Alice in Chains Albums Ranked From Worst to Best
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- It's Alice in Chains week and we're ranking their 6 studio LPs + the Jar of Flies EP. This is a surprisingly contentious episode, so pull up an angry chair and enjoy!
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Alice in Chains (often abbreviated as AIC) is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who later recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne Staley. Starr was replaced by Mike Inez in 1993. William DuVall joined the band in 2006 as co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, replacing Staley, who died in 2002. The band took its name from Staley's previous group, the glam metal band Alice N' Chains.
Often associated with grunge music, Alice in Chains' sound incorporates heavy metal elements. The band is known for its distinctive vocal style, which often included the harmonized vocals between Staley and Cantrell (and later Cantrell and DuVall). Cantrell started to sing lead vocals on the 1992 acoustic EP Sap, and his role continued to grow in the following albums, making Alice in Chains a two-vocal band.
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, along with other Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. They achieved success during the era with the albums Facelift (1990), Dirt (1992), Alice in Chains (1995), as well as the EP Jar of Flies (1994). Although never officially disbanding, Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity from 1996 onward, due to Staley's substance abuse, which resulted in his death in 2002. The band regrouped in 2006, with DuVall taking over as lead vocalist full-time,[10] and they have since released three more albums: Black Gives Way to Blue (2009), The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013), and Rainier Fog (2018).
Alice in Chains have sold over 30 million records worldwide, and over 14 million records in the US alone. The band has had 18 Top 10 songs on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, 5 No. 1 hits, and received 11 Grammy Award nominations. The band was ranked number 34 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and was ranked as the 15th greatest live band by Hit Parader. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released six studio albums, three EPs, three live albums, four compilations, two DVDs, 43 music videos, and 32 singles.
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Thanks for watching! Let us know what you think of our lists and how you rank their albums down in the comments.
Next week: Phil Collins
#Alice in Chains #AlbumsRanked #WorsttoBest
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Jason's face when Kramzer said he always skips "Rain When I Die" lol 😂 thats such a good song
Hahaha. It’s a great track to be sure.
There's not one bad track on Dirt
@@Shah-of-the-Shinebox Course not, to say otherwise is objectively wrong. It is hands down one of the best rock albums of that era. Can any rock band now even approach a work of art like Dirt? Not many I'd wager.
@@Shah-of-the-ShineboxWell, except for God Smack and Untitled which are pretty bad.
8: The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
7: Rainier Fog
6: Black Gives Way To Blue
5: Sap
4: Facelift
3: Dirt
2: Jar Of Flies
1: Alice In Chains
If I would’ve counted Unplugged, I would’ve put it above Jar Of Flies.
Digging this list.
@@chapmancarruthers Thanks Chapman. I’m glad you appreciate it.
charlie watts R.I.P. another rock god gone
*WHO DOESN'T LIKE RAIN WHEN I DIE?* Unbelievable.
Insanity. My favorite AIC song. Unreal
Freaking banger
It's not bad
I like it but I thinks it a bit overrated
1. Dirt
2. Jar of Flies
3. Facelift
4. Alice In Chains
5. Rainier Fog
6. Black gives way to blue
7. The Devil Put Dinosaurs here
We are with you Joe! Duvall era albuns are not bad at all! Black gives away is One of my favourites.
I have it above Facelift. Facelift just has some filler songs to me.
Spot on....Rainier Fog has same problem and also drags it feet/ doesn't have the bit of quality at end that Facelift is slightly ahead on....I think the band put alot of thought in to overcame that problem massively on Dirt....creating that whole album flow....for me they show that same Discipline on AIC and even 👿🦖🌎
It would be a better album if it sounded better, it's really flat and muddy in my opinion.
@@mck7646 I dont think it sounds muddy. I think its very loud!
@@tiagoduarte7560 It is loud, but it is very compressed.
You guys doing a listography of a band I like is always the highlight of any given day. I'm not sure if that speaks more to your brilliance or to my mundane lifestyle... but either way, thanks for doing what you do.
Well youve gotta listen to to the music properly...go for it if you are feeling the approach of the mundane lifestyle beastie🤷♂️....it's great listening new stuff lots.....but yeah I'm sure most critiques and commenters lives are fairly mundane too to a point as these things take time and work ...I will flip the switch to creator once more once the, for me refreshing, journey of exploring way more music than usual and discussion starts to taste bitter or unrewarding....but in mean time get to it too if looking for hobby 👨🎤....each week is funny because with new bands I keep struggling with the 1st albums mostly then find my groove....👍
1. Self-titled
2. Jar of Flies
(Unplugged)
3. Sap
4. Dirt
(Drop off)
5. Facelift
(the void begins)
AIC, THANKS GUYS!!!
My list:
7. Sap EP
6. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
5. Facelift
4. Black Gives Way To Blue
3. Dirt (yes, I’m weird)
2. Jar Of Flies EP
1. Tripod
Somehow haven’t gotten around Ranier Fog yet.
Gonna see what you guys have!
Oh btw forgot to mention earlier:
What about Tool???
Who in their right mind skips Rain When I Die?
I know, right? -Jason
you've been watching the channel for a while...are you under the impression i have a healthy mind? - kram
Yep. That one's in my top 10.
@@TastesLikeMusic 😂
Rain When I Die is one of the cornerstones of sludge metal.
Once again Joe is the voice of reason.
1. Dirt 5*
2. Jar of Flies 5*
3. Unplugged 4.5*
4. Alice in Chains 4.5*
5. Facelift 4*
6. Black Gives Way to Blue 4*
7. SAP 4*
8. Rainier Fog 4*
9. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here 3.5*
I love ALICE IN CHAINS, i´m with Joe, my ranking is very close.
1. Dirt (10/10)
2. Jar Of Flies (10/10)
3. Alice In Chains (9,5/10)
4. Facelift (9/10)
5. Rainer Fog (8,5/10)
6. Black Gives way To Blue (8/10)
7. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (7/10)
Total desagree with Kramzer and Jason about the DuVall era.
