Jerry Cantrell - Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.90 You Save: $5.04 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.25 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2
Free Music Review: Volumes 1&2 attain a status of "Complete"
Hit: 5 Stars
While Cantrell's debut solo album may have left this reviewer in a little bit of disappointment, Degradation Trip restored faith in Cantrell as a definitive solo artist.
Degradation trip is an introspective look at Cantrell's past, present, and future that leaves a listener amazed. However, I speak only of Degradation Trip on its first pass.
shortly after its release, due to the tragic death of Layne Staley, Cantrell and the studio agreed on previously witheld plans for a double-album.
Upon listening to "Degradation Trip vol. 1 & 2" I was blown away. The songwriting quality is absolutely some of the best I have ever heard. In songs such as "Into the Void", "Siddartha", and "31/32", Cantrell shows that his new tracks are not the typical filler but instead moving portions of the album that beg the question: "Why was this not on the original?"
Highlights of this album include the following:
Volume 1:
Angel Eyes (Track 4) - This song is the first of the acoustic ballads, and it really strikes an emotional chord in the beauty of the instruments.
Mother's Spinning in Her Grave (Track 6) - Absolutely one of the most fun fast-paced tracks on the album.
Hellbound (Track 7) - One of the heavier tracks on the album...this songwriting features great detail.
Spiderbite (Track 8) - Without a doubt the heaviest song on either Volume. Spiderbite intrigues me with its trance-like chorus and false ending leading to a climax of notable guitar precision.
Gone (Track 12) - Gone is a slow acoustic song, which originally ended the first Degradation Trip...makes a good closer for Volume 1.
Volume 2:
Castaway (Track 1) - A song featuring good imagery and solid instrumentals.
What it Takes (Track 3) - Of the new songs, this is one of my personal favorites. The tone of Cantrells voice fits like a puzzle piece into the challenging lyrical content.
Hurts Don't It? (Track 6) - In the previous absence of an intstrumental track, this song completely blows me away. Absolutely some of the most clever and emotional guitarwork presented by any artist.
Anger Rising (Track 9) - Probably the best of the original 13 songs. This song examines diminshed spirit in a youth. The song itself is an amazing balance of emotion and complete hard rock style release. Some of Cantrell's best work.
31/32 (Track 13) - This song is the best of the new tracks, and the best on this album. Mark my words, 'this is the best closing track for an album I have seen since "Would?" by Alice in Chains'. The song itself is slow and acoustic, but in Cantrell's world, that rarely holds back the potential for stunning excellence. 31/32 is an incredible exposition to Cantrell's "Degradation Trip". In some parts of the song, I beleive Layne Staley makes a brief appearance saying the words "build a home" and "anymore". If it's not him, then it sounds just like him.
Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 is possibly one of the (if not the most) 'complete' albums out there. Many albums are created by a process of writing 20-30 songs and selecting merely two dozen or so. Cantrell's "Degradation Trip" sees the organization of 25 tracks that attain a strange continuity rarely seen in any album (including those that are a mere 8 tracks).
"Degradation Trip" is certainly a historic if not timeless album.
Free Music Review: JC Carries The Torch
Hit: 5 Stars
They say that "grunge" is gone. Jerry Cantrell is officially categorized as "post grunge" but calling Degradation Trip "post grunge" is like comparing Bill Haley and the Comets to Led Zep. It's apples to oranges.
If Degradation Trip Volumes 1&2 had come out in the early nineties it would surely be one of the seminal "grunge" albums of all. It has all the key elements. Distorted guitar. Slow deliberate tempos. Dark lyrics.
Don't let the double cd scare you off in favor of the original release. This is the most utterly captivating, electrifying, and satisfying 140 minutes of heavy rock music you will ever experience.
Be prepared though, this album is no Polyanna. It's dark, almost scary at times. "Feel The Void", for example, is eerie and just plain makes my skin crawl. I love it! It's like going to a good scary movie and being delightfully frightened. I love music that makes me feel something. This'll do it believe me.
But, at the same time, the feel of the album is not heaviness just for the sake of heaviness. It's dark, as I said, it's harrowing, it's almost depressing at times, but it is also obviously a brutally honest musicl revelation into the life experiences and inner emotions of Jerry Cantrell.
The first song on the album "Psychotic Break" starts the strange eerieness of Jerry's Degradation Trip. Oddly enough, these songs were written before the death of Jerry's long time friend and Alice in Chains musical collaborater Layne Staley. And yet, a line in "Psychotic Break" says "Thinking 'bout my dead friends whose voices ring on." I can't help but view this line as almost a eulogy in advance for someone he knew was dying.
