Alice in Chains, 'Black Gives Way to Blue' (Virgin/EMI)
Kings of '90s pain slog on without frontman Staley.
By Kenny Herzog 09.29.09 12:49 PM
Once alt-rock's moribund ne'er-do-wells, Alice in Chains still have an appealing outcast aura on their first studio album in 14 years (and their only release sans late singer Layne Staley). As with latter efforts Jar of Flies and Alice in Chains, Black's most tender moments ("Private Hell") are its most essential. And while William DuVall is a serviceable Staley impressionist, this comeback would register with more purpose had guitarist Jerry Cantrell assumed the vocal lead. Instead, DuVall warbles misanthropically over too many muddy, grunge-era grind-a-thons (even Elton John's piano cameo on the poignant title track feels '90s retro).
WATCH: Alice in Chains, "Check My Brain"
What an appallingly simple-minded review. I would love to sit down with Kenny Herzog and understand what inspired him to write this. I think the job of critics, be it in art, film or music, is to understand the INTENTION of the artist, and the fairly assess whether the work fulfilled that ambition. If I decide to mould a sculpture of a donkey, and give it one eye, you might not like it. But you can't deny that I set out with a clear objective and executed the idea to the fullest.
So with this review, the thing that urged me to write a critique is the obvious bitterness that seeps through. This guy sounds like he has written them off before he even pressed the play button. "Once alt-rock's moribund ne'er-do-wells"... "even Elton John's piano cameo on the poignant title track feels '90s retro"...
I love how double-edged the "retro" sword really is. If The Beatles release a new box set of 40-year-old albums, nobody denies their "timeless appeal". But for a band to return to its original sound, albeit with a new singer, is considered "retro".
Grunge was a big part of my youth, and to be given an opportunity to hear some of those sludgefests again is something I cherish. Regardless, the artistry in the album is overwhelmingly present. Cantrell is a fantastic song-writer and yes, his themes are dark. But didn't you guys just award Brand New's new album 4 stars? I'm surprised the CD sleeve doesn't come with a razor blade.
Anyway. Massive disappointment, not over the album, which I think is fantastic, but over Kenny Herzog.
I'm in Greenwich Village, let me know if you want to meet up for a drink and talk about it, Kenny.
spot on. we see revelations of 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's genres all the time, god forbid a 90's band from then comes back with new material.
spot on as in i agree with the posts, not the review.
Great commentary, Emperorpasta. This isn't the only massively disappointing "review" I've read on Spin.com recently. What is Spin doing, getting interns, or worse yet, students, to write a one paragraph supposed review and slapping a contributing editor's name on it? Or does this actually pass as music criticism now?
You should have been the critic instead of the other clown. I have listened to the album over and over and like it better each time for exactly what the critic has a problem with. Jerry Cantrell should stay with what he does best regardless of the time frame his music seems to point to. I love AIC because they are still AIC not because someone wants to write them off in a time gone by. Thank you for the perfect counter to the all too corectly called critic!!
I selected only the parts in the review about the music, which is the point of an album review, no?
Mr Herzog: "their first studio album in 14 years", "Black's most tender moments ("Private Hell") are its most essential." "DuVall warbles misanthropically over too many muddy, grunge-era grind-a-thons (even Elton John's piano cameo on the poignant title track feels '90s retro)."
Hilldiggity: As most have noted, the reviewer apparently isn't clear on who is singing lead on what. To be fair, Layne's voice was so distinct, someone who hadn't heard any AIC for 14 years wouln't know Will from Jerry. What is clear to me is that the harmonies are ever-present and the singing compliments the lyrics which compliment the music. I don't care if Bozo the clown is singing - it's as soulful as it ever was.
I was lucky enough to be a teenager when AIC hit the scene, so I remember rock and metal before and after they showed up on the scene, and I still have no idea WTF "Grunge" is. Cantrell has a diverse, yet distinct music writing style, that is timeless to me. It's bluesy, it rocks, it grooves, it's heavy. It's the rhythm section of Inez and Kinney that takes this to the level of a strong AIC release. To these ears it's not contrived, and certainly not a "comeback album". It's a great rock album by 4 guys who have nothing to prove, just love making music.
right on. How could a guy like this be paid for a review this ignorant? It sounds like my mom giving a review for this music.
Herzog should be replaced by Emperorpasta!
Long live the pasta!
Normally don't comment on stuff like this, but as a music critic myself I have to say something. You REALLY think the job of a critic is to understand the "intention" of the artist? No one but the artist who created the art knows what the intention behind the piece of art is. There's no possible way for anyone else to know that, EVEN IF the artist states that intention. And even if they do, that doesn't mean that is exactly how that piece of art is going to be interpreted by someone else. The great thing about art is that there are as many different ways to interpret it as there are people to experience it. So the artist's intention is effectively a moot point once that piece of art is unleashed on the world.
