The fairly loose “grunge” label has been placed on the record because the band emerged from the Seattle area in the early 1990s, which was the epicenter of grunge at the time.
The album features tracks like “Rooster,” “Rain When I Die,” “Angry Chair,” “Junkhead,” “Sickman,” “Down In A Hole,” and “Would,” which you could argue are AIC’s best works.
“Dirt” has a certain tone to it. It’s complex and extremely dark. It lacks the humor that some of AIC’s contemporaries had at the time. There are no tracks that would be “fun” or would set them apart from other bands at the time.
The lyrics of “Down In A Hole” show that songwriter and guitarist Jerry Cantrell and vocalist Layne Staley were going through some serious issues. Lyrics such as:
Down in a hole and I don’t know if I can be saved
See my heart I decorate it like a grave
You don’t understand who they thought
I was supposed to be
Look at me now a man
Who won’t let himself be
“The band knew that they messed their lives up with drugs. The song shows that they were dealing with the pain of knowing the best parts of them were ruined from the dope.”
The album kicks off perfectly with “Them Bones.” Jerry Cantrell’s solo is sloppy, but sloppily good. When you listen, you can tell he has quite a bit of control. The imperfection of the guitar on this track, along with the theme of pain in the lyrics, is a perfect introduction to the album.
“Would?” the final song on the album, has an amazing intro. It sounds occultist and haunting. The track is snappy and approachable, which makes it very melodic. The lyrics and Layne Staley’s vocals give listeners the chills. You can feel the pain he is going through in his voice.
“Dirt” stands as a testament to the raw, unfiltered emotion that characterized Alice in Chains’ music during the grunge era. With its haunting melodies, introspective lyrics, and gritty instrumentals, the album delves into the depths of addiction and despair with unflinching honesty. From the soul-wrenching depths of “Down In A Hole” to the eerie allure of “Would?,” each track offers a glimpse into the struggles of its creators, Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley. While it may lack the levity of some of its contemporaries, “Dirt” remains a powerful and poignant piece of musical artistry that continues to resonate with listeners to this day.
Must listen to tracks: The Bones, Down In A Hole, Dirt, Sickman, Rooster, Would?
