Black Gives Way To Blue
by Alice in Chains
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Sep 29, 2009
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 142 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 149
  3. Negative: 1 out of 149

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  1. eliteco3
    Jan 16, 2011
    9
    Incredible return by one of the kings of grunge music. The 14 year layoff was worth the wait with this original bone jarring album that will hit you right in the gut. The late rock legend Layne staley is replaced with William Duvall who brings his own edge to the band. Cantrell is back with his intense sincere solos and rhythm guitar. Cantrell sings as much in this album as any Alice inIncredible return by one of the kings of grunge music. The 14 year layoff was worth the wait with this original bone jarring album that will hit you right in the gut. The late rock legend Layne staley is replaced with William Duvall who brings his own edge to the band. Cantrell is back with his intense sincere solos and rhythm guitar. Cantrell sings as much in this album as any Alice in Chains album as Duvall is eased into the role of the new lead singer for fans. Highlights include private hell, acid bubble, and a looking in view. The feel of the band has evolved from the heroin addiction they faced in the 90's to a more developed controlled sound that unleashes its fiery on you like a tornado.… Expand
  2. SodaPopDumb
    Dec 1, 2010
    8
    Alice In Chains. One of the greatest bands i know.

    With the death of Layne Staley, the band haven't done a album in years.

    I personally think this was a definitely this was a great comeback album and show they still got their talented Jerry Cantrell as song writer and I think this album is great with their new singer William Duvall.

    Rip Layne
  3. agunZagun
    Jan 3, 2012
    10
    You can't judge the Jerry. He wanna make some music and sell some records. He used the "Alice in Chains" name for selling records. OK, I know, it's not Alice in Chains anymore, but that doesn't mean this album is sh*t. It's a very good album, out of my expectations..
  4. AmitG.
    Oct 1, 2009
    10
    Great AIC album with no qualifications whatsoever about new vocalist, after so many years etc etc; just loving it!!!
  5. DavidB.
    Oct 1, 2009
    9
    Unexpectedly great record. A real pleasant surprise from one of my favorite bands of the 90's.
  6. KY
    Oct 1, 2009
    9
    Layne Staley will never be replaced but his CD sounds fantastic. I've seen the band live with DuVall and it was a fantastic performance.
  7. danielh.
    Oct 1, 2009
    9
    I think that all the critics are expecting a "Back in Black" type album and some of their reviews are really just disappointment that it wasn't. "Black Gives Way To Blue" is a good album, every bit as good as the last studio album, "Alice In Chains". DuVall is a great addition to the band, not quite Layne but a good singer. What always amazed me about the band is the harmonizing, I think that all the critics are expecting a "Back in Black" type album and some of their reviews are really just disappointment that it wasn't. "Black Gives Way To Blue" is a good album, every bit as good as the last studio album, "Alice In Chains". DuVall is a great addition to the band, not quite Layne but a good singer. What always amazed me about the band is the harmonizing, Give it a couple of listens, it will grow on you. Maybe in need to check my brain.… Expand
  8. barryg
    Oct 20, 2009
    9
    Well it's for the better than the worst the lead singer the perfect replacement for layne, music wise it takes 3 to 4 spins in your cd player to get the feel for it . it grows on you the more you listen to it.
  9. mikeg
    Oct 2, 2009
    7
    Good not great. a couple more standout tracks and it would have been awesome.
  10. SimG
    Oct 9, 2009
    8
    Wow, what a surprise!! I have hit the teenage years at the grunge
  11. RandyQ.
    Oct 1, 2009
    9
    Love it! Almost perfect
  12. SamanthaF.
    Oct 1, 2009
    10
    AIC is amazing. I am so glad they came out with this rocking album. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It is near flawless!