Greetings from Canary Islands.
I think the new stuff is great. Jerry seems to be moving a bit more metal and a bit more polished…maybe at the expense of some of the personality. I don’t think the new stuff is a huge departure from Tripod, musically. But Jerry brings more interesting (albeit, more difficult to interpret) lyrics than Layne did. I think songs like Scalpel and Deaf Ears Blind Eyes point to a lot of struggles. I actually didn’t get into the new stuff until binge-listening before seeing them in 2019. I was disinterested after Layne died. I encourage people to give it a shot.
Layne’s voice was not replaceable and you could argue they should be the Jerry Cantrell project but I’m glad they’re around as AIC. I was able to see them a couple years ago and it was great…including the old stuff. (Man, though, I do wish I’d have seen them with Layne.)
I'm with you on all your points. Saying that from a newbie point of view I imagine I would not be disappointed with what Duval is doing. Infact I probably wouldn't care. I think if I compared his contributions to say Freddie's replacement in Queen....I think Duval offers the creativity of a full band member. Unlike that guy. I think he adds...he helps the band evolve with fresh perspective...and I hope they can continue that way....maybe even more ....doing the unexpected next would be amazing....they've kind of stayed in comfort zone a wee bit despite their successes.....and i have no problem with change even having loved Alice for 30 years.🧐🎸
One of many bands this channel encouraged me to explore further, for which I am exceedingly grateful. Nutshell is so devastatingly sad I almost can't listen to it.
Who is the Action figure in your photo?😮
Alice In Chains is one of my favorite bands ever, certainly my favorite band of the grunge era. Unfortunately I agree with Joe & Kram. The Duvall era albums do nothing for me besides get me extremely depressed seeing the AIC moniker on the cover. I wish they were Cantrell solo albums. At least I'd be able to root for them. Alice In Chains as a boring generic rock band is seriously upsetting.
Jason is ON FIRE in this episode...I like it!
7) The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here 6) Ranier Fog 5) Black Gives Way To Blue 4) Facelift 3) Jar of Flies 2) s/t 1) Dirt. Black Gives is very good.
You're right Kram, Sean Kinney is underrated, and Facelift isn't his best drumming -- he broke his arm right before the session and just had to power through it!
I'm definitely agreeing with Joe here the most.
1. Alice In Chains (1995) 4.5
2. Dirt 4.5
3. Black Gives Way To Blue 4
4. Jar of Flies 4
5. Sap 4
6. Face-lift 3.5
7. Rainier Fog 3
8. Devil 3
There are (2) side conversations missing here.
1) Mad Season "Above"
2) Current AiC lineup : "Tears" Rush cover (from 2112). They do an awesome job.
I personally like Duvall
I got "Black Gives Way To Blue" the day it came out.
I am basically with Kramzer here with all of his choices - that said, I hadn't heard their 3 most recent records...so perhaps I'm missing something? My favorite 5 songs of theirs include: I Stay Away, Don't Follow, No Excuses, Got Me Wrong and Would? So, yes, clearly "Jar of Flies" is my record of choice of theirs, but I like "Dirt" as well.
“ Dirt” is one of the greatest rock records ever made , “ Jar of flies” is not far behind . “ Alice In Chains “ was a bit too grimy and heavy for me . Haven’t heard the rest . Will do now .Probably the best of the “ grunge “ bands in my opinion.
The entire original run is great. Can't not mention Sap either. It's too bad their window closed due to Layne's health.
Self titled is very good in my opinion. I will say god am, nothing song, and so close are kind of iffy for me. Shame in you, again, and frogs are top tier Layne Alice In Chains
Top 3 - Jar Of 🪰, Dirt & Black. Great harmonies & Layne had a voice of an angel.
Great band, agree 100% with Jason. Forget about their stuff after Layne.
Their albums with Layne all 4 stars at least. Jar Of Flies my current fav
I'm going to rank all of the albums with Jerry. Nobody does that but that's my rank anyways ^-^
I differentiate the two eras of AiC music journey and implement Jerry's solo records in between.
1. Jar of Flies (AiC at their peak)
2. Tripod/ST (oddest, trickiest, weirdest and heaviest to me)
3. Dirt (Best songs in terms of composition. AiC in their most powerful period)
4. Degradation Trip vol. 1-2 (personal memories glued to this one. Feel the Void, Pig Charmer, Castaway, 31/32 just let me with tears every time I listen to them)
5. Facelift (this was my first AiC album. Loved it from the start but then I feel my tastes started to change towards something less straight-forward. Great songs here btw. But I never considered Facelift the best one in their discography)
6. Black Gives Way to Blue (the best album in terms of mixing. It's such a powerful tape. Great songs, great energy and it's diverse. Later, the songs' length and lack of arrangements will become a problem to me personally)
7. Brighten (I feel this is the album Cantrell kept in mind while working on Rainier Fog. His country/redneck (as he claimed himself) side shines bright and proud here. The album is entertaining! Black Heart and Evil Done is a perfect example. Noticed the reference in the solo to his tune Hurts, Don’t It but in more optimistic mood. Like Jerry remembers his bad days and reflects the experience so many years later with his new works. As if he said: ’Shit was bad but life goes on and so should we all’. That little detail made this record very beautiful to me)
8. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (It could be such a powerful turn from BGWtB. Hollow, Stone, Self-titled, especially Breath on a Window and Hung on a Hook had so many moments to resolve into something so captivating but I feel those moments just stuck and guys put them as it is. Songs seemed to be not composed right. As an example, Breath on a Window had a beautiful ending but all those long minutes before it wasn’t glued to it, there was no decent preparation for this resolution to come and slay.)
