I liked Alice and Soundgarden more than any of the others that broke mainstream, but my favorite band of the time was The Afghan Whigs followed maybe by Dinosaur Jr.
It's funny. As someone listening to them in the 90s, I always thought they were overlooked a little. Don't get me wrong, they were big. But I thought their Unplugged was one of the best, and it didn't get much attention at the time. It's nice seeing them get their due from the reaction community.
@@mikem8749 personally I like Matt Cameron more but I don’t put Dave or Sean much below, I just prefer Matt’s style more, but all are amazing in their own right
I'm a broken record on this, but it does kind of drive me nuts that people don't notice that Jerry Cantrell is singing lead probably a quarter of the time in this era of the band. For instance, he's singing lead in these verses, and Layne is doing harmony. Not a big deal, but I always feel I have to bring it up. :-)
Also one of the most heaviest, grooviest, most iconic bass riffs ever. RIP Mike Starr, you absolute legend. Hope you're hanging out with Layne and Andy and Chris somewhere.
Jerry Cantrell wrote this song while living (couch surfing )with Chris Cornell about their friend, Cornell’s roommate , Andrew Wood, who had recently died of a Heroin overdose. Hence the title “Would?”. Cantrell is massively underrated and a super down to earth Rock Star!
Andrew Wood was the Lead singer of Mother Love Bone, after his death Chris helped hook them up with a new lead singer, Eddie Vedder and they became Pearl Jam. Lots of the guys from both bands (Soundgarden & Pearl Jam) joined forces to form the Super Group - Temple Of The Dog ("Say Hello To Heaven" - Chris wrote almost immediately after his passing). R.I.P. Layne, Mike, Chris, Andrew, Kurt, and so, so many more amazing grunge artist we lost to their pain.
@@theidajawho thank you for writing this. I was about to and then thought…. Maybe I should read all of the comments…. Someone else has probably mentioned these facts lol. ❤️
As commented it's about Andrew Wood (hence "Would?" The Seattle rock scene was really tight. I'm sure there was some competitiveness but in large love. Wood's band Mother Love Bone was the first band in that scene set to break out to the big time... or maybe at that same time as Soundgarden because I think they were being courted by major labels at the time too. Anyhow, guitarist and main writer wrote mostly from the point of view of now dead Andrew Wood and it's basically saying you can feel dad about but unless you've walked in my shoes you have no right to judge
You were right about the vocals having the emotion of someone going through something. This song was written about Andrew Wood, the lead singer of Mother Love Bone. All the bands in Seattle knew each other are were a tight community, so the band all knew Andrew. Mother Love Bone was one of the top acts in Seattle right as grunge was about to explode. But Andrew died of an overdose a few days before their first album was scheduled to be released. Temple of the Dog, who you've reacted to, was a tribute project to Andrew started by his roommate Chris Cornell. The rest of Mother Love Bone connected with Eddie Vedder and became Pearl Jam. Layne titled this song "Would?" as a play on "Wood." It's awesome that Amber picked this one.
agreed honestly i felt chris cornell and was the greatest singers from the Seattle 4. its sad layne is not hear he had so much more to give and his life was cut short. same with chris but chris has more time with us.
Alice in Chains saved my life in high school. Most people question how. I believe it was because the music was dark and gritty. I connected with it and it allowed me to sit with my feelings and know that I wasn’t alone. Thank you for your reaction (all of your reactions). Love you guys. ❤️ Keep it coming!
You guys should react to more Alice In Chains… "I Stay Away", "Angry Chair", "Got Me Wrong", "Down in a Hole", "No Excuses", "Bleed the Freak", "Love, Hate, Love", "Rain When I Die", "Sea Of Sorrow", "Again", "We Die Young", "Heaven Besides You" 🎸🤘
Man we were so lucky. I was 25 in 1992 and remember these guys coming on the scene and blowing everyone away. They were an awesome, beyond awesome band. Oh us Generation X people certainly were a lucky bunch.
Fuck yeah. I turned 18 in 1991. The music that came out that year: Metallica Black Album, Pearl Jam Ten, Nirvana Nevermind, GNR Use Your Illusion 1 and 2, Prince NPG Diamonds and Pearls. They all came out in a few months of each other. Classic year for music.
Its about Andrew Wood, another singer from Seattle who died of an overdose. To me, Mother Love Bone's Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns was the start of mainstream grunge.
Yeah, Temple of the Dog was how Chris Cornell and the future Pearl Jam dealt with Wood's death, and this song is how Layne Staley and AiC dealt with it. Staley himself was back on the pony by this time and eventually died of his own OD about a decade later. Alice in Chains is often remembered as the harder side of grunge, but they also have a fairly extensive acoustic catalog (mostly on Sap and Jar of Files) if y'all are looking for some variety.
If you did a flow chart of grunge, Mother Love Bone/Andy Wood would be at the top of that chart. Everything came off of that. And Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns is one of my favorite songs of all time. Chills every time.
If you want a harder Allice in Chains song, do "Them Bones". It's also a relatively short song. If you want a great example of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell's harmonies, do "Down in a Hole" live from MTV Unplugged. As others have mentioned, "Love Hate Love" live at the Moore is a great showcase for Layne Staleys vocals. "Man in the Box" and "Bleed the Freak" are also great live at the Moore. If you want some good under appreciated Alice in Chains songs that aren't reacted to often, try "Rain When I Die" and "No Excuses". Honestly, Alice in Chains is like the Beastie Boys, you can't miss with any of their songs. I should add that it has to be Alice in Chains with Layne Staley. You can miss with some of their stuff without Layne.
Mike Starr is also killing it with that bass riff. You guys need to react to Alice in Chains live. Please do "Love, Hate, Love" from the Moore. Layne's vocals are unbelievable during this performance.
Like most Alice in Chains songs, "Would?" wasn't released as a commercial single (meaning you couldn't buy it) in the US because they wanted fans to buy the album. It was sent to radio stations and MTV as the first promotional single from their second album, Dirt. I doing know if y'all have done "Down In A Hole" by Alice in Chains...but that is a great song. So Melancholy.
