Alice In Chains. They have some of the most memorable hard rock and heavy metal hits from the 90’s and 2009 and beyond. With their unique sound combining Black Sabbath style metal, Simon and Garfunkle folk vocal harmonies, soul and themes of depression, hopelessness and drug abuse made Alice In Chains one of the most unique and influential bands to exist. They have an instantly recognizable sound. And with such a strong catalog including five excellent LPs, two EPs, an MTV Unplugged session and a live album it’s been a real challenge trying to find my top ten Alice In Chains songs. Either way, for better or worse, here’s my top ten Alice In Chains songs.
10) Scalpel – The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
The list starts off with a ballad on the most recent Alice In Chains release, ‘The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here’. What Jerry Cantrell did is really amazing. He kept the Alice In Chains name alive without its legendary and irreplaceable front man. And ‘Scalpel’ is a great example of how the Alice In Chains sound still lives on. Jerry Cantrell takes most of the vocal leads on the new material giving some to new vocalist William DuVall. This helps retain the traditional sound that Cantrell created without blatantly replacing the irreplaceable. Cantrell knew it would be a challenge and he comes through ten fold on the new material. This is such a beautiful ballad. A classic Cantrell piece that looks inward on the human soul. And the chords and tempo fit the lyrics perfectly as the intro opens up into a broad musical landscape. Of course, Cantrell always had a gift for that.
9) Nothin’ Song – Alice In Chains
The 1995 self titled album, which turns 22 today, is arguably the darkest record that Alice In Chains released. And that’s saying something. Jerry Cantrell recalls the sessions being very painful as he watched his brother in art slowly fade with his heroin addiction. And that pain really shines through on the self titled album. Song’s like ‘Sludge Factory’, ‘Shame in You’ and ‘Head Creeps’ reflect the overarching depression and hopelessness that singer Layne Staley was feeling. The album combined the depressing, mellow elements of the ‘Jar of Flies’ Ep (a mostly acoustic affair) and the metallic elements of ‘Dirt’ and ‘Facelift’. Many fans consider the self titled album to the most ‘pure’ of the Alice In Chains albums. And it’s hard to argue against that. One of the stand out tracks for me on the album is ‘Nothin’ Song’. The creepy, jazz like build up in the introduction that opens into a syncopated groove combined with dissonant vocal harmonies raises the hair on the back of ones neck. And the lyrics are pure Staley, reflecting the desire to get out of the studio and shoot up. It’s a dark one. But one of the most essential Alice In Chains songs.
8) Last of My Kind – Black Gives Way to Blue
Last of My Kind is one of the baddest, heaviest most kick ass Alice In Chains songs out there. When the band came back with new material in 2009 sans Staley, many wondered what the direction would be. Well, the answer is heavy as all hell. In fact, ‘Black Gives Way to Blue’ is really a heavier ‘Dirt’ part two. And many consider the album to be one of the strongest, most effective and unexpected comebacks in the music industry. Not that there aren’t any ballads on the album. But the main focus is the classic, drop heavy guitar tone that is synonymous with Jerry Cantrell. The riff on the chorus before the instrumental bridge is just bone crushing. I’m talking Pantera levels of heaviness. And new front man William DuVall really shows up on the lead vocals surprising many with his well fitted voice.
7) Sunshine – Facelift
This deep cut from the ‘Facelift’ album is one of the most overlooked songs in Alice In Chains’ catalog. The bluesy introduction mixed with Laynes voice and drummer Sean Kinney’s phat ass snare hits home plate hard. But that’s only the start because the riff during the chorus is one of the most catchy I’ve ever heard. It’s one of those riffs that you can listen to over and over again all day. And Layne Staley’s primitive yarling is the reason why so many claim he invented it. It may not be the purest Alice In Chains song, the band was still kind of forming it’s signature sound. But it’s absolutely without question of the catchiest songs the band ever recorded. A perfect bong rip song.
