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 $7.38 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2
Free Music Review: It doesn't get any better than this.
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is a giant! Having initially bought the shorter version of "Degradation Trip" it was interesting to hear the original songlist on this a two-and-a-half-hour monumental landmark by Jerry Cantrell.The disc 1 songlist is largely similar to the shorter version of "Degradation Trip".
"Degradation Trip" is the most wonderful musical ride I've ever taken, and by far the longest. Mike Bordin and Rob Trujillo were a fantastic choice for drummer and bassist, bringing their own styles into the most guitar-saturated album in history. Here, Jerry has churned out 25 incredibly self-indulgent songs, many of which relate to his old friend Layne Staley. Since the loss of Layne I was eager to hear what Jerry would come up with, knowing that "Degradation Trip" was in the making.
The vocal sound on "Psychotic Break" sounds incredibly like the dual vocals of Jerry and Layne on the Alice in Chains "Grind" album. And with the closing line "thinking about my dead friends whose voices ring on", theres enough symbolism to send chills up my spine. Songs are very dark and heartfelt, with some more uptempo tunes appearing here and there; "Locked On", "Gone" which is a nice country-sounding tune and "She was my Girl" are a few examples of these. Frequently one can hear several guitar rhythmns and melodies interlocking and fusing together throughout songs, at times up to 4 or 5 different guitar lines play in parallel, producing that nice guitar-drenched atmosphere presented on "Degradation Trip". "Hurts Don't it?" is a beautiful instrumental with wonderful guitar lines, this is one of my favourite songs on the "trip". The darker elements of the album lie in "Dying Inside", a brilliant bulky song, "Pig Charmer", where Jerry realates abck to old days with Layne aswell as "Bargain Basement Howard Hughes", "Solitude", a ballard presenting lyrics which are very likely Jerry's attempt to talk to his dying friend, and "Feel the Void" which sounds like Jerry's own interpretation of how Layne may be feeling. Some nice crunching riffs scattered all over the album remind the listener of Jerry's riffing back in Alice in Chains, and his ability to churn out excellent brutal riffs. "Spiderbite", "Anger Rising" and "Owned" demonstrate this. "Angel Eyes" and "Siddhartha" are two very different songs but are both among my favourites on this album, great musicianship with dark tones.
It could take forever to analyse every song here. Overall this is one of the greatest albums ever, by one of my favourite musicians ever. I doubt I'll ever see an album so long and never boring the listener for one second as "Degradation Trip" does. My favourite songs on this album are: "Locked On", "Angel Eyes", "Hurts Don't it?", "Dying Inside" and "Siddhartha".
Extremely enjoyable.
Free Music Review: Best Album You've Never Heard!!
Hit: 5 Stars
First of all, I'd like to say that almost all the previous reviewers said just about everything there is to say about this album. Despite the tragedy of Layne Staley's death, and perhaps on account of his death, Jerry Cantrell continues to rock harder than ever before. This album is not only metal at its best, but it's also extremely introspective and thought provoking. Jerry Cantrell has thrown his soul out for all the world to see and that is why this album rings so true. You cannot fake this kind of emotion and you cannot buy the kind of experience that Jerry has had. Listen to any other hard rock album that came out in the past 5 years and then hit yourself in the head because you are a moron. This double album is complete in every way. It has tender, soft moments as well as grab-you-by-the-sack-and-twist moments. While some parts seem, at first, borken and uneven, every note is intended and rightly placed. The punch-you-in-the-face rhythm of "Bargain Basement Howard Hughes" is ridiculously heavy. The guitar riff is so huge that you cannot help but raise your fists and bang your head. The whole first disc is so amazing that you don't ever want to take it out. But the second disc is loaded with even more great songs. They just keep coming.
An earlier reviewer mentioned Nickleback. I have a quick, funny story to tell about them. I live in Seattle, of course, and I go see Jerry whenever he plays. Well a couple of years ago he was on tour with Nickleback and my friends and I went to go see him at Key Arena. He rocked so hard it was unbelievable. After his set was done, the lights came on and there were a bunch of hot chicks standing behind us. They wanted to know what we were doing after the show and I said, "the show is over. We're leaving now. Nickleback sucks!!" Needless to say, we got a bunch of bad looks from the posers in the audience, but we did manage to get a couple people to take a stand and leave with us. It was awesome. Too bad Jerry couldn't see our complete and utter devotion. Rock on! Buy this album, you won't regret it!
