Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue

Kess73 · 25-09-2009 1:26pm #1

Picked this up about 90 mins ago, and it is getting it's first listen as I type. Am currently on the fourth track "Your Decision" and am liking what I hear.

It is very much a typical Alice In Chains album so far, with Layne's presence weighing heavily in the lyrics, intentionally or not.

William DuVall sounds right at home and has some great vocal harmony work with Cantrell already after only four tracks. But he also has more of a classic rock sound to his voice, which was always present in his stuff with Comes With The Fall, but it defo adds something to the classic Alice sound.

Lyrically it seems both quite retrospective, unsuprisingly enough, and quite positive. Maybe not as happy and positive as the vibe on Pearl Jam's Backspacer, but pretty positive for an AIC album.

It brings to mind some stuff off of Dirt at times, Angry Chair in particular, as well as nods toward Jar Of Flies and Facelift, but an interesting vibe that I am getting off of some of the guitar work is that of a Lynyrd Skynyrd slant, whom oddily I bought the new album of today as well.

Damn I am typing slowly today because we are now into track six:D

Early signs are saying that Alice In Chains are back in business, and methinks that anyone out there that loved their music will find this album a very easy listen.:)

thebigcheese22 · 25-09-2009 1:30pm

Can't wait to get this! Preordered it on CDWow for like 7 euro, which means I'll be getting in a month probably... :pac:

smackbunnybaby · 25-09-2009 1:31pm

Kess73 wrote: »

Picked this up about 90 mins ago, and it is getting it's first listen as I type. Am currently on the fourth track "Your Decision" and am liking what I hear.

is it available in "real" shops today?

chin_grin · 25-09-2009 1:33pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Gives_Way_to_Blue

Black Gives Way to Blue is the upcoming fourth studio album by the American rock band Alice in Chains, which is due for release on September 29, 2009

smackbunnybaby · 25-09-2009 1:38pm

chin_grin wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Gives_Way_to_Blue

if is referring to America (the 29th being tuesday) - then you count back to the previous Friday for Ireland. I would say it is available today - I just want to be sure before i go hopping on any buses.

Schism · 25-09-2009 1:39pm

I've had it repeating all morning here. I'm very impressed.

DuVall's vocals really hit the mark for me. I'm not going to make any comparison between his and Layne's vocals as I wanted to listen to them for what they are and not in another mans shadow.

Some great songs in there, at the moment tracks 2 and 3 are standing out for me. Not so sure about some other tracks though, the opener for instance is somewhat weak.

Overall I'm liking it.

chin_grin · 25-09-2009 1:46pm

Yeah, my apologies. That happened with Downs third album. Was out a few days before the release (I just happened to be in HMV and counting it down).

Have to say I've only heard the singles of this. "A looking in view" I think is very sludgy and heavy, but goes on far too long.

Kess73 · 25-09-2009 1:48pm

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

if is referring to America (the 29th being tuesday) - then you count back to the previous Friday for Ireland. I would say it is available today - I just want to be sure before i go hopping on any buses.

Irish release date was this morning. HMV, Tower etc all have it now.

Kess73 · 25-09-2009 1:50pm

chin_grin wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Gives_Way_to_Blue

Irish cd release dates are always the Friday before the UK Monday release date, and generally four to five days before the US release date.

Kess73 · 25-09-2009 2:47pm

Into my second listen now, and it is an album that I think will reward over time.

I think it and Backspacer are two very contrasting albums ,from bands from a similar era, but while Backspacer is by far the more immediate of the two, BGWTB will not disappoint those that want to invest time in listening to it.

Backspacer is the driving in your car singing along like a loon album, and Black Gives Way To Blue feels more like a sitting at home in a melancholy mood type of album.

Interesting that both albums end on a very similar note though, soundwise. The last tracks on both being an aching love song in their own right, in memory of Layne in the case of BGWTB.

waltersobchak · 25-09-2009 3:01pm

loving it... so far so good

IanMc666 · 26-09-2009 4:14am

They played the new stuff pretty well at Marlay Park this year, am dying to hear the album as a whole. Must get it soon.

NeMiSiS · 26-09-2009 9:15am

Gonna see em live on Tuesday.

Looking forward to it, should be a good one!

Kess73 · 26-09-2009 9:26am

Gave it another whirl this morning in the car, and it just keeps sounding better and better.

This has been a really good month release wise for me, and next month is looking like it will be quite decent also.

