen to normally.

Acoustic brilliance........2007-03-02

Due to the health problems of vocalist Layne Staley and other internal conflicts between the band members, Alice In Chains was unable to play any live shows after their Lollapalooza tour in 1993 which they did in support of their masterpiece Dirt. This unplugged album was their first ever show in three years and, given that, it is an unbelievable effort.

This easily ranks among the finest acoustic albums ever. Even when stripped down to the basics, the band's songs shine with heartfelt emotion and genius compositional skills. Vocalist Layne Staley sounds incredible: the timbre in his sad delivery is so honest and true, and adds to the dark and brooding nature of the songs. "Nutshell", off of their Jar of Flies EP, is interpreted true to its original save for the re-written acoustic bluesy coda by Jerry Cantrell. Staley's voice sounds achingly beautiful here, and the bass really drives the piece. The chorus of "Brother" is infectious and truly haunting in its emotional impact, and the addition of Cantrell's vocals widens its scope. The band is tighter and meaner on "Sludge Factory", with a bass-heavy context and shatteringly heavy acoustic notes. The album's most amazing moment is "Down in a Hole", one of the greatest songs written in the 90's, all genres included. Layne sounds more depressing than ever and turns in an excellent performance - he simply takes the listener on an unmatched emotional journey.

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell is arguably the greatest guitarist that emerged from the Seattle scene, and his songwriting skills remain unsurpassed. Even taken to their very core, his songs generate impossible sonic strength and his playing is out of this world. From his faithful rendition of "Rooster", a song written to his father, to the apocalyptic intro of "Frogs", he amazes both with his unique tone and remarkable ear for melody. He delves deep into experimental music too, particularly on "No Excuses", which seems like an almost re-arranged piece, where he plays a neat solo to complement its evocative flow. This song is also a highlight because of the performance of Sean Kinney, who doesn't miss a single beat. Kinney's kick drums also come out on the aforementioned "Frogs", the longest rendition on this disc. Bassist Mike Inez equally contributes to the album, best heard on "Heaven Beside You" and the intro of the band's hit "Would?".

"Angry Chair", one of the few songs solely written by Layne Staley, finds the band successfully translating this heavy rocker into an acoustic dirge. Staley also plays guitar here and his chorus must have influenced Mike Tramp during his Freak of Nature period quite a bit, given the similarity in his singing the song "World Doesn't Mind". As a matter of fact, Freak of Nature is the only band who comes close to capturing the dark essence of their heavy nature, even doing unplugged sessions, so you may want to give their Outtakes release a listen.

There is also a new song called "Killer Is Me", where guitarist Scott Olson picks up the bass and Mike Inez switches to guitar for a change. At the end of the song, Staley is so excited and overjoyed that he says, "I wish I could hug you all... but I'm not gonna", and the CD ends on a somewhat sad note, as if these were his last words to his fans.

This unplugged album is absolutely essential whether you're a fan of Alice In Chains or not. There's something for everyone here. Unless hopeless bleak music with introspective tone and desperate lyrics turn you off, you owe it to yourself to check it out, as well as the band's studio releases.

Average customer rating:

Classic
A Comprehensive Yet Flawed Overview of One Of Seattle's Finest...
Not Quite the Essential, But The Best Compilation That's Out There...
Good Stuff!
thanks for a quality cd and fast delivery!

The Essential Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Up from the Catacombs: The Best of Jane's Addiction
Unplugged
Jar of Flies
Revelations
Alice in Chains - Music Bank - The Videos

ASIN: B0001LYH7U
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Tracks:

We Die Young
Man In The Box
Sea Of Sorrow
Love, Hate, Love
Am I Inside
Brother
Got Me Wrong
Right Turn
Rain When I Die
Them Bones
Angry Chair
Dam That River
Dirt
God Smack
Hate To Feel
Rooster

Tracks:

No Excuses
I Stay Away
What The Hell Have I (Remix)
A Little Bitter (Remix)
Grind
Heaven Beside you
Again
Over Now (Unplugged Version)
Nutshell (Unplugged Version)
Get Born Again
Died
Would?

Customer Reviews:

Classic.......2007-06-22

This is truly an essential CD if you want to enjoy the great music of A in C.