"Bargain Basement Howard Hughes" is ostensibly directed at Layne Staley. "Enigma wrapped in a riddle. Your life I belittle . . . Stubborn bast**d, hard head knocking. We had our good years too. Though apart, you're still in my heart. I'd give anything for you." It's obvious that Jerry's frustration with Layne's situation came flooding out in this song.
Jerry dosn't just vent about Layne on Degradation Trip either. In several songs he points the finger directly at himself. Songs such as "Owned" and "Pro False Idol" are brutally honest without, however, sounding like someone whose whinning "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, guess I'll go eat worms." He just sounds honest.
By the way, I was skepticle about Jerry's vocals at first because I always felt that he lacked the vocal edge that Layne Staley demonstrated. I realize now that his lighter vocals with Alice in Chains was needed to offset Layne's heavy, screeching, style. Jerry lowers his voice on Degradation Trip and this gives the songs the edge they need to be truly effective along side the dark theme of the album as a whole.
It's hard to believe that Degradation Trip has not received more interest and radio airplay but like many solo attempts by members of supergroups, it may well be in the shadow of the great Alice in Chains musical catalog.
Hopefully, even years after it's initial release, word of mouth will help this album garner the attention it richly deserves.
Free Music Review: Cantrell's Latest a 'Trip' Worth Taking
Hit: 5 Stars
Simply put, this album is a must have for any hard rock fan. This album was obviously written when Jerry was not in the best state of mind. But whatever personal hell he was going through resulted in one of the most powerful pieces of music ever produced. Few, if any, musicians, have released so much incredible material at one time. The brilliance displayed in the original 14-song release is built upon in the full version.Certain songs have a strong Alice In Chains vibe to them, which is certainly quite a compliment. At the same time, Jerry continues to move forward and improve his ability as a front man. "Psychotic Break" can best be described as a wall of sound that hints at what is to come for the listener. Jerry doesn't let up with the ultra-heavy "Bargain Basement Howard Hughes," and "Owned." The opening songs, dark lyrically and sonically, are quickly countered by the catchy "Angel Eyes." The beautifully done acoustic number "Solitude" follows.
"Mother's Spinning In Her Grave," "Hellbound," "Spiderbite," and "Pro Falso Idol" are powerful, guitar-driven numbers and are some of Jerry's best solo compositions to date. The slow and dark "Feel The Void" is a welcom change of pace, with intricate harmonies and different guitar and bass tones.
The autobiographical lyrics and strong chorus of "Locked On" make the song one of the album's stand-out's. "Gone" has a country feel to it, and is a nice way to wrap up the album. Jerry's lead work over strummed acoustic chords is extremely tasteful as always.
The second disc opens with "Castaway," which starts slow and builds to a sea of vocals and guitars. "Chemical Tribe" goes in several different directions, and finishes with a great chorus.
"What It Takes" has a more laid-back feel at times, along with some more wailing on the guitar. "Dying Inside" balances heavy and acoustic riffs, with some very metal-sounding leads. "Siddhartha" incorporates unique sounds, and is quickly followed by the amazing instrumental "Hurts Don't It?" The emotional playing and layered lead parts make the 4 and half minute song fly by.
"She Was My Girl" has more of a pop sound, but Jerry wails away over heavy riffs. "Pig Charmer" has some of the more interesting lyrics, and Cantrell's voice sounds similar to the late Layne Staley at times.
"Anger Rising" is a straight ahead rocker with brilliant harmonized vocals in the song's intro and outro. "SOS" offers a further glimpse into Cantrell's mental and physical state, while "Give It A Name" goes from an upbeat and bluesy intro to a moody chorus with more great harmonies.
"Thanks Anyway" has the feel of a great AIC song, and is one of the better new songs. "31/32" has more deep lyrics concerning Cantrell's life, and has a country sound similar to "Gone."
Roadrunner has lucked out getting Jerry Cantrell, and this album is one of the best, and underappreciated CD's to date. He further establishes himself as a top-notch guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist, and hopefully Jerry will be back out to play the new material shortly.
