Review Summary: Ruggedly handsome grunge from the juggernauts
There is something very important about Alice in Chains's 1992 record "Dirt" that should be remembered by everyone - this album has proved to be a landmark album for grunge music and an overall opening gate for the genre itself. "Dirt" smoothly transitions you from dot A to B without any glaring mishaps or unnecessary interruptions. While other artists have incorporated other said musical genres, Alice in Chains have stuck to the beautifully apocalyptic, ruggedly badass sound of grunge- "Dirt" full exemplifies the entire genre and then some. The album touches on a lot of subject matter, almost all relating to serious topics and other sincere, passionate lyrical themes: this is basically the album about a man's emotional and mental decline, almost like NIN's "The Downward Spiral". However, don't assume this album is entirely groggy and depressing, because it most certainly isn't - plenty of themes here are actually quite optimistic and incredibly reflective. As a whole, though, this album isn't the happiest sounding record of all time, but it sure is one of the greatest sounding records of all time. Ahead of its time, this record used standard instruments (guitars, bass, vocals) and turned them into something unique, distinctive, and incredibly profound. The music here is perfect to say the least - 110% grunge with a nice metal kick.
"Dirt" effortlessly showcases grunge at its most primitive, and manages to sculpt itself into something catastrophically beautiful and unique. However, sometimes, I could honestly describe this album as full-fledged alternative metal (I still need to make up my mind on that): its heaviness, boisterous quality, unconventional song structures, and Staley's growling vocals recall Rage Against the Machine or even Tool for that matter. Despite the album's rather intimidating outfit, the music here is beautiful to say the least. Every track is eventful in musicality, precisely detailed, and wonderfully composed.
In addition to this album's wonderful qualities, Alice in Chains breathlessly scurry out new ways to innovate the track further - they incorporate nods of sludge metal throughout a lot of the album, and even hardcore punk and doom metal as well. The album's unpredictability gives it a tasteful gist; this isn't a straightforward rock record, as many songs here include many complexly arranged guitar solos, intense apexes, and a lot of musical legroom. Whatever they end up proceeding with, they always manage to surprise the listener with a new trait or guitar lick.
A good example of genre splicing would have to be "Rooster", a psychedelic infused tune with a blurry atmosphere. Together Alice in Chains manage to blend grunge with the likes of sludge metal and turn it into a unique hybridization of its own kind. This is easily one of the greatest tracks on the record, and one of their most popular as well. Another example of the groggy, sludgy, rough quota would be "Hate to Feel", which not only includes one of Alice in Chain's most provocative guitar solo, but one hell of a chorus that sounds like you're gearing up a bull for a rodeo show; it's basically badass sounding and will more than likely drive you to say "hellyeah!!!" over and over.
The album's emotional centerpiece, in my opinion, rests on the hands of "Down in a Hole". This track is downright beautiful, bar none. Branching off with fluttery guitars and a soft rhythm section, the song eventually ignites at the chorus with compassionate lyrics and biting vocals from Staley: "Down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved/See my heard I decorate it like a grave." Coupled with obvious pain and sorrow, it's pretty obvious that Layne Staley put his heart and soul into this track.
The album's finale, and in my opinion, one of the greatest tracks ever composed, is their hit song "Would?" Intertwined with a bone-chilling, hauntingly beautiful little guitar melody and a catchy drum section, this is a beautifully gut-wrenching tune which showcases the band at their best. Honestly, as of late, this is the only song I've listened to from these guys; it's truly amazing and indefinitely one of the greatest rock tracks ever made.
If you're looking for stellar grunge albums, then by all means consider purchasing this album, as it displays grunge at an incredible vantage point (and ya know, when it wasn't totally saturated by the likes of... "post-grunge" or something). Without a doubt one of the greatest albums ever, "Dirt" showcases incredible musicianship, dark lyrical themes, and pulsating vocals from Staley. It is the sound of a band breaking sound barriers, releasing rambunctious energy in the heart of it all.