9. Rainier Fog (I anticipated this one since The One You Know came out. The 1st single was powerful and fresh. But the full album felt powerless and viped out. You had songs that were written ‘in the style of AiC’ by DuVall and more acoustic epics/almost country ballads by Jerry. The album was polarized and that was a good thing after the previous record. At the same time you could tell that Jerry wants his own different thing to go on. And Fly would be perfect in the context of Brighten. The heavier ones like Red Giant had those guitars but its’ length made it boring and bland af. Can't not mention bass work by Mike on Drone. It’s brilliant.)
Ive been waiting for this for a while. I remember when I first listened to Facelift because I wanted to delve into grunge and the 90s Seattle scene. Having a pretty heavy classic rock background, at first I thought the album was a little too hard/heavy for me in terms of its metal roots. 5 years later I love AIC and their sound! I haven’t listened to any of their newer stuff, but here is how I would rank their classic lineup output:
1. Facelift - 5 stars (so easy to listen to, have never heard anything like it, vocal harmonies are amazing, highs aren’t as good as Dirt but I personally consider it a more solid album throughout)
2. Jar of Flies - 5 stars (hauntingly beautiful, dark. More incredible harmonies. Seamless switch to acoustic style)
3. Dirt - 4.5 stars (love this album, only harp is that there’s maybe 2 songs I don’t love as much as the others)
4. Alice in Chains - 3 stars (some cool stuff here but a pretty average album imo, it doesn’t stack up to the others)
HM - Sap (I won’t rank it since it’s only an EP but this is like a preview to JoF. Some awesome guest appearances on here. ‘Got Me Wrong’ is such a killer song!)
I’m with Kramzer all the way on this one but respect all of the opinions and can see where everyone is coming from.. another great episode..
Dirt less than 5 stars but any Del Rey album 5 stars🤣🤣😂. Go K!
I planned to listen along this week because I am entirely unfamiliar with the post Layne Staley stuff but narrowing down my 1967 list is a lot more work than I anticipated. That said I really like all the classic era, I would say Dirt is my favourite for sure. I also had the cassette (still have it actually). They have lots of great songs that have held up great over the years. I agree their Unplugged is really great as well.
I do think what is missing from the current lineup is one to two uptempo tracks like a Damn that River or Them Bones.
I want there to be at least two Them Bones on every album. - Joe
I'd agree they lack youthful speed these days in song construction.....maybe they have a few bones to dig up for us for the next record. I'd love to hear a faster direction now too....Ranier Fog is their first album that has not grown in stature.... disappointingly long winded in middle and at end....
@@TastesLikeMusic Agreed. They're not a thrash band, I'm not looking for that. But Them Bones, Damn that River, We Die Young, or even something like Again would do the trick. They were a little closer to that with Check My Brain. One to two of those on a record of 9-12 songs would improve the overall dynamics and flow. I think the lack of that showed most on Devil.
@@threestringsomg I'll be curious to see if Jerry's new solo record has any more uptempo tracks. I like the first song that was released, Atone.
@@docvader82 oh haven't ever gone for Jerry's solo stuff....no idea why... but I will sneak a listen or two when released...👍
Might be a long story but I need to tell it... 15 years ago I bought an old house with 6 bed rooms that I lived in and let out rooms for extra cash. Met an 18 year old punk chick who needed a place to stay and gave her a room. She was a good roomie but would go missing for a few days at a time as she was young and like to party. One day I realised she had been gone for weeks. A few more weeks went by and I realised she wasn't coming back. Got a call 2 months later from her saying she just dropped out and was living on the street just hitch hiking and living free. A couple months later I learned she had been murdered. No one ever came back to pick up her things and I just walled her room off as a tomb for more than a year. Finally, I opened her tomb to clean her room out and found she had a huge music collection that was almost identical to mine from the 1990's when I was a teenager, even though she was less than half my age. I found many CD, Vinly and Cassettes I had lost, or had been stolen. 4 days ago I was looking for something new to listen to in the car and went to her collection I kept and found This was one of the few albums she had that did not match my long gone collection and I 'd never heard it. For the last 3-4 days I have been listening to Dirt 3-4 times a day since finding it. Grew up in the grunge age but missed AIC even though I knew about them. Found this listography and got excited to find out which I should check out next. But it might take a few weeks before I am done with Dirt. It pairs really well, oddly enough, with Valen Halen I so when I need a little break I fire that up.
Heavy stuff
@@TastesLikeMusic Yeah she haunted me for a long time especially in my dreams. I realised it because I mixed her possessions with mine. But she was First Nations and left behind a bundle of sage I eventually burned and that seemed to work. RIP Miranda Chartrand.
"Hey e yeah. Innocence is over. What I see is unreal. I've written my own part. Eat of the apple so young. I'm crawling back to start."
Facelift has 80's tones because the 80's were 2 years previous. Also because AIC was a glam metal band in their first incarnation. Hair, nails makeup and all. That was their sound when they first got together. That album has so much growth on it.
I’m aware. But the remnants of that previous incarnation do hold the album back a little bit. -Jason
@@TastesLikeMusic Fair point.
My ranking
1. Dirt
2. Jar of files
3. Facelift
4. Black gives way to Blue
5. Alice in chains
6. Mtv Unplugged
7. Rainer Frog
8. The Devil Putt Dinosaurs here
9. Sap
#1 for me actually would be Alice in Chains - "Unplugged", #2 Facelift, #3 Jar of Flies, #4 Dirt, #5 AiC, #6 Reiner Fog, #7 Black and Blue, #8 DPDH
1 Tripod
1a Unplugged
2 Dirt
3 Facelift
4 jar of Flies
5 Rainer Fog
6 Black gives way
7 Devil put Dino
1. Dirt
2. Facelift
3. Self-titled
4.Jar of flies
5.SAP
6. Black gives way to blue.
7. Rainer Fog.
8. Devil put the dinosaurs here
5. Black Gives Way to Blue (3.5)
4. Facelift (4)
3. Dirt (5)
2. Tripod (5) "Shame in You" is a deep track GEM.
1. Jar (5)
Haven't listened to Rainer Ftig or DPDH but I liked BGWTB.
I used to listen to them alot more.
