Alice in Chains - Dirt
As the 1980s became the 1990s, music was noticeably changing, in all genres. Rap was giving birth to hip-hop, heavy metal and punk were giving birth to “grunge”, which is a term most artists in this genre reject. Grunge to me is defined as the middle ground between aggressive fast metal and slower, softer punk, with vocals being a key proponent.
On April 29th, 1992, a quartet from Seattle, Washington named Alice in Chains entered the studio in Los Angeles, CA to record their sophomore album titled, Dirt. April 29th was a memorable day for the United States, as it was the same day the Los Angeles riots broke out. After the acquittal of four police officers who were caught on video tape beating an unarmed African American man named, Rodney King, many people living in Los Angeles began to show their frustration with racial injustice. The riots and looting lasted for a total of 6 days, after which the band reentered the studio to complete recording.
Dirt was produced by Dave Jerden, who also engineered and mixed albums for Talking Heads, Frank Zappa and the Rolling Stones, among others. Released in September of 1992, Dirt shot up the Billboard Top 100 charts all the way to #6, staying on the Top 200 list until September of 1994. The reason I wanted to review Dirt is because of its fantastic sound, lyrical writing and most importantly, its heavy riffs.
Lead guitarist, Jerry Cantrell writes some very deep, heavy power riffs for this album. Mostly in minor chords, Cantrell has an ability to link dark, less-ear-catching, guitar riffs with lead vocalist, Layne Staley’s raspy but beautiful voice. Staley possessed a singing voice unlike any other in the music world in 1992.
The album opens with, Them Bones, a track that became a radio and MTV hit in 1992. Written by Cantrell, the song begins with a scream at the exact same time the riff hits you (Ahhh). The guitar riff is intoxicating. It makes me want to run 26.2 miles, climb a mountain and then scream “Drago” as I reach the top.
What follows this track is even heavier. Dam That River has a wonderful combination of bass mixed with an even stronger guitar riff. Staley’s vocals once again give many who do not prefer metal or grunge, a reason to keep listening. As I previously mentioned, he had an incredible ability to “even out” a loud song, bringing it down to the level where it could be played on the radio.
I can remember walking into one of about seven record stores within a 5-mile radius of my house in the fall of 1992. My original plan, I think, was to pick up another Metallica or Guns n’ Roses record. The problem was, I owned them all. Instead I scoured the racks for about an hour looking only at album cover art to help with my decision. I had heard about Alice in Chains and was familiar with their previous MTV hit, Man in a Box off their first record, Facelift, but I was not very fond of it. It was certainly different from what I was listening to at the time. The rock n’ roll was either Hair Metal or Hard Rock, the heavy metal was either Thrash or Punk. “Alice” was different. It was slowed down but still powerful. The lyrics were not about Satan or gathering up large quantities of women and beer. These lyrics were powerful, meaningful, painful, passionate and real.
The band would achieve commercial success from the release of singles such as Them Bones, Would?, Rooster, Down in a Hole and Angry Chair. These songs are certainly phenomenal. I wanted to also perform a deeper dive into the other songs on the record. Songs like Sickman, Junkhead and Godsmack come from an even darker place. Cantrell and Staley co wrote these three. They are just about as direct as you can get when it comes to drug use.
As a young teen in the early 90s, I was familiar with what drugs were but never picked up on the soft references many musicians were putting into their music at the time. I can remember singing certain songs at the dinner table and my mother looking at me. She would pause from scooping the green beans onto my plate and say, “What are you listening to up there in your room?”
Unfortunately, like many musicians, Layne Staley fell victim to heroin addiction and lost his life in 2002. He was able to record other great music with a band he compiled called Mad Season in 1994 and 1995. Arguably the most popular track on Dirt is called Rooster, which was written about Cantrell’s father, Jerry Cantrell, Sr. Cantrell Sr fought in Vietnam and battled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for many years after his return. Nicknamed, “Rooster”, Cantrell Sr and his son would reconcile their differences soon after the song was released. Rooster gave the band its most commercial success, landing at #7 on Billboard’s Top 100 songs in 1993.
As I listen to the album today, it has a much deeper meaning to me than it did 28 years ago (wow it has been 28 years…..). The lyrics are interestingly burned into my memory. They stay there forever and come out of my brain like the way I remember how to ride a bike. I just remember! Today, I realize the profound insight that went into Cantrell and Staley’s writing. The songs really are in some ways, a cry for help. The focus ranges from depression to war to relationships to drug use. Pain and anger also are addressed.
It is always interesting to me how heavy music can connect with certain people. I think many times it is people who are looking for more answers that listen to heavy music. Perhaps they are not satisfied with what they know and yearn to seek alternate opinions towards the meaning of life.
This review would not be complete without mentioning drummer, Sean Kinney and bassist, Mike Starr. Both musicians contribute to the rhythm and sound that is Alice in Chains. Starr’s basslines sit very well beneath the guitar lines but lurk ever so carefully until they hit you in the face like someone sucker punching you with brass knuckles. Kinney’s drumming falls in my “I can never air drum that” category that I am constantly adding drummers to. He is also known as the glue that kept the band relevant and alive for so many years during and after the death of lead singer Layne Staley. After the recording of Dirt, the band fired bassist Mike Starr and hired former Ozzy Osbourne bass player, Mike Inez. Inez would continue touring with the band later that year and is still a member to this day. Starr unfortunately also fell victim to drug and alcohol abuse, losing his battle and his life in 2011. To this day, Kinney memorializes both former band members by exhibiting an “LSMS” (their initials) on his drumkit.
For many of you, your mind might have been made up before you even read this review, which is fine. As I say in my mission, my goal is to foster curiosity, wonder, intrigue and perhaps enthusiasm.
If you knew from the beginning you do not care for Alice in Chains, then maybe this album is not for you. What has inspired me to write these reviews is the opportunity to share some of my favorites with you and get you thinking. I have opened my ears more in the last 6 months and am committed to learning more genres and writing more reviews. For the sake of this review and those of you who are curious or already know, Alice in Chains is a Hall of Fame deserving band. Dirt is what put them on the map.
Pick up a copy of Dirt and tell me what you think.
If you already own a copy, then you should definitely get their follow up EP called, Jar of Flies.
Or check out their Unplugged album. For any heavy band to pull off their songs via acoustic instruments only, and make it work, deserve enormous credit in my book.