One of the Grunge greats. I love this song.👍🏻✌🏻🤘🏻As a Gen Xer and lover of Grunge, I have mental illness that I was diagnosed with in my late twenties. Before that the grunge music literally kept me alive. I didn’t have meds or therapy, just my music and the open road. Driving at night out in the country was my therapy then.
You want something dark and deep: A lice in Chains Live at the Moore Threatre: "Bleed the Freak" and "Love, Hate, Love". Playing it live. you'll be just blown away!
Wow, nice Amber. As a drummer myself, I have always been blown away by the drums, especially toward the end. Outstanding ear, Amber. As far as an equivalent for “shredding” on the drums? I think shredding is appropriate. Hmmmm. I’ll just say he completely kicked ass.
@@leannewilson7184 I think that’s a very good description. War-like. But it’s not a simple beat at all. And some of his fills, especially towards the end are very unorthodox and very cool.
@@KipArmadillo Sean's drumming is always overlooked. He might not be flashy and AIC songs are not fast...but his style (in almost every song) is so unique and tasty. I olay guitar, but I always listen to the drums in AIC songs.
Rammstein "Du Hast" (original video) is heavy and a BANGER!!!!! It's one of those songs you just have to crank the volume up and go crazy. Gets your adrenaline up! 👍🏻👍🏻Jay, you'll LOVE it... and I know Amber will really like it too.
A few of the Seattle bands came out with odes to Andy Wood from Mother Love Bone after his death right at the beginning of "grunge" Candlebox came out with "far behind" for him, Temple of the Dog did "Say Hello to Heaven" which still gives me a little lump in my throat every time. there are a few others I can't think of off hand. Pretty sure you'd enjoy each and every one of them.
This song is just so TRIBAL. Those drums and that bass - and so rhythmic. By FAR my fave Alice In Chains. You guys may wanna give "Nice Shot" by Filter a listen.
LOVE this song. It was their second big radio hit after their breakout single, "Man in the Box". The whole album "Dirt" (that this song is from) is EXCEPTIONAL. You've also done "Them Bones" and "Rooster" from this album, but could also react to "Down in a Hole" or "Angry Chair". And though I'm sure I'm going to be the only one recommending it, I'll suggest you add AIC's "Again", which is probably my favorite of theirs after "Man in the Box" (and it's TOUGH!). RIP Layne Staley. And Amber? The drummer's name is Sean Kinney. Finally - PLEASE do a song by Live. "Lightning Crashes" is the best place to start.
I was shocked and kept in complete awe when I heard this song break over the radio when it was released. I thought I had heard it all, loved many of the Seattle grunge singers such as Cornell & Vedder, but Staley & Cobain? They seemed to be the most incredible lead vocalists of that group/Genre and really had all of us self imposed Rock critics buzzing. Loved watching it all unfold in the 90's. It was the complete backdrop of that decade imho.
‘Angry Chair,’ ‘Rain When I Die,’ ‘Bleed The Freak,’ ‘Again,’ ‘Down In A Hole,’ ‘Sea If Sorrow’ You could keep going. There’s really not a bad song to choose from IMO. Have you guys reacted to Metallica yet?
This song is on the soundtrack to the movie Singles which my teenage self was so in love with in the mid-90s. I went back and watched it recently and it is an interesting watch for the music. They attend a couple of concerts that are Alice in Chains in a small club. Mother Love Bone is on a ton of the graffiti in the movie. Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam is in Matt Dillon's band. I always wanted to dress like Bridget Fonda's character although looking back at it the girl seriously needs to grow a backbone. lol It's a fun little slice of the 90s from director Cameron Crowe -- not great, but fun.
An amazing band, Layne left too soon, I would love to hear what he would be doing musically had he stayed around…. rip….. a great song and reaction…! ✌🏼
Amber, you are spot-on when you mention that AIC talked about things that you never heard on the radio. They delved deep into the soul of damaged people and we were all better for hearing it.
"Love, Hate, Love" is a must, live if you can!! Jerry penned this in tribute to Andrew Wood, several bands did tributes. My fav AIC song, Jerry is seriously underrated...missing Layne...RIP. 🥺
Agreed! I think they should watch the Unplugged version of it. I know some prefer the album cut, but the rawness of the Unplugged version, along with knowing Layne was so far down in his hole at that time, makes it doubly amazing.
*I agree with the many who are suggesting Love, Hate, Love; Live at the Moore. For heavier AIC songs try: It Ain't Like That__Again__Dam That River__Them Bones__Junkhead__Bleed The Freak__Angry Chair__Grind. Try the softer side as well, try: Rotten Apple__Sludge Factory__Don't Follow__Rain When I Die. But I love every one of their songs, so for me there's too many to list. AIC was my favorite of the Seattle bands in the 90s. The only of those bands of which I have every album/CD by and I can listen to every song without feeling like pressing "skip." But they were followed closely by Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and even Mother Love Bone. I also loved the side project album "Above" by Mad Season (includes Layne Staley of AIC and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam). Oh, and you might want to watch the movie "Singles" on your movie reaction channel.*
"No Excuses". Is a must. So good to see you both enjoying such a great band. KULA SHAKER are worth a listening to. Like to see what you say on them. They went a bit under the radar in the early 90s but were still selling lots of music regardless. 🎶
This is a cool channel. The listeners' affection and respect for Alice In Chains's song really comes across in the discussion. It's cool to see people really appreciate a band that may be outside their usual musical preferences.
Such a great reaction, thank you Jay and Amber. You should check out another band from the Grunge scene, 'Soundgarden', some tracks to react to by them, 'Fell on Black Days', 'My Wave', 'Head Down', 'Let Me Drown', 'The Day I Tried to Live', and 'Like Suicide'.
Would? is really good, if you want to hear a great, tough, hard vocal performance by Layne, try the live version of "Love, Hate, Love" at the Moore Theater. Jaw dropping!
