Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue (2009) Review

in the 14 years since their last release, Alice in Chains preformed 3 shows with their original lead vocalist, released a box set, a best of box set, a greatest hits, a live album, another greatest hits, been on 4 tours, jerry has released 2 solo albums, inez has worked with almost everyone and we lost Layne Stayley (R.I.P.) to an overdose. ontop of all that, the musical landscape has changed very much since 1995! Nu-metal has come and gone, same for Rap-rock and grunge surviors are few (Dave Grohl, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Melvins, Chris Cornell) in terms of who is still around making music. that being said, AIC DELIVERS! this album seems like it could of been released after their self titled album (known as tripod due to the 3 legged dog on the cover) in that their distinct sound is still intact! William duVall is no Staley but fuck man, does he kick ass here! i admit i was skeptical 'till i saw them live but that night he made me a believer....and this album makes me even more of a believer now! Cantrell is still a monster on guitars, Inez is still a beast on bass while Sean beats the fuck out of his drums! the pressens of Layne is very appearnt on this album which is a good thing as he was a big part of their sound and in some sense, he was never relpaced, he is still an integreal part of Alice in Chains. stand out tracks include the tribute to Layne known as "Black Gives Way to Blue" (featuring piano from Elton John), "Check my Brain", "Last of my Kind", "A Looking in View", "When the Sun Rose Again" "Acid Bubble" and "Lesson Learned". my ratting? 10 men in the boxes out of 10...seriously check this fucker out!