Not agreeing with the reviewer at all - I haven't heard the album yet, although as a huge AIC fan I intend to give it a shot in the near future. I AM disagreeing with your specious logic. If this is what people think critics are supposed to do, then I quit right now.
crap review, awesome album
I agree, really bad review. This could be easily the best record of 2009
This album was entirely dissapointing. It sounds like is was created by a band "trying" to sound like Alice in Chains... not by AIC themselves. And this has nothing to do with the new vocalist. He does very well in balancing a Layne mimic with his own powerful voice. But the songs... they're just so boring. Generic riffs never building past mid-tempo, meandering around for 4-5 minutes each, with nothing else going on. Jerry Cantrel wrote better songs for his solo albums, and they sounded on par with his old/new bands' glory days.
I'm hoping that Black Fades to Blue is just a starting point, and that future releases will progress, or else there is no reason for me to care anymore.
Are you serious? This has to be one of the worst reviews I have ever read. I'm wondering if the writer actually "listened" to the album and not just heard it. Every song on this album is greatly written and is beauty to my ears.
What planet is this reviewer from.?
"Black Gives Way To Blue" is awesome and is one giant step through the door for Alice in Chains!
Kenny Herzog, shut up. We already know that it is a destined classic. Get a new reviewer please.
Lame review.
@End: Couldn't disagree more. About a minute into my first listen of All Secrets Known, I said to myself, "holy shit, it's them... they're back." I never got that feeling from Jerry's solo stuff.
this review sucks , great album , album of year
I am amazed that an established outlet can write such badly thought-out review. No detail, no length, and while it's fine not to like the album, there appear to be no real reasons for your dislike, Kenny.
It's quality like this that goes a long way to explaining why traditional media is dying in favour of online/social media that actually gives a damn for the subjects it writes about.
Try this review, in which I did my damn homework, and give reasons for the negative and (vastly more numerous) positive feelings I had about this album.
http://bit.ly/163MYH
Horrible review...wow!
How'd this guy land a job here?
What an amateurish review from a man who had obviously written off the band before putting 'pen to paper'. I admit that I am an AIC fan, but that makes me an even harsher critic, knowing the hefty shoes William DuVall has had to fill. The outcome is a success. Heartfelt and with respect to Layne Stayley the album is wonderful. A true indication of this is not by looking at this lazy review, no it is by observing the AIC fans. When Jerry Cantrell first announced the reformation of the band with a new vocalist, it was treated with disbelief and often abusive remarks on many a forum. William DuVall has now silenced all but the most blindly obssesive of Layne fans. That feat alone shows how wonderful this album is. Five stars from this long time metal fan. Zero stars to Spin for a lazy and uninspired review.
Did the reviewer even listen to the album? Jerry IS the new lead singer, despite what the band may say... he sings lead on almost all the songs!
Kenny here needs to be given the sack. Like the album or not, that's an awful excuse for a review. I bet he didn't even listen to it.
This is a joke. Could someone please get rid of this Herzog idiot? His comment on Cantrell's vocal duties (that he needs to take the lead) shows that he has no clue.
It would be like telling Prince he needs to hire a better guitarist, only to find out that he plays all of the instruments himself.
Embarrassing.
this album sucks and i agree with the reviewer, although i feel like we all could have benefited from a higher word count. cantrell should have taken lead vocals for the entire album. alice in chains needs to stop trying so hard to be relevant.
Alice in Chains have never HAD to try to be relevant...they simply are, as they have always been. If you don't understand this type of music, or your ears can't relate, then that is perfectly fine, but don't waste your energy typing a review if you don't even care for the band.
Kenny Herzog. You need a new job. **** SIR!
What a horrible outdated album! This doesn't remind me of a super successful
band with the horrible video that must of been on a Wal-Mart budget. Not a good impression and yes I have listened to the whole album and love AIC, but this new album sucks! Sorry!
Woah, who knew there were so many "chain"iacs still alive and well in the world? Calm down folks, Kenny's allowed to not like an album by a band that it its peak in, oh, say 1993. Also do you think maybe he was given a word limit on his piece. That's why these websites have things called "editors". So blame it on them if you must, not Mr. Herzog.
To Gordon Shumway: Why the hell would an article have a limited word count on the web? Seriously, I'd love to hear even one valid reason. Please enlighten us.
Mr. Shumway-- Doesn't it seem more likely the common person posting would be more likely to have a limit than the critic himself. I agree that there may be some limit however I doubt very seriously if he came close!!!!
album blows. end of story. ps - "chainiacs" is awesome. i used to be one. USED to.
"...this comeback would register with more purpose had guitarist Jerry Cantrell assumed the vocal lead."
What album did you listen to, Kenny Herzog? Jerry IS the lead vocalist on the album. Regardless of whether you liked the material or not, a statement like that says you either didn't really listen to the album or can't be bothered to proof-read your whopping one-paragraph review. I guess as long as you can write up things like "alt-rock's moribund ne'er-do-wells," you'll continue to collect a paycheck, much to rock journalism's misfortune.
I can't really comment on an album I've only heard once through. My initial impression is that this is more of a follow-up to 'Degradation Trip,' then the self-titled. If anything, I thought they should have had more DuVall singing lead. "Last of My Kind" really stands out b/c its the only track where he isn't sharing vocal duties or backing up Jerry. Hopefully with the next album they put him more in the forefront.
Got something to say?