Free Music Review: I really needed this
Hit: 5 Stars
As a somewhat grouchy Alice in Chains/Soundgarden fan from back in the early '90's, I've become pretty upset at the direction that the rock scene has taken since the original "grunge" bands passed from prominence. In fact, I'd rather slam my hand in a car door than listen to Nickelback or Puddle of Mudd's dumbed-down excuse for hard rock. So when former Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell released "Degradation Trip" earlier this year, I was all over it. And now that it's been rereleased in two-disc format, with eleven more songs than the original version, it's like a gift from above for an old (23) guy like me. That said, this album is enjoyable for WAY more than nostalgic value. It rules in its own right. Since Jerry was largely responsible for Alice in Chains's sound, it's no suprise that his solo band (is that an oxymoron?) retains some elements of his old band. "Degradation Trip" loses little of the dark atmosphere that made albums like "Dirt" such classics. Jerry is an excellent and creative guitarist, and his signature sound, with its heavy, distorted riffing, is still evident on songs like "Spiderbite" and "Pro False Idol." As a vocalist, Jerry can't match late Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley's range or power, but I think it would be pretty unreasonable to expect him to. His voice is still plenty powerful and emotional, and his delivery eerily resembles Layne's. Jerry also gets excellent support from Ozzy Osbourne's rhythm section of bassist Robert Trujillo and drummer Mike Bordin. Robert's thumping basslines and Mike's muscular, nuanced drumming give Jerry plenty of space to explore with his guitar, and that's pretty important.
Alice in Chains's sound, with Jerry's distorted guitar work and Layne's tortured vocals, was always closer to metal than to grunge. This album is no exception, even if it isn't guite as heavy as, say, "Dirt." Rather, Jerry goes for a more eclectic approach here, expanding on his former band's thinking-man's metal approach. There are still plenty of the dark, sludgy dirges Alice in Chains were known for, the opening "Psychotic Break" being a prime example. However, there are also great acoustic-based tunes like the depressing "Solitude" and the more upbeat "Angel Eyes." And as the single "Anger Rising" and "Locked On" prove, Jerry can still rock out with the best of them. There's even a great, moving ballad on here, namely "Gone." When Jerry sings "Now You're Gone, Gone Away" at the end of the song, it's pretty hard not to think of Layne, or of anyone close to you that you've ever lost.
On the whole, as I think this review has made clear, I can't say enough good things about this album. Jerry Cantrell just does an amazing job of building on Alice in Chains's signature sound without pillaging it. At twenty-five songs covering more than two hours, "Degradation Trip" never sounds boring or forced. It just sounds good. If you love Alice in Chains, or even good rock music in general, as much as I do, then this album is a must.
Free Music Review: Spectacular and Severely Underrated
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a casual fan of AIC for a few years, so when I heard that Jerry Cantrell was set to release DEGRADATION TRIP this past spring, I was mildly interested. After hearing "Anger Rising" on my radio station, I felt that it was worth downloading a few songs to sample the CD before buying. Unfortunately the first one I decided to grab was "She Was My Girl" (his contribution to the SPIDERMAN soundtrack if I remember correctly), which I was none too impressed by. I dismissed the record and pretty much forgot about Jerry until a few days ago when I saw the 2-disc set of this album at my local store. I decided to give it a chance, and boy am I glad I did...The other reviewers have hit the nail on the head by calling this one of the best pure rock records in several years, and it's a dirty shame the record company didn't promote it, and even worse that radio stations didn't give "Anger Rising" much airplay to attract more attention.
While the music is fairly straightforward heavy rock / metal on most tracks, the lyrics are brutally honest and fairly deep (much like those found on TRIPOD), and the melodies are much more interesting and experimental than the corporate rock found on today's airwaves. After listening, I found there to be several exceptionally good tracks (rivaling material from my favorite band, Tool). Among them are "Siddhartha" (hands down the best cut in my opinion), "Solitude," "Spiderbite," and "Gone." In addition, the mainstream rock types "Anger Rising" and "Angel Eyes" never seem to get old; both tracks feature extremely catchy harmonized vocals. Other tracks of note from the original recording released in June 2002 are "Hellbound," an incredibly catchy pure metal track; "Psychotic Break," the odd but satisfying dismal opener that will, again, be stuck in your head for days; and "Bargain Basement Howard Hughes," a dark number inevitably referring to Staley.
The new tracks may be of slightly lesser quality on average than the originals, but that doesn't mean there aren't some very good ones in the mix. "Hurts Don't It?" is an instrumental that recalls "Whale and Wasp," and is a personal favorite. "Pig Charmer" is interesting in that Jerry sings from Staley's point of view, and seems to imitate his vocal stylings while doing so; it is also a ridiculously catchy (though dark) track. The ultra-funky "S.O.S." and straight rocker "Locked On" are also highly recommended.
All in all, there are very few disappointing tracks, and there is more variety on this collection than on any AIC album. In fact, I would go as far as to say this effort is on the same quality level as DIRT and JAR OF FLIES. The great thing about the CD set is that it combines elements of both of those records; everything from intstrumentals to acoustic numbers to relentlessly heavy songs are found, and they blend together fairly naturally. Next time you go to the music store with the intention of grabbing the latest Nickelback/Default/etc. spinoff, make sure you at least consider picking this up too.