My brother died of a heroin overdose so AiC hits a little too hard since then.
These days I have to be in a special mood.
*Frog
RIP Charlie Watts ❤️
1 - Dirt
2 - Facelift
3 - Alice In Chains
4 - Jar Of Flies
5 - Rainer Fog
6 - Black Gives Way To Blue
7 - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
7. Rainier Fog
6. Black Gives Way to Blue
5. The Devil Puts Dinosaurs Here
4. Self Titled
3. Facelift
2. Dirt
1. Jar Of Flies
Really hard to rank, love the later albums a lot but just impossible when comparing to Layne.
Great band, Dirt is one of the best albums of the 90s. I think Jason & Kramzer are being a bit harsh on the later albums, obviously not their best stuff but still decent enough.
7. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
6. Black Gives Way To Blue
5. Rainier Fog
4. Self Titled
3. Jar of Flies
2. Facelift
1. Dirt
Bit harsh?
God Jason and kram are brutal with only two stars Jesus
I know he only made three albums but i’d love a top 10 Nick Drake songs list.
we have a program in the works to conquer the smaller discographies so stay tuned - kram
@@TastesLikeMusic Alright thanks Kramzer!
Dylan and Nick Drake. I can see you're a man of culture.
This got me thinking about a Nick Drake top 10 and now I have to make one or I can't sleep.
1. Place to Be
2. One of These Things First
3. Riverman
4. Hazey Jane I
5. Things Behind the Sun
6. Saturday Sun
7. Day Is Done
8. Northern Sky
9. From the Morning
10. Pink Moon
@@12spanku Lol I try
7: The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here 2/5
6: Black Gives Way to Blue 3/5
5: Rainier Fog 3/5
4: Alice In Chains 3/5
3: Facelift 3.5/5
2: Jar of Flies 4/5
1: Dirt 4.5/5
Everything you guys said is like spot on. Dirt is definitely a five if they remove those middle ones like Junk head and Dirt. Rain when I die is not skippable and besides who are you if you skip songs when listening to an album.
7. Black Gives Way to Blue
6. Alice in Chains
5. Jar of Flies
4. Rainier Fog
3. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
2. Facelift
1. Dirt
1. Dirt (1992) 5/5
2. Jar Of Flies (1994) 4.5/5
3. Facelift (1990) 4/5
4. Alice In Chains (1995) 3/5
5. Black Gives Way To Blue (2009) 2.5/5
6. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013) 2.5/5
7. Rainier Fog (2018) 2/5
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
4.0 Facelift (1990)
5.0 Dirt (1992)
4.5 Jar Of Flies (1994)
3.0 Alice In Chains (1995)
2.5 Black Gives Way To Blue (2009)
2.5 The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013)
2.0 Rainier Fog (2018)
One of the bands I came of age with and I still love 'em, although I must say the self-titled album fell in my estimation this time around. However, their peaks- Dirt and Jar Of Flies- still impress me as much as they ever did. Side one of their debut is so epic that I consider it a 4 star album even though side two is mostly forgettable. I'm one of those "no Layne Staley means no Alice In Chains" people... so, while I don't hate their 'comeback' albums, I also don't find them to be anything more than decent. Layne's voice was central to their sound and without him the music just doesn't have the same oomph.
MY RATING SYSTEM:
5.0 = major classic
4.5 = minor classic
4.0 = great
3.5 = very good
3.0 = good
2.5 = fair
2.0 = poor
1.5 = awful
1.0 = historically awful
I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible I don't care to differentiate anymore. Anything I rate 3.5 stars or higher is an album I'm enthusiastic about and would likely revisit at some point.
uggghhhh thank u. knew we could count on you on these Duvall records - kram
Seems like 'Dirt' is the album I should give a chance.
Sry whammy but your rankings hardly make sense to me these days....positionally and star wise this is way off the pace of reality. They have no album below 3 stars for a start ....and to me looking at some lists people are just chucking in one listen of Dinosaur and rating it. Overlooked from last week should include Dinosaur as far as I'm concerned...
And BGWTB is a fantastic record, the best of the 3 DuVall era records.
Dirt is a grunge masterpiece.
Speaking of Faith no More... is there a TLM listography? Would love that! Would fit in with this series of shorter ones. Love that Joe picked that for 1991.
There is!
@@TastesLikeMusic No way!! I am going to Listen to Mr Bungle first and then the FNM listography!!!
Wow, I think the Duvall albums are fantastic -- particularly 'Rainer Fog.' Cantrell has always been the most important and truly irreplaceable member of the band. Songwriter / singer / lead and rhythm guitarist, come on. Why does everyone overrate Layne so much?
Thank you for being fair. Because Layne was super unique and impactful. He died at a really odd time in their trajectory. People couldn't accept it. People idolize him so much that nothing would surpass him even if it actually did. I think Duvall is great. Fully functional, not on drugs,great guitar player. He allows their live shows to reach heights they never could before. They can even play songs live now that they couldn't before. People forget, Angry Chair and Head Creeps(intro) is about the best Layne's guitar playing got. Duvall can play everything Jerry plays including leads. So now Jerry doesn't have to pick and choose what parts to leave out live. They can pretty much play all of the guitar parts between them. Within reason. I think Duvall is great for their legacy and wherever they go from here.
Layne brought soul and depth to the band. And the way their voices blended was incredible. I have a lot of admiration for Jerry and he is a huge part but his talent doesn't fully come through on the Duvall albums in my opinion.
Not in the way it did on the original run at least. It comes with age and experience, nothing is currently compelling AIC to make another masterpiece like Dirt or Jar Of Flies. It's almost always this way with veteran bands.
Jerry was the heart and soul of AiC but Layne brought the It-factor. And that‘s something you can‘t replicate. I also feel like Jerry was more mainstream while Layne didn’t care about that.
Great great video as always guys. Probably my favorite grunge band (either them or Soundgarden). Like all of the albums, a little shocked at the hate towards the newer records but hey opinions are opinions.
