First up is the massive radio staple "Them Bones". One of the band's most well-known songs,it's instantly recognizable with a very heavy riff and the dual vocals from the sadly late Layne Staley, and from Jerry Cantrell. A great song, it's a bit overplayed, but it endures. Very thick, it sounds like an engine firing, very aggressive. What else can I say about it? Next is "Dam That River". I can see that grunge vibe being applied to this song, but there is something different about AIC, more brutal and raw, their feet are firmly planted in the foundations laid by Priest and Hendrix, rather than a lot of the indie bands that influenced other Seattle grunge bands. Staley was a great vocalist, able to shift on the fly from guttural brutality to sweet sentimentality, vocally and lyrically speaking. In any case, a great song, very heavy riff-wise, and a great vocal from Staley, one of his heaviest. "Rain When I Die" perhaps shows us that Staley was possibly keenly aware of untimely death. A classic AIC song, and one of my favorites. Featuring the late Mike Starr on bass, he proves why he was one of the best rock bassists of his time, very deep and growling bass tone. Cantrell shows off his manipulation of guitar effects to create a very dark vibe, sonically speaking. Lyrically dense, it is not for those who want a poppy listen, like all of the band's material, it can be challenging. But, a great song.
Down In A Hole is one of my favorite songs by the band. Although I prefer the acoustic version from "MTV Unplugged", the studio track is certainly no slouch.Also quite acoustic, it contains my favorite harmonies by Staley and Cantrell, very haunting. My problem with the studio track is that one you have heard the very raw and heart-wrenching acoustic version from MTV Unplugged, that is is the definitive version of the song for most people.But, a great song. Next is "Sickman". A fan favorite, it has never really done too much for me. It's the band's most metal song, traditionally speaking. The chorus just doesn't excite me. Also, the song is pretty dark and disturbing, even for AIC, hopelessly dark and dismal. While I don't hold this against the band, it just doesn't click for me, a little too depressing and dreary. "Rooster" is probably the song that the band are most remembered for. A tale of PTSD, it was written about Cantrell's father, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. A great song, I love the guitar work by Cantrell, very vocal, mimicking Staley's vocals by slightly trailing behind. The march-like drums by drummer Sean Kinney also add a great element of militaristic panic. Overplayed for sure, it nonetheless is a very good song, so who cares if the radio plays it 1000 times a day.
"Junkhead" continues to tell the tale of Staley's addiction to drugs and the suppliers who provided him with his materials. Very heavy and dark (as everything on this album is), it is a fan favorite and easily one of the best songs every released by the band. Somehow catchy,like a drug itself, it's pretty hard to get out of your mind. I like the originality of Cantrell's solo, very unique and almost robotic sounding amid the raw emotion of the vocal performance, an interesting contrast. Excellent, AIC at their best. "Dirt", the title track comes next. Trippy, it features an eastern-style riff from Cantrell, somewhat reminiscent of Jane's Addiction. Very slow and plodding, it's a nice break from some of the faster material on the first half of the album. Also, the lyrics take a nice break away from the topic of substance abuse, at least somewhat. "God Smack" comes in next. Staley adopts a sick, twisted warble during the verse, very creepy. The verse is a bit more traditional sounding for Chains. The song goes back to the central theme of the album, heroin abuse. Not an easy listening experience, God Smack takes us further down Staley's metaphorical "rabbit hole", giving us a glimpse into the depths of his addiction, a very chilling song, but a greatest artistic and musical statement. "Hate To Feel" takes us even further down the hole, very self-loathing, Staley curses himself for being a junkie. A fractured solo reflects Staley's damaged psyche, very chilling. A great song.
"Angry Chair" is a masterpiece, probably my favorite song written by the band. I love the verse riff, the acoustic riff works perfectly to set the feeling of loneliness and desolation. Composed by Staley himself, it shows that could certainly write music himself, increasingly by this point. Last up is the famous "Would?". I love this track, it has a great buildup between the quiet verses sung by Cantrell, and the heavy chorus sung by Staley. Fantastic,
Dirt is a great album. Easily one of the best rock/metal albums of the 1990s, everyone who likes hard music needs to have heard this album, absolutely essential and easily AIC's magnum opus.
Rating-9.5/10
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