As for AIC, I can only say to those who are mulling over getting it, to go out and pick it up asap. Those who are long term fans will love it as it has plenty of nods to the old days as well as sounding fresh, and those who have only picked up on AIC through seeing them live in recent years will love this too as there are better tracks on the album than what they played live in the last year.

Sephiroth_dude · 26-09-2009 11:35am

Going into town today to get this cant wait.

OK-Cancel-Apply · 26-09-2009 12:13pm

Gonna grab this later on!

Patricide · 26-09-2009 1:08pm

Listened to the album, great in places but the songs drag i find. The title track though is amazing.

hyn-zie · 26-09-2009 5:45pm

I can't get enough of this album really impressed with it, the only problem i would have is owl DyVall didn't get enough of the mic!! but Jerry is class and did write all the lyric's, Black give's way the title track is very touching tought i would've sucked with elton john on it but i really love this song, seemly Jerry had a hard time recording this song as its his good bye to Mr Staley and suffered right through the writing and recording because he was only greiving after all these years!!! Kinney was having panic attacks also, this ablum gets 9/10, get these fu@ks to dublin again!!!

Richy06 · 27-09-2009 3:50pm

The first track has grown to be one of my favourite on the album having initially thought it was a bit of a weak one.
"Time, time to start living". Some great lyrics in the first one.

It's funny the way many were trashing the fact that they'd gotten back together and brought in William DuVall from CWTF etc etc and now peoples are saying he doesn't get enough time on the stick!

Great album all around though. I love the sludgy guitars that kick in on Acid Bubble, once it did I got a tingly in my spine and thought "They're baaaaaccck".

Shryke · 27-09-2009 8:12pm

I'm really impressed. I didn't think I'd listen to it much but it's really good.

Sephiroth_dude · 27-09-2009 8:29pm

Had to buy this off itunes,was sold out everywhere in the city yesterday :O.

D.Q · 27-09-2009 10:06pm

shut up all of you...i havent got it yet....

Sephiroth_dude · 27-09-2009 10:17pm

Just finished listening to it,what a great album really enjoyed listening to it,off to listen to it again :pac:.

D.Q · 27-09-2009 10:58pm

just youtubed it there.

wow.

Im really so impressed witht his album. Its really really good. So refreshing to see a band that understands A SONG. Rather than their own egos. Great stuff, so glad to see em back.

Now come to ****in dublin yis pricks!!

Kess73 · 27-09-2009 11:08pm

Was listening to it again this evening in the car and it got me thinking about their next album. Yes this album is out a few days and I am already going on about the next album.

My line of thought was that this album is pretty much the old band members voicing their thoughts/feelings etc about Layne and maybe getting some musical closure. So the next album should be a truer reflection on what this line up is about, especially after touring this album and gelling some more.

chin_grin · 28-09-2009 8:15am

DieselQueen wrote: »

Now come to ****in dublin yis pricks!!

Eh, they supported Metallica in Marley Park this year! And were the best band of the day to be honest! :pac:

Richy06 · 28-09-2009 10:29am

Ah yeah but a headlining slot would be nice too, look at all the UK gigs they're doing sure and not a sniff of an Irish show.

gucci · 28-09-2009 10:37am

Have bought tickets for the Brum gig 13th of November, bring it on!

jenizzle · 28-09-2009 11:38am

I saw them play in the Moore Theatre in Seattle there on Thursday, the new stuff is sounding great live. Jerry played 'Black Gives Way to Blue' solo, and it was awesome. I've been listening to the album since I came home and I can't wait to see them back here.

Richy06 · 28-09-2009 10:21pm

Yeah he played it along next to an empty stool and a mic/mic stand and a spotlight on the chair I saw. He was apparently fairly emotional after it, really nice tribute though.

Going to the Manchester gig myself, should be deadly!

Anyone a fan of William's band Comes With The Fall out of interest?

D.Q · 29-09-2009 10:44am

Richy06 wrote: »

Ah yeah but a headlining slot would be nice too, look at all the UK gigs they're doing sure and not a sniff of an Irish show.

this.

support slots are ****e, they should get a full show and proper time/ SOUNDCHECKS!!

OK-Cancel-Apply · 29-09-2009 5:30pm

Got this album today - love it! Great songs with the AIC sound we all love. Would like to hear something a bit 'heavier' next time, but still, pretty good stuff.

seachto7 · 30-09-2009 8:02am

got through the first listen of it. Not like an AIC album and not quite like a Jerry Cantrell album, but so far so good..

NeMiSiS · 30-09-2009 9:15am

Saw em today in Hollywood at a invite only show kinda thing..