FINALLY!!!! My favorite song from my favorite band. You can't get a full appreciation for them until you listen to this song. The best voices in harmony together ❤️ ❤️
I typed in "greatest song reactions" in my youtube search and landed here. I'M GLAD I DID! AIC is one of my favorite bands, this is one of my favorite songs, and both of you were very entertaining. I'm sure lots of peeps suggested plenty of songs by AIC, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Nirvana and many more 90's heavies, but if you want one 90's band that many grunge/alternative fans don't know, I say give "Paw" a try. "Dragline" is the one album that most haven't listened to and is truly a hidden gem.
Still my #1 favorite song ever. The first time I saw this music video it blew me away. One of those times you discover a new band that you’re forever gonna love. ⛓
Some good Alice in chains songs to listen to are Love Hate Love, Down In a Hole, Don't Follow, Again, No Excuses, I Stay Away, Over Now, and Sea of Sorrow
"Angry chair" is one of my favorites that nobody reacts to. Jerry sings almost half this song. To hear him sing lead, try "Grind." For harder stuff, try "Them bones."
This is my favorite Alice in Chains song by far. You guys did a great job reacting to it. Been a fan of you guys for a while now. Other grunge songs I'd suggest are Big Empty and Big Bang Baby by Stone Temple Pilots, Soma and Mayonaise by Smashing Pumpkins, Cannonball by the Breeders, Heart-shaped Box by Nirvana or Violet by Hole.
Alice in Chains, Grunge, the early 90's. Made my head spinn. Didn't know how good I had it 😮😮 ?? Love the fact that you can appreciate this and I can share it with Rob and Amber. ❤ Still trying to recover from the experience. They captured dark and twisted so well!
“Rooster” is their rawest, most visceral song. It’s about his father who was a Vietnam vet. It’s a song that every combat veteran can identify with, and why their children sometimes struggle to understand them.
That depth of sound you hear in a lot of early 90s grunge is the Neve 8048 Sound Board at London Bridge Studios in Seattle. Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice, and others all recorded on this console. That sound board was a major factor in producing the "Seattle Sound". And you are right Amber, there was a lot of deep feels during that time in Seattle. Poverty, addiction, world politics - all weighed on the soul of the city - and the music culture responded with honesty, compassion, and love. Yet, you could still feel the pain under it all. A mourning, a grieving; of lost childhoods and broken hearts. This song was a tribute to Andrew Wood, the singer of Mother Love Bone who died right when they got signed. They were the first Seattle band of the era to do so - they paved the way. After Andrew died, the band got a new singer and relaunched as Pearl Jam. We lost some key people in our music family up here for all the dumbest reasons. It left marks. Jerry and Andrew were friends. You can find the song Would on the Singles soundtrack, which was directed by Nancy Wilson's husband. Pr later, on the Dirt album.
Omg, YES!!! I can't believe they haven't done Black yet!!! One of my favorite songs of all time, and yeah, might just be the best song of the 90s, which is saying a LOT!!!
One of my first favorite alternative songs back in the day and it still hits just as hard 30 years later... That's sad to say that this song is 30 years old.
Don't sleep on Chris Cornell all three of them are unmatched unique gone way to soon r.i.p to absolute legends 🤘🤘🔥 Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Chris Cornell
Great reaction! Layne had such a presence to him! He didn't have to fly around the stage. He could just stand there and belt out that tremendous voice!
Kudos to Jerry Cantrell's writing to get that human experience as mentioned AND for his awesome vocals on many of their songs. Layne was great, but don't overlook Jerry!
LOVE and respect from Lady Amber ❤ for us drummers!!😎 Back then Grunge pushed the Hard Rock music to the side. Monster drum kits that rock drummers were playing then with 20 toms 2 or more bass drums, and 10 cymbals faded away FAST. The drummers out of Seattle came in like a tidal wave. Sean Kinney of AIC was one of those drummers. Dave Grohl (Nivana, Foo Fighters) Matt Cameron (Sound Garden, Pearl Jam) and Dave Abbruzzese (Pearl Jam). Four MONSTER drummers that showed and proved on small drum kits....4 drums and 4 cymbals. Standard set up for Rock and Jazz drummers in the 60s.
LOVE, HATE, LOVE (live at the Moore) is a must for Alice in Chains. You two will not be disappointed. Something tough...ENEMIES by Shinedown...LAST RESORT by Papa Roach...CLICK CLICK BOOM by Saliva.
That profile of Layne in the glasses, goatee accentuating point of his chin, yelling into the microphone... tell me he doesn’t resemble the creature in Aliens! C’mon, I know I’m not the only one who sees this.
Thank you for doing Alice In Chains. Every time, never fails, makes me cry about happened to the singer, what a waist. It's never a suicide or overdose, it's murder. Check thier song "Angry Chair" the harmony is crazy and more suggested below by other viewers. Love you.
Honestly y’all if u like this type of scene I highly recommend listening to mother love bone “this is shangrila” and “Chloe dancer” like highly recommend! They were all in the same scene and candlebox wrote “far behind” as a tribute to the lead singer and temple of the dogs only album with hunger strike was also a tribute cause he was friends w Chris Cornell (rest in paradise ❤❤)
My favorite band. Miss Layne to this day. Jerry Cantrell is a god among men. Wrote some of the most amazing melodies, riffs and lyrics of the 90's. He's an excellent singer in his own right as well. He and Layne harmonized so beautifully. God, I love this band.
This is one of those bands I always liked but never truly dove into til recently. I went through a period where I was knee deep in addiction and their music spoke to me so much.
"If I would, would you?" Love your reaction! This was the song that made me take notice of Alice in Chains. Then I heard 'The Rooster' and 'Man in a Box' and I was hooked.
"Bullet With Butterfly Wings" and "Zero" by The Smashing Pumpkins are nice and heavy and will let you ring that bell!. "Tonight, Tonight" and "1979" are also VERY good but not "heavy". Or you could always circle back banks you've only hit once or twice. There's Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" or "Spoonman"; The Foo Fighters', "The Pretender", "All My Life" or "Monkey Wrench"; Bush's "Machinehead"; Stone Temple Pilot's "Sexy Type Thing" and Pearl Jam's "Evenflow" will all bring the heaviness. Edit. Also Kiss' "Parasite Lady" and Black Sabbath's Supernaut.