  13. gabriels'
    Oct 11, 2009
    9
    Well, I'm a fan of AiC, and the first thing I said when I heard the rumors about new album was, well Layne that's how much you mean to them, but after I heard the record I was like......WHAT THE HELL IS THIS, this sounds so good and this guys are back on track! But still there is the LAYNE factor, no matter how good is William he will never replace Layne, I can just imagine how Well, I'm a fan of AiC, and the first thing I said when I heard the rumors about new album was, well Layne that's how much you mean to them, but after I heard the record I was like......WHAT THE HELL IS THIS, this sounds so good and this guys are back on track! But still there is the LAYNE factor, no matter how good is William he will never replace Layne, I can just imagine how this songs would've sounded with him.I can't go through the fact that this sounds pretty much like Jerry's single records but with William's back up vocals, for the future if there are any new AiC records, I'd like to hear William in the front, as it was with Layne.… Expand
  14. NeilA.
    Oct 1, 2009
    10
    I'm not saying that this is a perfect CD but considering I didn't they should have even bothered, it is a great addition to their catalog! Dirt is still their "masterpiece" but they don't lose a step with this effort. Layne Staley could never be replaced although Duvall's voice blends just as nicely with Cantrell's and is different enough to give him a unique I'm not saying that this is a perfect CD but considering I didn't they should have even bothered, it is a great addition to their catalog! Dirt is still their "masterpiece" but they don't lose a step with this effort. Layne Staley could never be replaced although Duvall's voice blends just as nicely with Cantrell's and is different enough to give him a unique quality. Superb comeback!… Expand
  15. SkullScience
    Oct 1, 2009
    10
    I must admit to being extremely skeptical when I heard Alice In Chains where reforming. Especially after all the vitriol towards William DuVall on many a forum and YouTube. I thought I would trust Jerry Cantrells judgement and give this a chance. I mean, who knew Layne like Jerry did? To say I am not disappointed is an understatement. The album is awesome. DuVall is awesome, not quite I must admit to being extremely skeptical when I heard Alice In Chains where reforming. Especially after all the vitriol towards William DuVall on many a forum and YouTube. I thought I would trust Jerry Cantrells judgement and give this a chance. I mean, who knew Layne like Jerry did? To say I am not disappointed is an understatement. The album is awesome. DuVall is awesome, not quite Layne Staley, but who is. His performance in the band Mad Season proves that. So the fact William DuVall nearly reaches those heights shows that he is a vocalist of great quality. The songs range from dark and moody, typical AIC, to heart rendering ballads, a beautiful tribute to Layne. Buy this album. Don't be close minded. Only AC/DC managed such an epic return after the death of their lead singer, Bonn Scott, with Brian Johnson and Back in Black. Layne would be proud.… Expand
  16. JamesS
    Nov 20, 2009
    10
    Amazing
  17. CrisD
    Nov 4, 2009
    8
    I love AiC. I like them the best in Facelift. This album was amazing but to me had some things left to be desired. It sounds a lot like Jerry's solo albums. I feel like Sean should've stuck out more. All that aside, DuVall did not disappoint and sounds a lot like Layne but should have had less support from Jerry to really make it the AIC sound I enjoyed so much in Facelift.
  18. JasonK.
    Oct 1, 2009
    8
    Really surprised as to how good this album sounds! Even without Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell and gang have put together a remarkable album, and anyone who says that it sounds like any of the previous solo records by Jerry needs to get his/her brain waxed and bleached. They've definitely evolved a bit, with some heavier eastern influences (When the Sun Rose Again) and less dependence Really surprised as to how good this album sounds! Even without Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell and gang have put together a remarkable album, and anyone who says that it sounds like any of the previous solo records by Jerry needs to get his/her brain waxed and bleached. They've definitely evolved a bit, with some heavier eastern influences (When the Sun Rose Again) and less dependence on wailing guitar solos (and I use the word 'less' pretty loosely) but the core music is still the classic dark, eerie and ethereal Alice in Chains we have come to know and love, which of course what it all boils down to. Great stuff! Oh also, they have not compromised their sound for a wider and more contemporary audience and all that BS. Cheers.… Expand
  19. KiddC.
    Oct 1, 2009
    8
    I was probably the biggest Layne fan out there and I have to say Duvall does a solid job as a replacement. I actually wish Duvall was more present singing on some of the songs because he does have a nice voice. Anyone who doesn't listen just because Layne isn't around is making a mistake because it has the same feel that you would expect. Go Chains! And R.I.P. Layne.
  20. lilyg.
