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“Hear your voice on waves we rode, echoes inside my mind. Disembodied just a trace of what it was like then. With you here we shared a space that’s always half empty”. “Rainier Fog” is a dark, mournful album, with a hint of daylight and optimism. A lot of the optimism comes from DuVall’s vocals on moments like “Fly” and “Maybe”. Although he sings on “Fly”, “You’re gonna break down, choke and cry. Waiting out the storm when there ain’t no place to hide”, his warm vocals wash over the listener and offer up some hope. The incredible guitar solo from Cantrell that leads to the bridge is another timely reminder that perhaps he is the most underrated guitarist ever. “Fly” is bookended by the pair of “Red Giant” and “Drone”, and if you wanted an example of what could be classed as “classic” Alice In Chains, then these are two great examples. “Drone” has a slow, crushing first few minutes, before they flip it on its head with a sense of lightness in the mid section. Then the guitars take over, and it’s a whole different ball game. The wah-wah effects are incredible and this six minute gem is a real standout moment. The brooding “So Far Under” is another. “The trap is time and no one gets off of this ride alive” sings DuVall as the hypnotic guitar work from Cantrell works its magic. “Never Fade” is the most vibrant that Alice In Chains has sounded for some time. The towering drum sound from Sean Kinney is mind blowing, and paired with the ever-reliable bass from Mike Inez it gives the song a fresh outlook. Cantrell is, as he always is, on fire! Again, the most underrated guitarist ever? Alice In Chains might be the last band standing from the glory days of “grunge”, but on “Rainier Fog” they are as relevant as ever. Available now on BMG. Review – Dave Photo credit – Pamela Littky ]]>
