UNPLUGGED isn't Alice In Chains' first unplugged record; it's just the first official, MTV-sanctioned one. The EPs JAR OF FLIES and SAP are both low-key, mostly-acoustic outings that achieved a similar vibe without the benefit of an MTV appearance. Which is to say Alice In Chains isn't jumping on a bandwagon here; they're doing more of something they do very well.
UNPLUGGED features acoustic versions of songs from every record in the Seattle band's catalog except its debut, FACELIFT. And it heavily features guitarist Jerry Cantrell, who wrote or co-wrote 12 of these 13 songs, including the previously-unrecorded "Killer Is Me." Cantrell's vocals pace that one along with "Heaven Beside You" and "Over Now." Lead singer Layne Staley, meanwhile, finds a fitting outlet here for his creaky voice, particularly as he tackles harrowing images of drug addiction in "Sludge Factory" and "Down In A Hole."
Recorded on April 10, 1996.
Recorded at The Majestic Theater, Brooklyn Academy Of Music, Brooklyn, New York on April 10, 1996.
Alice In Chains: Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley, Mike Inez, Sean Kinney.
Personnel: Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley (vocals, guitar); Mike Inez, Scott Olson (guitar); Sean Kinney (drums).
Audio Mixers: John Bleich; John Seymour; Toby Wright.
Recording information: Majestic Theater, Brooklyn Academy Of Music, NY (04/10/1996).
Director: Joe Perota.
Editor: Don C. Tyler.
Photographer: Danny Clinch.
Unknown Contributor Role: Audrey Morris.
Alice In Chains: Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell (vocals, guitar); Mike Inez (guitar, bass); Sean Kinney (drums).
Additional personnel: Scott Olsen.
Additional personnel: Scott Olson (guitar, bass).
Rolling Stone (10/3/96, pp.71-72) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Some of the performances...hardly vary at all from the original studio versions....It's in the older material that the real changes go down... Q (10/96, p.153) - 3 Stars - Good - "...the fourpiece add Scott Olson on guitar and reveal some exhilarating examples of pure songwriting....drug-induced demons made all the more scary because of the intimacy of the interpretations..."
Incredible band Alice in Chains is one the best
rock bands - ever on the planet.
This collection is incredible.
Buy it - you will never be sorry. Submitted by Rick (Chicago) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Amazing Album I never get tired of listening to this album. It's in my Top 10. Submitted by Julian (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Fantastic Album This is a must have for any fan of 90's music. The vocals, lyrics... everything is beautiful.
Listen to this album cover to cover, you won't be disappointed. Submitted by mfischer1 (Athens, GA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Amazingly beautyfull! It starts off with Jerry Cantrell playing the intro off Nutshell while the other members comes in along and joins him. The song is followed by other classic AIC songs like; Down In A Hole, Rooster, Angry Chair, Heaven Beside You and No Excuses, and the show ends with a completely new song called Killer Is Me. Everything is so amazingly beatyfull that I almost could cry! Submitted by Alessandro (Rome, Italy) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
SWEET!! this record rocks. AIC sounds amazing live. Both jerry cantrell and layne staley sound amazing live. Submitted by the_zeus (Toronto, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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