Album Review: Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue
Alice in Chains was responsible for some of the most eclectic heavy rock of the ‘90s, fusing together unlikely metal and vocal elements into a small but influential catalog that has aged better than the work of most of its grunge contemporaries. The visceral desperation of “Would?”, the jangly sublimity of “No Excuses”, and the slurring sludge of “Again” sound as vibrant and innovative today as when these songs dominated radio waves more than a decade ago. But timeless as the band’s sound may be, diehard Alice fans can assure you that time has indeed passed. Following the tragic death of lead singer Layne Staley in 2002, it looked as though Alice, which had long been on hiatus, was truly over now. In 2006, the band surprisingly reformed as a regular touring act, with Comes With The Fall vocalist/guitarist William DuVall taking over lead singing duties. Despite the positive response the band received while traveling the globe, there remained doubt that Alice in Chains would ever make another studio record. Today that doubt can officially be laid to rest. After 14 torturous years of waiting, the melodic metal gods who wear their hearts and demons on their sleeves return with Black Gives Way to Blue, 11 songs that will remind listeners of why Alice was and is so vital to the hard rock scene.
Black Gives Way to Blue, in typical Alice fashion, has a little bit of everything on it. “A Looking In View”, which serves as a microcosm of sorts for the album, grinds and churns through an epic seven-minute journey that methodically pummels the listener into submission. DuVall leads the charge on “Last of My Kind” with an aggressive “fuck you” vocal style that’ll make even the new singer’s biggest skeptics bang their heads. “Your Decision” builds around a gorgeous, acoustic guitar part and features guitarist Jerry Cantrell on lead vocals for what might be the album’s best track. There just seems to be no shortage of ways for Alice in Chains to floor listeners. This band is so diverse musically and vocally that they might be metal’s answer to The Band.
There wasn’t much question going into this record about bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney being able to hold up their ends of the deal. The genuine concern was about the type of chemistry that would exist in the studio between DuVall and Cantrell on Alice’s trademark harmonies. There needn’t have been any worries. The two sound like they’ve been making records and singing together all of their lives. Classic Alice harmonies perfectly complement the driving guitars on solid rockers like “Lesson Learned” and “Take Her Out”, while DuVall and Cantrell’s voices add lushness and depth to the more delicate “When the Sun Rose Again”, making it sound like something that could have fit in nicely on Sap.
Listening to Black Gives Way to Blue really is a rollercoaster-like experience both musically and emotionally, meaning that, even within songs, you really never know where the band will take you next or how that sudden drop, turn, or twist will affect you. Does anyone out there write a song or play a riff quite like Jerry Cantrell? He has an uncanny ability to hit the listener on multiple levels. A track like “Private Hell” feels like a tortured soul bearing itself to the world, and yet the sound is so bright and bold at times. (Think “Down in a Hole”.) When this record is really working, that’s how it strikes the ear: juxtaposed sounds of absolute pain and utter beauty. Many tracks warrant repeated listens before they can be fully appreciated. There’s just a lot going on.
It’s no secret that the recording of Black Gives Way to Blue was an intensely emotional and cathartic experience for the band. Particularly difficult was reconciling the desire to go on making music together with the harsh reality that a dear friend, Staley, couldn’t be part of that experience. Lyrically, the album tackles the band members’ struggles with moving beyond unresolved grief and rediscovering what they love doing together: making music. The first lines of the album’s opening song, the hypnotically rocking “All Secrets Known”, make Alice’s intentions clear: “Hope, a new beginning/Time, time to start living/Like just before we die.” The record ends on a similar note with the album’s title track, a beautiful and plaintive tribute to Staley that features Cantrell on lead vocals and Elton John on piano. In interviews, the band has talked about how difficult this song was to record due to each member, even DuVall, being so emotionally invested in its meaning. Cantrell sings, “Tomorrow is haunted by your ghost/Lay down, black gives way to blue/Lay down, I’ll remember you.” It’s a fitting end to the band’s first record without Staley, and you can expect fans to break out the lighters at concerts for this tune.
