Great AIC album with no qualifications whatsoever about new vocalist, after so many years etc etc; just loving it!!!

Unexpectedly great record. A real pleasant surprise from one of my favorite bands of the 90's.

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.

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

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.

Good not great. a couple more standout tracks and it would have been awesome.

Wow, what a surprise!! I have hit the teenage years at the grunge’s peek. My life’s soundtrack was Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Sometimes Stone Temple Pilots was playing, but Alice in Chains not so often. Dirt was a great album (and still is), but the band didn’t spoke to me as much as the others. Last winter I bought their greatest hits album, and I got to listen to it with a more mature spirit and enjoyed more than I did back then. I didn’t knew that the band was reforming and going to release a new album until a few weeks back. I grabbed it and it blew me away. They managed to keep their sound while adding some new and interesting arrangements. They sound a little less “garage” and more polished, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. I don’t mind the new singer, since the essence of the band seams to still be there. Not everybody would agree with me, but I realized listening to Black Gives Way to Blue that Staley was no Cobain, Cornell or Vedder; without these guys Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam are no more, but AIC feels like they aren’t just a support to the singer. Plus, Duvall looks like he’s more than an impersonator since he co-wrote most of the songs. I definitely recommend this album.… Expand

Love it! Almost perfect

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!

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

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

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

Amazing

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.

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

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.

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!

Another underrated album from an underrated band. Alice in Chains will never get the proper recognition they deserve.

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

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

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.

Great album. I definitely needed some new AIC material! Duvall does a great job. Hope to see more albums by the band!

I can't imagine what the guys from Hot Press, Rollingstone and Spin were listening to. It wasn't the album I just heard.

Great album! Typical AIC stuff. I like that very much.

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.

An excellent return to form, especially with everything that's happened, and the difference in time and the loss of Layne.

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

Black Gives Way To Blue shows how this band has stuck to their guns. The lyrics have sadness in them, but not as dark as previous albums. The sound, as always, is undeniably that of when Jerry Cantrell puts his pick to the strings of a guitar. William DuVall, with a strong voice in his own right, does a great job of stepping up...not looking to replace Layne Staley, but stepping up nonetheless. All-in-all, great to have them back on the field with other great (and original) alt-rockers Pearl Jam and The Smashing Pumpkins!… Expand

Spin 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.

After 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.

Brilliant ! Best album since Dirt.

The 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.

Very good recording, great comeback. There is not one song that is weak, they are all of a high standard.

This 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.

One of the best albums of 2009 hands down!

I 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.

Spin 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.

Excellent 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!

If 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.

An 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.

Wow, 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.

More dragging than most have hanging.

Best 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.

This 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.

Love it love it. We saw Alice in Chains play in Paris last week and what really hit home was how well these new tracks mix with the old, keeping the style we know and love with some serious groove and soul brought by the FABULOUS new front man, and kudos to him for having the courage to step into such massive shoes. Alice in Chains were always all music and zero grunge attitude, just a bunch of guys who love what they do and this CD oozes that quality.… Expand

Heavy, 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.

This record needs a bit more meat, because too much of it is filler and too much of it consists of these droney, whinny songs. Past albums were always dark but had this quirky life and energy to them. Songs like "Private Hell" "Take Her Out" and "Acid Bubble", just sludge on and go nowhere fast. And I would have loved this record so much more if you could actually, you know, HEAR Duvall on more then 30% of it. Even on Acid Bubble, which Duvall carries VERY well live, Cantrell has to have the prominent voice. What a prick. Cantrell, you had your solo trips, now truely harmonize like AIC used to do so well and make AIC a bit more distinct from your solo stuff. Do you know what this record sounding mostly like Degredation Trip #3 is? A hack job so you can actually sell some records. Well, it appears to be working.… Expand

I'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!

I 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.

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

The revival of one of the greatest bands of the grunge era returns with more ringing harmonies and guitar solos this time with new headman William Duvall. Although without the limitless and ultra-talented late-Layne Staley, the band continues to make great music with hits such as "Your Decision," "Lesson Learned," "Private Hell," "Acid Bubble," and many more. Guitar and vocalist Jerry Cantrell, as well as Sean Kinney and Mike Inez also return to continue the legacy and continuation of grunge in modern music.… Expand

A 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.

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..