Tuesday, April 8, 2014

50 Most Underrated Albums of the '2000s: #42

42. Alice in Chains-Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
There was a lot of skepticism about how Alice in Chains would sound without Layne Staley at the helm. The band took their time to find a new vocalist and record new material after Staley died of a drug overdose in 2002. 14 years after releasing their last album with Staley, Black Gives Way to Blue saw the light of day, and blew away any expectations that were set for it. Black Gives Way to Blue wasn't just a competent Alice in Chains reboot without Staley; it was every bit as good as most of the material they recorded in their heyday. Even after a lengthy hiatus, guitarist/co-vocalist Jerry Cantrell didn't show any rust by composing an album that is chock full of the grunge-metal anthems and moving ballads the band became known for in the '90s. While Cantrell's songwriting was sharp as ever, the unsung hero of Black Gives Way to Blue is new lead vocalist William DuVall. DuVall had to live in the shadow of one of the greatest vocalists in the history of rock music and still managed to deliver the goods on this record. DuVall sounds eerily like Staley on a lot of these tracks ("Your Decision" and "A Looking in View" especially) while also bringing his own unique flair to the mix. DuVall does the damn near impossible by keeping this iconic band in top form after losing such a pivotal member to the group. Staley must be proud of what his bandmates were able to do with Black Gives Way to Blue. Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez kept Alice in Chains alive and well by picking the best possible replacement vocalist and not diverting from the type of music that made them iconic in the first place. Aside from Dirt, Black Gives Way to Blue is the most complete and satisfying record in Alice in Chains' discography.
 
Standout Tracks

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