lambchops's Full Review: Facelift by Alice In Chains
This album, released in 1990, was very early in the Seattle grunge alternative music revolution. And, I would have to say that "Facelift" was the first grunge album to make it in mainstream America at all. Alice In Chains, along with fellow Seattle rockers Nirvana and Pearl Jam among others, was an influence for many bands that would follow the grunge wave through the mid 1990's.
The album, "Facelift," is actually one of Alice in Chains' best...if not their best of all. It contains a total of twelve songs, the best of which is the driving, wonderful "Man in the Box" written by the two most visible members of the group Layne Staley (lead vocals) and Jerry Cantrell (backing vocals and guitar). As many people like myself of this generation understand, this is a very good album. One that deserves a place in the grunge/alternative/rock collections of music lovers everywhere. Don't miss out on this creative, inventive, and inspiring album of what came to be known as typical Seattle grunge. It's too bad that this was released and popular two years before any other grunge bands can claim to have been nationally popular.
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1. WE DIE YOUNG
What a great introduction to the works of Alice in Chains. It's loud. Cantrell's guitar is driving and angry as are Staley's lyrics. This song isn't totally grunge...rather it's a sort of combination between the earlier rock bands like -gasp- Poison and their own, new sound. What the real innovation here is that Staley is so obviously disillusioned and angry. I like it. This is the kind of music I've liked for years now. It's not profound so far as words go, just fun and interesting and musically different.
2. MAN IN THE BOX
Great guitars and interesting vocals lead to a super song to say the least. This was by far the most succcessful single from this album. The song is about as simple as a grunge-rock song could possibly be. The guitars aren't too thick--rather they somehow seem to tell the story singing along with Staley's wavering, quivering voice. Sure, the lyrics deserve a parental advisory, but that doesn't mean I can't like them. To be quite honest, they are catchy and singable. And, to make it even better, Staley enunciates wonderfully. You can hear every painful lyric. And yes, you and can feel this pain. "Won't you come and save me...Feed my eyes, can you sew them shut? Jesus Christ, deny your maker." I love it. I hesitate to call it genius, but it's about as great as grunge ever was. Classic. Listen to this wonderful early influence on grunge.
3. SEA OF SORROW
Starting with an almost traditional southern rock guitar tune, this song somehow becomes something very different with the addition of Staley's voice. Like I said, he's got a very pained, emotional voice. So what if it's nasaly. That doesn't matter, he still exceptionally talented. Cantrell's growling guitar compliments the growling tune and voice. LOVE IT! It's not better than "Man in the Box" in my opinion, but this track is right up there. Again, the lyrics are very singable and every word is easily able to be repeated. Near perfection.
4. BLEED THE FREAK
This song is moderately popular in the right circles for good reasons. It's definitely different than the three songs that proceed it. In fact, there is almost a bit of a more quiet influence. Although, again at times Staley's voice makes something very different out of this song. "These stand for me, name your god and bleed the freak, I like to see, how you all would bleed for me." So what if the lyrics aren't Shakespeare. They still are fun, and worthy of an audience. I also wanted to mention that Alice In Chains doesn't sound just like grunge hear. There are wailing guitars like that in the long guitar solos of the mid and late eighties.
5. I CAN'T REMEMBER
A tender guitar and sparse drums create an atmosphere for a song that Staley seems to put his entire heart into. The guitar line for most of it is somewhat reminiscent of "Man in the Box," but it still is fun and interesting. The song changes emotion from somewhat touching to angry in just seconds. Although, I want to mention that the song is slower in tempo than others on this record. Staley is just as pained as usual, but it's a little bit different. Good song.
6. LOVE, HATE, LOVE
It's funny. I almost think of Bon Jovi when I hear the opening licks of this track. The guitars and drums sound enough like "Wanted Dead or Alive" to make me giggle like a schoolgirl again. That aside, there's obviously something different about this song. The tempo, even slower than the last most of the time, is appropriate for the intense lyrics. This is a sort of sick little diddy about a messed up love relationship that leads to a man's (apparently Staley) own little revenge. Interesting. Not my favorite...I miss the crunching guitars and screaming Staley.
7. IT AIN'T LIKE THAT
This song isn't my favorite on the album. I just don't really like the guitar work or music as much. It just seems somehow boring in comparison to the other amazingly high quality songs that showcase the talent of Staley and Cantrell along with fellow bandmates Michael Starr (bass) and Sean Kinney (drums). If a song should be skipped on this album at all, this one just may qualify.
8. SUNSHINE
what a chipper name of a song from Alice in Chains. This song is different. It's a bit more methodical in pace, but it reminds me of a band that I really like. One that accused of copying them...Stone Temple Pilots. That's probably why I like it. Staley somehow hits occassionally at rapping a little. An odd contrast to his normal style. The chorouses are just so fast and so great. Don't miss this one. It's a great track on this album...definitely worthy of your ears.
9. PUT YOU DOWN
Again, this song has some odd eighties rock influences with the guitar solo in the beginning. It's an odd thing to listen to an obvious example of early grunge but yet realize that they sound somewhat like the bands that grungle kicked out of the spotlight. I love the catchy chorus..."I can see what the cost will be, you know I don't need you, I just can't put you down, I can see what it all means to me, honey I don't need you, I just Can't put you down." This song seems to be about addiction, but I'll let you make up your own mind about that...
10. CONFUSION
Starting out, this song sounds very much like a hair ballad could...just a bit more flat. Staley's voice solidifies the fact that this is indeed Alice in Chains of future grunge fame performing. I'm not crazy about this tune. It again seems a bit boring to me. It's too slow for my taste, and I'd just prefer to hear Staley singing very fast and with as much anger as possible. This song doesn't do that for me. Maybe worth a listen, but just don't count on this one being your favorite.
11. I KNOW SOMETHIN (BOUT YOU)
Whoa. This one starts out sounding like seventies soft rock (like Journey or something even worse). Fortunately, that mood changes with a gruff croak from Staley and the addition of Kinney's drums. Very original sounding song, with a fast beat and rather sparse music. I'd suggest a listen to this song to everybody that likes this kind of music. I love the sound. Period.
12. REAL THING
This one starts out with a Doors-esque sounding bass guitar. Well, that influence doesn't last for long. Staley whimpers and screams in apparent pain and hate. I love the changes in pacing throughout the song. Rather than detracting from the song itself, these changes add to the emotion and the pain. It's not a great song as with some of the others on this album. Rather, it's one that you should listen to. Good.
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Cantrell, Staley, and company make up a great band. Not only do they write and create their own music, they also inspired a generation of rockers. Their crunchy guitars and grinding voices are perfect compliments to their somewhat spooky and pessimistic songs. In fact, I want to mention that my favorite band, Stone Temple Pilots, followed in their footsteps. Obviously, Alice In Chains did something right. Of course, this album isn't for everybody. It's loud, angry, and painful and should only be for people who like rock and roll and for that matter alternative.
Despite the limited appeal of this album, I have to rate it a solid 4 stars. I wish that I could give it 4.5, but that's impossible, isn't it? Great job from the Seattle band. They had some other subsequent hits on their "Jar of Flies" and other albums that followed, but I still maintaint that this one is the best.
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