Black Gives Way to Blue

Alice In Chains's Dirt, released in 1992, almost singlehandedly got me interested in heavier music. Since AIC's eponymous last official album in 1995, an unbelievable 14 years ago, my musical tastes have evolved and expanded dramatically into realms well outside of hard rock, but AIC has remained as one of the most hallowed acts in my CD collection ever since that time. When I heard that AIC was reforming with new co-vocalist William Duvall succeeding the inimitable late Layne Staley, I was immediately both intrigued and frightened, lest the legendary track record of AIC be derailed by a sub-par imitation. Those fears were dispelled upon seeing AIC live, on their first tour with Duvall, last year. Duvall's voice, along with the songs I had grown so accustomed to hearing, was absolutely mindblowing.Then came the announcement by Jerry Cantrell, main AIC songwriter and vocalist, that AIC was going to release their first studio album since Alice in Chains. While I was overly excited at that notion, I couldn't help but be worried that Cantrell had a bigger set of balls than brains. A platter of anything less than AIC legacy-quality new material would undoubtedly destroy a good portion of the AIC fanbase. Upon first listen of new album Black Gives Way to Blue, however, I can tell you that my worries should never have existed; in fact, never again will I doubt the AIC crew.Put simply, Black Gives Way to Blue is the best material AIC has done in their entire careers since Dirt, and in some parts it even surpasses the 1992 opus. BGWtB encapsulates all the different sounds with which AIC experimented over their previously short lifespan, from Facelift all the way to Alice in Chains. Cantrell's songwriting quality, having decreased somewhat on his solo outings from 1998-2002, is back like it never skipped a beat. BGWtB contains all the elements that made AIC a unique band: dark, gloomy, and mysterious lyrics, dirgy and heavy chords and song structures, tons of sound layering, and most notably, vocal interplay and harmonizing. Some of BGWtB's songs could easily have been located on albums of old: opener "All Secrets Known" sounds like a heavy incarnation of Jar of Flies's "Rotten Apple," the acoustic-based "Your Decision" wouldn't have been out of place on Cantrell's solo Degradation Trip (save the dual vocals), the first single "A Looking in View" crawls at a doomy and heavy pace first shown on Facelift, and "Private Hell" is the modern-day accompaniment to Dirt's "Down in a Hole." That's not to say that AIC's sound doesn't continue to evolve, though. "When the Sun Rose Again" takes the wonderful acoustic notes illustrated on Sap and converts them to a tried-and-true AIC tune. "Acid Bubble" plays off of Alice in Chains's "Again" and flows back-and-forth between slow melody and neck-snapping, chugging heavy riffs. Album closer "Black Gives Way to Blue," featuring piano work by Elton John, is perhaps the first true depressive ballad the band have constructed since Jar of Flies's "Nutshell," consisting solely of dual vocals, emotive piano, and weeping guitar leads.What's most impressive about BGWtB, though, is how absolutely effortless it all seems to be. The sheer urgency of BGWtB's sound is easily evident, as if AIC somehow never ceased making music, certainly not for 14 years. What I thought would be the toughest part to swallow, the inclusion of William Duvall, is actually the best part of the album. Layne Staley's trademark voice certainly cannot be duplicated, but Duvall is so similar in tone, though slightly more nasal, that during certain points of BGWtB it sounds exactly like Staley never left. Duvall pulls off the co-vocalist job with casual aplomb, sounding like a breath of fresh air when he sings on his own (as in "Last of My Kind" and "Acid Bubble"), and to spine-tingling effect when his voice coalesces with Cantrell's.With Black Gives Way to Blue, Alice in Chains has constructed a musical work of wonderful, masterful quality. Undoubtedly aware of criticisms that will roll in as a result of Duvall's work (unfair criticisms at that), Alice in Chains has created an album of which the late Layne Staley would be very proud. If the meaning of "Black Gives Way to Blue" is akin to that of a healing bruise, and if this record is simply the "blue" portion of that bruise on its way to disappearance, then I cannot wait until Alice in Chains is in full recovery. Doubts be damned, Alice in Chains is back and better than ever.

"There's no going back - To the place - We started from" ...Black Gives Way to Blue is more than just a comeback album; it's a journey through all the emotions the band went through since Staley took his own life in 2002. It's a tribute to Staley and a statement of the bands transition into the new era of AIC without him. Through this tragedy their energy all comes together to make in my opinion the best AIC album ever.The album definitely has the AIC sound, but has moved forward and might be called a little more mainstream rock than their alternative roots. I've been an AIC fan since the beginning, and like most I had my doubts about a comeback album, but after the first listen my mind was changed. Since then I have listened to it many times and I find the songs so good they haunt me for days after. What probably impresses me the most is the strength of the vocals on this album and the way the band stayed true to the original sound.Here is my take on the album tracks:1) All Secrets Known - If you listen to just one track, listen to this one. It has the classic AIC riffs and strong guitars along with a strong message that they are back and ready to move on. "Hope, a New Beginning" is the opening line. It sets the tone for the rest of this album and all future AIC tracks. My favorite track.2) Check My Brain - A great opening riff that carries through the song, this song has a mainstream rock feel to it. I think it reflects the anguish and anger the band was going through. A great song.3) Last of My Kind - Another classic hard riff song. There is a chorus that reminds me of Rob Zombie's sound. I like it very much. Describes the bands journey out of depression.4) Your Decision - Acoustical guitar opening and strong vocals dominate this track which reminds me of Bon Jovi. A good song but not my favorite on the album but is very strong lyrically, you can hear them playing this one to Layne.5) A Looking in View - "It's why you tell never tell me what's on your mind". Back to strong riffs and hard sound. Parts of this track sounds like early Scott Stapp from Creed. Again you can hear the emotion in this song, as if they were singing to Layne. At over 7 minutes, it's the longest track on the album. I love this song.6) When the Sun Rose Again - A slower acoustic piece with vocal harmony. On its own it would not be impressive, but as part of the whole, it fits perfectly. A message of hope and recovery.7) Acid Bubble - then back to heavy bass line and classic hard sound. Awesome. "You never paid attention to all the lines I crossed" - I think the band is trying to understand and tell what Staley was going through. A very powerful song, guitars are perfect, second longest song on the album. Love it.8) Lessons Learned - A good solid rock song with great vocals. "In your darkest hour, you strike gold" - all about moving on. I like it very much.9) Take Her Out - Strong guitar and drum riff on this track. Hypnotic chorus that gets stuck in your head for days. Great track but I'm still trying to figure how it fits in with the other tracks on this album.10) Private Hell - This song has a strong Staley like sound and awesome guitars. A very emotional song, not sure if it it's about Staley or their journey since he left. Again haunting sound that sticks with you. Love this track.11) Black Gives Way to Blue - "Lay down, black gives way to blue. Lay down, I'll remember you". This title track is hard for me to listen to. Not because it is slow (which it is - strong vocal and piano dominate the track), but the lyrics are very emotional. It's an ode to Staley and moving on. Excellent end to the story or this album.