If you want something tougher check out the songs "Sweating Bullets" by Megadeth, "Walk" by Pantera, "Black No.1" by Type O Negative, "Master of Puppets" by Metallica, and "Head Like a Hole" by Nine Inch Nails
Talking about the vocals. Layne had the perfect voice. That controlled scream. I remember the first time I heard them, thought no way, dude sounds like he's electric. Literally electric.
Love the haunting harmonies of the verses. Great bass and spacious drum groove. Then the chorus hits you! Layne just has a jazziness to his lines that feel like he's about to fall off key but always brings it back.
You know what is a surprising song that is absolutely awesome. It is actually post Layne Staley and is predominantly Jerry Cantrell on vocals. It’s “Your Decision “
This shows Layne’s voice at his strongest!!! That piercing voice is just incredible!! I’ve seen an AIC tribute band called Rooster and the singer guy looks and sounds JUST LIKE Layne!! I kid you not!!! One of the BEST tribute bands I’ve ever heard too! You guys should try if u haven’t already, Heaven Beside You, Man in the Box, and Godsmack!!
90s was definitely about feelings/angst stuff. I guess literally the grunge of humanity which is perfect explanation of the music. Glad y’all love and understand my teen heart’s love language ❤
AIC spoke to GenX and the grunge forgotten. This was our therapy, we went through it with Layne and Kurt. They spoke in a way we couldn’t and were authentic. To be frank, we were all using the same shit and losing friends. The future was uncertain and the end always near, to steal a line from the Lizard King.
My "greatest hits" by Alice in Chains in my playlists are: Angry Chair, Brother (Unplugged), Down in a Hole, Frogs (Unplugged), Grind, It Ain't Like That, Nutshell (Album & Unplugged), Rooster, Rotten Apple (Album), Sludge Factory (Unplugged), and Would. You just can't go wrong with these. It's an emotional rollercoaster that is worth the ride.
The song was written about Andrew Wood, lead singer for Mother Love Bone who died of a drug overdose. Cameron Crowe heard it and he decided to include it in the soundtrack to the movie Singles. You should give Angry Chair a listen. It's one of Alice in Chains' best tracks.
In my opinion, Alice in Chains was the best to come out of that era
Arguably. But a very good argument.
100%
I liked Alice and Soundgarden more than any of the others that broke mainstream, but my favorite band of the time was The Afghan Whigs followed maybe by Dinosaur Jr.
A very close second to Soundgarden ;)
It's funny. As someone listening to them in the 90s, I always thought they were overlooked a little. Don't get me wrong, they were big. But I thought their Unplugged was one of the best, and it didn't get much attention at the time. It's nice seeing them get their due from the reaction community.
The best band to ever come out of that typical Seattle scene imo. Alice In Chains always rules.
The only bad thing about this song is that it ends. My favorite AIC song.
I've discovered that if you poll AIC fans the consensus is this one on top of a list of favorites. Followed, probably, by Nutshell
My favorite too. Since day 1
@@notacynic1 either Would or Down In A Hole (unplugged)
Same!! Totally agree!
Absolutely
Sean Kinney doesn't get the respect he deserves for his drumming on this song, and really for all of the AIC songs. He kills it on this song!
Kinney is the best of the Seattle Band drummers
@@mikem8749 facts
Always in the pocket!!!
No Excuses, Sickman, Man in the Box
@@mikem8749 personally I like Matt Cameron more but I don’t put Dave or Sean much below, I just prefer Matt’s style more, but all are amazing in their own right
I'm a broken record on this, but it does kind of drive me nuts that people don't notice that Jerry Cantrell is singing lead probably a quarter of the time in this era of the band. For instance, he's singing lead in these verses, and Layne is doing harmony. Not a big deal, but I always feel I have to bring it up. :-)
was a good album
*EDIT*: Boggy Depot.
Absolutley right! Jerry deserves credit where it's due.
Because Layne’s voice makes it not matter.
The AIC harmonies between Layne and Jerry are gold
Yeah Jerry had a voice but cmon Layne had THE voice
Also one of the most heaviest, grooviest, most iconic bass riffs ever. RIP Mike Starr, you absolute legend. Hope you're hanging out with Layne and Andy and Chris somewhere.
And Scott, and Taylor and Kurt as well!!! They are doing it grunge style up above us!!
Don't forget John Baker and Mark Lanigan!
@@smahring yeah man, so many of those guys all gone, and quite sadly taken by suicide either by the smack or depression 😟
Chester as well
Mike was so underrated. RIP
Jerry Cantrell wrote this song while living (couch surfing )with Chris Cornell about their friend, Cornell’s roommate , Andrew Wood, who had recently died of a Heroin overdose. Hence the title “Would?”.
Cantrell is massively underrated and a super down to earth Rock Star!
He's one of the best songwriters of all time. And a damn good singer too.
I once saw him picking up his dry cleaning. Down to earth, indeed.
Andrew Wood was the Lead singer of Mother Love Bone, after his death Chris helped hook them up with a new lead singer, Eddie Vedder and they became Pearl Jam. Lots of the guys from both bands (Soundgarden & Pearl Jam) joined forces to form the Super Group - Temple Of The Dog ("Say Hello To Heaven" - Chris wrote almost immediately after his passing). R.I.P. Layne, Mike, Chris, Andrew, Kurt, and so, so many more amazing grunge artist we lost to their pain.