1. Dirt - 5/5
2. Alice in Chains - 5/5
3. Facelift - 5/5
4. Jar of Flies - 4.5/5
5. Black Gives Way to Blue - 4.5/5
6. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here - 4/5
7. Rainier Fog - 3.5/5
8. Sap - 3.5/5
It’s okay, you can say that Jason and Kramzer are wrong. - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic Thanks Joe🙏😂, interested to see top 10 songs
Loving the #realtalk from Jason in this one!
1) Jar of Flies - 5*
2) Dirt - 4.5*
3) Alice in Chains - 4*
4) Facelift - 3.5*
5) Black Gives Way to Blue - 3.5*
6) The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here - 3*
7) Rainier Fog - 3*
I wouldn't consider Facelift a grunge album, it's more metal than anything. Alice in chains didn't really turn grunge til jar of flies. Some people don't even consider them to be grunge at all.
7. Rainer fog- 2 stars- idk I find everything sounds the same and nothing sticks out to me
6. Devil put dinosaurs- 2 stars- Atleast there’s a contrast with the cleaner sounding songs with the sludgier and heavier stuff but still kinda mid I’m sorry Joe and other people. There might be a couple good songs though.
5. Black gives way to blue- 3 stars- well I don’t think it’s anything special I think Kram and Jason aren’t completely correct. I had some fun with this one and I find this one has catchier melodies and songs that stick out more or more consistency not Rainer fog.
4. Alice I’m chains- 3.5 stars? - the sludgier stuff isn’t exactly my cup of tea but I respect it plus I felt this one was better and more inspired. And Heaven beside you is a classic. If I’m being honest I think I need to listen to this again.
3. Face lift- 4.5 stars- yes definitely a classic I love love hate love that’s the highlight of the entire album!!!! Man in a box is sick! I mean Layne just makes those songs for me but also some sick riffs too ngl. we die young is good, sea of sorrow is awesome, and so is bleed the freak! I think the 80s metal influence makes these songs sound catchier and more fun to me tbh. I also feel I could listen to the entire thing and not get bored.
2. Jar of flies- 4.5 stars- yep I love everything on here but with this one I love the sound they were going for. Although some of the compression and stuff could of been dialled down I love the sound on this thing. Whale and wasp sounds so lonely and so haunting wow it gives me chills. Unlike Jason I actually like rotten apple a lot, I love that riff, the vocals, harmonies and I love that the song can make me feel like death. Nutshell in a nutshell is fantastic. No excuses is great. I just love the moods this album can give you and how they sound.
1. Dirt- 4.999999999- yep I both agree and disagree with Kram- some songs I’d skip but rain when I die is definitely not one of them!!!!😂 I don’t think there’s anything that hasn’t been said but would?, them bones and rain when I die are my favourite AIC songs ever and I never get sick of them! Plus angry chair, damn that river, down in a hole and rooster are definitely classic and all these songs are why I feel most of the album is 5 star worthy for the most part plus some other cuts I enjoy.
Jerry has always been the true heart of AiC for me, so I don't care if the Duvall-era albums are called AiC or JC albums. In fact, I'd include Jerry's solo albums in my personal AiC ranking because an AiC ranking to me IS a Jerry Cantrell ranking. I will also say that I prefer Jerry's voice, monotonous as it can be, way over Layne's. I can definitely see what people hear in him, but I've never really been a fan of his particular tone. Of the classic grunge singers, he's always been my least fav, though I love AiC for other reasons. Now, before I post my own ranking, here's one more thing: Dirt is a classic album for sure and it deserves all its accolades. But I have the same problems with Dirt that Joe has with Tripod. With Tripod, I can easily get lost in the absolutely stunning musicality. With Dirt, the depression is way more overwhelming to me, which is why I'm rarely ever in the mood for it. And that's why, great as it is, I have it very low on my ranking. Here it is:
1. Alice in Chains / Tripod
2. Degradation Trip Vol. 1 & 2
3. Boggy Depot
4. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
5. Black Gives Way to Blue
6. Dirt
7. Jar of Flies
8. Rainier Fog
9. Facelift (This is the only one I don't like at all. Other than Man in the Box there is nothing on here for me.)
I could be wrong, but I think Jerry Cantrell actually does most of the singing on the Duvall albums.
The first one yes - Kramzer
Where would you rank Boggy Depot in your lists? Although it was released as a Jerry Cantrell solo, I consider it to be a “lost” AIC album, considering it has 3 out of 4 members of the band playing on it, as well as their producer at the time. I believe a few songs on it were even considered for the previous self-titled record. It certainly is more AIC than anything made afterwards.
If they don't like Alice In Chains they sure as shit aren't gonna like an album as great as Boggy.
I haven’t heard boggy depot in a good 15 years or more, but if my memory serves me it’d be above all the Duvall stuff and below all the Staley stuff. -Jason
It’s a 3.5 for me, probably. I thought it was missing something. - Joe
Both of Cantrells solo disc's are great in my opinion. In fact there are some stronger tracks on both Boggy Depot and Degradation Trip than there are on the last few AIC albums.
That is quite the thumbnail. Looks like Alice In Chains trying to do The Beach Boys lol
Well they kind of did in their career...but for heavy rock ...in terms of voice harmonies
I'll take some heat away from the guys....I can't get into Alice in Chains. I've tried and it just doesn't click with me. Sometimes it's hard to crack what makes a band special, and I'll make some time to try again soon, but they are probably the only 90s band I'm not goo goo over.
Totally legit opinion. Hold your head up high there's no shame in your game.
@@179rich Thank you! There is no such thing as bad or good music. It's all up to the ears. ;)
👂👂👂 absolutely....I still don't get the love for Pearl Jam's Ten for example....always baffled me....but everything will have a fan....thats why we need as much art as possible and why art in any form is only as alive as it's new creators.... consuming and loving art is a tricky business when it comes to taste and choices....but that's the spice too...👍
@@threestringsomg Riot Act is the high point of Pearl Jam for me. Their debut is good, but I haven't revisited it much at all since being an adult.
same!
