Alice in Chains – Alice in Chains (1995): Album Review, Tracklist & Fun Facts
Released in November 1995, Alice in Chains is the self-titled third studio album by the Seattle grunge band. Often called the Tripod album due to its cover art featuring a three-legged dog, it is the last studio album featuring original lead vocalist Layne Staley before his passing in 2002. The record is known for its dark, heavy, and emotionally raw sound, continuing the themes of addiction, isolation, and despair that defined Dirt.
Album Overview
Produced by Alice in Chains and Toby Wright, the album expands on the band’s signature style of grunge, alternative metal, and acoustic textures. It blends heavy riffs, layered harmonies, and haunting melodies, giving listeners a dark, atmospheric experience.
Lyrically, the album explores addiction, personal struggle, and emotional pain, reflecting the band members’ battles with substance abuse during the mid-1990s. This introspective focus, combined with the band’s crushing musical intensity, makes Alice in Chains a standout release in their catalog.
Tracklist – Alice in Chains: Alice in Chains (1995)
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Grind
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Brush Away
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Sludge Factory
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Heaven Beside You
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Frogs
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Over Now
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Get Born Again
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Truth Steroid
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Died
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Again
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Falling Down
Album Review
The album opens with “Grind,” a hard-hitting, groovy track with metallic riffs and Staley’s raw vocals, immediately immersing the listener in the album’s dark tone. “Heaven Beside You” is a melodic highlight, blending acoustic and electric guitars with lyrics exploring personal relationships and heartbreak.
“Over Now” closes the album on a somber, introspective note, combining layered harmonies and moody instrumentation that exemplify the band’s signature atmospheric style. Other tracks like “Get Born Again” and “Frogs” showcase heavier riffs and distorted textures, maintaining the aggressive edge that fans expect from Alice in Chains.
This album is noted for its mature, darker sound, balancing heavy, riff-driven tracks with introspective acoustic moments. It captures the pain, darkness, and raw honesty that defined Alice in Chains’ most compelling work.
Fun Facts, Trivia & Did You Know
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• Fun Fact: The album cover features a three-legged dog, earning it the nickname Tripod.
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• Trivia: Grind was the lead single and received significant airplay, marking a successful return for the band after the success of Jar of Flies.
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• Did You Know? Over Now was used in the ending credits of the 1996 film “Scream”, introducing the band to a wider audience.
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• Fun Fact: This is the last studio album featuring Layne Staley’s vocals, making it historically significant.
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• Did You Know? The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200, demonstrating the band’s continued commercial appeal despite internal struggles.
Alice in Chains (1995) is a haunting, emotionally intense album that perfectly captures the band’s dark, introspective style. Its mix of heavy riffs, acoustic textures, and layered harmonies solidifies its place as a cornerstone of 1990s grunge and alternative metal.
