Alice In Chains - Dirt (CD 2001)

The Seattle grunge movement of the late eighties spawned many a band, and Alice In Chains was one of the most well-known, as well as one of the more traditionally metallic (more so than they are given credit for). Their crooning harmony vocal style has been imitated by many bands over the last decade, certainly enough to qualify them as an influential band. Well-publicized drug problems (mostly centering around Layne Staley) surfaced as early as the Dirt era, making it rather plain that the band was probably not going to survive long term. They have been dormant for several years, during which time guitarist Jerry Cantrell has embarked on a successful solo career.

THIS CD IS AWSOME I HADE IT YEARS AGO ON CASSETTE BUT LOST IT GLAD TO HAVE IT AGAIN ANYBODY WANTING A CLASSIC ROCK ALBUM WILL BE OVERJOYED WITH THIS CD IT FANTASTIC A CD THAT NEVER GOES OUT OF FASHION.

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A bastion of the Seattle grunge scene, the growling vocals by Layne Staley made this one of the best rock albums ever.

I think a lot of bands have taken inspiration from this album. 'Dam That River' has very strong similarities to 'Slither' and 'Sickman' has almost Rob Zombie vocals. It's a good and varied album, documenting a descent into drug-fueled destruction. I'd have liked to see a bit of a stronger through plotline, as this is almost a concept album, but the writing is excellent, the vocals are superbly emotionally-charged and the musicians seem determined to prove how many musical styles can be press-ganged into the service of Grunge. Forget Nirvana's Nevermind, this is the best Grunge album I've heard to date.

This is Alice In Chains finest album. Without question.

Basically, all the songs are about Heroin addiction spiralling out of control and consuming Layne Staley's life, no flaw is left buried and no drug reference goes unsaid.
Layne eventually succumbed to his demons and died from a drug overdose in 2002, sadly.


A masterful piece of creative genius. You'll be hard pressed to find a more brutally truthful work laid down -- and that's why it will always be one of the greatest 'grunge' records ever made, if not the greatest.

It is hard to choose a favourite song, but at a push it would have to be "Would?". You will have to listen to understand why, but you wont be dissapointed!
Its even harder to choose my least favourite song!! "Rain when I die". Purely because it is just TOO upsetting and depressing, especially in view of Laynes' death.

Buy this album, do not hesitate. It is just brilliant.

Could this be the finest grunge album ever made ?

Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Soundgarden may come close, but DIRT is, in my humble opinion, the greatest testament to the Seattle sound that had your head banging (slowly) in the early '90's.

A fantastic no-fills album that still sounds fresh despite the "collapse" of the grunge movement.

A must-have for metal fans

My score = 9.5/10