A Comprehensive Yet Flawed Overview of One Of Seattle's Finest..........2007-05-05

Alice In Chains was a pinnacle Seattle band, and they were part of the Seattle movement that was so prevalent in the 90s, and they carved a niche for themselves in the music world. They had tasted the triumphs of success and they also tasted the bitter pills of defeat (the death of singer Layne Staley was the worst of it all). Many compilations have come to fruition out of the Alice In Chains catalog. MUSIC BANK was the best of the bunch because not only did you get a helping of 3 CDs compiling hits, rarities, and remixes, it included a cd-rom and a comprehensive booklet inside detailing the history of the band itself. Before that was NOTHING SAFE: The Best of The Box, and although it had it's share of the hits, it was merely a sampler and a very small portion of what could have been a huge meal. Then Sony Special products released the pointless 10-track collection GREATEST HITS, which was a complete dud because tons of great songs were left off at the expense of giving the consumer something cheaply manufactured and made. But now, we've got another compilation from Sony entitled THE ESSENTIAL Alice In Chains. Now another question comes to mind here: is this compilation any better? Well, the answer is mostly yes, with a nay for a major single and a few minor hits that were left off this compilation.

The thing this compilation does nicely that MUSIC BANK also did was compile the songs in chronological order. Here's how it runs down on each of the compilations hearty two discs.

On disc 1 you get the pummeling "We Die Young", the classic "Man In The Box", the underrated epic feel of "Sea of Sorrow", and the unadulterated pleasure of the chilling "Love, Hate, Love" from FACELIFT. While these four songs truly represent the meat of FACELIFT, they also represent the origins of Alice In Chains...the majestic building of their monolithic sound and power. Next up we get the entire SAP ep minus that goofy final hidden track, although not in the order of the original ep, which is no big deal because all four songs are excellent tracks. "Got Me Wrong", "Right Turn", "Am I Inside", and "Brother" all blend acoustic and electric nuggets of alternative metal, with "Am I Inside" being a ballad of sorts. From there we dive right into the songs from the masterpiece album DIRT. This is where the compilation runs into a major flaw. You do get the hits such as "Rooster", "Them Bones", "Would?" (found on the end of disc 2), and "Angry Chair". You also get other tracks from dirt like the thrash of "Dam That River", the disorienting title track, and the thundering "God Smack". But my question is why the hell did they leave "Down In A Hole" off of this compilation? What in their right minds made them leave off such a classic song that was a big, big song on the radio and a hit video as well? Well, the folks at Sony must have been smoking crack. This flaw may irk many fans including myself, so it almost renders this compilation completely unnecessary as we have the comprehensive MUSIC BANK. So that's the one major flaw this overview runs into, but it's pretty much the only major flaw here.

Now we go into disc two, which represents the later years of Alice In Chains. We pick up with two fine songs from JAR OF FLIES to start disc two, the shining radio nugget "No Excuses" and the angsty majesty of "I Stay Away". But I think "Rotten Apple" and "Don't Follow" should have been included on this compilation as well, so those are two other more minor flaws here, especially since "Don't Follow" could be heard on the airwaves at that point. But then next we head right into the self-titled "tripod" album, and the slow burn of "Grind", the catchy stomp of "Again", and the folky metallic bluesy "Heaven Beside You" all represent the album quite well, showcasing the classic rock stylings that made the album different sonically from the past Alice In Chains records. Then we get two non-album tracks in remix form, with "What The Hell Have I? and "A Little Bitter", both featured on the LAST ACTION HERO soundtrack. The remix versions sound almost no different from the original versions except that they're sound is a bit heavier and thick than the cleaner metal of their almost mirror counterparts. Then you get two nuggets from the unplugged cd, with the classic "Nutshell" and the quiet dynamics of "Over Now" providing respite from the heavy rock that made Alice In Chains a household name. The compilation comes to an end with 3 more songs, the previously released recordings of "Get Born Again" and "Died", which have bite but sound a little unfinished and leave you feeling the void that has been left from Staley's death. And the last song, the big, mighty majestic roar of the classic hit "Would?" ends the two-disc set with a bang, providing the band's biggest hit and most impassioned performance. It became a staple of 90s radio singles and also was featured on the SINGLES soundtrack. It was among the best of a handful of songs in their catalog.

