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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Jan 16, 2011
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Dec 1, 2010Alice 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 -
ChrisLOct 22, 2009
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Jan 3, 2012You 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..
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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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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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AmitG.Oct 1, 2009Great AIC album with no qualifications whatsoever about new vocalist, after so many years etc etc; just loving it!!!
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DavidB.Oct 1, 2009Unexpectedly great record. A real pleasant surprise from one of my favorite bands of the 90's.
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KYOct 1, 2009Layne Staley will never be replaced but his CD sounds fantastic. I've seen the band live with DuVall and it was a fantastic performance.
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danielh.Oct 1, 2009
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barrygOct 20, 2009Well 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.
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mikegOct 2, 2009Good not great. a couple more standout tracks and it would have been awesome.
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SimGOct 9, 2009Wow, what a surprise!! I have hit the teenage years at the grunge
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RandyQ.Oct 1, 2009Love it! Almost perfect
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SamanthaF.Oct 1, 2009AIC is amazing. I am so glad they came out with this rocking album. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It is near flawless!
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gabriels'Oct 11, 2009
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NeilA.Oct 1, 2009
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SkullScienceOct 1, 2009
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JamesSNov 20, 2009Amazing
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CrisDNov 4, 2009I 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.
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JasonK.Oct 1, 2009
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KiddC.Oct 1, 2009I 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.
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lilyg.Oct 2, 2009I'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!
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JohnP.Oct 3, 2009Another underrated album from an underrated band. Alice in Chains will never get the proper recognition they deserve.
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MichaelLOct 3, 2009
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MichaelLOct 3, 2009
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TylerD.Oct 4, 2009Duvall 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.
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GrungeMatterOct 4, 2009Great album. I definitely needed some new AIC material! Duvall does a great job. Hope to see more albums by the band!
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MichelleW.Sep 30, 2009I can't imagine what the guys from Hot Press, Rollingstone and Spin were listening to. It wasn't the album I just heard.
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SrikanthCJan 11, 2010Great album! Typical AIC stuff. I like that very much.
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AndrewR.Jan 21, 2010Once 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.
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WilsonC.Oct 1, 2009An excellent return to form, especially with everything that's happened, and the difference in time and the loss of Layne.
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SeanOct 1, 2009
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JoeE.Oct 1, 2009
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MarcusS.Oct 1, 2009Spin and Rolling Stone don't know what they're talking about; both lost credibility a long time ago. I don't even think Spin listened to the songs; Duvall sings lead on perhaps 2-3 tracks, at most-the rest are either harmonized with, or lead by, Jerry.
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JoshuaP.Oct 1, 2009After Layne died I thought that AIC was over. When I found out that they were putting another album out I about crapped my pants. This album was the first CD that I have bought in a long time. It was definitely worth the wait. I loved every single song. The song "Black Gives Way To Blue" was one of my favorites. This album is a DEFINITE MUST HAVE!!! You'll thank me later.
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AndrewS.Oct 1, 2009Brilliant ! Best album since Dirt.
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SteveMOct 2, 2009The new album is incredibly soulful. It is both musically and lyrically brilliant. If you are true AIC fan you should have already purchased this album and are reading the reviews just to see how it was received. 9/10 for me.
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EwoutCDec 1, 2009Very good recording, great comeback. There is not one song that is weak, they are all of a high standard.
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AdamHOct 21, 2009This album is further evidence that these elitist critics have become so insulated by their criteria for "good music" and desire to fetch readers for their bosses from the mass pool of "big money" age demographics, that they've completely lost touch with reality.
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JavierS.Dec 6, 2009One of the best albums of 2009 hands down!
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CraigL.Oct 3, 2009I really loved this album, with the quality of music being so low at the moment and critics raving on about artists that will never be remembered like AIC will be, this is a great return and sadly it will just go under the rader because quality music isnt appreciated anymore by radio, mtv and critics alike.
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KrisDOct 4, 2009Spin and rollingstone have no clue what they are talking about.Awesome album. I never look to those magazines on advice regarding which albums I should buy, Pretentious is all I have to say about them.
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KeithGOct 5, 2009Excellent return, it is sad that Layne can't be around for it but life goes on. This is very much a Jerry Cantrell project, it has his trademark sound and feel all the way through. Some of the heavier songs tend to stray a bit but the more melodic tracks are beauties. Sometimes eerily beautiful as DuVall sounds just a bit too much like Layne on them!
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chriscSep 30, 2009If you don't compare it having the band with Layne and are open minded about it. It is a solid rock album. It sounds like Alice and is a good listen. Duvall does a good job with the voice blend and the music sounds like old Alice. Worth the buy for sure.
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JoeyBOct 11, 2009An amazing and stunning album that requires time to reveal itself to the listener, and a few more listens will no doubt make you appreciate it more.
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ArtieSNov 18, 2009Wow, critics slam band. Reminds me of Stone Temple Pilots in their early days. Solid album from fans perspective.A couple weak filler songs but definitely a recommend.
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ChrisFNov 26, 2009More dragging than most have hanging.
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KeatonROct 14, 2009Best album to be released in a very very very long time, I cannot stop listening to it, even if I try to, every single song on this album is beautiful and bursting with talent, a hard thing to come by today, this album can only be described in one word. Masterpiece.
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BruceNov 6, 2009This album exceeds Jar of Flies. The vocals sound like Layne Staley, the songs have melody and punch and the guitars are thicker than ever. I'm on my 50th listen in the past two weeks. This record has just overtaken Oasis' Dig Out Your Soul as my top pick of the year.
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IanCDec 11, 2009
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PeterNov 15, 2009I'm actually really, really surprised at how good this disc is. The first song is an instant AIC classic, great riffs, great vocals. This Duval guy has a perfect voice for AIC, very close to Layne's. I recommend this disc highly!
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Jan 5, 2011
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May 23, 2011A great album for someone waiting for grunge to come back (Pearl Jam reissues don't count). William Duvall is a worthy addition to the band. "Check My Brain," "Your Decision," and "Black Gives Way to Blue" are all highlights.
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Dec 8, 2011
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Jun 21, 2012Great album, great band. Enough said.
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Jan 6, 2016
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Mar 26, 2013Other than the replacement of the junkie Layne Staley with William Duval (whose vocals are almost always overshadowed by Jerry Cantrell), this is classic AIC. No complaints here.
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Sep 12, 2013
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Mar 26, 2016This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Feb 19, 2023Balanced, heavy and melancholic album. The years pass and I keep on coming back to it.
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.