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I realize this may offend Nirvana fans but Alice In Chains'dynamic and gut-wrenching "Unplugged" performance is, without a doubt, the finest acoustic show ever recorded. I love Nirvana's unplugged set but nothing in music compares to AIC's tortured set. Witness Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell harmonizing. Even when they slip, and there are times when they do, they are unbelivable. The band was tight and Jerry's guitar playing here is excellent when you consider that he had all kinds of equipment problems and a bad stomach virus. Truly a professional. The band's excellence alone would be enough to back up my opinion in this review but when you add Layne's vocal performance to the package, it becomes insurmountable. There is nothing like listening to the pain, anger, suffering, humor, and sorrow in Layne's voice. Kurt Cobain was depressed his entire life and so the angst in his songs was not suprising or unexpected. Layne, however, was a happy, friendly guy who was destroyed by his heroin addiction. He knew it was killing him and he couldn't stop. Knowing all this, his pain becomes your pain when you listen to Alice in Chains.
As an experiment, put this CD on in your player at home with no background noise and no distraction. It is probably better to do this at night. You can also play it in your car, at night. If you put on "Down In A Hole" and listen to it in those settings and you don't get goosebumps, I don't know that you are human. Layne's vocals, while powerful and kickass on AIC's studio and live records, are so much more potent here. If you have ever been depressed or addicted, you feel as one with Layne. I can't say enough about his performance. Over the years, you could hear his voice declining as a result of his abuse of heroin. Here, he summons all his strength and almost seems capable of exorcising the demons that haunt him. Alas, it was not to be. Layne was found dead in 2002. So for all of you people out there complaining about the lack of new Alice In Chains material, it is not to be. Layne is gone and I don't think he can record 9 new alblums after death like Sublime or Tupac. Alice In Chains, the greatest Seattle band, the greatest grunge band, and the greatest band of the 90's will forever have it's place in rock's history. Let's hope for a Hall Of Fame induction soon. As for this remarkable album, BUY IT NOW! A gripping performance, perhaps not the best of Alice In Chains' career, but it will still leave you with that powerful feeling. I can't describe it and very few artists can accomplish it but true fans know what I'm talking about. GET THIS CD NOW!!!!!!

Before I heard this album I was not a huge fan of unplugged albums. i love this album. it is by far the best unplugged album available. Alice in Chains is the best band to come from the 90's.

This album is great. Alice in Chains was a great band, and never disappointed me with any of their releases, including EP's. I waited a long time to get this but just got it and it now completes mY AIC collection. I think I'll skip the other live album because it was pulled
from several different recording times. I prefer my live albums to be a snapshot of one band at a certain time.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic...even if you don't like the band!
This is an excellent CD, by far one of the best I own. I usually find Alice in Chains to be a little too metal for my taste, but this CD is just great. Read more

Published on Jun 29 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic album
I am a bit biased- as I am a huge AIC fan- but I have probably listened to this album over 100 times. I love it. I defy you to listen to this album and not get the chills. Read more

Published on Jun 21 2004 by Johnny Switchblade

4.0 out of 5 stars The lighter side of a heavy band.
To me, the softer side of "Alice In Chains" is just as impressive as their metal/grunge side is, and if you enjoy their "Sap/Jar Of Flies" ep's, this is... Read more

Published on May 31 2004 by H3@+h

5.0 out of 5 stars No excuses for missing this CD...
I heard Dirt when I was 16 and said "they'll never top this", well I was wrong. Seeing them on Unplugged was mind-blowing because of the frailty that was obvious with... Read more

Published on Mar 8 2004 by Knarf Icculegna

4.0 out of 5 stars Plugged Or Unplugged - It Doesn't Matter
Unlike other artists whose unplugged forrays render them limp and listeless, AIC has no such worries. They're old hands at this sort of thing. Read more

Published on Feb 18 2004 by coalblacksky@hotmail.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Very personal acoustic live performance
Somehow I missed Alice in Chains at their peak. I was into death and doom metal exclusively at that time. Read more

Published on Feb 6 2004 by Ilya Malafeyev

4.0 out of 5 stars A great effort, except...
I like this disc, I really do, but I have one problem with it. I think it was done at the entirely wrong time because Layne Staley gives a fairly poor performance due to his... Read more

Published on Dec 28 2003 by Mr. Silence

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing
This is an amazing cd alice in chains is at there best every song is hauntng and beautiful ...you feel layne s pain a his vocie echos through each song if you a fan of alice in... Read more

Published on Nov 30 2003 by reweiver

5.0 out of 5 stars Best thing they ever did
This is the band at its best . Its the best thing they ever did and they know it. The sound quality is excellent and the harmonies are great. Read more

Published on Nov 12 2003 by rick andreola

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Album
Beggining To End Pure Genius!!!!!!! What a line up, its perfect. I've been a Alice In Chains fan for 3 years now i've heard all of their cds but this one comes out on top. Read more

Published on Oct 10 2003 by Nick Butler

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