•
Rating:
THE REVIEW
Grunge is dead.
Soundgarden no longer exists, neither do Nirvana, Pearl Jam no longer release albums like Ten or Versus, and AIC is now nothing without Staley Layne. In 1994, the vocalist SL along with Mike McCready, guitarist of Vedder & Co. and later of the Rockfords, John Baker Saunders and Barret Martin gave life to a project called “Mad Season.” Three-quarters of the lineup would die. The only grunge survivor was McCready, still today in the ranks of Pearl Jam.
MS expressed Layne Staley's fears in their own way, as he was worn down day by day by drugs. Blues and Hard rock blend into a brew of sadness and anguish that emerges in tracks like "I Don’t Know Anything", a penetrating chant with the same distorted guitar riff haunting the listener for over five minutes. The only album published is titled “Above” and begins with "Wake Up" and Saunders' vibrant bass. The follow-up is "X-Ray Mind", which reflects the sounds of Pearl Jam a lot and highlights the unique voice of Mad's singer, and "River of Deceit", the gem of the album. The acoustics introduce a very sad track with a dark text (the only direction we go is down/ oh down../ down.. oh down..) which transforms into an incredible version in the only live published, the live at Moore in Seattle, which I recommend to everyone.
Equally unsettling is the text of "Long Gone Day" where Lanegan's (Queen of the stone age) vocal assistance and Skerik's saxophone are strongly felt. "I’m Above" has a particular aftertaste, with Led Zeppelin appearing to be the strongest influence. "November Hotel", the ninth track of the album, which at certain moments evokes the Cure's darker times for me, would be enough to prove that this unique work of Mad Season should be listened to at specific moments of life, when everything is calm and rosy; otherwise, it might have who knows what repercussions.
Loading comments slowly
Summary by Bot
The review reflects on the decline of grunge and highlights Mad Season's only album, 'Above,' as a poignant blend of blues and hard rock. It emphasizes Layne Staley's emotional delivery and the band's unique sound influenced by iconic rock acts. Key tracks like 'River of Deceit' and 'Long Gone Day' receive special mention for their haunting quality. The reviewer highly recommends the album and its live recording for dedicated listeners.
Mad Season
Mad Season was a Seattle supergroup formed in 1994 by Layne Staley, Mike McCready, Barrett Martin, and John Baker Saunders. They released one studio album, Above (1995), noted for its blend of grunge, blues, and psychedelia, with Mark Lanegan guesting on two tracks.07 Reviews
Other reviews
By Rooster
Staley’s raw and damned singing, the true protagonist, manages to express itself in all its natural essence.
The strong emotions that emerge are the true success of 'Above', one of the last masterpieces produced by Seattle’s brief, intense, and frenetic rock period.
By sausalito
This album is perhaps the artistic pinnacle of Seattle grunge, the result of a supergroup including the great Layne Staley.
Layne Staley expressed emotions and poetry in a much deeper way: something especially demonstrated in the eponymous Alice in Chains album released a few months later.
By Nevskji
"Mike McCready’s guitar work on this album is a masterpiece, balancing electric outbursts and sweetness in perfect harmony."
"Layne Staley once again confirms the extraordinary talent bestowed upon him — a voice capable of stirring emotions and dreaming."
By Black Creep
Every note is as if a bullet fired to the heart.
'Above' is an unrepeatable work, it has something tremendously magical, it enters your soul making you experience many unique emotions.
By Diego Remaggi
Seattle was the center of the world. From there came the cries of anger and fear of a devastated generation.
River Of Deceit is a gem, delicate and suffused like a jazz song, delighting the listening of anyone.