So to the Alice In Chains fan I say only get this to complete your catalog if you want to have everything by Alice In Chains. If you're merely curious about the band and want to get a taste of AIC and not take a bite out of your wallet, then this compilation will serve you well. Although this compilation leaves off a couple of songs that would have made the title "essential" stand true, this compilation does do a nice job of capturing the best parts of Alice In Chains in all their primal, disorienting and bleakly monstrous glory. This was a band whose time was cut short by tragedy, but who ultimately left a huge mark on the music scene. ESSENTIALS is essential for AIC completists, and a good introduction for first timers. But be warned: if you want to get all the hits and get your money's worth, then track down MUSIC BANK.

Not Quite the Essential, But The Best Compilation That's Out There..........2007-04-24

Alice in Chains is my favorite band. There was so much talent in the band, from the incredible, un-imitatable Layne Staley to the guitar-God Jerry Cantrell...The rhythm section featured (first) a talented bassist named Michael Starr and then a great bassist named Mike Inez, with talented drummer Sean Kinney in tow. When it comes to best-of sets (besides the box set), this is the best thing you can get from AIC. Calling it "the essential" was a mistake though, because it's missing "Down in a Hole" and fan favorites like "Frogs" and "Rotten Apple." However, it does have underrated classics like "God Smack," "Dirt," and "Right Turn." If there's someone looking to become an Alice in Chains fan, this is a good CD to get and if you're an Alice in Chains completist, it's also good to check out. Ironically this whole 2-disc, 28-track CD isn't better than their second studio album "Dirt" and any REAL fan of Alice in Chains should start there. I would list all the songs and certain comments about them, but that would take too long and no one needs a comment from me about how good "Man in the Box" and "Rooster" is, so I'll just talk about a few key songs.

Track 4: Love, Hate, Love is a terrific song that has always been one of my favorites. It's very moody and dark, with the occasional cheesy lyrics here and there but still fantastic.

Track 7: Got Me Wrong is much better unplugged, but is a good studio track too.

Track 8: Right Turn features Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, and Mark Arm all singing (at one point, at once) and is great to listen too.

Track 14: God Smack is one of their most underrated songs and one of my favorites.

Track 15: Hate to Feel...Classic!
DISC 2
Track 3 & 4: Why "What the Hell Have I" and "A Little Bitter" never made one of their studio albums, I'll never know. Classic AIC!
Tracks 10, 11, & 12: Get Born Again, Died, and Would are fantastic. The first two are the last songs the band recorded, before Layne Staley died...The last one is just one of their best songs. The song that made me an Alice in Chains fan.

Overall: This is a great "Essential" album, despite missing essentials.
Layne Staley, R.I.P
1967-2002
GRADE: A-

Good Stuff!.......2007-04-08

Well here comes yet another greatest hits collection of Alice In Chains. This collection is called "the essential" Alice In Chains. So what does this mean for you and I? Well it means that basically you get most of Dirt, a few good songs from the self-titled album, a few tracks from Facelift, a popular radio hit or two from the EPs and a couple of remixes.

I will admit that I found this package to be an enticing double CD of songs that I already knew. Why would I go buy this if I already had the three studio albums etc, especially if this collection is a better freshmen introduction to the band than the previous greatest hits/essential collections I've seen. Well I'm not sure why really, but I did and I liked it a lot.

I never get tired of listening to these songs and this time is certainly no exception. They cover all the highlights here and to include so much of the immortal Dirt album was a great idea. Aside from the fact that every song on that album is brilliant, it lends a nice flow to the entire collection that is also sorely lacking from the other greatest hits packages.

Realistically no hits packages can get every song we fans crave as we all have our favorites. To their credit this band never really had a formula they stuck to. Each release brought something a little different. In the end though, looking back this approach may have also helped lead to the bands demise as it often hurt their music in terms of overall sales. In hindsight it's amazing to look back at Alice in Chains career and see what they accomplished in a short time.

They were a great band for their time and Lane had a vocal delivery that was unique in the way he was able to pull the listener into his world.

R.I.P. Lane, you brought us something special in your short time with us.

thanks for a quality cd and fast delivery!.......2007-02-11

Thanks for the great cd and fast delivery!

Average customer rating:

A Solid Swansong Finale Collection From Alice In Chains...
One of my all time favorites
WHY, OH WHY Couldn't fate have let these guys still be recording?
Perhaps the quintessential AIC album
Starting to falter just a bit, but still amazing nonetheless!

