The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
by Alice in Chains
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: May 28, 2013
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 24, 2013
    70
    They may never recapture their ‘Dirt’-era majesty, but AiC’s second act is turning out very nicely indeed.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Jun 18, 2013
    60
    Though new vocalist William DuVall doesn't have his predecessor's talent for shaping Seattle sludge into molten-dread anthems, founder Jerry Cantrell's expressively torpid guitar steps up to become its own kind of lead voice.
  3. Q Magazine
    Jun 17, 2013
    60
    The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here falls from the same mould [as 1992's Dirt]. [Jul 2013, p.99]
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  5. Kerrang!
    Jun 12, 2013
    80
    Though it might fail to inspire at first, it will do eventually. A grower, then. But a genuine one. [25 May 2013, p.52]
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  6. Spin
    Jun 6, 2013
    60
    Nothing sounds new, and yet it has no parallel in the old Alice catalog, because they were just so much weirder than we remember.
  7. No Ripcord
    Jun 5, 2013
    90
    The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here is up there with the best Alice in Chains albums, with each track a conquest of structure and composition.
  8. Record Collector
    Jun 4, 2013
    60
    After a while, the lushness of the vocals becomes a little wearing if you’re looking for the cracked, dark heart of yore; a futile task in any case, as that heart stopped beating a long time ago.
  9. Pitchfork
    Jun 4, 2013
    59
    Dinosaurs is a testament to how 90s alt-rock angst can translate meaningfully to middle age.
  10. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 3, 2013
    74
    At its core, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here is a rock solid record that sees Alice In Chains settling in the confines of their own style.
  11. Consequence
    May 31, 2013
    70
    The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here revels in being just a record.
  12. The A.V. Club
    May 28, 2013
    67
    With a running time of nearly 70 minutes for just 12 songs, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here can be overwhelming; the arrangements of several songs are amorphous, and tunes such as “Phantom Limb” and “Hung On A Hook” could benefit from an editor. Despite these small quibbles, the album is solid.
  13. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    May 28, 2013
    60
    Spread over a 67-minute album, their second with new voice William DuVall, that grinding insistence first impresses, then just grinds.
  14. AllMusic
    May 28, 2013
    60
    Alice in Chains are now firmly entrenched in their middle age and settling into what they do best: retaining their signature without pandering and, tellingly, without succumbing to the darkness that otherwise defines them.
  15. Exclaim
    May 28, 2013
    70
    A brooding, groovy, muscular album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here is a more mature and thoughtful application of Alice In Chains' undeniably powerful aesthetic.
  16. PopMatters
    May 28, 2013
    80
    What The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here leaves one with is a feeling that Alice in Chains have returned to the top of their game, confident and back on firm ground.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 74
  3. Negative: 3 out of 74
  1. bandherpal
    May 29, 2013
    10
    This album is absolutely amazing. It had the dark tone of AIC that we so love and yet a new dimension to their sound. Layne is gone now, butThis album is absolutely amazing. It had the dark tone of AIC that we so love and yet a new dimension to their sound. Layne is gone now, but they're keeping his legacy alive very well.… Full Review »
  2. 27matt1
    May 28, 2013
    10
    Wow, im just blown away by this album. I was a big fan of "Black Gives Way To Blues" when it came out. Now I'm forced with the task ofWow, im just blown away by this album. I was a big fan of "Black Gives Way To Blues" when it came out. Now I'm forced with the task of deciding which one is better, because "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" is undoubtedly some of their best.… Full Review »
  3. criticsbedumb
    Jun 2, 2013
    10
    Certainly nothing groundbreaking here but if you're familiar with AIC's past work, this won't come as a surprise. Their philosophy seems toCertainly nothing groundbreaking here but if you're familiar with AIC's past work, this won't come as a surprise. Their philosophy seems to be: if it ain't broke, why fix it?

    If you're not a fan of this band's earlier music then you almost certainly won't like this album. If you are a fan of their past work then you almost certainly will like this album. I love it...    … Full Review »
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