    Oct 2, 2009
    8
    I'm loving this album. So glad they're back to make music again I just picked it up and I was certainly not let down!
  21. JohnP.
    Oct 3, 2009
    10
    Another underrated album from an underrated band. Alice in Chains will never get the proper recognition they deserve.
  22. MichaelL
    Oct 3, 2009
    8
    There is a lot of old AIC in this new cd so most fans will have no problem picking it up and nodding right along with it. By far not there best work but not forgettable in the least more than worth a listen. The Crunchy churning guitar riffs are there just like they should be. The vocals in places are eerily similar to Lane but never in a outright copying way. Highlights for me were "All There is a lot of old AIC in this new cd so most fans will have no problem picking it up and nodding right along with it. By far not there best work but not forgettable in the least more than worth a listen. The Crunchy churning guitar riffs are there just like they should be. The vocals in places are eerily similar to Lane but never in a outright copying way. Highlights for me were "All Secrets Known" and "Acid Bubble". with any luck they will putting music of this quality for years to come.… Expand
  23. MichaelL
    Oct 3, 2009
    8
    There is a lot of old AIC in this new cd so most fans will have no problem picking it up and nodding right along with it. By far not there best work but not forgettable in the least more than worth a listen. The Crunchy churning guitar riffs are there just like they should be. The vocals in places are eerily similar to Lane but never in a outright copying way. Highlights for me were "All There is a lot of old AIC in this new cd so most fans will have no problem picking it up and nodding right along with it. By far not there best work but not forgettable in the least more than worth a listen. The Crunchy churning guitar riffs are there just like they should be. The vocals in places are eerily similar to Lane but never in a outright copying way. Highlights for me were "All Secrets Known" and "Acid Bubble". with any luck they will putting music of this quality for years to come.… Expand
  24. TylerD.
    Oct 4, 2009
    10
    Duvall sounds great and the music is top notch. I was very weary of a new lead singer in AIC but this is the band we all grew up with and the band we all know. Some of these tracks will be labeled "classics" in 10 years. Please buy this album.
  25. GrungeMatter
    Oct 4, 2009
    9
    Great album. I definitely needed some new AIC material! Duvall does a great job. Hope to see more albums by the band!
  26. MichelleW.
    Sep 30, 2009
    10
    I can't imagine what the guys from Hot Press, Rollingstone and Spin were listening to. It wasn't the album I just heard.
  27. SrikanthC
    Jan 11, 2010
    9
    Great album! Typical AIC stuff. I like that very much.
  28. AndrewR.
    Jan 21, 2010
    9
    Once again the critics show themselves to be fools with no taste. This is a brilliant album that rivals anything with Layne. A little bit more mellow than their older work, but this isn't surprising since they're all into middle age. A must-buy.
  29. WilsonC.
    Oct 1, 2009
    9
    An excellent return to form, especially with everything that's happened, and the difference in time and the loss of Layne.
  30. Sean
    Oct 1, 2009
    10
    This went above and beyond my expectations. I never thought I'd have these songs in the same playlist as all my other AIC, but I was wrong. It's dark and it's heavy, and although it doesn't have quite the haunting effect that only Layne could provide, it does the job well enough. My only real complaint about this album is that it lacks some of the creativity that could This went above and beyond my expectations. I never thought I'd have these songs in the same playlist as all my other AIC, but I was wrong. It's dark and it's heavy, and although it doesn't have quite the haunting effect that only Layne could provide, it does the job well enough. My only real complaint about this album is that it lacks some of the creativity that could be found in their earlier work. The songs follow a simple pattern of verse, chorus, verse, chorus, Cantrell solo, verse, chorus, etc. and don't really build up to anything or stray away from that mold. Many of their classics took off in another direction and I think that's why they were so different and so much better than a lot of other music at the time. Still, I would give it a 9.5 overall, because I don't think I've enjoyed a new album this much since Lateralus by Tool.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2009
94
#94 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Boston Globe
    70
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Hot Press
    50
    There’s still something oddly admirable about Alice In Chains’ stubborn refusal to change.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    50
    What Black lacks are great tunes and a sense of can't-look-away drama.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »