I liked Alice In Chains. I really did. I?ve never even held it against them that they were easily one of the biggest bandwagon jumpers within the deluge of early ’90’s Seattle grunge acts. Layne Staley had a really cool voice and the group did kick out a few majorly impressive tunes (not least among them the killer ?I Can?t Have You Blues.”)
But really. Do we need this?
The legacy of Seattle rock act Alice In Chains will be celebrated on a two-disc retrospective, “The Essential,” due March 16 from Columbia/Legacy. The 29-track album features the most well-known hits from the Layne Staley-led group, a stalwart of rock radio in the 1990s and an undeniable influence on such recent acts as Staind and Godsmack, the latter of whom is named after an Alice In Chains song. (full story)
While their previous ?Greatest Hits? collection was only a measly ten songs please keep in mind that this is a group that only released three proper albums in their career. Plus, they have already released a three-disc boxed set ? along with a one-disc distillation of said set — so forgive me if I think this ?essential? collection is a bit of an overkill.
Maybe the labels would be better served by releasing new and exciting music rather than raping the memory of the deceased. Or maybe I?m just a dreamer in this big ol? crazy world.