Dude doesn't like Rain When I Die.....wtf?!?!?!
There early stuff was good. The reunion stuff is.....not even bad just invisible. I don't know if Layne was that cryptic though, songs like Godsmack and Junkhead are pretty straight forward.
I'm just going to rate the Layne stuff cause the others all tie for last.
5. Facelift.
4. AIC
3. Sap
2. Dirt
1. Jar of Flies
The fact that all of you put Dinosaurs at the bottom just reinforces the fact that you guys know what you're doing. (I had it at the bottom too ;-)
Boooyyyzzz…I have no idea who they are. They completely passed me by. I had no jacket required on vinyl. Not sure it aged well
phil was the soundtrack to the 80's -- - feeling not so inspired by his music now
Sideprojects, How about a show where You go through some of Them, You Know Mad Season and Temple OF the Dog.
Sorry I'm late again, I've been dealing with School.
I'm not a Huge Fan of AIC, I'm not a big Grunge Fan, so expect some Controversy
7 - Jar of Flies
6 - Facelift
5 - Dirt
4 - Rainier Fog
3 - Alice in Chains (Actually Like this!)
2 - The Devil put Dinosaurs here
1 - Black gives way to Blue
I'm just not a Big Staley Fan, but I'm not Disrespecting him!
Jar of Flies last my God
I’m with Joe on this . Later records with Duvall are not their best but they’re fine 3.5 stars records at the least . Nothing wrong with Duval’s voice .Good songs are good songs . Cantrell is still solid as a writer. Band are still in fine form “ Check my brain” is one of Alice’s best songs so don’t get Jason’s passionate disdain for it or his and Kramzer’s hyperbolic “ rock is dead” ambush of this video. Contrarian stance and Joe is the man of the people day today ?😂 👍
1. Dirt 5
2. Jar of Flies 5
3. Alice In Chains 4.5
4. Facelift 4
5. Black gives way to blue 4
6. Rainer Fog 3.5
7. The Devil Put Dinosaurs 3.5
Kramzer didn't have a rock is dead ambush. Not sure what video you watched - kram
@@TastesLikeMusic apologies Kram. Maybe Jason’s attack on some of the “Duval era “ records unsettled me and I lost perspective 😊…gist of the crux is I’m strong on the later AIC records getting better appraisal than they do ..they usually don’t .
@@komoleeray687 sorry to let u down....but look at the postive. the newest one i liked the most of the 3 newbies, and mentioned they could be on the road to doing something i like on the next one - kram
@@TastesLikeMusic not letting me down at all. You guys always keep it “ real” with your opinions. The Duval thing is just an emotional trigger for me ..😴…Respect your views 👊🏻…(worship the channel as you know)..even if Jason is 100%,wrong about “ Check my brain “ ( California’s alright ..best part of the song 😊)
Yeah the rock is dead thing was a bit pathetic...
Might as well chuck in art is dead, painting is dead, photography is dead, film is dead, progress is dead.... creativity well that's just dead...awful...it's the typical opinion of bias towards lighter middling music I'm afraid....sonically Chains have mastered that harmonic buzz in their songs....only Beach Boys in pop/rock did it better....saying all that I hope the boys are looking forwards to Senjutsu!! 🤘🤠
Please tell me you guys are actually including the Tarzan soundtrack on the Phil Collins listography...
I wish. - Joe
I assume the ranking is only for albums that have his name on the cover (i.e excluding that he actually made some worthy contributions to music over the past decades)?
Seldom does a catalogue so accurately reflect the psyche of the vocalist. Conversely, love the hopeful(?) Got Me Wrong.
Jason could easily be Les Claypool's brother. Ridiculously uncanny.....
Enough complaining at you guys(except Joe). Your love for Layne smoothed over your later hatred.
I feel like Dirt is documenting their addiction, but then the self titled is documenting Layne knowing he's lost the addiction battle and is dying.
My ranking:
8. Devil Put Dinos B
7. Rainier Fog B+
6. Black Gives WTB B+
5. Sap B+
4. AIC A-
3. Facelift A
2. Jar of Flies A
1. Dirt A
I saw them live with Layne twice, once with William.
I assumed we would just get solo Jerry albums after Layne. The William stuff isn't as electric and immediate as the Layne records. But that's kinda like Jerry's solo records. They are growers. And I do really like them.
wait till tomorrow...the songs list is a BIG LOVE FEST - kram
@@TastesLikeMusic Hey Kram, I think this is my first reply from you. I haven't been on here as much lately(damn real world messing with my playtime!!).
I often like seeing rankings/reviews that differ strongly from mine. It inspires me to give some things a fresh look that I may not otherwise have.
And I love your guys' channel, even after you and Jason blew my mind yesterday.
Thanks for the great entertainment.
Be well.
Joe is the only sensible one here. AIC have NEVER released a bad album and the William Duvall album is very underrated.
1. Dirt
2. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
3. Black Gives Way to Blue
4. Alice In Chains
5. Facelift
6. Jar of Flies
7. Rainier Fog
I like the William Duvall records and Devil Put the Dinosaurs was ranked number 4 on my list!
5. Black Gives Way to Blue
4. Alice in Chains
3. Jar of Flies
2. Facelift
1. Dirt
I also don't care for any of the Duvall albums. I was horrified when I heard Check my brain on the radio. Nothing tops the original run.
Jason is having an existential moment.
"Put You Down" actually made me think of Pearl Jam which I'm sure heard the track.
Ouch! Some of that was brutal.
But…again, that’s why we tune in. AIC are another band I know little about but listening to this gives me an itch that has to be scratched and I’m now digging into the dirt and opening the jar of flies to see if this really is the death of rock?
