Product Description

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 abandwagon 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 catalogue 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".

Track Listing

1. Nutshell
2. Brother
3. No Excuses
4. Sludge Factory
5. Down In A Hole
6. Angry Chair
7. Rooster
8. Got Me Wrong
9. Heaven Beside You
10. Would
11. Frogs
12. Over Now
13. Killer Is Me

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31073 in Music
• Released on: 1996-07-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Live

Customer Reviews

Beautiful
Apparently, this album has split the jury; those who love it and those who feel it doesn't do justice to the original material. I fall into the former. Some of tracks differ from the originals ever so slightly (take No Excuses or any of the slower songs) where some stand quite separate from the originals. I do not feel the acoustic thing was an mtv gimmick. This album feels honest. The harmonising between Layne and Jerry on this record is the best you'll find. The song arrangement was brilliant. Material from every AiC LP/EP is included and done performed brilliantly. The album flows track to track summating to something truly amazing. Some one once said that this is not how Alice should be remembered. I say, coming together after 3 years and giving their fans this awesome LP, this is exactly how Alice in Chains should be remembered. I wish I was there to see the show.

Excellent Transition
Alice In Chains showcased throughout their career that they could master a slow brooding ballad, most particularly through the outstanding acoustic EP "Jar of Flies". This MTV Unplugged session culminates this ability, with the band converting even their most visceral of rockers into moving acoustic gems.

Of course the set list includes a number of expected re-runs, such as the beautiful works from "Jar of Flies" ("Nutshell", and "No Excuses") and the slower, more ballad orientated works from their LP's ("Down In A Hole", "Rooster", "Heaven Beside You" and "Frogs"). All of these are expectedly excellent as the songs lend themselves to such a makeover, and AIC delve effortlessly into them. "Brother" and "Got Me Wrong" from the EP "Sap" again lend themselves perfectly, and both are album highlights for me. Where I had scepticism for this album was with the heavier songs, such as "Would?", "Angry Chair" and most notably the monolithic dirge of "Sludge Factory". To my upmost pleasure the band work these songs very nicely, converting the main heavy riffs into glorious acoustic passages, adding delicate touches and all being encompassed by the sheer power and raw energy of Layne Staley's voice. "Sludge Factory" is especially good, with the acoustic guitars emphasising the contrasts between the thundering main riff and the gentle chorus picking.

This is a must have album for any fan of AIC as it showcases such an intense and overwhelming performance. It should also appeal to those who enjoy AIC's acoustic and slower works over their heavier outputs (a friend of mine listens to this and "Jar of Flies", but never their more classically grunge LP's). Honest, uncomplicated and moving acoustic music - this is highly recommended.

proves one thing...
...that alice in chains songs dont rely that heavily on distortion and effects. This is the stripped down, acoustic 'greatest hits' of alice in chains. Listenable from start to finish, with several songs like 'no excuses' and 'down in a hole' sounding deeper and more thought provoking than their album counterparts.

A Very good buy.