Black Gives Way to Blue isn’t quite on par with classics like Dirt and Jar of Flies. But Alice isn’t resting on past glories either. While some of the recognizable harmonies and sludge from its heyday are present, the band is creatively moving forward from where Cantrell left off with his solo opus, Degradation Trip. So, now that black has finally given way to blue, all that remains to be seen is what blue will give way to. Hopefully fans won’t have to wait another 14 years to find out.
Either way, you should own this album. No Excuses.
Rating: 
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An extremely poignant review. I truly missed this band, and this era of music. Glad to see some of the great early 90s “alternative” music has survived into the latter of this decade. But more optimistically, I am glad the author gave a very intelligent and elaborate review other than just this album “kicks ass”. Great job. Both by Alice in Chains, and by Matt.
Luke J.
I have no respect for RS. AIC will obviously never be the same like any other group losing such an influential singer and someone who recived so much respect for his vocals. Couldn’t think of a better replacement than duvall.the album is still growing on me but favorite tracks would have to be your decision and acid bubble. 9 out of 10. Very gratefull for the new album to say the least. Can’t imagine it was anything short of being extremely difficult and complex.
Excellent review, but surprised there’s no discussion of “Check My Brain” which, in my opinion, is as great a song as AIC’s earlier great songs, yet different from them and technically groundbreaking. “Check My Brain” cannot but inspire a sludge renaissance.
Excellant review. I agree with almost every point you make. It isn’t quite as good as the better songs in their older albums, but how many bands can continue to make truly excellant music this late in their careers, not many. Alice made a great album considering everything that’s happened since Dirt and Jar of Flies. No, it’s not like a Back in Black comeback, but there’s really some great music on this album (check my brain, a looking in view, private hell, & your decision are a few notworthy titles). As a diehard AIC fan I’m a little disappointed that they weren’t able to recreate the magic they wrote back with Layne Staley, but there is definately some good (possible great, I’ll let you know after about another 20 listens) on this album 4 out of 5 stars
great album!….highly addictive…gets better and better the more you listen to it. It IS different from previous Alice albums, sounds more like jerry’s solo stuff, but it was going too. Duvall is really really good. I listen to this and hellyeah constantly. Alice can be as heavy as any macho metal band, but still play interesting melodies. each song really leads into the next one…its pretty amazeing that way……sometimes when you listen to acid bubble and looking in view though, its a little arduous to get through. looking in view might be a little too long. thats all i can think of. and its a small thing too. grreat album! go get it!!!!!!
Finally, a true rock and roll album that is actually listenable from start to finish.
It’s refreshing to hear something that is mature emotionally.
Alice always was Jerry’s outlet, with Layne putting his sparkle on top of it.. and it worked. This album is no exception. It’s still Jerry’s awesome guitar work and lyrics, just with a different sparkle. Anyone that would have stepped into the void left by Layne will always be compaired to him. Those are some really big shoes to fill, but, it still sounds like Alice. No complaints here. 10 out of 10.
I’m so glad that they came out with this album! I was skeptical at first, but when i heard it I knew it was worth the purchase! Not a bad track on the whole cd. Go pick it up!!
God it’s good to read a reviewer who’s primary intent wasn’t to prove how smart they were, this is an excellent review.
I agree with the comments about the RS review, first album in 14 years and all they dedicate is one crappy paragraph?! At least give it the time if day..
This record is one of the best I’ve heard this year, not one dud song but stand outs are Looking in View and Private Hell, reminds me of Down in a Hole a lot. Cantrell is a master and the harmonies with William Duvall work well, I caught them at Sonisphere and they sound great live too, great to have them back.
I dont know what to think….very strange….It takes courage to move on….my critique is more towards the production way to wet. I really like to hear the instruments like in the past. they all have great skills. The song writing will get better….they just needed to accomplish this right now
Great album. Definately a worthy companion to the rest of AIC’s work. Fantastic review here as well. The album gets better the more you listen to it.