Alice in Chains
Alice In Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Jar of Flies
Facelift
Dirt
Sap
Unplugged

ASIN: B000002B8A
Release Date: 1995-11-07

Tracks:

Grind
Brush Away
Sludge Factory
Heaven Beside You
Head Creeps
Again
Shame In You
God Am
So Close
Nothin' Song
Frogs
Over Now

Customer Reviews:

A Solid Swansong Finale Collection From Alice In Chains..........2007-05-01

Alice In Chains have made quite a name for themselves in the rock world, and they have achieved many successes in their career, but sadly some things just don't last that long, and singer Layne Staley died April of 2002 from a drug overdose. His last studio effort with the band, the "tripod" album as it's become synonomous to be called, is an album full of reflections from a drug addict who has overcome obstacles, but it's also a bold step for the band who blend their metal murky style with classic rock noodlings and folky acoustic segments. It makes for one heck of an amazing collection.

"Grind" is a classic Alice In Chains staple now, complete with chug-chug riff with wah wah effects and wary lines like "in the darkest hole/you'd be well advised not to plan my funeral 'fore the body dies", and the chorus is uplifting with the harmonizing of guitarist Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Layne Staley in full force, as the rhythm section of bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney thunders home. "Sludge Factory" is a seven minute epic scope view of a junkie's forethought, and it's a cousin to DIRT's "Junkhead". Elsewhere on the album, Cantrell shines on the foreboding acoustic/electric sizzle of "Heaven Beside You"; "God Am" questions the activities of a deity while a clean grunge lies underneath; "Frogs" sounds like an ominous building storm that crashes to some degree but never really lashes out...it just remains calmly dark for its 8 minute-plus runtime. But the band doesn't abandon it's metal stylings it's so famous for, and the aforementioned thunder of "Grind" is accompanied by the bron-y-ard stomp of "Again" and the cascading grind of "So Close". The album closes with the introspective "Over Now" which is a showcase for Jerry Cantrell's musings over a failed relationship. Not everything on this album addresses the theme of drugs, but it certainly sounds like an album that's an aftermath to a bad night.

But for all the dark majesty of this album, it certainly is one of the most classic and resounding albums of overcoming the travesties of a drug-riddled life. ALICE IN CHAINS turns out to be one of the most introspective albums Alice In Chains has ever made...confessional yet inward, metal yet classic rock, hugely Seattle yet resoundingly refreshing, and it still holds true today.

One of my all time favorites.......2007-04-28

This album isn't nearly as popular, but in my opinion it is just as good as "Dirt". Due to Layne's illness they were unable to tour and promote this gem properly, but it still had some moderate radio hits in the beatiful "Heaven Beside You", the rocking "Again", and the shockingly dark and powerful "Grind". These are great, quintessential AIC songs but the thing is, they are far from the best on the album. Jerry Cantrell has said in interviews that if they had toured to promote the album, "God Am" would have been released as a single, and this breaks my heart. Lyrically and musically I would rank "God Am" as one of the best AIC songs ever. My personal favorite on the album is "Shame in You" a slow, chilled AIC song that gives Layne the chance to show off his amazing voice and Jerry the chance to shred amazing guitar parts in almost bluesy fashion. "Head Creeps" and "Sludge Factory" definetly deserve mention as well: these songs are dark and almost frightening, but feature cool lyrics, guitar work, and Layne's amazing and distorted voice. You will find yourself immediately drawn in a jamming after a single listen. If you like Dirt, please buy this album, you will be surprised how quickly it grows on you.

WHY, OH WHY Couldn't fate have let these guys still be recording?.......2007-02-08

