Alexander77

First part excellent (I don't see it as that conventional overall), second part disgusting! If I had wanted to see such a piece of trash (referring to the second part, INDECENT) I would have rented a B-movie! And it probably would have been better! Excellent dark!

JAco and LAgrene together... what a thing! Beautiful page.

I agree with Muff, and I add: it’s not just a matter of speed, the problem is that many wouldn’t even be able to distinguish a messy riff from a really well-written solo if they tried... understanding the essence of certain fast instrumental passages is tough even for those who play, so much so that not everyone (I’m speaking for myself on certain pieces) can fully appreciate the soloing qualities of musicians like Coltrane or Davis (but nobody dares to criticize them). To mention one, Marty Friedman is a terrible composer but has an exceptional taste in writing solos, a melodic sensibility unknown to most in his genre and beyond (essentially a jazz musician applied to metal) and unparalleled technique. And Petrucci (whom many criticize without having the faintest idea of what he plays) is the same; he’s written a lot of junk but also some exceptional solos.

Anyway, I'll give you the reasons, Cornell. I pick Dirt: it's more varied (I would say that's undeniable, right? Above is more defined in mood and pace), better played (if you allow me, the musicians from Alice in Chains outshine even the skilled Martins, McReady, and Saunders..), Staley is at the peak of his form (you might prefer how he sings in Above, but from Them Bones to Rain When I Die, it's a series of incredible performances, especially on very different tracks... Staley's conditions were serious even back in Jar of Flies), Cantrell is at his best, the harmonized vocal lines of the two become a true trademark of the band here, this album has spawned various epigones and tribute bands, it's one of the most referenced, covered, and influential albums for a vast array of groups (you know the names)... What else do I need to add? De gustibus! But the reasons are there...

Cornell, written like that, is a whole different story and is a lot less pretentious as an opinion. So, I avoid the comparison between McCready and Cantrell; it doesn’t stand up in the slightest, and you know that very well too. McCready is a good blues rock guitarist and a decent songwriter (but if I'm not mistaken, Gossard is much more present in his credits), while Cantrell, if you allow me, is one of the best songwriters of his era, a great guitarist (without being a guitar hero), and an excellent singer (it seems he's proving that). Where’s the comparison? If you prefer McCready, fine, that's taste, but the comparison is a bit blasphemous... The same goes for the discussion about the two albums. Above is nice, and many might like it more than Dirt and Jar of Flies, but (in my opinion) there’s no comparison. Now, has "Wake Up" become better than "Nutshell" or "Down in a Hole" or "Rooster"?! "Long Gone Day" better than "Rooster"? And a "Would" (which closes the album, even if the piece comes from Singles) is not on the album... also because Dirt is much more varied. I'm not arguing if someone likes Above more, but to make it pass as the best thing done by Staley ("without perhaps...") sounds like quite a statement to me. I wrote "pisciar in testa," it’s clear that it was in a strengthening sense; they are all three great albums and quite different from each other.

I prefer Panopticon without remixes!

Well, it's a matter of taste, for me just comparing Dirt and Jat of Flies to this feels like blasphemy... just down in a hole and would for one and Nutshell and I stay away for the other would sweep this away... and this is still a nice album.

look, writing is clean and clear, therefore good (at least from my point of view)...so go for it, worst case scenario they greet you with punches...and you have a laugh, just like everyone else! ;)

The intention might be there, but trust me, no one forgets this here... better untouched things, don’t you think?!

Blak, how many more photocopy reviews are you planning to do? Come on, show some creativity...