By 1992 grunge and the new evolution of hard rock was in full swing. Dominated by the Seattle scene. There were many different sounding albums coming out of the jet city at the time. All of them deemed ‘grunge’ by the media. But the album that stands out as the heaviest, darkest and arguably the most influential in the long run, was Alice In Chains’ eponymous album ‘Dirt.’
When I say ‘most influential in the long run,’ I mean it. Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ may have had the most success immediately. But I don’t recall any major post grunge bands being named after one of their songs. Or have a hit single entitled and written about the front man. I’m of course referring to the band Godsmack and the hit single ‘Layne’ by Stained.
And that influence starts with Alice In Chains’ ‘Dirt.’ Forged out of the primortial ooze that is heroin, addiction and struggle. The album channeled Black Sabbath’s sludgy, back beat heaviness with alternative heavy rock tendencies and iconic vocal harmonies. The opening tracks ‘These Bones’ and ‘Damn That River’ are a phenomenal one, two punch which both set up the album for greatness. ‘Rain When I Die’ sets up the heavy balladry and vocal harmonies. But then ‘Down in a Hole’ takes that element to the next level. The music fits the subject matter perfectly. And the vocal harmonies deliver hair raising results. ‘Sickman’ adds an industrial vibe to the album. Along with the creepy ‘Godsmack.’ Influencing a little band from Boston that would debut in just six short years.
As intense, powerful and beautiful as the album is, it’s also, obviously extremely sad. And like I said before, the music fits the depressing subject matter. The strongest examples are the two most well known tracks on the album: ‘Rooster’ and the signature ‘Would?’ Both tracks display Layne Staley’s vocal passion, his range and his ability to draw out the deepest of feelings. And it’s all real and purely authentic. His power on both chorus’ is iconic and it set a new standard of hard rock vocals that still permeates to this day. The title track to album is one of the greatest yarling tracks of all time. That plus the pure Black Sabbath influence makes it a stand out song. But then it gets kicked up a notch with one of AIC’s best songs ‘Hate to Feel.’ And ‘Junkhead’ blows the passion out of the water. The vocal harmonies on the chorus are truly something to behold. As Rolling Stone put it, ‘King’s X from hell.’
‘Dirt’ is one of the most consistent albums of all time. Peaking at number six on the Billboard hot 100, it’s a signature record of an era. And it’s one of the biggest modern influencing albums ever. The major rock acts that followed the grunge movement: Nickleback, Stained, Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace (just to name a few) are all mainly influenced by Alice In Chains. And it’s the eponymous ‘Dirt’ that set that movement in motion. So crank it and celebrate the legacy.
