Seattle based Alice in Chains may have been associated with the grunge music for which Seattle was famous at the time, but they departed from the standard grunge scene in many ways. Jar of Flies was actually an EP rather than a standard album, and so was shorter than the extended length albums that many groups were producing during the CD era. While Alice in Chains had more of a heavy metal sound than many of their contemporaries, this album was their second acoustic EP. It was also the first EP to ever d...
Seattle based Alice in Chains may have been associated with the grunge music for which Seattle was famous at the time, but they departed from the standard grunge scene in many ways. Jar of Flies was actually an EP rather than a standard album, and so was shorter than the extended length albums that many groups were producing during the CD era. While Alice in Chains had more of a heavy metal sound than many of their contemporaries, this album was their second acoustic EP. It was also the first EP to ever debut at number one!
Alice in Chains featured Jerry Cantrell on guitars and vocals, Mike Inez on bass and vocals, Sean Kinney on percussion, and frontman Layne Staley on lead vocals. Kinney and Cantrell formed the group in 1987 with Staley on vocals and original bassist Mike Starr. Starr would leave the group in 1993 to be replaced by former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Mike Inez.
The band name came from a glam metal group also named “Alice in Chains” which Layne Staley had been in previously. That group was defunct, so the name was resurrected. The EP was supposed to simply be a few days' break after touring, but that break turned into over two weeks, and “Jar of Flies” was born.
We hope you enjoy this presentation of WHAT THE RIFF?!? and note that Bruce was out this week, and Fan of the Show, Joel Nabors joins us in his place.
Nutshell
This second track from the EP was written by Cantrell, Inez, and Kinney. The song was the opener when the band performed on MTV Unplugged in 1996. The dark lyrics are thought to reflect frustration with fame.
I Stay Away
A departure from many of their pieces due to the use of strings, Staley wrote the lyrics after coming out of rehab. A huge stadium tour was planned after the EP came out, but Staley had relapsed and they had to drop the tour. This song was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy in 1995.
No Excuses
This is the big hit from the album that you’ll recognize. Staley and Cantrell create a dissonant vocal duet in this track which also mirrors the dissonance in their relationship. The song became the first Alice in Chains song to hit number 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks. Surprisingly, it was not released as a single at the time.
Don't Follow
This deeper cut was penned by Cantrell, who begins on lead vocals, with Staley joining on harmony. A softer track, this song also drops the percussion and adds a harmonica.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“Bed of Roses” by The Indians (from the motion picture "Reality Bites")
The soundtrack to this movie overshadowed the movie itself. Ben Stiller directed and starred in this comedy.
STAFF PICKS:
“Going, Going, Gone” by The Posies
Wayne's staff pick is also a deep cut from the soundtrack to "Reality BItes." The Posies were also from Washington, as was Alice in Chains. The song has a Smithereens feel, and is considered one of the Generation "un-hits." The Posies played with Burt Bacharach for the movie "Ausin Powers: International Man of Mystery."
“Under the Same Sun” by the Scorpions
Rob brings us a softer, deeper cut from the Scorpions. It has an unusual start with a sitar. This is from their 12th studio album. Believe it or not, the Scorpions started way back in 1964, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2015. The song is about coming together as one.
“Pincushion” by ZZ Top
Joel Nabors' staff pick features a little ol' band from Texas. This is off of “Antenna,” their 11th album and first with RCA. This would be their last song to chart, and spent four weeks at number 1 on Billboard. “I'm just a pincushion - do everything she ask.”
“Linger” by The Cranberries
Brian brings us an anthem of the 90's. MTV put this alternative song into high rotation at the time. Noel Hogan wrote the music, and the original lyrics were written by Niall Quinn, who was previously the lead singer for The Cranberries. O'Riordan wrote her own lyrics about regret when she joined the group.
COMEDY TRACK:
“Whale and Wasp” by Alice in Chains
We finish off this week by going back to Jar of Flies with this instrumental track.
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