Green Day were the death of 90s + mainstream rock imo....the horrible poop on MTV and rock stations that is still prevalent..,but Jason clearly has not heard enough mid to heavy music from last 20 years to understand that rock is very much alive and kicking in many many great bands...and has moved on... different music genres have adopted prog like stances so it's hard to say any genre has now died.... Maybe he feels left behind like old people do when they can't keep up?"Rock and roll deserves to die" loving The Darkness....they nailed it recently....nothing dies...just evolves/is reborn if you look...
7. Rainier Fog
6. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
5. Facelift
4. Black Gives Way To Blue
3. Jar Of Flies
2. Alice In Chains
1. Dirt
Solid list. I also put BGWTB ahead of Facelift.
@@179rich Thanks man. They are my all time favorite band. It's very close between those two albums for me.
I think the best Facelift songs are better than the best songs on BGWTB. However, I think the weaker songs on BGWTB are stronger than the weaker songs on Facelift hence the slight edge. Both 4 star albums for me.
Excellent!
Not counting Duvall era albums and unplugged, my ranking is:
1. Jar of Files EP
2. Dirt
3. Facelift
4. Sap (EP)
5. Self-Titled
I heard Unplugged a couple of times but it's just painful to listen too. Layne Staley was in rough shape at that point and you can hear it.
I really think you need to revisit the 3 late records, All Secrets Known is an awesome song, Private Hell is awesome, Hollow is great, Stone is awesome and Maybe is great too. I’m completely with Joe here, I really don’t think the other two can judge these from it seems one listen
Two listens
Unfortunately people who are biased to pop and softer music usually don't have the patience dude...🤷♂️🎸
I was surprised at this episode actually ... this one lacked the enthusiasm i expect, outside of Joe's admiration that is, and maybe its because its a darker band in general. I am a Alice in Chains fan, and i actually think their 2nd half career is quite strong as far as 90's comebacks go. Alice in Chains have always stood alone to me. Its interesting, about "Grunge" really Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Nirvana, and Alice in Chains don't really sound alike. Especially Nirvana, never understood why they were lumped in outside of location and clothes .....
I disagree with Jason that the newer albums don't have any passion, Black Gives Way to Blue is incredibly passionate and emotional. I mean Cantrell was writing after the death of Layne Staley, there's bound to be passion in there. Come on. Devil Put Dinosaurs Here at 2 stars??? Good grief. Voices is a fantastic song.
I will agree that the Duvall albums are the worst of their discography, but they're not THAT bad. Rainier Fog is worse than Devil or Black Gives way to Blue.
I just love all their albums 🔥
Happy to see the Jar of Flies loophole and lovefest. Did any of you guys get the version of that CD with the little plastic flies in the case? That was some great Metalocalypse Dethwater merch right there.
I did not have that version unfortunately. - Joe
Every so often I'd see one on the shelf at Record Exchange and I'd snag it and pull out the flies, so now I have one CD with nine or so flies. For some reason this seemed like time well spent back then.
I never owned a physical copy of jar of flies but I worked in what was basically “The Exchange” for about 10 years so I’m well acquainted with the flies. -Jason
This makes me even more excited for Voodoo by Godsmack to win my song of the year in 1998.
Voodoo is a great song man
9 Black Gives Way To Blue
8 Rainier Fog
7 The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
6 Facelift
5 Unplugged
4 Jar Of Flies
3 Sap
2 Dirt
1 Alice In Chains
The more videos I watch, not only do I disagree with Jason more and more, I find myself aligning with Kramzer.
That's right Jason, look at yourself in the mirror. Kramzer, you are right most of the time. :)
I like what I see, baby! -Jason
Wanna make a million dollars in music? Start with a billion.
I commend Jason sticking to his convictions. You're 100% correct that rock sucks because people accept shit, however you can't rely on the braindead record-buying public to be discerning. They just buy what they're told to. This is actually good because it means you CAN make good music - people just don't because they're terrified of alienating the idiot masses. The last relevant rock album was El Camino which was just generic radio pap, but the dummies loved it so it sold billions and essentially was the death knell for good rock music (even the Black Keys themselves had several much better albums the mainstream was oblivious to, obviously just not enough money). If bands stopped catering to the lowest common denominator and weren't forced to sell out before they even begin by following trends and listening to idiot industry dickheads then maybe we could look forward to more good music, but you have to be very firmly established to make a decent record because the industry is bankrupt, financially and creatively. It's a buy-in only club now, which makes it all the more disappointing when an established act like AIC just releases uninspired shit to appease to bottom line.
Thank god for the likes of Elbow (et al) for somehow still being able to have integrity despite most people having never heard of them.
(Yes; I am serious)
7. Black Gives Way…
6. Jar of Flies
5. Facelift
4. Rainer Fog
3. Dirt
2. AIC
1. Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
Having Devil at #1 is one thing, but putting BGWYB, which is essentially the exact same record, last, makes no sense to me whatsoever. -Jason
I guess you could say when we got our favorite Chains track on we Stop Making Sense 🤣🤣🤣
For no particular reason that album has three of my top-5 AIC songs. I might be guilty of letting that push the rest of the album above its deeper cuts.
@@SomeSong2 I wish you liked talking heads, but a good joke is a good joke. Bravo - Kramzer
“You could tell me that Elton John’s playing piano on it and I wouldn’t know unless you told me”?
I think there should be a Red Hot Chili Peppers episode
I might sit that one out. Depends how much people want to see me shit all over a band for an hour. -Jason
@@TastesLikeMusic Jason - do yourself a favor and go watch the "Hump De Bump" RHCP video. It's one of the greatest, most fun ever made. It's impossible not to like it!
I already hate it just from the title.
Jason - I dig a lot of the Chili Peppers stuff, especially John Frusciante era. However, much of their production is questionable and their singer is very questionable - would definitely like to see your participation in an RHCP Listography!
@@TastesLikeMusic the contentious ones are the best! And with three people, you get to hear three sides of an arguement
I took offence by kramzer rebiew of black gives way to blue. Such ignorance.
…..says the guy with the talking heads shirt🤦🏻
Super Un-inspired? Get a clue.
