Alice In Chains — Black Gives Way To Blue

Black Gives Way To Blue

Virgin/EMI

Sheena Lyonnais (CHARTattack)

11/04/2009 2:10pm

The release of Alice In Chains' first record without the late Layne Staley obviously warrants some pre-spin skepticism.

While one might wonder what the album could have been with the singer, those futile thoughts can only be left to speculation and a vivid imagination. Would it be grittier? Yes. Would it be messier? Yes. Would it be the same? No.

Instead, what you get is a solid release packed full of endearing rock. Lyrically, Black Gives Way To Blue is less about the glory of drugs and more a social commentary of the band since 1996.

The album opens with "All Secrets Known," an underperforming intro with obvious nods to the Alice In Chains of the past. New vocalist William DuVall sings "Hope/A new beginning/Time/Time to start living/Like just before we died."

"Check My Brain," the first single, is disposable. Nobody needs another song about California, despite its heavy grunge harnessing and modest radio play.

The album doesn't really kick into things until track three, "Last Of My Kind." It binds those famous aspects of heavy metal and grunge, though structurally the chorus sounds strangely like Rob Zombie's "Dragula." Elton John provides beautiful pianos on the standout closing title track, a solemn song with winding guitars where Jerry Cantrell seems to quietly illustrate Staley's passing.

It's easy to tear apart an album when the signature lead singer is no longer a part of the band, but Cantrell and Duvall do an excellent job together, especially on "Acid Bubble," which is seven minutes of moodiness, swagger and apprehension.

While Staley was obviously the defining face of Alice In Chains, Black Gives Way To Blue successfully sounds cohesive and developed, bridging the 14-year album gap. It acknowledges Staley, showing fans the band have neither tried to forget nor replace him, but have simply, finally, moved on.

There may not be anything quite as epic as "Man In The Box" on this, but it's structurally beautiful, intricate, developed and honest. After one listen, all the skepticism fades away, paving way for one of the year's better rock albums.

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