LogFAQs > #953967092

On paper, Dirt is arguably the most depressing album ever written. The songs featured on this album include the ideas of death, struggle, war, and drug addiction; the latter hits the hardest considering all four members were on something at the time of making this album, and two of them are no longer with us today.

However, it was also the final piece to an impressive 4-pack of Seattle albums. Released one year after Pearl Jam's Ten, Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger, and Nirvana's Nevermind, Dirt arrives fashionably and excellently late. In the end, Dirt not only stands out above all over Alice in Chains albums, it stands out over all albums released from the 90s Seattle movement. 8 of the 13 tracks on this album are in AIC's overall top 30 songs ever.

1) Rain When I Die - By far the strongest track on Dirt. The minute long bass opening and the main guitar line before verses mixed with Layne's vocals help produce one of AIC's best songs ever.

2) Rooster - Written about his father's time in Vietnam, Jerry Cantrell brought forth the horrors of war on paper before Layne added his voice to it all. Music wise, the opening and chorus are damn near perfect. This is a staple in every AIC playlist for a reason.

3) Would? - Written in memory of Mother Love Bone vocalist Andrew Wood, this tune grabs you with an excellent chorus and a slightly groovy guitar solo. The bass opening is spot on as well.

4) Them Bones - An excellent album opener, Them Bones is short and simple, yet hard and to the point. Cantrell's lyrics about the idea of death needed the vocals of Layne Staley to make this a hit. Also Cantrell's best guitar solo is featured here.

5) Junkhead - Arguably AIC's drug anthem, the tune and lyrics give this one a haunting atmosphere behind it all. Easily could have been written from the personal experience of any band member.

6) Angry Chair - The guitar work absolutely defines this song here, as well as the ending parts to all the verses.

7) Down in a Hole - AIC almost goes in ballad form for this song and it pays off. While the chorus is simple, the verses are done very well here.

8) Dirt - The title track is done very well here, don't let its placement here fool you. Solid chorus and guitar work help make this one a classic.

9) Sickman - The bridge to this drags on a bit, but otherwise a decent song. Lyrically, more foreshadowing on Layne's behalf.

10) Dam That River - Short, simple, and to the point. Unlike Them Bones, however, this song is decent at best and mostly forgettable. You could've put this track on Facelift and no one would've noticed. That's not a knock against Facelift, just saying DTR's style sounds more like a Facelift track.

11) God Smack - Allegedly the unofficial origin of the band with the same name, God Smack reflects a little more on the band's struggle with heroin. Good chorus, weak verses.

12) Hate to Feel - This one never stuck to me musically, especially with its abrupt ending; lyrically, the idea of Layne stating the fear of ending up like his father is some heavy foreshadowing. On a different note, the live versions of this end up being better than what we get here.

13) Untitled (Dream Sequence) - Titled "Iron Gland" on a compilation album, the biggest tragedy is that this 40 second joke of a skit got put on a Best Of compilation over a number of classics.

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