Free Music Review: Amazing
Hit: 5 Stars
Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2
This is a fantastic album. I've been an Alice in Chains fan for years and recently I picked up Jerry's first solo album (Boggy Depot). If you haven't heard that one, get it. It really shows how creative Jerry is. However, Degradation Trip far exceeds Boggy Depot. With almost 2 1/2 hours of music on the two disc (the real) version, it's hard to believe that there is no point at which the music becomes boring. Each song is vastly different from each other and - with several songs reaching the seven minute mark - it's impressive that Cantrell constantly keeps the listener guessing. If you're familiar with Alice in Chains, you may know Jerry's somewhat unconventional songwriting style which employs multiple choruses and verses of varying length; Jerry uses these methods expertly to create songs which range from relatively short hard-rocking tunes to epic ballads. If you're a fan of Alice in Chains or of Jerry's riffing and songwriting skills, this album is a must have.
Although I really think every song on this album is great in its own way, my personal favorites include: Locked On (great use of talk-box), Angel Eyes (amazing mix of acoustic and electric guitars), Chemical Tribe (a great example of Jerry's songwriting prowess), and Hurts Don't It? (an amazing instrumental composition reminiscent of Whale & Wasp from the AIC EP Jar of Flies).
I don't know what else I can say except I haven't been able to stop listening to this album since I bought it. It really is a great album and Jerry puts such emotion into his singing. The subject matter ranges from Layne's horrible addictions to Jerry's questioning of his own self-worth with plenty in between.
Bottom line: get this album, you won't be disappointed.
One thing to keep in mind is that Jerry recorded the whole album on a 4 track recorder in his home, making the album even more impressive.
Free Music Review: Jerry Cantrell's Real Masterpiece...Worth Every Dime
Hit: 5 Stars
Perhaps we'll all be familiar with a little more than half the material found on this new and intended version of Jerry Cantrell's DEGRADATION TRIP, but this is even better than the original 14-track version, which was quite good in and of itself. But when you experience the rest of this 25-track double disc, with over two hours worth of music, you'll find this is the way Jerry should have released it in the first place.Of the new tracks featured on this 2-disc delight, "Owned", "Pro False Idol", and "31/32" have exceptional mastery and sound. "Owned" is one of those tracks that would make such a perfect single, with it's sinister guitar and melodic chorus. "Pro False Idol" is over seven minutes of thick, sludgy riffs and dark tones, but it's bonafied Jerry. Also, the eight minute-plus "Pig Charmer" is a darker, harder track...but it shows texture, depth, and the guitar work is as only Jerry can play. Also worthy of mention is the haunting instrumental "Hurt's Don't It" and the acoustic/electric "What It Takes" is terrific.
You've also got favorites from the original DEGRADATION TRIP like the soaring, raucous "Anger Rising", the beautiful and charming "Angel Eyes", and the countrified "Gone", as well as the stomp of "She Was My Girl", and the opening psychosis of "Psychotic Break" with it's sinister tones and eeriely haunting chorus. Also of mention should be "Give It A Name" with it's bluesy feel, and "Hellbound", another edgy, fist-pumping track.
With this double-disc limited edition DEGRADATION TRIP: Volumes 1 & 2, all of us should be easily satisfied with the disc. This meaty 140 minute double delight will take time to digest; once you do, however, you'll find that this TRIP was very much worth the ride. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates a solo artist in his top form.
Free Music Review: A new side of a great guitarist!
Hit: 5 Stars
I am a huge Alice in Chains fan so when the unexpected death of Layne Staley occurred I wasn't sure what would happen with Jerry Cantrell....but I knew there still was a promising future for my favorite guitarist of all-time. With the release of Boggy Depot and Degradation Trip you could hear alice in chains in some songs but this was a new side from Cantrell we all never saw before. With Alice in Chains many of the lyrics were depressing but yet uplifting all at once and with Staley harmonizing with Cantrell it created a sort of tone I had never heard before...the way Staley sang was very deep yet so soothing all at once. I could not focus on music after the death of Staley because Alice in Chains identified my music taste.....once the leader that founded me as a person who takes in music died I was deeply saddened.....but music must live on...it has had the biggest effect on my life. All the punk that is taking over right now which I am not really into...this is a nice change of events with the few decent bands that are out right now...but with this band its only one person who is extremely talented....Jerry Cantrell. I'll admit it was a different tone than Alice in Chains but I think you will notice like I did that once you give it a try the album really grows on you....with Alice in Chains for me nothing had to grow with time....it was a right away love for the band. With all due with respect to Cantrell this is a great album and could make a nice holiday treat. P.S. Chek out tracks....lots more by the way than just the first degradation album....anger rising, angel eyes(spider man), spider bite....spider bite and anger rising resemble more alice in chains to me but its the same Cantrell we have all grown to appreciate.....a great album all around!