@@theidajawho thank you for writing this. I was about to and then thought…. Maybe I should read all of the comments…. Someone else has probably mentioned these facts lol. ❤️
As commented it's about Andrew Wood (hence "Would?" The Seattle rock scene was really tight. I'm sure there was some competitiveness but in large love. Wood's band Mother Love Bone was the first band in that scene set to break out to the big time... or maybe at that same time as Soundgarden because I think they were being courted by major labels at the time too. Anyhow, guitarist and main writer wrote mostly from the point of view of now dead Andrew Wood and it's basically saying you can feel dad about but unless you've walked in my shoes you have no right to judge
You were right about the vocals having the emotion of someone going through something. This song was written about Andrew Wood, the lead singer of Mother Love Bone. All the bands in Seattle knew each other are were a tight community, so the band all knew Andrew. Mother Love Bone was one of the top acts in Seattle right as grunge was about to explode. But Andrew died of an overdose a few days before their first album was scheduled to be released. Temple of the Dog, who you've reacted to, was a tribute project to Andrew started by his roommate Chris Cornell. The rest of Mother Love Bone connected with Eddie Vedder and became Pearl Jam. Layne titled this song "Would?" as a play on "Wood." It's awesome that Amber picked this one.
I hope they read this because it is exactly what happened, the band Green River probably deserves a plug too👍🏼
Got to give Jerry his props on this song! However, nobody can touch Layne's voice. RIP
agreed honestly i felt chris cornell and was the greatest singers from the Seattle 4. its sad layne is not hear he had so much more to give and his life was cut short. same with chris but chris has more time with us.
Alice in Chains saved my life in high school.
Most people question how.
I believe it was because the music was dark and gritty.
I connected with it and it allowed me to sit with my feelings and know that I wasn’t alone.
Thank you for your reaction (all of your reactions). Love you guys. ❤️
Keep it coming!
same here, a blessing...
God Bless, Van Halen saved my life as a teen in High School. I get you ❤😂🎉
You guys should react to more Alice In Chains…
"I Stay Away", "Angry Chair", "Got Me Wrong", "Down in a Hole", "No Excuses", "Bleed the Freak", "Love, Hate, Love", "Rain When I Die", "Sea Of Sorrow", "Again", "We Die Young", "Heaven Besides You"
🎸🤘
💯 facts 🤙
YES on "Again" and again. and again.
"No excuses" is my favorite AIC song ❤️
Nutshell.
"I Stay Away" 👍👍
Man we were so lucky. I was 25 in 1992 and remember these guys coming on the scene and blowing everyone away. They were an awesome, beyond awesome band. Oh us Generation X people certainly were a lucky bunch.
we definitely are =)
Fuck yeah. I turned 18 in 1991. The music that came out that year: Metallica Black Album, Pearl Jam Ten, Nirvana Nevermind, GNR Use Your Illusion 1 and 2, Prince NPG Diamonds and Pearls. They all came out in a few months of each other. Classic year for music.
Agreed brother, we did get to enjoy the best musical eras.
Anything that came after millenials feels like garbage tbh.
Boomers too man. Born in 1961 and I love this band.
You really need to do "Love, Hate, Love" Live at The Moore by Alice In Chains. It's probably Layne Staley's best recorded vocal performance EVER!!!!
💯 facts 🤙
He sounds POSSESSED during that performance. His scream is so intense you'd swear it peeled the paint off the walls.
Yes!!!
And then do “Lifeless Dead” by Mad Season live at the Moore
I've asked them to do this a TON. Glad someone else is finally, lol.
Every time I listen to this songs I get chills, the pure emotion this song conveys is crazy... no other song has had this effect on me.
Its about Andrew Wood, another singer from Seattle who died of an overdose. To me, Mother Love Bone's Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns was the start of mainstream grunge.
Mother Love Bone def started the grunge movement!!
Yeah, Temple of the Dog was how Chris Cornell and the future Pearl Jam dealt with Wood's death, and this song is how Layne Staley and AiC dealt with it. Staley himself was back on the pony by this time and eventually died of his own OD about a decade later.
Alice in Chains is often remembered as the harder side of grunge, but they also have a fairly extensive acoustic catalog (mostly on Sap and Jar of Files) if y'all are looking for some variety.
Omg, Chloe Dancer /Crown of Thorns is on my heavy rotation playlist-- soooo good!!!
If you did a flow chart of grunge, Mother Love Bone/Andy Wood would be at the top of that chart. Everything came off of that. And Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns is one of my favorite songs of all time. Chills every time.
Andrew Wood definitely influenced the entire scene probably more than anyone else... I would love to see them react to Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns
If you want a harder Allice in Chains song, do "Them Bones". It's also a relatively short song.
If you want a great example of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell's harmonies, do "Down in a Hole" live from MTV Unplugged.
As others have mentioned, "Love Hate Love" live at the Moore is a great showcase for Layne Staleys vocals. "Man in the Box" and "Bleed the Freak" are also great live at the Moore.
If you want some good under appreciated Alice in Chains songs that aren't reacted to often, try "Rain When I Die" and "No Excuses".
Honestly, Alice in Chains is like the Beastie Boys, you can't miss with any of their songs. I should add that it has to be Alice in Chains with Layne Staley. You can miss with some of their stuff without Layne.
They (well at least Jay) did "Them Bones" already.
He already did a reaction to it and forgot . I'm concerned about his well being .
Mike Starr is also killing it with that bass riff. You guys need to react to Alice in Chains live. Please do "Love, Hate, Love" from the Moore. Layne's vocals are unbelievable during this performance.
Like most Alice in Chains songs, "Would?" wasn't released as a commercial single (meaning you couldn't buy it) in the US because they wanted fans to buy the album. It was sent to radio stations and MTV as the first promotional single from their second album, Dirt.
I doing know if y'all have done "Down In A Hole"
by Alice in Chains...but that is a great song. So Melancholy.
If you want the epitome of the grunge era, this song just may be it. It also happens to be my favorite tune of the time.
Hard to argue with that!
Dirt is better than Superunknown, Ten, or Nevermind--the zenith of grunge.
I never get tired of this song.
One of the Grunge greats. I love this song.👍🏻✌🏻🤘🏻As a Gen Xer and lover of Grunge, I have mental illness that I was diagnosed with in my late twenties. Before that the grunge music literally kept me alive. I didn’t have meds or therapy, just my music and the open road. Driving at night out in the country was my therapy then.
