Degradation Trip Review

Released: Jun 18, 2002
Genre: Rock
Styles: Post-Grunge, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal
Number Of Tracks: 14
Essentially, this is a more ambitious, focused spin on Alice In Chains' final studio album.

Sound:	10
Lyrics:	9.8
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.9
Users rating:	8.5
Comments:	2

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: MadisonInChains, on may 29, 2007

Sound: Jerry Cantrell has always been a master of sound. With his G&L and Gibson combinations throughout the double albums. Even though many say this is like any traditional AiC album, I believe those years without any outside influence (like Layne, Sean, or Mike) made him better. I can tell that Jerry has turned a little bit away from his more rock persona to the blues. This can be heard in 31/32, Anger Rising, and Hurt's don't It. Nevertheless, Cantrell still kept his grunge style intact which is even better for his harder songs like Pro-False Idol, Pig Charmer, and Owned. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are thoughtful, and intense which can but be found anywhere else in present times except with Chris Cornell. The lyrics have tons of references to Layne, his childhood, personal issues, isolation, and day to day life. His skills as a singer has improved since Boggy. He has tons of more emotion, and moves with his guitar very nicely. Lyricly, Cantrell definitly took the time with each song. All of them have a great structure, and tons of imagery. The great examples are in She Was My Girl, 31/32, Siddhartha, and Anger Rising. // 9

Impression: Jerry Cantrell is one of the best musicians of all time. Compared to present artists who cite him as an influence can't even come to his level of inovation, and creativity. I love the lyrics the most. Although, I gave JC a lower score on lyrics, he is definitly better then lets say Zakk from BLS or Phil from Pantera. However, when I listen to the album, I am always waiting for that 1 or 2 cranking solo that came from Boggy, but you can't have everything, right? If it was stolen I would either try to find it, and stock the sob who stole it or I would buy 2 more. One for my house, and one for my car. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: seekdestroy83, on february 23, 2006

Sound: Note: this review is for the double album. That said, Degradation Trip is an all out masterpiece! Jerry composed a wide range of beautiful songs from the soft acoustics Gone and Give it a name, to the heavy, grungy sounds of Psychotic Break and Pig Charmer, to the punk beat of She Was My Girl, to the haunting guitar work in Hurts Don't It. This album spans all of Jerry's talents, and it shows. Every song sounds extremely well produced, and it really gets you into the music. It sounds like Jerry recorded at least three guitar tracks on every song - two electric and one acoustic, and that really adds a nice touch. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are every bit as emotional as the Alice lyrics of old. They're mostly pretty dark, ranging from substance abuse, old relationships, and other old, not so happy stories. Jerry is an excellent singer and blends the lyrics with the music quite nicely. // 10

Impression: I believe this album should go down in history as one of those must-have's for any hard rock fan, especially Alice in Chains fans. And it's not enough to have the single album - to truly experience his work, you have to get both volumes, lest you miss out on Pig Charmer, Hurts Don't It, Thanks Anyway and several other amazing songs. I mostly love the range of styles of music and the complexity of the guitar riffs. I really hope he makes another album, but it sounds like Alice is reuniting. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: newbreed, on may 03, 2005

Sound: The sound is great. For those who are Alice In Chains fans it will sound familar like music you would hear off and AIC CD, but at the same time it has new elements to it, a bit more uplifting. Jerry is a master at composing music, he blends lyrics with music so well. His music is really what seperates him from most modern artists today (well what would you expect from the man who brought us "Man In The Box, Rooster, and Would?). Cantrell has definatly not lost his touch at creating great music. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are brillant. Along with Jerry's singing ability this catergory easily gets a 5. After all those years behind Layne's vocals, who would have thought that Jerry was such a great vocalist? At times, it almost feels as if Layne was there too singing alongside Jerry. Many songs aren't based upon happy feelings, but thats alright because he pulls of singing about pain beautifully, without it sounding whiny and annoying. A number of songs appear to be heavily Layne influenced. I don't want to go on forever here so I'll move on. // 10

Impression: Great CD(s). Degradation Trip's volume 1 and 2 are great. Simply put they pretty much beat anything put out by other artists today. It probably isn't that well known because not many know who Jerry Cantrell is nowadays but if you don't have this CD, buy it as soon as you can. This is music as a whole, great music and lyrics molded togethor perfectly. Songs Bargain Basement Howard Hughes, and Gone are great songs. If it were lost, I would definatly go buy it again, in a heartbeat. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to listen to truly great music. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: newabortion, on april 18, 2005

Sound: An epic album from the former Alice In Chains guitar god. Fourteen perfect tracks. From the opening, haunting track "Psychotic Break" to the closing tear jerker "Gone" Cantrell keeps up the deepest, darkest hard-rock imaginable. A true complete album from the heavy-heavy metal song "Hellbound" to the metal ballad "Angel Eyes" to the grunge of "Bargain Basement Howard Hughes" to the acoustic sounds of "Solitude" to a punkish rocker "She Was My Girl" this album covers the spectrum of hard rock, keeping the darkness of Alice In Chains and still managing to be original. The musicmanship is awe-inspiring. Jerry Cantrell's impecable vocals and guitar playing, Mike Bordin on drums, and Robert Trujillo on bass, this is a true classic. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Jerry Cantrell is, along with Maynard James Keenan, the best songwriter living. Cantrell's lyrics are incredibly, inrospective and thought-provoking. Much like the mighty Alice In Chains, lyrics are what really make the album stand out as one of the best in a long while. // 10

Impression: I love this album. It is perfect in every way. I originally feared that it would sound too much like AIC minus Layne, but my fears were put to rest. This record is incredibly and worth the price. Alice In Chains music has helped me through the roughest times in my life and it's nice to have Jerry continue his role as a healer in my life, as well as many others. // 10

Comments

[sambargun]

superb album, not to be missed.

[RATM forever]

truly is amazing, i love the whole double album and cant stop listening to Bargain Basement Howard Hughes