This group kept getting better and ummhmm...better. At first I thought this was aic's worst output. I wanted a return to the youthful energy of "facelift" or the dark, heavychevy "dirt" or the beautiful acoustic "jar", but this album "aic" is now my favorite alice album closely rivaled by "jar of flies". The reasons it is now my favorite is because each song has layers of extremely well-produced instrumental and vocal sound only to be further layered with complex lyrical play and meaning. Essentially this is a complex output allowing me to listen to it over and over and ,good god ahmighty, over agai For instance, the one song on this album that best represents everything i mentioned above is "headcreeps". The song is musically heavily layered thanks to cantrell's input of busy lead, and rythmn guitar work. The heavy amount of guitar with a sundry of high, low notes hits you like a big ol' fat wall of sound. To add to this, the distortion of Staley's vocal output adds another dimension to the already rich sound of his trademark multi-interval (which have the lower, higher and midrange sound) vocals. To add even MORE complexity to this song one must consider the lyrics. These lyrics seem like they could be interpreted in different ways. I am partial to the religious implications even though the lyrics could easily be referring to the pain of romantic breakup. "live puppets on a string, untangle you from me," and "time to call the doggies off" pleas (to me) to God to release me from a life full of pain or "untangle" your will from mine. "Some day my plane leaves, someway my head creeps," expresses how i'm a goin' crazy in a world created by a god who won't allow me to reach stable state devoid of suffering and painful inconsistencies. "Rise from the dirt i'm in hide in another's skin, stick black dress doll with pin, your mouth takes on my grin," says the pain and insanity of humanity continues unimpeded by the Almighty from one life to the next. The rythmn change toward the end of the track seems to show everything that is somewhat predictable and stable coming apart or complete madness, thus HEADCREEPS! Loads of complexity, prevelent throughtout this lp is what makes this recording kick extreme a*% and it makes me tremendously sad that it had to be their last major studio output. "brush away" is another song I've listened to a silly amount of times, because of the absolute perfect use of staley's vocal talent and cantrell's musical creativity. The layering of acoustic and electric guitar coupled with staley's multi-faceted vocals is unbelievably satisfying. "nothin' song" is yet another tribute to the magic of aic's creativity using dissonant notes (of cantrell's guitar and staley's chorus 'ayieee' in this case) over chunky rythmn guitar work and shifty lyrics, like "started this take at 7:38" (mundane) and "nothing ever stays the same" (philosophical). "Shame in you" is ANOTHER song on this album that uses every once of cantrell and staley's talents creating another stunning track. The melodic sound of cantrell's guitar underneath Staley's well layered vocals (in particular, his high registar in the line "concentratin' on dyin' yeah") gives me freakin' goosebumps every freakin' time i hear it. This lp is irreplaceable.

Perhaps the quintessential AIC album.......2007-02-07

Fans didn't know what to expect in '95 from Alice in Chains prior to this release. After "Jar of Flies," rumors swirled that they had "gone mellow." However, the self-titled "Alice in Chains" dispelled those rumors with such efforts as "Again", "So Close", "Grind", and "Sludge Factory." The band presents their trademark brooding sadness as well with tunes such as "Shame in You", "Over Now," and the radio-friendly "Heaven Beside You." With eerie harmonies and layers of guitar riffs, AIC fans will find this album to be worth their money and quite memorable. Knowing the band's history at this point in time makes this album and its themes even more haunting. A must have!

Starting to falter just a bit, but still amazing nonetheless!.......2006-10-28

This cd along with all the other Alice In Chains releases are top notch. Lane was a tremendous singer who left an impression with the angst of his existence in his delivery. It's to bad he couldn't fight off the demons that eventually took his life. All in all this band was excellent.

They and Soundgarden are the only two grunge bands worth mentioning from that time period with maybe Nirvana tossed in the mix as well. However Nirvana although a very good band in it's own right, couldn't touch Alice In Chain or Soundgarden in my honest opinion.

Alice In Chains was and always will be a great band period!!

Buy it!

Average customer rating:

ill "stay away" too...stay away from this.
awesome
Love This Band
alice n chains greatest hits
driving, lilting rock

Alice in Chains - Greatest Hits
Alice in Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Thank You
A-Sides
The Smashing Pumpkins - Greatest Hits - Rotten Apples
rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003)
Unplugged

ASIN: B00005MKDW
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

Man In The Box
Them Bones
Rooster
Angry Chair
Would?
No Excuses
I Stay Away
Grind
Heaven Beside You
Again

Amazon.com

From 1999's Music Bank box set and its one-CD compilation offshoot, Nothing Safe: The Best of the Box to a 1996 Unplugged CD, the Alice in Chains titles continue to arrive even while the band--and especially reclusive frontman Layne Staley--stagnates. The quartet's heavy, dirgelike music is aging well, but the 10 songs that comprise Greatest Hits are the basic radio hits. Greatest Hits features no new music, no liner notes, no lyrics, no new photos, and no elaborate packaging. Still, for the rock fan, every song on the disc (five of them penned solely by talented guitarist Jerry Cantrell) is a bona fide hit, from the band's earliest, their 1990 breakthrough "Man in the Box," to the lush orchestration of "I Stay Away" to 1995's dark pop gem "Heaven Beside You." Greatest Hits provides a quick fix for newer fans, but with The Best of the Box boasting 9 of Greatest Hits' 10 songs, plus an additional 5 selections. Skip Hits and go for The Best. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews:

ill "stay away" too...stay away from this........2007-07-02

10 songs on a greatest hits album? what a joke. why buy this when you can buy nothing safe, best of the box and get all of these same songs and them some. i own EVERY AIC album and nothing safe is by far my favorite. dirt is pretty cool too so that may be worth checking into. i didnt care too much for their unplugged set...but seriously, avoid this album like the plague.

