Alice in Chains is the self-titled third album by the Seattle grunge group Alice in Chains. It was released in 1995 and is their third full-length album. The self-titled album is also known as Tripod, due in part to the album's cover art featuring a three-legged dog (Jerry Cantrell's dog Sunshine)[1], and the back cover art featuring a three-legged man (computer edited George Formby, Jr.). It is the final studio LP released by the band with Layne Staley, who died of a drug overdose seven years later.
The compact disc was initially available in two versions: one with a transparent purple jewel case with a translucent yellow-green "spine" and the other with the color scheme reversed. The purple jewel case is now out of print.
At almost 65 minutes long, it is Alice in Chains' longest studio album. Although not as successful as Dirt, the album reached #1 on Billboard 200 and went 2x platinum in the US, despite lack of support through touring.
With the exceptions of "Grind," "Heaven Beside You," and "Over Now," the lyrics are all written by Layne Staley, making this album his greatest lyrical contribution to the band's catalog.
Reception
The album was noted for being a break away from the externally applied grunge label affixed to the group.[2][3] Rolling Stone described the LP as a "musical rebirth,"[2] and The New York Times remarked that in contrast to the raw distortions associated with grunge, Alice in Chains sound was "cleanly delineated and meticulously layered."[3]
Track listing
| # |
Title |
Writer(s) |
Length |
| 1. |
"Grind" |
Cantrell |
4:45 |
| 2. |
"Brush Away" |
Staley, Cantrell, Inez, Kinney |
3:22 |
| 3. |
"Sludge Factory" |
Staley, Cantrell, Kinney |
7:12 |
| 4. |
"Heaven Beside You" |
Cantrell, Inez |
5:27 |
| 5. |
"Head Creeps" |
Staley |
6:29 |
| 6. |
"Again" |
Staley, Cantrell |
4:05 |
| 7. |
"Shame In You" |
Staley, Cantrell, Inez, Kinney |
5:35 |
| 8. |
"God Am" |
Staley, Cantrell, Inez, Kinney |
4:08 |
| 9. |
"So Close" |
Staley, Cantrell, Kinney |
2:45 |
| 10. |
"Nothin' Song" |
Staley, Cantrell, Kinney |
5:40 |
| 11. |
"Frogs" |
Staley, Cantrell, Inez, Kinney |
8:18 |
| 12. |
"Over Now" |
Cantrell, Kinney |
7:03 |
| 13. |
"Again (Tattoo of Pain Mix)[*]" |
Staley, Cantrell |
4:01 |
| 14. |
"Again (Jungle Mix)[*]" |
Staley, Cantrell |
4:01 |
^ * Japanese CD Bonus Track
Personnel
- Layne Staley - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Jerry Cantrell - Lead Guitar, Vocals
- Mike Inez - Bass
- Sean Kinney - Drums, Artwork
- Stephen Marcussen - Mastering
- Toby Wright - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
- Tom Nellen - Engineer
- John Seymour - Mixing Assistant
- Rocky Schenck - Photography
- Mary Maurer - Art Direction
- Doug Erb - Design, Cover Design
Chart positions
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year |
Chart |
Position |
| 1995 |
The Billboard 200 |
1 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year |
Single |
Chart |
Position |
| 1995 |
"Grind" |
Mainstream Rock Tracks |
7 |
| Modern Rock Tracks |
18 |
| 1996 |
"Heaven Beside You" |
Mainstream Rock Tracks |
3 |
| Modern Rock Tracks |
6 |
| "Again" |
Mainstream Rock Tracks |
8 |
| Modern Rock Tracks |
36 |
References
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