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Alice In Chains: Sap

27/02/09 || Daemonomania

The last Alice review I did for “Jar of flies” landed in the Class 666 section – despite its short running time that EP really feels like a full album. “Sap” is good and will tickle the pickle of any Chainz fan, but it isn’t quite as coherent. “Sap” came out in between “Facelift” and “Dirt,” and it certainly showed them ditching the Guns ‘n Rosesisms of the former. There’s no trace of the heaviness that was to come on tracks like “Them bones” or “Rain when I die.” Instead, the band relies on acoustic guitars, a bit of the blues, and a measured pace to bring the depression – early 90’s style. Don your flannel, bitches, here comes a track by track review. Not too hard when there’s only five tracks.

The first two songs, “Brother” and “Got me wrong,” are dominated by Jerry Cantrell. He wrote the lyrics and sings during most of the verses. Both songs are slow and sorrowful, with excellent, instantly memorable choruses and leads. Vocals, electric, and acoustic guitars intertwine, rain falls in Seattle, and penises lengthen. Neither is a standout in the long AIC catalogue, mind you. Quite pretty nevertheless.

Up next we’ve got an interesting grunge grudge match featuring Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, and post-Soundgarden sellout) and Mark Arm (Mudhoney). “Right turn” got credited to Alice Mudhoney – probably the best joke name they could come up with after enjoying some spoonfuls of the local horse. This track rocks harder than the rest, and has a nifty ending where everyone’s shouting something different at the same time. Another sad reminder of how awesome Cornell used to be – that man has a tremendous howl.

The final official track is “Am I inside,” and I remember flipping over the tape to hear it every time. Fucking cassettes. There’s still about 50 in my collection, and it is going to take me forever to be able to buy all that shit again on CD. Anyway, this is the only tune where Staley’s otherworldly vocals get a chance to shine, and I would say it is one of the defining performances of the late great’s career. Sparse piano and guitar, along with the vocal accompaniment of Ann Wilson, boost his typical lamentations to the level of art. If you haven’t heard this song, you’re missing out on some real wrist slitting quality.

Last and surely least, to show their sense of humor hasn’t been overdosed right out of their systems and to demonstrate that they don’t mind pissing off the listener, we have “Love song.” I don’t really hate it, per se, but the combination of a sloppy blastbeat, frantic piano, and lyrics about kissing the midget and bleeding gums…eh, I can do without. Would I rather listen to 15 minutes of painful siren noise (“The perfect is the enemy of the good”) or bongos and didgeridoo (“Enemy of the sun”)? No.

So to sum it up, “Sap” is a winner and a must have for any true AIC fan. If you’re just getting started with grunge’s most metallic sons, however, I’d say “Dirt” is a higher priority for you. And if you like their acoustic shit, “Jar of flies” is the way to go. But for the bluesy first two songs, rocking convention of Seattle’s finest, and haunting last track this EP is worth your beer money.

7.5 Mudgardens in Chains out of 10.

Information
Released: 1992
Label: Columbia
Website: www.aliceinchains.net
Band
Layne Staley: vocals
Jerry Cantrell: guitars, vocals
Michael Starr: bass
Sean Kinney: drums

Tracklist
01. Brother
02. Got Me Wrong
03. Right Turn
04. Am I Inside
05. Love Song

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