awesome.......2007-03-05

Alice in chains was one of the best 90's grunge rock bands This was the only album I owned MAN IN THE BOX/THEM BONES were one of my favorite songs of all. yeah 10 songs but still this album was worth buying for a worthy price of $5 or $7 dollars I play this cd mostly in my car when im in the mood for some nice hard rock grunge metal.

R.I.P Layne Staley.

Love This Band.......2007-02-11

This was my first Alice in Chains CD purchase. I realize, after reading other reviews, that it didn't include many other fans' favorite songs.

However, these songs RULE! Love the ballads and the intense guitar in the same songs. They have a sound all their own.

I am now a huge fan.

alice n chains greatest hits.......2007-01-25

i was charged for this producted but never recieved it

driving, lilting rock.......2007-01-11

The group was phenomenal in their time and this cd makes them immortal. Their driving, lilting songs are always mood inducers to any listener. The lead singer may be gone, but his songs and special style will always be timeless.

Average customer rating:

AIC just isn't AIC without Layne
SAP A Great EP...Just Too Short...4.5 stars...
Saptastic
Short but Sweet
Short, but essential

Sap
Alice in Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Jar of Flies
Alice in Chains
Facelift
Dirt
Unplugged

ASIN: B000002B2X
Release Date: 1995-03-21

Tracks:

Brother
Got Me Wrong
Right Turn
Am I Inside
Bonus Track 1

Customer Reviews:

AIC just isn't AIC without Layne.......2007-07-09

I love this CD. It shows that even heavy grungers can have a semi soft side.

SAP A Great EP...Just Too Short...4.5 stars..........2007-05-02

Alice In Chains FACELIFT was a grunge-metal whirlwind that went platinum and introduced the world to Alice In Chains. When it came time to record a follow up, the band went in the studio and came out with a big surprise. SAP, the band's first ep, was a starkly different collection than it's predecessor, and it introduced us to a vastly more melodic and introspective side of the band.

"Brother" and "Am I Inside" are two of the most haunting cuts written by Alice In Chains (both were written by Cantrell and Staley respectively). "Got Me Wrong" mixes a smooth, melodic side with a blustery chorus, and it was a wisely chosen single. "Right Turn" is a nice jam session featuring vocalists Chris Cornell of Soundgarden/Audioslave fame, and Mark Arm of Mudhoney. The concluding bonus cut on the album is a silly goof that was wisely left off the tracklisting, and although it cracks me up all the time, it might be seen as more stupid than funny (you have to decide for yourself I found it lightly amusing).

So all in all, SAP is a surprising strong and short collection of songs that show a much different side of Alice In Chains. While the bonus cut does nothing to add to the collection itself, SAP still remains a necessity in the grunge back catalog, and most importantly, in the Alice In Chains catalog.

Saptastic.......2006-09-04

A very good attempt at acoustic music by AiC. It gets the following ratings:

Got Me Wrong - 10/10 Best song on the album!
Brother - 9/10 Great song, but I think the unplugged version is better
Right Turn - 8.5/10 Somewhat catchy
Am I Inside - 8.5/ On level with Right Turn
Love Song - ...

Short but Sweet.......2006-09-03

If you're an Alice in Chains fan this short EP is essencial for you. There are some pretty good tracks on this. Even the hidden track is pretty "interesting". Anyway probably the best track from it is of course "Got Me Wrong". The other tracks are pretty good too. Here are some ratings...

1. Brother - 9/10
2. Got Me Wrong - 10/10
3. Right Turn - 8.5/10
4. Am I Inside - 9.5/10
5. Bonus Track 1 - 8.5/10

Overall: 91% A-

This is pretty much just a nice album to own if you enjoy the bands music or find it for real cheap somewhere as I did. It's good for what its worth being a short but sweet EP.

Short, but essential.......2006-08-17

Short, but essential. All the songs here are classic Alice in Chains.

