Thoughts on the new AIC?

[cphr3d]

I've been listening to it all day on Spotify. As others have said, I was expecting something a little heavier given the other singles that have been released. Over all I dig it. I love Jerry's playing and tone. "Hollow" is by far my fav on the album.

 

[blackba]

The deluxe edition of the layne mad season -above album was just released. Is this worth picking up before the new aic?

 

[AmpliFIRE]

My thoughts are that they shouldn't be calling themselves AIC anymore...

I'm so sick of people saying this

 

[AmpliFIRE]

The deluxe edition of the layne mad season -above album was just released. Is this worth picking up before the new aic?

That Mad Season album is simply amazing. I had no idea that a dlx version was just released...I need to pick this one up for sure.

 

[yankeebulldog]

I dig it. Has a similar vibe to parts of the last album but I like the tone and the solos on this one better.

 

[overthemountain]

Totally agree- get the fuck over it people! He's been dead 11 years, and was barely involved with the creative side at the end by most accounts. I absolutely love, love love the original AIC with Layne, and they will never recapture that magic, but what band ever really does? The stuff they're putting out now is better than 95% of the other crap out there, so I'm all for Jerry & the guys keeping it going.

My thoughts are that they shouldn't be calling themselves AIC anymore...

I'm so sick of people saying this

 

[vchizzle]

The deluxe edition of the layne mad season -above album was just released. Is this worth picking up before the new aic?

That is GREAT. Live at the Moore on DVD alone makes it worth the buy. The other video quality is kinda crap, but the audio is good. There's some cool moments from that other show. Can't really say which should be bought 1st, they're kinda apples to oranges.

 

[vchizzle]

My thoughts are that they shouldn't be calling themselves AIC anymore...

I'm so sick of people saying this

Yeah, Layne's gone, it's still AIC though. He's dead, the rest of the band shouldn't be forced to be called something else.

 

[vchizzle]

I dig it. Has a similar vibe to parts of the last album but I like the tone and the solos on this one better.

Yeah, I like the solos better. Haven't really compared tones between the 2 yet.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

The deluxe edition of the layne mad season -above album was just released. Is this worth picking up before the new aic?

That is GREAT. Live at the Moore on DVD alone makes it worth the buy. The other video quality is kinda crap, but the audio is good. There's some cool moments from that other show. Can't really say which should be bought 1st, they're kinda apples to oranges.

Edit, found it

 

[lespaul3013]

New dude hardly ever sings by himself on the any of the new material (this record or last one). It is always the dual harmony thing happening which honestly gets a little old. I would prefer to hear a good frontman wailing a killer melody.

+1

Nailed it - that's my only complaint about this album...the somewhat dissonant dual harmony thing rocks for certain parts in the songs, but I definitely think they overdid it when a majority of the vocals are harmonized - it would be way more dynamic and cool if Duvall or Cantrell split up the vocal lines more, IMO

 

[maynardo]

I liked the second half of the record a lot ... specially Choke, Low Ceiling and Scalpel , it's definetly not in the same league as the first 3 albums but comparing it to what you can get in 2013 stands up

 

[glassjaw7]

Overall,I dig it quite a bit. It is a bit sludgy and dare I say monotone, but it's also very unique and layered with some of the best guitar tones to come around in years!! Damn, they know how to fill the sonic spaces on an album! Just wish that Williams's voice was mixed in more. He wails and they need to showcase that. Jerry is solid but IMO he shines when he's a bit more subtle with his vocal approach and filling in on harmonies.

The creepy intro to the title track had me thinking I was listening to Facelift for a second. Awesome song and that clean intro reeks of Love Hate Love!

 

[se7en]

I love the end of "Hung on a Hook" - pure bliss and Choke's a great closer. I have to say, Jerry stepped up his singing on this album in ways, although I do wish there were more trade-off's between him and Duvall.

 

[glassjaw7]

Phantom Limb is crazy! One of the standout tracks for sure. Should've blended Will's vox into every song as they are in that one. Adds so much more dimension to the sound.

 

[singtall]

i'm digging the cd so far.

 

[SFW]

I preview the disc on iTunes. Nothing grabbed me. It's too much like a Jerry Cantrell solo album. This will probably be the first AIC album that I do not buy.

 

[belmontbluekings]

its ok, ill still go see them live tho

 

[D-Rock]

Honestly, the title track is the best one on the album.
It's the only song that is the least bit innovative, risky, and new sounding.
Not a fan of most of the songs unfortunately.
Sounds like BGWTB outtakes and leftovers from the Degradation Trip sessions. Not really any musical progression on Cantrell's part. TDPDH is the only forward thinking song. The rest seems to be just safe, tried and true AIC dirge. Shame, since Jerry could have done a really cool and creative concept album with the theme he has for the cover. Missed that opportunity IMO.

 

[fek]

At the moment, I like BGWTB better but the new one is growing on me. I guess I keep expecting more riffage from Jerry that turn into songs instead of songs with a catchy riff dropped in the middle somewhere.