I really like the songs on this album. Granted, I was a huge fan of Layne’s inimitable vocal styling and bands can never replace a vocalist and it will sound exactly the same. However, that in no way means that it will not sound great. In this instance Will Duvall has a singing style that I love also and it it works wit Cantrell’s vocals symbiotically in a similar type of way that it did with Layne. This is proof to me that this band can carry on and still put out excellent music. R.I.P Layne Staley, continue to rise Alice in Chains.
Just because Layne died dosn’t mean The band can’t continue to write music. They waited till the time was right and put out an excellent album. Jerry didn’t pull an Axl Rose.
This album is a wonderful addition to their collection. Anyone who states this isn’t true AIC music forgets that Cantrell was and will always be the heart and soul of Alice.
RS has lost my respect and will never trust an album review again…
Best Song on Black Gives Way…Private Hell (absolutely haunting)
One or two songs are suspect…9 out of 11 ain’t bad!
Grade: 81% or 4/5
It’s been a long damn time.
Thank you AIC for reaching into your souls and creating and flourishing what we’ve all been thinking for many years.
Those of us that have been with them from the beginning, can feel the true soul of this album, dark and light meet on the horizon.
Well done boys, well done.
Great review as well.
-Z
My dreams of writing for Rolling Stone officially ended when they had that Kanye vs 50 cover. Such nonsense and I haven’t agreed with most of their music reviews in years. Kiss my ass RS. CoS is where’s it at!
I’m still warming up to the album.
a couple of the songs are way too long, and sound pretty much the same (A looking In View, Acid Bubble)IMO.
“Take Her Out” should have been a b-side.
I’m glad they are back but, SO FAR, I like this album the least.
This album is hot best new music I heard in a lokg while
Rolling Stone has quickly become the most biased, liberalized and irrelevant magazine out there. I appreciate that sites like COS have writers who actually LISTEN and care about the music they are reviewing.
Nothing like the real Alice in Chains. I’m speaking for everyone I know.
No mention of acid bubble? In my opinion, that is easily the best track on the record…long and sludgy…felt like it could have fit in with the purple album. I’m surprised most reviews I have read have not mentioned this song at all…can’t stop listening to it.
Great review. Great album. I agree on feeling wierd about listening to Chains without Layne, but in so many of these songs, you hear Layne. Private Hell, just listening to it all you hear is Layne. When The Sun Rose Again, I think sounds less SAP, and more Mad Season. Layne singing that song would have been unbelievable, but at the same time, it’s still a phenomenal song.
Duvall is great, couldn’t have hand picked someone better.
Thank You for blessing us with another chapter!!!
wonderful cd. expecting greatness and getting it. great review.
It is weird hearing this album without layne. Still listening to it, it really hasn’t grown on me yet.
The album is spectacular, the review is spectacular…
…not a single argument here.
Long live L.S., but in all seriousness this is truly a new phase of the band. Cantrell harmonizes with the new lead very well, and I cannot get enough of “Your Decision” and the lead-off single “A Looking In View”.
Now, if only two more things occurred:
- Rolling Stone got its head out of the industry’s ass
- Queen replaced its latest lead man with George Michael
Way to go on that review, Mr. Melis!
I haven’t heard the album yet, but there was never a possibility Rolling Stone was going to give it high marks. They’re so full of it (and full of themselves) most of the time. In many cases, (like with every REM release), they make a habit of giving the album a good review. But then when REM’s next album comes out, they talk about the “last album” really didn’t cut it, but this one does, completely contradicting themselves. It’s all bullshit.
Fantastic review. Really does put the Rolling Stone review (and the absurdly stupid stuff.co.nz review) in its place.
I loved this album. Alice in Chains. Back in our lifetime. Can’t wait for the next release.
Does any other AIC fans feel really weird listening to this album? It’s still odd listening to new material without Layne
great job!!
this is the best review of the album i have read.
Great Read. It’s refreshing to read an actual review unlike the one paragraph Rolling Stone dedicated with their unsupported criticism. You actually explain things, wow, what a concept.
I have the CD in my possession and can’t wait to get into it after work. Thanks.
I hope the boys bring Layne’s Mom along to help accept the numerous Grammy awards this will recieve.
good review, i agree with you.
much better than the crap rolling stone says