Average customer rating:

So amazing
Alice in Chains: a music group of immense talent
Killer tunes!!!!!
Retrospective with Rarities
An excellent ride through the Staley era of AIice

Music Bank
Alice in Chains
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Hard Rock & Heavy Metal | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Alice in Chains - Music Bank - The Videos
Sap
Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2
Boggy Depot
Live

ASIN: B0000296JW
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

Get Born Again
I Can't Have You Blues (Demo)
Whatcha Gonna Do (Demo)
Social Parasite (Demo)
Queen Of The Rodeo (Live)
Bleed The Freak (Demo)
Killing Yourself (Demo)
We Die Young
Man In The Box
Sea Of Sorrow (Demo)
I Can't Remember
Love, Hate, Love
It Ain't Like That
Confusion
Rooster (Demo)
Right Turn
Got Me Wrong

Tracks:

Rain When I Die
Fear The Voices
Them Bones
Dam That River
Sickman
Rooster
Junkhead (Demo)
Dirt
God Smack
Iron Gland
Angry Chair
Lying Season
Would?
Brother
Am I Inside
I Stay Away
No Excuses

Tracks:

Down In A Hole
Hate To Feel
What The Hell Have I (Remix)
A Little Bitter (Remix)
Grind
Again (Tattoo Of Pain Mix)
Head Creeps
God Am
Frogs
Heaven Beside You
Nutshell (Unplugged)
The Killer Is Me (Unplugged)
Over Now (Unplugged)
Died

Customer Reviews:

So amazing.......2007-03-13

Alice in Chains was a great band. I am so happy with my purchase. I like that there are demos on the first disc. Songs I have never heard before.

Alice in Chains: a music group of immense talent.......2007-01-10

This is one very well-put together music collection. 40 plus tracks of gripping, catchy, tracks and tunes that speak volumes of the mindsets of the group members about life and its struggles. It's a shame they ended the way they did. If you want a piece of classic music that's ahead of and within its time, get this collection.

Killer tunes!!!!!.......2006-08-22

AWESOME!!! Everyone and their brother should own this one. I'm a huuuuuuuuuge AIC fan from the beginning. This music collection is a must have for any fan!!

Retrospective with Rarities.......2006-08-01

The Alice in Chains 4-disc box set Music Bank serves as both career retrospective and B-side collection. You get plenty of material from the regular AIC albums, but there is enough bonus material to make the set worthwhile to die-hard fans.

Here's what you get in this box set that you won't find on other AIC releases:

Disc 1 - Get Born Again (the only brand new song produced for this set), 3 early demos from the Alice N Chainz days, demo versions of Bleed the Freak, Killing Yourself, Sea of Sorrow, and Rooster, and a live track called Queen of the Rodeo.

Disc 2 - There are only 3 exclusive tracks on this disc. Fear the Voices is an odd one, sounding like Alice in Chains meets the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It also features a demo version of Junkhead and a track called Lying Season. Despite having just a few new tracks, disc 2 is the strongest in the set, since it contains the most material from Dirt and Jar of Flies.

Disc 3 - This disc rounds out the collection, and features material taken mostly from the band's final studio album. There are a few tracks from the Unplugged album, a few remixes, and the track "What the Hell Have I" which originally only appeared on the Last Action Hero soundtrack. The song "Died" is the only track that isn't available elsewhere.

Disc 4 - This is an interesting item. Music Bank was released before DVDs had completely taken over, so disc 4 is actually a CD-ROM with several of the band's videos and some additional multimedia content. It's a decent addition, but one that was made obsolete when the Music Bank DVD was released a couple of years later.

All told, this box set is likely to appeal only to die-hard Alice in Chains fans who want to own every available AIC release. It's a good collection, if a bit flawed. They could have just as easily added a disc or two and collected the band's entire catalog, or just released a single-CD rarities collection (which would have been a lot lighter on our wallets).

An excellent ride through the Staley era of AIice.......2006-07-05

Some of the other reviews say that the box set was premature and they should have waited until AIC had a few more studio albums out, but most of those reviews were written before the death of lead singer Layne Staley, ending an era in AIC history. The band has since found a new lead singer, but the voice of Layne (or any distinctive lead singer, really) is impossible to replace. This box set is now an excellent ride through the Staley era of Alice, including all of the singles, and many outtakes and demos.

This set appeals to the hardcore fan providing the alternate takes of songs, and the unreleased stuff, and the casual fan with the singles. However, the casual fan might rather consider the 'Best of the Box' CD. I believe it's called 'Nothing Safe'.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review