You want something dark and deep: A lice in Chains Live at the Moore Threatre: "Bleed the Freak" and "Love, Hate, Love". Playing it live. you'll be just blown away!
The live version of "Love, Hate, Love" is a MUST!!!
Live at the Moore, you won't regret it!!
Yes yes yes! Blows me away every single time and I've watched it hundreds
I love the fact that Amber is coming to realize that she doesn't need to be afraid of the harder stuff.👍
Wow, nice Amber. As a drummer myself, I have always been blown away by the drums, especially toward the end. Outstanding ear, Amber. As far as an equivalent for “shredding” on the drums? I think shredding is appropriate. Hmmmm. I’ll just say he completely kicked ass.
Non drummer here. This one sounds like a war drumming “chant”. How do you see it?
Pounding the skins?
@@leannewilson7184 I think that’s a very good description. War-like. But it’s not a simple beat at all. And some of his fills, especially towards the end are very unorthodox and very cool.
Kinney's a machine.
@@KipArmadillo Sean's drumming is always overlooked. He might not be flashy and AIC songs are not fast...but his style (in almost every song) is so unique and tasty. I olay guitar, but I always listen to the drums in AIC songs.
This is by far the greatest song by AIC!! Such a deep song from the Grunge era. Monumental!!!
Audioslave, with Cornell on vocals, song Coshise would be a great reaction for you two to do. Make sure to do the official video. Cheers!
Rammstein "Du Hast" (original video) is heavy and a BANGER!!!!! It's one of those songs you just have to crank the volume up and go crazy. Gets your adrenaline up! 👍🏻👍🏻Jay, you'll LOVE it... and I know Amber will really like it too.
A few of the Seattle bands came out with odes to Andy Wood from Mother Love Bone after his death right at the beginning of "grunge" Candlebox came out with "far behind" for him, Temple of the Dog did "Say Hello to Heaven" which still gives me a little lump in my throat every time. there are a few others I can't think of off hand. Pretty sure you'd enjoy each and every one of them.
This song is just so TRIBAL.
Those drums and that bass - and so rhythmic.
By FAR my fave Alice In Chains.
You guys may wanna give "Nice Shot" by Filter a listen.
LOVE this song. It was their second big radio hit after their breakout single, "Man in the Box". The whole album "Dirt" (that this song is from) is EXCEPTIONAL. You've also done "Them Bones" and "Rooster" from this album, but could also react to "Down in a Hole" or "Angry Chair". And though I'm sure I'm going to be the only one recommending it, I'll suggest you add AIC's "Again", which is probably my favorite of theirs after "Man in the Box" (and it's TOUGH!). RIP Layne Staley. And Amber? The drummer's name is Sean Kinney. Finally - PLEASE do a song by Live. "Lightning Crashes" is the best place to start.
Great suggestion. Live sadly is becoming a criminally forgotten band.
"We Die Young" was their first single, and "Bleed the Freak" and "Sea of Sorrow" were also singles.
Live is amazing! All Over You, I Alone, Selling the Drama, The Dolphin’s Cry, They stood Up For Love, all are awesome!
@@BonzoDrummer The band, Live, bro. Not a live version. All the songs I named were by the band, Live.
I was shocked and kept in complete awe when I heard this song break over the radio when it was released. I thought I had heard it all, loved many of the Seattle grunge singers such as Cornell & Vedder, but Staley & Cobain? They seemed to be the most incredible lead vocalists of that group/Genre and really had all of us self imposed Rock critics buzzing. Loved watching it all unfold in the 90's. It was the complete backdrop of that decade imho.
‘Angry Chair,’ ‘Rain When I Die,’ ‘Bleed The Freak,’ ‘Again,’ ‘Down In A Hole,’ ‘Sea If Sorrow’ You could keep going. There’s really not a bad song to choose from IMO. Have you guys reacted to Metallica yet?
Junkhead always blew my mind from the album Dirt
Don’t they kind of have a swing song almost?? Or am I thinking of someone else?
This song is on the soundtrack to the movie Singles which my teenage self was so in love with in the mid-90s. I went back and watched it recently and it is an interesting watch for the music. They attend a couple of concerts that are Alice in Chains in a small club. Mother Love Bone is on a ton of the graffiti in the movie. Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam is in Matt Dillon's band. I always wanted to dress like Bridget Fonda's character although looking back at it the girl seriously needs to grow a backbone. lol It's a fun little slice of the 90s from director Cameron Crowe -- not great, but fun.
I was hoping someone would mention that! Classic 🖤
An amazing band, Layne left too soon, I would love to hear what he would be doing musically had he stayed around…. rip….. a great song and reaction…! ✌🏼
He was perfect at what he did. There isn't a single band that I like that is still good after their initial run.
Amber, you are spot-on when you mention that AIC talked about things that you never heard on the radio. They delved deep into the soul of damaged people and we were all better for hearing it.
"Love, Hate, Love" is a must, live if you can!!
Jerry penned this in tribute to Andrew Wood, several bands did tributes.
My fav AIC song, Jerry is seriously underrated...missing Layne...RIP. 🥺
Thank you Amber for recognizing Sean kenny. He is one of the most interesting to listen to drummers to come out of the entire grunge era
Down in a Hole should totally be your next Alice in Chains reaction! I think you'd both love it!
Yes! My fave AIC song 😊
Agreed! I think they should watch the Unplugged version of it. I know some prefer the album cut, but the rawness of the Unplugged version, along with knowing Layne was so far down in his hole at that time, makes it doubly amazing.
Unplugged version!
*I agree with the many who are suggesting Love, Hate, Love; Live at the Moore. For heavier AIC songs try: It Ain't Like That__Again__Dam That River__Them Bones__Junkhead__Bleed The Freak__Angry Chair__Grind. Try the softer side as well, try: Rotten Apple__Sludge Factory__Don't Follow__Rain When I Die. But I love every one of their songs, so for me there's too many to list. AIC was my favorite of the Seattle bands in the 90s. The only of those bands of which I have every album/CD by and I can listen to every song without feeling like pressing "skip." But they were followed closely by Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and even Mother Love Bone. I also loved the side project album "Above" by Mad Season (includes Layne Staley of AIC and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam). Oh, and you might want to watch the movie "Singles" on your movie reaction channel.*
"No Excuses". Is a must. So good to see you both enjoying such a great band.
