The Listener: The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
On Saturday I purchased Alice in Chains’ latest album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, and decided it was high time to revive the long neglected Listener series. I have only written two Listener posts, which is a sad testament to my music collection.
Why did I buy The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here? Because I have heard “Hollow” and “Voices” on Rock 108 countless times since the album was released in May. (According to Wikipedia, “Hollow” was released as a single in January and “Voices” in August.) “Hollow” is a good song, but “Voices” strummed my heart strings, arousing my fondness for mid-nineties grunge and what I’ll call “golden hour music”: songs that perfectly fit the soft, golden-hued light that illuminates everything at twilight. On Saturday I was driving my car out of the garage at that time. The naked tree branches above glowed in that golden light and “Voices” played on the radio. After watching the garage door close, I lingered for a moment in the driveway to savor the harmony of scene and soundtrack. It was beautiful and I was sold on the album.
Much like Soundgarden, I have always liked Alice in Chains. The band’s sound resonates with me. The late Layne Staley cannot be replaced, obviously, but I think Alice in Chains has adapted well in Staley’s absence and maintained much of its identity. Jerry Cantrell’s reassuring presence is a huge part of that, of course, and drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez also contribute to the much appreciated and enjoyed stability. Dinosaurs features shades of Dirt and Jar of Flies, the only other Alice in Chains albums I own, but also influences brought by new vocalist William DuVall. (Fittingly, Dinosaurs is followed by Dirt in my iTunes library.) It is different but familiar at the same time. I assume it is the same for the band’s previous album, 2009’s Black Gives Way to Blue, which I have also thought about buying. Needless to say, Alice in Chains has thankfully not gone the way of Van Halen.
“Hollow” and “Voices” are so far the most notable songs from Dinosaurs. (I do not think I have ever written the word “dinosaurs” so much.) “Voices” obviously has that golden hour appeal for me, but “Hollow” is one of those tunes that evokes “Down in a Hole.” Maybe. To be honest, I am trying to decide which previous Alice in Chains song “Hollow” reminds me of but there are elements of more than one — no doubt a testament to the continuity of sound and identity. (“Voices” is somewhat reminiscent of “I Stay Away” and “No Excuses.”) The album’s second song, “Pretty Done,” is much the same and would befit Staley’s vocals. “Stone” and “Breath on a Window” would have been perfect for Staley, too, but that is not to say Cantrell and DuVall do not do an excellent job themselves. The elephant (or dinosaur) in the room, of course, is the fact that everyone is back except Staley. His absence is noticeable but not distracting. However, it is hard not to think, “I wonder what this song would sound like with Staley.”
Though there are no sour notes on the album, the rest of Dinosaurs is growing on me. “Lab Monkey,” “Scalpel,” and “Hung on a Hook” require patience before they gain momentum. “Phantom Limb” is a song one can get lost in and, at over seven minutes long, forget is still playing. “Low Ceiling,” “Choke,” and the title track are also classic Alice in Chains songs.
Yesterday I felt a little buyers’ remorse over Dinosaurs, but after a few more listens I now think it was a good buy. It is a respectable addition to the band’s discography and I hope more good things are to come from Alice in Chains.
