With in the last couple months I have been way into "grunge" bands of the early ninties. Like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Screaming Trees, Nirvana, Mad Season. I decided to review the Alice in Chains E.P. Jar of Flies.
The album starts out with probably the most radio-friendly single type of song on the album, Nutshell. Definately a strong song, but it is only mediocre compared to the rest of the album.
Nutshell is the second song on the E.P. It grew to be one of Alice in Chains biggest hits. You can totally tell Alice in Chains decided to try something new with this album, when you compare it to Dirt. Layne Staley shines in this album. Strangely enough when they play it on their accoustic album it sounds exactly the same.
Track 3 is the accoustic/symphonic song I Stay Away. During the part when Layne is singing "I stay away" it sounds Exactly like Godsmack. It's quite sad when bands, such as Godsmack base there entire mucic around a nother band, for fuck's sake there is an Alice in Chains song off the Dirt album called Godsmack.
Jar of Flies next track is entitled Whale and Wasp. IT starts out with a nice melodic accoustic with a wailing electric and a cello playing over it. Jerry Cantrell shreds it up at the end. Only instrumental on this album.
The mega hit No Excuses is the next track. The drums are probably as elaborate as I've ever heard them in an Alice in Chains song. Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley harmonize perfectly. Song is very catchy, which would explain it's mainstream popularity.
My personal favorite song of the album is Don't Follow. Cantrell does lead vocals on with Staley singing excellent backing vocals. I was dissapointed that they didn't play this song on the unplugged album.
The final song is Swing on This. I'd say it is probably the weakest song on the album. Not that it is that bad.
I'm very glad that Alice in Chains decided to put out an accoustic based album. Usually you can find the CD for pretty cheap so I recommend picking it up.
My Review: 4.25/5
1. Rotten Apple 2. Nutshell 3. I Stay Away 4. No Excuses 5. Whale and Wasp 6. Don't Follow 7. Swing On This