KULA SHAKER are worth a listening to. Like to see what you say on them. They went a bit under the radar in the early 90s but were still selling lots of music regardless. 🎶
This is a cool channel. The listeners' affection and respect for Alice In Chains's song really comes across in the discussion. It's cool to see people really appreciate a band that may be outside their usual musical preferences.
Amber, when a drummer is getting it i like to say he's beating those drums like they owe him money!
Such a great reaction, thank you Jay and Amber. You should check out another band from the Grunge scene, 'Soundgarden', some tracks to react to by them, 'Fell on Black Days', 'My Wave', 'Head Down', 'Let Me Drown', 'The Day I Tried to Live', and 'Like Suicide'.
Would? is really good, if you want to hear a great, tough, hard vocal performance by Layne, try the live version of "Love, Hate, Love" at the Moore Theater. Jaw dropping!
For the softer gut-wrenching side of this band, listen to “Say goodbye don’t follow”
Chills… every single time…
FINALLY!!!! My favorite song from my favorite band. You can't get a full appreciation for them until you listen to this song. The best voices in harmony together ❤️ ❤️
I typed in "greatest song reactions" in my youtube search and landed here. I'M GLAD I DID! AIC is one of my favorite bands, this is one of my favorite songs, and both of you were very entertaining. I'm sure lots of peeps suggested plenty of songs by AIC, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Nirvana and many more 90's heavies, but if you want one 90's band that many grunge/alternative fans don't know, I say give "Paw" a try. "Dragline" is the one album that most haven't listened to and is truly a hidden gem.
Nutshell is a great song. Down in a hole, Rain when I die is really awesome…
Grunge was visceral, real raw emotion and nobody captured it better than Layne. His vocals on the catch to man in box are unmatched, crazy notes.
I love the way this song sounds. Such a full soundscape, beautifully composed.
Still my #1 favorite song ever. The first time I saw this music video it blew me away. One of those times you discover a new band that you’re forever gonna love. ⛓
I still love watching Jay jump out of his skin reacting to Them Bones 😂
Some good Alice in chains songs to listen to are Love Hate Love, Down In a Hole, Don't Follow, Again, No Excuses, I Stay Away, Over Now, and Sea of Sorrow
"Angry chair" is one of my favorites that nobody reacts to. Jerry sings almost half this song. To hear him sing lead, try "Grind." For harder stuff, try "Them bones."
Their song "Again" is another top one in my opinion. You can't go wrong reviewing it here. It will be a favorite, the first time you hear it.
This is my favorite Alice in Chains song by far. You guys did a great job reacting to it. Been a fan of you guys for a while now. Other grunge songs I'd suggest are Big Empty and Big Bang Baby by Stone Temple Pilots, Soma and Mayonaise by Smashing Pumpkins, Cannonball by the Breeders, Heart-shaped Box by Nirvana or Violet by Hole.
Alice in Chains, Grunge, the early 90's.
Made my head spinn.
Didn't know how good I had it 😮😮 ??
Love the fact that you can appreciate this and I can share it with Rob and Amber. ❤
Still trying to recover from the experience.
They captured dark and twisted so well!
“Rooster” is their rawest, most visceral song. It’s about his father who was a Vietnam vet. It’s a song that every combat veteran can identify with, and why their children sometimes struggle to understand them.
They did that one.
That depth of sound you hear in a lot of early 90s grunge is the Neve 8048 Sound Board at London Bridge Studios in Seattle. Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice, and others all recorded on this console. That sound board was a major factor in producing the "Seattle Sound". And you are right Amber, there was a lot of deep feels during that time in Seattle. Poverty, addiction, world politics - all weighed on the soul of the city - and the music culture responded with honesty, compassion, and love. Yet, you could still feel the pain under it all. A mourning, a grieving; of lost childhoods and broken hearts. This song was a tribute to Andrew Wood, the singer of Mother Love Bone who died right when they got signed. They were the first Seattle band of the era to do so - they paved the way. After Andrew died, the band got a new singer and relaunched as Pearl Jam. We lost some key people in our music family up here for all the dumbest reasons. It left marks. Jerry and Andrew were friends. You can find the song Would on the Singles soundtrack, which was directed by Nancy Wilson's husband. Pr later, on the Dirt album.
Love this song!! If you want dark and raw, then react to Pearl Jam’s “Black”.
Best song of the 90s, IMHO.
😊💙
Yesssss They want deep feeling and emotion?! This would be the perfect song for that.
Omg, YES!!! I can't believe they haven't done Black yet!!! One of my favorite songs of all time, and yeah, might just be the best song of the 90s, which is saying a LOT!!!
I think they did Black already. Maybe it was blocked…? Black blocked?
One of my first favorite alternative songs back in the day and it still hits just as hard 30 years later... That's sad to say that this song is 30 years old.
Don't sleep on Chris Cornell all three of them are unmatched unique gone way to soon r.i.p to absolute legends 🤘🤘🔥 Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Chris Cornell
Great reaction!
Layne had such a presence to him!
He didn't have to fly around the stage.
He could just stand there and belt out that tremendous voice!
You should give this a try from 1990: Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing (Official Music Video)
Do anything live at the moore. Legendary. You can feel his voice and how he fills a stadium.
Kudos to Jerry Cantrell's writing to get that human experience as mentioned AND for his awesome vocals on many of their songs. Layne was great, but don't overlook Jerry!
