Silver Shade of Lead
After AIC's acclaimed powerhouse release that was Dirt, the band turns for yet another EP, driven by a whim for the accoustic settings and a need to explore a quiet angst of sorts. Without any less than a surprise, this intimate and honest conception breaches through to number one on the billboards, a first time event for an EP. And speaking of firsts, it was also the first AIC release featuring Mike Inez on bass.
Jar of Flies boasts on intricate melodies and string interaction, uncanny instrumental addendums to their style and sound, pieced in some of their finest production work. However described as their lightest effort, it is also their emotionally darkest album, by some.
Rotten Apple starts the album with Inez' promising prowess o bass, on a great hook to set the song for Jerry's crystal tone. A true flag for the soursweet nature of the entire record, it's brilliantly juxtaposed by the contrasting acrimony of Layne's vocals and a talkbox trailing the guitar work.
Nutshell follows through, in yet another accoustic piece for a beautifully atmospheric sense of dole. An apparently more straightforward track, though much, much richer in emotive darkness.
I Stay Away brings forth additional motion and sweeping string sections to the sound.
No Excuses, aside from the finest AIC percussive moment, is the ultimate hit, an easygoing, accessible song; but in the land of contrasts that is Jar of Flies, it also bears brooding, bittersweet lyrics.
Whale & Wasp, Jerry's instrumental track, featuring accoustic picking and good 'ol Cantrell effects on the electric guitar.
Don't Follow and Swing On This end the album with a western country feel to them, a Mark Twainish vibe, espcially on Don't Follow with the use of the harmonica.
All in all, a great piece of work, showing a versatile, complex and all together creative band that Alice in Chains can be, even outside it's deep metal rootings. A definite must have in your AIC collection.