Jar of Flies [EP, Import]

This album is dark, light, and in other cases, what ever you want it to be. Jar of Flies is very different from the albums, which surround its release. This is a mellow Alice in Chains, though none of the attitude is lost. Above all else, this album is simply beautiful, with the vocals and instrumentals sweeping you away from the reality of life for 30 or so minutes.

Cantrell's guitar work is far subtler than Facelift, Dirt, SAP and the self-titled album, though the brilliance of Kinney and Inez shouldn't be overlooked.

The Vocals again are softer, where Staley (rip) and Cantrell share roles as the lead vocalist, complementing each other perfectly.

A quick description of each track can be attempted, but justice could never be done.

1). Rotten Apple: Inez kicks off what is essentially a dark track, possibly the darkest on the album, with a slow gravely base, soon accompanied by Cantrell's Guitar work (electric in this track), never excessive, never understated.

2). Nutshell: This is an acoustic number, and isn't so much as dark as emotion provoking. A fantastic track which only seems to get recognition on the unplugged album, which is such a shame.

3). Stay Away: This is one of the better known songs on the album, and is the start of the album changing tone to a more up beat mood. Certainly a track which could pick you up when your up, and drag you down when your down, though personally I find it lifts up the mood regardless.

4).... No Excuses: Like Stay Away, this track is one of the better known ones off the album, though is by far the most "up beat" track on the album along with Don't Follow. Brilliant Guitar work and surrounding percussion throughout.

5). Whale and the Wasp: An instrumental track, and weirdly, despite the lack of any vocals, possibly my favourite track. This short, but deeply touching guitar solo really will change your mood, whether you want it to or not.

6). Don't Follow: The great thing about this track is the way it changes its tone half way though the track, from being slow and melodic, to suddenly faster paced / upbeat with you barley realising.

7). This is probably the closest to Alice In Chains other material this album ventures, although it is certainly not out of place on this album.
Any AIC fan should most certainly have this album in their collection, a must for any rock fan. All self respecting rock fans should own this album, forget the crap which is being pumped out these days singing about teenage struggle and strife, this is the real deal, casting all that nonsensical crap to one side. This is real music. Read more ›

This is certainly a late night, nothing is right album. For a start, the typical 60's style vocal harmonies on opener, 'Rotten Apple', are even more spine-tingling in this mode and mood than ever, the guitar on highlight, 'Nutshell' is enough to make the most sober mind think twice, and the guitar solo and lyrics can only be called spine-tingling. It's quite unusual that the least-good of the tracks are the singles. 'I Stay Away' and 'No Excuses' are still acoustic master-pieces, but still somewhat lack in comparison to some of the album tracks, despite the lovely string arrangements on 'I Stay Away'...'Whale And Whasp' is a fine example of how to do an instrumental right, and doesn't become boring like some do, while the Jerry Cantrell sung, 'Don't Follow' is one of the main highlights on the CD, not changing the pace but forever changing your mind. The only real change of pace of the entire CD, is the final track, the almost arrogant sounding, 'Swing On This', which is a nice change of pace, although not by much, but it's there to keep the suspense up. And it's certainly full of that. One of the most disturbing records I've ever heard. Close the windows, lock the doors, sit down, don't look at the rain splashed windows and consider everything you could have done differently, but don't forget to flick this on lowly in the background darkness...

Sap, although still an acoustic album is an entirely different kettle of fish.... It's not quite as mature and 'all there' as 'Jar Of Flies', but it certainly can I have similar impact. Opener 'Brother' is as low and reflective as anything from JOF, with lyrics that you can tell were written some time ago, due to the 'not quite perfect' Alice In Chains lyrical style, and the fact that these seemed like big demons indeed...'Got Me Wrong' another story of mixed feelings in relationships, is straight from Cantrell's heart and guitar, 'Right Turn' includes Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell adding to this song, but never doing anything for it. This is basically an album that shows where they were, and when you heard Jar Of Flies, you find where they've ended up. And that's one of the premier hard rock bands of the nineties, if not ever, with a rare and successful sensitive side. And that's so very rare and refreshing, that this immediatly becomes an essential purchase, if not one that should be locked away and should only come out on those times where nothing wants to go right.

5 Stars. Read more ›