Only about 100 people there, and got to see the soundcheck..They only played five tunes but the first two were Check my brain, and A looking in view.

Was all very cool, to see it all up close and personal was ****ing great.

xYazbombx · 30-09-2009 6:33pm

Why? may I ask, are Alice in Chains in the Rock/Metal section..?? They are GRUNGE..! And they are the dogs nobs..

thebigcheese22 · 30-09-2009 6:38pm

xYazbombx wrote: »

Why? may I ask, are Alice in Chains in the Rock/Metal section..?? They are GRUNGE..! And they are the dogs nobs..

As much as I love Grunge music, it would be pointless having its own forum.
Check the Pearl Jam thread for more grunge...

Also if I was being pedantic I'd say that AIC were more metal than Grunge but hey I'm not

Wahey, 900th post:P

xYazbombx · 30-09-2009 7:11pm

Thats great coz they're Grunge..

waltersobchak · 30-09-2009 7:15pm

xYazbombx wrote: »

Thats great coz they're Grunge..

grunge died in 1994, its now know as alternative rock.. go figure:rolleyes:

Vudgie · 30-09-2009 7:16pm

I like the album I imagine it will be a bit of a grower. Disappointed that Duval is so low in the mix and completely absent from most songs. They played it very safe I think in terms of not alienating too many older fans and having a new singer all over it.

gucci · 01-10-2009 7:44am

Got the album last night, 2 listens down and it sounds really good! As someone said above, its sounds like a real grower of an album, but I am impressed from the start.

jenizzle · 01-10-2009 9:36am

xYazbombx wrote: »

Thats great coz they're Grunge..

Good lord, grunge was a crap genre anyway. AiC were a metal band long before grunge started.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grunge_music wrote:

Grunge (sometimes referred to as the Seattle Sound) is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area

Anyway, thats besides the point. This album is still awesome!

robby^5 · 01-10-2009 12:35pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=010QPE-rCXY

Great interview here from the guys talking about reforming and getting together for the new record.

Dont ask me why they're wearing kiss makeup in this! I've no idea...although the final shots were pretty cool, could be the music video for black gives way to blue?

Shryke · 02-10-2009 11:20am

This album keeps getting better in my ears. Last of My Kind was the first track on the album that caught me and it's still one of my most listened to. There's a danger of over exposure so I'm going to have to ease up!
When the Sun Rose Again, Your Decision and Acid Bubble are also way up there for me right now, but every track is excellent.

petes · 02-10-2009 11:23am

Me likey! As a previous poster said I would like to hear Duval a bit more.

Listened to it a few tims now and it's good!

seachto7 · 02-10-2009 2:23pm

folks the Jimmy Kemmel stuff is up on youtube. 4 songs, would, check my brain, no excuses, and your decision...

UnitedIrishman · 03-10-2009 7:51pm

Like it a lot. The last track (Black Gives Way to Blue) is a superb piece of music and obviously in memory of Layne.

Someone made a point elsewhere that Duvall's voice on this is very much like Staley's would've been had he still been around - just like James Hetfields voice has toned down through the years with Metallca.

They did themselves justice with this one.

seachto7 · 04-10-2009 8:49pm

been listening to this all week, and one thing that springs to mind is how big a part of the AIC sound Jerry Cantrell's vocals are, whatever about Layne Staley.
It's growing on me a lot now, the opening song is great, acid bubble is great, your decision is great, as is the closing track (though not as good as I thought it was going to be going on the reviews)
good solid album....

Funsterdelux · 05-10-2009 8:58am

Love the whole ablum, have listened to it about 20 times at this stage, haven't got tired of it yet.

RossFixxxed · 05-10-2009 9:31am

I'm not sure yet. Only had a few listens. I like Check My Brain, Lesson Learned, Black Gives way to Blue and Your Decision... Not sure about the rest, new singer is really buried like a bass player in Metallica. Sounds ok, some of the music is that unique AIC sound, some is a little generic tbh. But it may well be a grower of an album and I'm gonna give it time!

Den_M · 13-10-2009 11:35am

Great album, I'm pleasantly surprised, been listening to it all week. Check My Brain, classic Cantrell riff!

Somnus · 13-10-2009 12:41pm

Got it on Saturday and am liking it. DuVall sounds like Layne on one or two of the tracks but he does bring his own style out as well which I think is good. He's the bands singer now and seen as they're writing new stuff he shouldn't have to try and imitate Layne's style on new material.

Overall I like it, can't think of particular songs at the mo but I'll be listening to it for a while.

Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue

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