LOVE and respect from Lady Amber ❤ for us drummers!!😎 Back then Grunge pushed the Hard Rock music to the side. Monster drum kits that rock drummers were playing then with 20 toms 2 or more bass drums, and 10 cymbals faded away FAST. The drummers out of Seattle came in like a tidal wave. Sean Kinney of AIC was one of those drummers. Dave Grohl (Nivana, Foo Fighters) Matt Cameron (Sound Garden, Pearl Jam) and Dave Abbruzzese (Pearl Jam). Four MONSTER drummers that showed and proved on small drum kits....4 drums and 4 cymbals. Standard set up for Rock and Jazz drummers in the 60s.
Love it
That whole album is a banger! I got to see them open for Ozzy in the early 90's and was blown away how good and how loud they were.
LOVE, HATE, LOVE (live at the Moore) is a must for Alice in Chains. You two will not be disappointed. Something tough...ENEMIES by Shinedown...LAST RESORT by Papa Roach...CLICK CLICK BOOM by Saliva.
She asked for it and got "Theatre of Music". All there and meaning full, describes a lot of this era's music. Love the reaction. Stay Safe.
AIC was just so pure and raw. They get you in the gut with every song.
That profile of Layne in the glasses, goatee accentuating point of his chin, yelling into the microphone... tell me he doesn’t resemble the creature in Aliens! C’mon, I know I’m not the only one who sees this.
Thank you for doing Alice In Chains. Every time, never fails, makes me cry about happened to the singer, what a waist. It's never a suicide or overdose, it's murder. Check thier song "Angry Chair" the harmony is crazy and more suggested below by other viewers. Love you.
I still can't believe I actually saw them live. Layne was still healthy and for one evening, it was more than just a concert.
Jerry Cantrell deserves recognition for doing a lot of the harmony on the vocals for this song, as well as many others.
Honestly y’all if u like this type of scene I highly recommend listening to mother love bone “this is shangrila” and “Chloe dancer” like highly recommend! They were all in the same scene and candlebox wrote “far behind” as a tribute to the lead singer and temple of the dogs only album with hunger strike was also a tribute cause he was friends w Chris Cornell (rest in paradise ❤❤)
My favorite band. Miss Layne to this day. Jerry Cantrell is a god among men. Wrote some of the most amazing melodies, riffs and lyrics of the 90's. He's an excellent singer in his own right as well. He and Layne harmonized so beautifully. God, I love this band.
I spent a lot of time listening to this album. Layne’s vocals were hauntingly beautiful.
Love to hear y’all do down in a hole…. My favorite. You guys rock!
Love hate love- live at the Moore theater. Check out Layne s other band Mad Season- wake-up also live at the Moore theater
This is one of those bands I always liked but never truly dove into til recently. I went through a period where I was knee deep in addiction and their music spoke to me so much.
I thought I was the only one that hears that voice and close your eyes and just smile like you know he is one of the best voices out there
We are so lucky for the experience of this band…
"If I would, would you?" Love your reaction! This was the song that made me take notice of Alice in Chains. Then I heard 'The Rooster' and 'Man in a Box' and I was hooked.
"Bullet With Butterfly Wings" and "Zero" by The Smashing Pumpkins are nice and heavy and will let you ring that bell!. "Tonight, Tonight" and "1979" are also VERY good but not "heavy". Or you could always circle back banks you've only hit once or twice. There's Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" or "Spoonman"; The Foo Fighters', "The Pretender", "All My Life" or "Monkey Wrench"; Bush's "Machinehead"; Stone Temple Pilot's "Sexy Type Thing" and Pearl Jam's "Evenflow" will all bring the heaviness. Edit. Also Kiss' "Parasite Lady" and Black Sabbath's Supernaut.
If you want something tougher check out the songs "Sweating Bullets" by Megadeth, "Walk" by Pantera, "Black No.1" by Type O Negative, "Master of Puppets" by Metallica, and "Head Like a Hole" by Nine Inch Nails
You're not wrong about the grunge singers sounding hurt. Pretty sure one review said Layne sounded like a tortured angel.
Talking about the vocals. Layne had the perfect voice. That controlled scream. I remember the first time I heard them, thought no way, dude sounds like he's electric. Literally electric.
Love the haunting harmonies of the verses. Great bass and spacious drum groove.
Then the chorus hits you! Layne just has a jazziness to his lines that feel like he's about to fall off key but always brings it back.
You know what is a surprising song that is absolutely awesome. It is actually post Layne Staley and is predominantly Jerry Cantrell on vocals. It’s “Your Decision “
Just imagine how much more beautiful music we would have if we didn't lose so many of the greats so young. Addiction is a killer💔
This shows Layne’s voice at his strongest!!! That piercing voice is just incredible!! I’ve seen an AIC tribute band called Rooster and the singer guy looks and sounds JUST LIKE Layne!! I kid you not!!! One of the BEST tribute bands I’ve ever heard too! You guys should try if u haven’t already, Heaven Beside You, Man in the Box, and Godsmack!!
Great choice, Amber! This song is absolutely timeless! This was the first AIC song I played for my son.
90s was definitely about feelings/angst stuff. I guess literally the grunge of humanity which is perfect explanation of the music. Glad y’all love and understand my teen heart’s love language ❤
AIC spoke to GenX and the grunge forgotten. This was our therapy, we went through it with Layne and Kurt. They spoke in a way we couldn’t and were authentic. To be frank, we were all using the same shit and losing friends. The future was uncertain and the end always near, to steal a line from the Lizard King.
You've got to watch their whole unplugged performance.
One of my favorites of all time
My "greatest hits" by Alice in Chains in my playlists are: Angry Chair, Brother (Unplugged), Down in a Hole, Frogs (Unplugged), Grind, It Ain't Like That, Nutshell (Album & Unplugged), Rooster, Rotten Apple (Album), Sludge Factory (Unplugged), and Would. You just can't go wrong with these. It's an emotional rollercoaster that is worth the ride.
This song gave me hope while I was out at sea for 4 years. Dude knows this group is the bomb.
The song was written about Andrew Wood, lead singer for Mother Love Bone who died of a drug overdose. Cameron Crowe heard it and he decided to include it in the soundtrack to the movie Singles. You should give Angry Chair a listen. It's one of Alice in Chains' best tracks.