User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 149 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 142 out of 149
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Mixed: 6 out of 149
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Negative: 1 out of 149
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Sep 4, 2010I LOVE Alice in Chains, but this is a pretty mediocre record. It's not just the absence of Layne's great voice. It's that the album feels incoherent. Some songs are the gloomy sludge metal dirges Alice are famous for, others are the softer ballads present on their between album EP's. Jerry's songwriting chops also aren't as sharp as they used to be.
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SamP.Dec 20, 2009Heavy, grimy, depressing, and thundering, guaranteed to make the listener reconsider suicide. Alice In Chains does it well but the impact is marred by a lack of energy, complimented by stale vocal performances, which makes the album a chore to listen to instead of an enjoyment. Not recommended for first-time AIC listeners.
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ChrisLOct 22, 2009
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Awards & Rankings
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While there are a few lulls, none are glaringly offensive, and the band builds up so much good will with the stronger material that it’s easy to surrender again to these Chains.
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There’s still something oddly admirable about Alice In Chains’ stubborn refusal to change.
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What Black lacks are great tunes and a sense of can't-look-away drama.