For Week Ending:
26 October 2024

Jerry Cantrell - I Want Blood (2024)

[Grunge Rock]

Anything from Jerry Cantrell is a blessing for fans, but the line between his solo work and main band Alice In Chains is slowly becoming more blurred with each solo release. We know he isn't a one trick pony, and he has in the past proven he can write some incredibly powerful and stirring ballads, but his modus operandi in recent album is generally fixed on songs that are heavy and dirge-like in structure. He broke free of that slightly on his previous album Brighten (2001), but here he returns to what he knows best. 'Vilified' opens the album with a typical Cantrell riff, and it is only moments before his distinct voice chimes in. The chorus is loaded with the usually multilayered vocals, and the listener realises this album isn't going to stray far from his usual style. It is worth noting that this isn't a bad thing, as his songs are always full of harmony and driving melody regardless of the instruments and musicians involved, and this album is full of that richness fans want to hear. Track 2, the sludgy 'Off The Rails' has a main riff reminiscent of Iron Maiden's 'Wasted Years', and drives along nicely, pulling the listener into the album's big ballad 'Afterglow'. As with every Cantrell penned ballad it showcases the big chorus, and it is a welcome addition to the album to open up its scope. If anything negative can be said, it's that the album needed another big ballad or two, as many of the songs stick to a similar tempo and guitar tone, and until the songs get a chance to sink in after a few listens many of the tracks blend into one. In some ways Jerry has done the stronger songs a disservice by making them all blend so easily into each other, and better tracks like 'Held Your Tongue' take a number of listens before they break free of the others. 'Let It Lie' feels like a Tool-style track is trying break free, but Jerry keeps it constrained to what he knows. Although he uses many of his usual production techniques (such as the vocal multitracking mentioned previously), the album does feel a little less 'produced' and loose that recent Alice In Chains albums. Regardless, many of the songs (such as slow closer 'It Comes') could easy have a shared vocal with William DuVall and immediately be at home on any Alice In Chains album. All in all, one thing Jerry can be counted on to produce is the sort of music that could be called 'comfort food', an album full of songs that sound so familiar it is like you already know them, even when hearing them for the first time. Whether that is a good thing or bad is up to the individual listener to decide.

Arist Information
Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. (born March 18, 1966) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the founder, lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and main songwriter of the rock band Alice In Chains. The band rose to international fame in the early 1990s during Seattle's grunge movement and is known for its distinctive vocal style and the harmonized vocals between Cantrell and Layne Staley (and later Cantrell and William DuVall).

Release Information
'I Want Blood' is the fourth solo album by Jerry Cantrell.

Regurgitator - ...art (1999)

[Alternative Rock]

Important to note that in between Unit (1997) and .art (1999), the diabolical band Happyland was formed by Gurge singer Quan and Janet, bass player from Spiderbait. They scrouged the earth with their rubbish pop sounds for a couple of years. Unfortunately I could start and end this review by saying that, to me, this was the death of both bands. Anyway the record starts off positive with an upbeat pretty much straight forward V/CV called 'Happiness' and is an easy/catchy listen. Track 3 is where the deal is off. No wonder the poor drummer quit after the end of this record. It is insipid techno/disco rubbish. They have always been on the edge a little with this sound, but to have a whole song dedicated to it goes too far for me. Even 'I Wanna Be A Nudist' doesn't win me over as it tries to be a salute to the old-stuff (sort of). Next track, again tries to win the early fans over with its queerness but it's strike 2 for me. From here it's pretty fucked up. Hats off to drummer Martin who co-wrote track 11 'Obtusian', which is not too bad.

Arist Information
Regurgitator are an Australian alternative rock band from Brisbane, Queensland, formed in late 1993 by Quan Yeomans on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards; Ben Ely on bass guitar, keyboards and vocals; and Martin Lee on drums. Their second album, 'Unit' was certified triple platinum and won five categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998.

Release Information
'...art' is the third studio album by Regurgitator,. The album was recorded in Byron Bay and was the final album with drummer Martin Lee. ...art peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Charts and was certified gold.