Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Alice In Chains Unplugged


Has it really been 15 years since this album came out? Back when MTV was about the music, and grunge and 90s alternative rock filled the airwaves? Unbelievable, I'm starting to feel old. MTV's Unplugged series were an interesting take on modern music of the time- get a band that was usually pumped with raw energy and heavily distorted electric guitars to sit down, performing an intimate performance with a purely acoustic set. Naturally, songs needed to be reworked and reimagined for these performances, lest they come off as dull. 

Nirvana's unplugged performance was one of the most highly regarded of the 90s, being the epitome of what an Unplugged session should be. However, there's just something about Alice In Chain's Unplugged session that makes it all the more attractive to me. Perhaps it's the focus on Staley's voice, blending rather than clashing with the acoustic guitar and bass; it gives the sound of quiet desperation at times, of a man struggling with drug abuse. Perhaps it's the sound itself, beautifully mastered and a real treat to listen to. Or maybe it was purely sentimental, being one of the last shows ever performed before Staley went into hiding for years, putting AIC on hiatus while battling his demons. Whatever the reason, this is a beautiful album, and a must have for any fan of rock music in general. Pick it up if you haven't already.

40 comments:

  1. Some bands just sound so great acoustic. I'm digging this.

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  2. Alice in chains was the shit, hard to believe this is what MTV use to be like. +followed

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  3. Alice on the DL! thanks for the floow, returned with thanks :)

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  4. This is nice. This is very nice.

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  5. I'll have to get me that. Following!

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  6. ahh i love alice in chains, and I wish the old MTV would come back, or something not ridden with annoying jersey shore assholes and actually had MUSIC.

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  7. I can not relate to any of the 90s bands. :/

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  8. the version Nutshell in that album is one of the most hunting and beautiful things ever for me.

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  9. oh man, Nirvana's unplugged was epic. i love AIC though

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  10. It's weird thinking about how old some songs are. I can't believe Breakfast at Tiffany's (one of my favorite songs of the 90s) is almost 16 years old.

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  11. There's some pretty good tracks there.

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  12. I had a chance to see them live, but I broke my hand a week before.
    FML

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  13. Alice in chains is good I love all this classic grungy stuff

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  14. Fuck yeah alice. Too bad another member just died.

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  15. Never got into them too much, but I want to!

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  16. never heard of them but they seem good.

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  17. Never listened to them before. Thanks for share!

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  18. Alice in Chains!!! Zomg, I just had nostalgia, ahh the good old days.

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  19. nice band nice band im followin u :)

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  20. Love ALice in Chains, it's been so long since I last heard a song from them.

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  21. Seriously one of my favorite albums of all time. I totally forgot about it too. Great post!

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  22. I love the unplugged version of "Got Me Wrong". Outstanding album.

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  23. It's nice to see other young ppl enjoying good music!

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  24. Grunge music is the only music that I feel deserves to be listened to in its primal format - cassette tape. I recently dug up Facelift. Took me back a couple decades!

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  25. AIC gave me my first taste of grunge. I love blasting this in the car.

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  26. about time. Alice in Chains = awesomeness

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