Between the end of 1993 and a performance for MTV Unplugged in the spring of 1996, Alice in Chains performed no concerts -- they didn't even support the release of their eponymous third album with a minor tour. There's a variety of reasons for their inactivity -- primarily it's due to the health of certain members -- but the lack of concerts made the Unplugged performance seem special. During the concert, Alice in Chains drew from their three albums and two EPs, offering new, more reflective arrangements for harder songs like "Would?" and virtually re-creating the original versions of "Got Me Wrong" and "No Excuses." Throughout the album, the group sounds tight and professional -- on the basis of this performance, it's hard to believe that they hadn't played together for nearly three years -- but it doesn't offer anything that the albums don't already. The acoustic arrangements of the harder songs sound like novelties, and the rest sound like rehashes of their previous work, only without much energy. Again, it's a case of an Unplugged album that is designed to attract the band's core audience, which makes it a fairly entertaining effort that is essentially just an official bootleg. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
I was listening to the song Nutshell when I read online that Layne had died. What a sad day. I knew he was sick when this cd was recorded. Just makes it all the more sad. He had such a powerful voice. He is still missed. RIP Layne.
this is one of the best albums i have ever owned , atleast 3 times it was stolen from my car, leaving it at the top of the charts for the #1 stolen album of all time , and it has great sound. MTV thank you for giving us unplugged, head bangers ball, and rock videos! but what thne hell happend to you? We want our MTV back!
its called addiction jackasses ... ya, u could def see the effect it was having on him. makes me sad. thank u for the wonderful music ...
either way, whether layne looked bad and sounded a little weaker at times (rooster), i think thats part of what makes this album/dvd awesome (yet heartbreaking) ... u can feel his pain ... crazy!! one of my fav albums EVER
I love this DVD. The above is a somewhat accurate review, but I think it goes a little overboard downplaying the effort. Sometimes accuracy is not so important. The fact is, it's a really great recording documenting a great live performance. I disagree that it's only for a core of devoted fans. I'm certain that people who hadn't experienced AIC before viewing or hearing this record have been drawn into the fold by it.
This guy is too hard on this unplugged performance, its was fantastic. The pain Staley was feeling is felt through his voice and it is chilling. His voice was even more amazing considering the circumstance s
i saw alice in chains unplugged live for the first time a couple of months ago and poor layne looked soo pale
god i love this band sssssooooooo much very emotional just talking about them
I have this album and i've been hooked to listening to it constantly everywhere I go along with the rest of their albums. Layne was truly amazing as both a singer and a person and is greatly missed. RIP Layne
You can actually hear Laynes power and life withering a bit in his voice here......Its still Layne, still got the amazing inflection that only he had.....still soars but, its a bit weak, a bit tired and down.
Fly with the angels now Brother, fly high and proud and go back into the fold........see you then.
i have to strongly DISagree with the critic-seeing as this was probably one of their best performances. Layne's voices wasnt nearly as strong (as he was dying), but it really spoke to me in a deeper way. "Unplugged" is pretty much the only good thing that MTV has come up with, and i still find myself thanking that its here
Stephen Thomas Erlwine's critic
reminds me of "DEAD POET'S SOCIETY"
an introduction to poetry by some douche named E. Something Pritchard..
Robin Williams character has the students rip out the introduction!!
Forget Erlwine...Rock on AIC!!!
This is an awesome album, but it is also depressing, because Layne's voice is hollow and weak at times. JC really carries the show with his riffing and voice.
Completely disagree with the review. This is the best of the Unplugged albums....yes better than Nirvana's. Given the fact they hadn't played for 3 years is simply amazing. Down in a Hole is the best song that is on this album. Fully recommend this one.
The best unplugged album ever; if you want to hear pain, confusion and utter sadness - this is the album that has it all. Curt Cobain's "Something in the Way" is at the same level (unplugged) and that's about it. This reviewer should smoke some dope next time he writes again.....
doesnt offer anything? how the hell did this "critic" guy get his job? he's a douche. mr. erlewine: listen to it, take it for what it is. if you actually listen to it, douchebag, you will feel the emotion (eg: nutshell). also, the music itself is different, as it is "unplugged" you jackass ... love the unplugged performance. one of my all time faves, if not my absolute fave. classic.
I gotta disagree with the reviewer. They arent merely re-hashes of the album material or "Novelty" versions of the harder songs. These are truly heartfelt renditions of already loved classics. Layne looked very frail in this, but his voice was still very emotive and powerful. I just dont get whats not to like here, I mean yeah, they are playing songs that were already acoustic on the albums but so what? What, does that mean that they cant be re-appreciated in a live setting?
Layne Staley and Alice in Chains were one of the best rock bands ever. I saw these guys open up for Ozzy in '92 and they were awesome, even though Layne had broken his leg and couldn't stand up for most of the performance. I saw them again before he got lost into the dark and faded away...these guys were really really good. Their music is still as great today as it was when this so-called "grunge" phenomenon was becoming popular. Just listen to Dirt and Jar of Flies and the unplugged album. Mad