Alice in Chains — Dirt (1992) Album Review
What a way to start this series of album reviews by starting with a landmark classic in the grunge genre. When someone asks for a recommendation for albums to check out in grunge, Dirt (released September 29, 1992) will likely be within the first three albums that gets listed off. Alice in Chains is cemented as part of The Big Four in grunge — along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. I first heard of the band back in 2012 from a Mike Shinoda Spotify playlist, which had the song “Man in the Box.” Though that song was an anthem of its own, I was already phasing out of the rock genre and deep into the world of hip hop to appreciate it back then. I was reintroduced to the band in 2022 when I came across an old song by (also Linkin Park member) Chester Bennington’s early, pre-LP band Grey Daze called “Starting to Fly.” I really liked the moody sound and introspective lyrics, and a Youtube comment mentioned it had a lot of Alice in Chains — Rooster influence. So I looked up Rooster and listened to it, and I was instantly hooked. The way the song starts with the crisp chord progressions, builds in anticipation with the chilling lyrics, and hits the climax with the explosive guitar riffs and vocal performance is like a cinematic experience. It makes sense that the song was about the Vietnam War. I can picture a soldier walking in the jungle with intense fear and focus knowing any moment can lead to a trap or an ambush. After hearing Rooster, I then watched the MTV unplugged show which opened me up to the rest of their hits (Nutshell, Would, Down in a Hole).
Then there’s the lead singer, Layne Staley, who pioneered the Seattle sound/image and shaped the culture of grunge forever. He’s become a sort of mythic figure in rock, as a lot of artists do in their respective genres when they tragically pass too soon, like a Tupac or Biggie and of course his musical contemporary Kurt Cobain. Reading and watching his story is like a Greek tragedy. Like many bands’ dreams, he formed Alice in Chains and rose up from the Seattle underground scene into mainstream and commercial success and sustained a legendary run from 1990–1996. The band eventually went into hiatus as Staley struggled more with substances and became a recluse. In 2002, he overdosed on a combination of heroin and cocaine in his Seattle home. There’s a lot more detail regarding this incident that I’ll skip for now. One thing to note is even through his drug usage damaging him physically, his vocal talent reigned supreme. In the MTV unplugged show in 1996, one of his last public performances, his health was so deteriorated (lost his teeth ?) he could barely sit up straight but still managed to deliver an all-time classic performance. His legacy is cemented forever, and a lot of alternative/post-grunge bands pay particular homage to him, such as the band Staind’s “Layne” and Cold’s “The Day Seattle Died” (both are recommended listens). It’s wild to see but also makes a lot of sense that a lot of the bands I grew up listening to from the 2000s point to Alice in Chains as a huge inspiration/influence. It really made me form a deeper appreciation of the rock genre, being able to see more of the evolution of the music and how one generation influenced the next. So that’s my quick written tribute to the band at 11pm on a Sunday night, and now onto the album review:
Track 1 — Them Bones: 8.5/10
Intro stands out, feels very metal, but right away subject matter shows it’s going to be a dark album. Does have a ready-as-a-single feel.
Favorite line: Dust Rise, right on over my time
Track 2 — Dam That River: 9/10
Uptempo, love the guitar riffs and effects, more aggressive/destructive feel and lyrics, epic solo. Might add this to the gym playlist
Favorite line: Oh, you couldn’t dam that river, and maybe I don’t give a damn anyway.
Track 3 — Rain When I Die: 10/10
Great distortion and effects, very catchy riff, the vocal layering is a great addition, story of an abusive relationship
Favorite line: I’m a riddle so strong, you can’t break me
Track 4 — Down in a Hole: 10/10
Awesome melody. A lot of pain and suffering in this one, it’s like a post-festival/rave comedown anthem. When watching the live version, can really see/feel the emotion in this song, makes it a lot more real.
Favorite line: You don’t know who [they thought] I was supposed to be.
Track 5 — Sickman: 8/10
Rhythmic feel, delivery feels like Beastie Boys. Second half very haunting/demonic sound
Favorite line: I can feel the wheel but I can’t steer when my thoughts become my biggest fear
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Track 6 — Rooster: 10/10
Still my favorite on this album, vivid lyrics, song is like a story with beginning, middle, and end, like Phil Collins In the Air Tonight. Goosebumps
Favorite line: Oh God, please, won’t you help me make it through?
Track 7 — Junkhead: 9/10
Another highlight track following Rooster, delves deeper into the mind of an addict that’s waiting for his next fix
Favorite line: Money, status, nothing to me cause your life’s empty and bare
Track 8 — Dirt: 9/10
Sounds like an addict on the comedown. The anticipation in Junkhead turned to despair in Dirt. Guitar sounds heavy and down-tuned
Track 9 — God Smack: 8/10
Slang for heroin overdose, catchy chorus, the lyrics/delivery are okay
Track 10 — Iron Gland/Untitled: 10/10
Don’t really understand it, but I’ll give it a 10.
Track 11 — Hate to Feel: 9/10
Withdrawal themes, internal thoughts of struggle with addiction
Favorite line: Plastic man, paper face, candy heart, what a waste
Track 12 — Angry Chair: 9.5/10
Groovy bass and rhythm, haunting but powerful vocal delivery, feels super 90s, incredible guitar solo
Favorite line: Weight of my heart, not the size
Track 13 — Would?: 10/10
Opening bassline sounds ahead of its time, like a modern band would have played it. Love the kick of the drums driving the beat. Much softer toned and more vibey. Definitely a gentler way to close the album.
Favorite line: Into the flood again. Same old trip it was back then
All in all, this album is as in depth as a movie with a lot of storytelling in its lyrics and explores the psychology of a drug addict near his demise. From the opening track, we instantly can feel the energy of the band from the guitar riffs to the bass and drums and definitely the subject matter. The influence of this album on modern-day metal and alternative is palpable. It’s a sharp contrast from the stadium rock of the 80s and defined the rock genre in the 90s and forward. Can’t wait to listen to the rest of their discography.
