Customer Reviews

A Looking In View

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's always tough when established bands get new singers. You don't want to hear a carbon copy, another cover band. But you like the band for a reason, and hope that feeling you get when you hear them remains.
This song sounds great, and gets me excited for the new album.

It still has the Alice in Chains dirty/heavy sound, but it doesn't bring to mind any past song in particular. DuVall's vocals/harmonies match the band well, and he definitely sounds like he's part of it, not just some guy emulating Staley.

Nothing against Amazon, but the band is giving away this MP3 single (encoded at 192 kbps) via their website. That's 7+ minutes of pure_rock_goodness for FREE. As a previous reviewer mentioned, the album drops on September 29.

From the MP3 comment tag:

"Today we give you "A Looking in View" into our brand new record Black Gives Way to Blue. We're very proud to be able to give this song to all of you."

The sound is immediately recognizable for those who know how to listen. And for those not familiar, one earful will have you hooked liked the rest of us Chains junkheads. Mike and Sean lay the concrete that allow William and Jerry to produce a sound that is undeniably their own and create harmonies that haven't been heard in years.
This is not the Alice of early days, but like wine has gotten better with age. William is not Layne, but his voice fits strangely in its place as if it could have been there all along.
I have a feeling that the best is yet to come in the fall and ironically may actually "come with the fall".
Good job gentleman.
Nate

...because that is the feel this song brings...and i LOVE it. Sure, its not Layne, but the lead singer does fantastic as a fill in. I wasn't even gonna CONSIDER getting the new album...now its at the top of my most-anticipated albums list for this year!

I was skeptical. Very, very skeptical. But A Looking in View is a stomping, grinding track, akin to the songs on their self titled album. It's not just a rehash of old territory, though, as the track sounds surprisingly fresh and radio-ready, even at it's 7 minute length. Jerry and DuVall sound great together as well, recreating some of the classic harmonization with was part of AiC's trademark sound. If this song is a preview of things to come, we're in for a great album.

Dark, Dirty, Hard Hitting, Locks in the Listener,YES AIC IS BACK! Longer than most aic songs but after waiting thirteen years and being teased for months, the more the better. Great riff, great chorus, lyrics are deeper and more thought out than any song Ive heard in years, great song. This is legit hard rock that could tare up rock radio which is much needed now a days. Mostly Jerry Singing, but the voice aic fans are waiting to hear is William Duval's and he sounds GREAT! His harmonies with Jerry are fantastic and sound like AIC of old. His wails hold true to AIC's style and are creepily similar to Layne Staley's. His shouts are destinctive. A Looking in View also has their signature lasting power which transends trends and reminds you what music should sound like. Must buy! The new album that comes out September 29 promises to be legendary and have ten more gems!

Too many years went by (by my count its 13 but they keep saying 14) and alice is back as strong as ever...I really could have used a bit more on the guitar solo end but it's a great song nonetheless.

The wait is over.

Perhaps you're like me. I came to Alice in Chains after the Tripod album (the self-titled 1995 release) which meant I never saw the original line-up. I own all their albums, and Jar of Flies hasn't left my stereo since 1998.

So when I heard they were touring again I literally had to sit down for a few minutes and take some deep breaths. Once that was out of the way I got myself some tickets, took a bunch of mates and had the best gig of my life.

To hear on top of that that the boys were making a new album could have seriously damaged my health. Luckily I was already sitting down, so I just had to make a concerted effort not to explode.

This single has it all - thundering, cleverly mapped rhythms, two or three very memorable riffs and some seriously twisted vocal harmonies. BUY BUY BUY!

Textbook Alice in Chains! I love Layne but he is rolling in his grave right now! Undeniable and WOW!!!!!

While being a hardcore/diehard AIC fan you either go one of two ways. You are upset that Jerry and comp. have continued on without Layne and still use the name, or you are an advid fan realizing that Jerry did write about 95% of the material and had a strong sound on the back up vocals.
Yes I love Layne and miss him still wish he was here. But people Jerry Cantrell has written and recorded two solo albums the first "Boogy Depot" the second which happens to be one of my fav. albums of all time "Degradation Trip" This single "A Looking In View" to me sounds a bit like a mixture of "Degradation Trip" and AIC's last studio album also self titled.
William Duvall has taken a lot of flack , well lets all say that whoever was to step in Layne's shoes would no he is not Layne lets get that straight people but his style is very similar to Laynes so it fits Jerry's backup vocals to the tee....
The single released is nothing but greatness from mr Cantrell as usual. Im sure a lot of people who arent familiar with Jerry's background are doubting the upcoming release of the new album, however those who like his solo albums and the last AIC album should be a little more optomistic.
William Duvall and Jerry up front with Sean and Mike in the back how could you go wrong ???? Im really excited and anticipating the new album and if you like great music you should be too.