Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains - Greatest Hits
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CD Details
Artist: Alice in ChainsEdition: Music CD
Format: Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2001-08-28
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- Man In The Box
- Them Bones
- Rooster
- Angry Chair
- Would?
- No Excuses
- I Stay Away
- Grind
- Heaven Beside You
- Again
Music reviews of Alice in Chains - Greatest Hits
Music Review: Top Class collection, but just lacking a couple of songs...
Rating: 4 Stars
Ok everyone, all I can tell you is that every song on this album is fantastic - there's not one song that doesn't deserve to be on here. My only problem with this CD, like just about everyone else, is that it's missing many of AIC's other great hits, such as "Sea of Sorrow," "Get Born Again," "Fear the Voices," and "What the Hell have I?" However, another reviewer mentioned that "Nothing Safe," isn't perfect either, but I think it's better than this CD; plainly because it has more material on it. I think they could've put more studio recordings on "Nothing Safe," because they've stuck live performances in place of some original studio recordings, so "Nothing Safe," is more of a Greatest Hits / Rareties CD. Anyway, let me review all the songs in sequence for you...
"Man In The Box," is a classic Alice In Chains song. It contains some very emotive and powerful lyrics, not to mention some inspired guitar work. Cantrell's solo is also brilliant, there's no doubt about it. It's a very sorrowful and pretty angry song too, but it's certainly one of their best songs. It gets 9.5/10 in my opinion.
"Them Bones," is a rather short and very heavy song. The lyrics are haunting and penetrating and the words talk of how we all will die one day. It's an angst-ridden, furious song that never lets up. It's ideal for getting your frustrations out, and so "Them Bones," gets 10/10 in my book.
"Rooster" is simply an unforgettable track and is actually a song about Jerry Cantrell's father who served in the Vietnam War. He was called "The Rooster," and this is a particularly personal song for the junior Cantrell. It's sad and haunting, deep and meaningful. The song cries and rages, and overall it's simply one of the best songs they've ever created. 10/10 for "Rooster."
"Angry Chair," is yet another song full of anger and frustration, and seems to be talking about being grounded as a child or taking a time out, but looking at it in terms of its psychological effects on a child. There again, it could be talking about what it feels like to be confused and alone; and not understanding why. The guitars chug and whine, the bass and drums pound, it's a seriously emotive and apocolyptic song. 10/10 for "Angry Chair."
"Would?" is probably my favourite Alice In Chains song. The bassline is awesome and the guitar riff, although simple, is ghostly and sounds almost enigmatic in a way. The video is brilliant too, so if you get a chance I suggest you watch it. You won't forget it. This song also reminds me of a fallout I had with some of my ex-friends 2.5 years ago and it helped me get through those grey and inescapable days. 11/10 for "Would?"
"No Excuses," is another song that reminds me of my fallout with my old friends, especially the lyrics. It's a beatifully sad song and is almost totally acoustic. The drum beat and bass are not jarring but rather more soothing and reflective. It's a stunning song. I'm sure you have / will attach your own meaning to this song though. "No Excuses," gets 10/10, no question about it.
"I Stay Away," came from the same album as "No Excuses" (i.e. Jar Of Flies) and is also a very macabre song. It's light and unobtrusive, but has moments of anger and energy, but pretty subtle. The violin work is also masterful and sounds fantastic. It's just fantastic, and gets 9.5/10 in my book. It's really great, I can't say anything more I think.
"Grind" is probably my favourite heavy song by Alice In Chains, or at least one of my favourites. The guitar and drums are solid and steady for most of the song, but the chorus is epic and unforgettable. Staley sounds phenomenal on this track. The video for this song is yet another stroke of genius, I just really enjoy it, I'm not 100% sure why. It's actually very strange and ethereal, just like the song itself. 11/10 for AIC's "Grind."
"Heaven Beside You," makes you think of a vast and limitless desert, and there's an intense feeling of loneliness in this song (i.e. "coldest winter chill," and "And you think you have it still") I will admit that it's not my favourite song, but it's still very powerful and can really grab me when I'm in the mood. The interpolation between the acoustic and electric guitar is great and highly effective, and it's got a strong Blues feel too. "Heaven Beside You" gets a most deserved 9.5/10.
"Again" has a killer riff and is phenomenal. I used to think it was the greatest Alice In Chains song, but I've since found better songs. The riff is steady like Grind and the lyrics echo and penetrate deeply. The video for this song is not great, it's ok, it just doesn't say much for the song itself. The drums sound brilliant and Kinney never misses a beat. This song has a mind-blowing chorus and excellent refrain with some cool harmonics. "Again" scores 9.5/10 in my opinion.
Overall "Alice In Chains - Greatest Hits" scores a fantastic 98% in my book, but the album's just missing so many other great songs, so its score gets downgraded to 80% on the dot I think. The collection is just not a totally accurate synopsis of what Alice In Chains is / was. "Nothing Safe" is much better, but should've just created an album that was just studio recorded hits. Save the live stuff for a rareties or Live album. In any case, "Greatest Hits," is still great and is a must have for all AIC fans. Just get it if you're a devout fan, trust me. Otherwise, if you want a more accurate summary of AIC, buy "Nothing Safe." That's all I have to say. Keep listening to Alice In Chains and let's keep the spirit of Grunge and Layne Staley alive...thank you.
Description of Alice in Chains - Greatest Hits
From 1999's Music Bank box set and its one-CD compilation offshoot, Nothing Safe: The Best of the Box to a 1996 Unplugged CD, the Alice in Chains titles continue to arrive even while the band--and especially reclusive frontman Layne Staley--stagnates. The quartet's heavy, dirgelike music is aging well, but the 10 songs that comprise Greatest Hits are the basic radio hits. Greatest Hits features no new music, no liner notes, no lyrics, no new photos, and no elaborate packaging. Still, for the rock fan, every song on the disc (five of them penned solely by talented guitarist Jerry Cantrell) is a bona fide hit, from the band's earliest, their 1990 breakthrough "Man in the Box," to the lush orchestration of "I Stay Away" to 1995's dark pop gem "Heaven Beside You." Greatest Hits provides a quick fix for newer fans, but with The Best of the Box boasting 9 of Greatest Hits' 10 songs, plus an additional 5 selections. Skip Hits and go for The Best. --Katherine TurmanAlternative Rock CDs
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