The problem is, they are a deeper band that gets better with each listen. I'm sorry, but you can't do accurate reviews when you listen to it one time to give a review.
In all seriousness, you guys are legit music fans. You have to know that some bands/records grow on you with repeated listens. There's many records in my collection that didn't hit me immediately, that I now love. And conversely, there's records that I liked right away, that didn't last the test of time.
Every record has the potential to hit you differently every time you hear it. The lists are a snapshot of how we felt that week regardless of how many listens we got in or how well we knew them before. -Jason
maybe one day we will love it....maybe one day will hate it even more. nothing you're saying is wrong. - kram
maybe if you watch the video for 5 more years and 100 more times you'll start to see things our way! - kram.....these are moot points
and make no mistake VADER....we love ya as a commenter and appreciate you coming to the defense of that which you adore - kram
@@TastesLikeMusic What makes a great record great is exactly that - it hits you differently each time around. That potential is what sets them apart from the average listening. That is why for me at least, you cannot play a great record to death. It is never the same. However, it does not require more than a few runs to discover if an album has that depth or not. Like one of you said on some occasion "I know it when I hear it." And then I can take my time to discover why, because I have decided that it is worth it.
Great ep guys. You gotta go with your true thoughts/views. That’s why I tune in. It would be quite boring if you all agreed all of the time!!
Black Gives Way to Blue >>> Tripod.
That's it.
Wrong. But okay.
07) The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (3 stars)
06) Rainier Fog (3.75 stars)
05) Facelift (4 stars)
04) Black Gives Way to Blue (4 stars)
03) Alice in Chains (4 stars)
02) Jar of Flies (5 stars)
01) Dirt (4.5 stars)
notes:
*Fantastic band, but taken as a whole, a quite bleak and depressing listography.
*Dirt has more (killer!) five star songs than Jar of Flies so it's number one even though it has a few tracks I don't rate as high, keeping it from a 5 star rating. Also, the album, while gorgeous, is a downer and some of the tracks really drag, so I have to be in the right mood to hear the whole thing. Actually, that's true of pretty much every Alice album!
*The only thing that bugs me about my list is that the difference in quality between Dirt and the self-titled is greater than a half star would indicate, but that can't be helped.
*If you happen to be put off by my quarter-star ratings, just do what Jason does - take the quarter off and voila. ;-)
0 stars - irredeemably terrible/ the worst
.5 stars - terrible
1 star - bad
1.5 stars - between bad and fair
2 stars - fair
2.5 stars - between fair and OK
3 stars - OK
3.25 stars - pretty good
3.5 stars - good
4 stars - very good
4.5 stars - excellent
5 stars - the bomb
Hah, a #1 having less stars than a #2. Good reasoning.
@@ttmilbr Hmm. Not sure about that reasoning . . . I mean, I've given 5 stars to albums that have a weak song or two ("A Night at the Opera"). It's the album as a whole. No?
@@NaughtyVampireGod Yeah, I have JOF at my #1 with 5 stars, but I can see why an EP shouldn't be as high as a full album. Still, I wish more bands would keep their albums to 10 songs and keep the filler to themselves.
@@ttmilbr I guess there's arguments either way . . . As you know it's all about the LP to CD sea change in the mid-80's which changed the whole reality of what consitutes the length of an album. Yeah. I wanna hear their best. Editorial discretion is good. Quality control. But more product can be good depending on a lot of things. I think "filler" is a tricky word. I like to apply it very narrowly. I like to give the artist the benefit of the doubt that they aren't producing obvious filler . . Anyway, a classic album with a weak song or two won't make it less of a classic imo. I'm forgiving .. . to a point. :)
@@NaughtyVampireGod I'll tell you exactly where I'm coming from. Like I said, the album kinda drags and taken as a whole it's a downer. But the main reason it gets 4.5 stars from me is because I rate "Dam That River" 3 stars (not sure why I'm not crazy about the song but it has something to do with the lyrics), Junk Head 3.5 stars and God Smack 3 stars. And Iron Gland does nothing for me. I seriously considered giving it 5 stars but I'm with Kramzer on this one. For me, it just can't quite get to that upper echelon. I'm not opposed to 5 star albums with some less than great tracks though.
Ok Jason, I'm shocked that you then ranked the self titled that high.
If you just listened to Devil/Dinos once for the ranking, that wouldn't work. That's a record that's a grower. It didn't hit me initially, but it grew on me over time.
Rainier Fog and Black Gives way to Blue hit you more immediately.
They couldn't have asked for a better replacement than DuVall. He's able to harmonize well with Jerry.
I agree that Devil/Dinos is their worst record, but I like it.
None of the William records are as good as the Layne records, but they are still very good.
Cool sentiments and mostly agreed, but I think Devil and Black are beyond the debut for whole album craft and number of great songs. Love em🧐
@@threestringsomg you rank Devil and Black over Facelift? Interesting. Facelift probably has their most 'basic' song structures, and it kind of stands out as being sonically different than the rest(as such I could understand someone loving Facelift, but not what followed).
It took a long time for me to appreciate Devil as much as I do know. My ranking it last is by no means an insult. I love all of the AIC releases, Mad Season, Jerry's solo records, even William's solo record. Obviously something about Jerry's writing strikes a chord with me(similar to Iommi).
@@docvader82 cool...but I absolutely consider Facelift one of the weaker albums ....even it contains some outstanding songs.... Dinosaur and Black are both more mature whole records...black had one or two oversight long sludge plays that lose you....but I don't think Dinosaur has that issue....also I love voices and last 5 songs more than any on Facelift, Black and Ranier....it all makes sense to me🤷♂️...and yes as I said in review Mad Season I rate extremely high...it would be 2nd on my list... masterpiece
Man in the Box alone makes Facelift better than any of the mark II lineup. Respectfully. - Joe
@@TastesLikeMusic it's just one song....we discussing whole album listen/craft respectfully....🧐....oh it's to someone else....lol ☺️☺️☺️☺️