“Album Reviews: Alice In Chains: Black Gives Way to Blue (2009); The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)
Written by Steve “Spoob” Beagle
If it weren’t for iTunes, email, and The Brainfart, I would be eternally stuck in 1995 (musically). Thank God, Allah, Satan, Whomever- that aliceinchains.com magically sent me an automated reminder that the newest Alice In Chains album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, was to be released this past May 24, 2013. Since I am a die-hard fan of few bands, I pre-ordered this one and just realized it has been over three years since AIC put out their first album with William DuVall.
To commemorate this release, I thought I would tack on my votes for the best tracks on Black Gives Way to Blue (released September 29, 2009).
Black Gives Way to Blue, 9/29/2009
1. “All Secrets Known”
This track meant nothing to me until I won tickets to see AIC in Raleigh back on April 21, 2010. The circumstances leading up to the show were quite whimsical and a testament that any of us can do anything if we set our minds to it. I told myself in the months leading up to the show, “If I win tickets, then I’ll go.” On 4/21/2010, the local radio station was having a “Name That Tune” style giveaway for tickets. The short version of the story is that I won the last pair of tickets and ended up taking my woman to the show that evening. Nothing like seeing Scooter Jennings open up for AIC in a venue more suited for classical music and orchestras. AIC opened with “All Secrets Known” and gave life to a song that I had overlooked up until that point. On the stage was proof that AIC had persevered and continued their legacy with William DuVall kicking all of our asses and showing that he was just as big a fan of AIC as we were.
2. “Last of My Kind”
“…and break all the lies that they feed the fuckin’ liars… I’m the last of my kind- still standin’.” Those lyrics synced up with Cantrell’s palm-muted bitch-axe chopped my melted head right off of my shoulders. It’s as if DuVall was saying “Um, yeah- let me show you how real music is made.” This tune was a colossal middle-finger to all of the “music” that had been released from 1997-2009.
3. “A Looking In View”
This was the first release off of Black Gives Way to Blue, and, possibly the heaviest track on the album. Badass riff. Heavy as hell. I still like to blast this one when I am stuck in traffic and feel like shooting out the tires of all those who oppose. DuVall and Cantrell showed us that they could still give us those nasal, twisted, AIC melodies we have grown to love.
4. “When The Sun Rose Again”
The guitar solo in this song is why Cantrell, like Gilmour, can bring tears to your eyes with his bends. There is a reason that Dimebag used to mention Jerry Cantrell in interviews. Jerry doesn’t need to play a million notes to give you a piece of his soul. I can’t help but think this song, like the album’s title, was inspired by Layne’s passing: “Were you burned away When the Sun Rose Again?”
5. “Black Gives Way to Blue”
The story goes it took Cantrell two weeks before he could record the vocals to this track. He kept experiencing back pain and consulted a few psychological and medical experts to ascertain the origin of the pain. It must have been due to the musical funeral he was about to hold for his best friend. More tears. Happy tears, though. Layne left us with a legacy and Jerry gave William the OK to begin his own legacy. Jerry even employed Sir Elton John, one of Layne’s vocal inspirations, to add piano to an alternate version of the song.
The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, 5/24/2013
1. “Stone”
Cantrell is back with his downtuned riffery. DuVall is all like “Yeah, they decided to keep me. I told you I got this.” There are two other talented dudes in the band too. Kudos to Mike and Sean for laying down a solid, low-end foundation to the album’s first release.
2. “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here”
If you’ve never listened to Facelift- now is your chance. The guitar tone on this one reminds me of that creepy shit from “Love/Hate/Love” and “Bleed The Freak.” Something about this chorus is futuristic. I have been listening to Bill Hicks a lot lately, so it is fitting that Bill had a bit about Dinosaurs in The Bible. Combine that with current political issues (Republicans/gay marriage), and this song and album title seems perfectly inspired by Mr. Hicks. The confirming lyrics: “The Devil put dinosaurs here / Jesus don’t like the queer.” What if God, Allah, Satan, Whomever- put dinosaur fossils on Earth to fuck with us? “The problem with faith: fear.”
3. “Breath On A Window”
This one starts out OK. Around 3:38- it morphs into almost an entirely different song. One must wonder if some of the tracks on this album were left over from Black Gives Way to Blue, solo Cantrell, or even old AIC. Pink Floyd used to splice multiple song ideas together to make one song. This one becomes anthemic towards the end.
4. “Scalpel”
Once you have seen AIC: Unplugged, maybe you’re like me and wish AIC would do acoustic versions of all of the songs in their catalog. After all these years, it is refreshing to hear Jerry still write and sing from his heart.
5. “Phantom Limb”
When you buy an AIC album, you yearn for that/those track(s) that just bust your ass and chops, simultaneously. “Phantom Limb” takes the cake on this disc. Despite all of the hardships and heartfelt emotions on these last two albums, AIC prove that they can still be dark, and, if you fuck with them, they’ll “…just haunt you like a Phantom Limb / gonna wear you like a second skin / I’ll haunt you like a Phantom Limb.” Point taken. Nothing but nice, pretty things to say about this song.
So, in case you haven’t given these albums a try or had not even realized they were released, the tracks listed above should put you on the right track to hearing the best of what this band still has to offer. I am hoping these guys will be making music ’til the day I die and beyond. -Spoob
Big thanks to Spoob for his contributions to The Great Southern Brainfart! If you ever meet Spoob in public, buy him a beer or three! – The Brainfart
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