6) Whale & Wasp/Don’t Follow
This duet track from the ‘Jar of Flies’ Ep is pure, epic acoustic Alice In Chains. Well, the instrumental ‘Whale & Wasp’ is plugged in. But it’s an amniotic track that sort of introduces ‘Don’t Follow’. What makes ‘Don’t Follow’ so special is the feel and it’s vulnerability. I know many folks are expecting ‘Nutshell’ which is also a great example of feel and vulnerability. But there’s something about the way Cantrell sings on the first half and then Layne takes it out. And his voice on the second half of the track is so powerful and passionate. You really realize how gifted he truly was. His ability to be subtle and then wail with his voice shine though on this track. And the harmonica solo is a really nice touch. In the 90’s no one did heavy blues rock ballads like Alice In Chains. This is the perfect example.
5) Junkhead – Dirt
By 1992 Alice In Chains were one of the biggest groups out there. Their successful first album ‘Facelift’ and the subsequent Ep ‘Sap’ really put them on the map. So then it was time to forge the true signature sound. And they did it with 1992’s ‘Dirt’. Many consider the album to be their best. One of my favorite tracks on the album is the centerpiece ‘Junkhead’. Obviously it’s about heroin addiction. Something singer Layne Staley and then bassist Mike Star were super into. And they were open about it. And it shows in the lyrics. But what makes this song so amazing is the powerful chorus. The drug hadn’t gotten to dark yet, it was new to Staley and Starr. So there’s sort of a celebration of it. But it’s also really dark in it’s underbelly. Even though it’s a celebration song of sorts you can also hear Layne’s cries for help in the tone of his voice. The harmonies on the chorus are unreal. Layne always had more of an ability to hit high notes as well as go low and creepy. That’s what made him so special. I’m putting the demo version from the ‘Music Bank’ box set because it actually displays the harmonies even better than the finished album version.
4) Right Turn – Sap
I just love this track. It’s such pure Alice In Chains. This is the ballad where they really found their acoustic sound. Jerry opens up the track with just his voice and guitar. Then Layne comes in with a short chorus melody. All very memorable and easy to sing with. Which is what creates hits. Then the signature duet vocal harmonies of Staley and Cantrell enter. Just a really well arranged, written and executed song. But the best part is the Chris Cornell guest vocal at the end. Then it just explodes into this trio singing of Cantrell, Cornell and Staley. It just doesn’t get much better.
3) Rooster – Dirt
Sometimes a big hit deserves to be a big hit. There’s a reason people like a song. It’s because it’s freaking good. And ‘Rooster’ is a prime example of that. One of the only hits of the 90’s that deserves it’s status. I think a lot of lists would have this at number one but there’s a couple of deep tracks that love and want to discuss. What’s about ‘Rooster’ is how recognizeable the introduction is. You hear the chords and just go ‘YEAHH!!’ Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell’s dissonant vocal harmonies rule this track. But there’s also the hard hitting chorus where Staley once again makes singers everywhere go ‘How the hell does he get there?’ So powerful. And the track covers a subject matter that needs to be discussed more. PTSD from war. Not much else to say about this perfect song other than that.
2) Fear the Voices – Music Bank Box Set
‘Fear the Voices’ is the very last single that Alice In Chains released with vocalist Layne Staley. What’s so cool about this song is that is displays how diverse of a group they were while still remaining in their sound. A band that can write songs like ‘Rooster’, ‘Don’t Follow’ and ‘Shame in You’ and the turn on a dime and write a song that kicks as much ass as ‘Fear the Voices’? That is a uniquely gifted group. And I love ‘Fear the Voices’! It rocks so freaking hard. Super catchy riff, excellent vocal melodies and killer rhythms. What more do you want in your rock? It’s songs like this that flew the flag for this kind of music, keeping it alive in dark times. That deserves some recognition.
1) God Am – Alice In Chains
And the number one Alice In Chains song is ‘God Am’. This is the most Alice in Chains song of Alice in Chains. If someone walked up to me and asked what the band sounded like this is the first track I’m going to show them. That low and slow heavy metal riff. The creepy, dissonant vocal harmonies in the verse that lead into a powerful chorus. The syncopated drum beat. And of course, super depressing subject matter. ‘God Am’ has it all. Even a bong rip in the beginning. What else can you say about it? This is the bands sounds through and through.
So that’s it. Those are my top ten Alice in Chains songs. What are some of your favorites? Thanks for reading.
What a brilliant list. I listened to every one. You are right about God Am
It’s a masterpiece