Boggy Depot

Jerry Cantrell

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 7, 1998)
• Original Release Date: April 7, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000062GR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,030 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

What the Critics Say
[P]ost-grunge rock classicism, by turns powerful and mournful. "Dickeye" and "Jesus Hands" rock mightily, [and] the closing "Cold Piece" is wonderfully bizarre.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big rock sound in an era of lightweights , November 23, 2000

By	Sal Nudo (Champaign, Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jerry Cantrell released his solo album around the same time Scott Weiland released his (see 12 Bar Blues). Though both albums were fairly well received by the press, the public seemed to pass over each one like a ship sailing through a cold dark night. It's a shame, too. Weiland focused on off-center creativity, while Cantrell did what he does best: straight ahead rock and roll with personal lyrics.

"Boggy Depot" is easily as potent as any Alice in Chains release. This is a full album by a hugely talented songwriter, who possesses a strong and fluent voice. Cantrell seemed to be the heart and soul of Alice in Chains, and this CD hearkens back to an era of quality music that came from Seattle.

The album begins with a fuzzy in-your-face riff right away on "Dickeye," and never looks back. Lyrically, Cantrell does do plently of looking back. Nevertheless, "Boggy Depot" is looser and less grinding than Alice in Chains, actually a breath of fresh Seattle air. "My Song," with its vibrating guitars and excellent bridge at the chorus, got some well-deserved radio airplay at the time of the album's release. Truthfully, though, this CD had a slew of potential radio hits, practically every song. "My Song" also displays a sense of independence in the lyrics that seems to be the order of the day for Cantrell. Other songs of personal reformation include "Settling Down," a slower ditty with intentions of living a different and improved lifestyle.

One of my personal favorites is "Break My Back," a kind of lost-in-love song, Cantrell-style. The song features warped vocals that eventually break free for a few lines, before hiding in darkness again. It's the epitome of quiet introspection and sensitivity, and a little haunting to boot. Haunting is actually a key word to describe many of these songs, although the great riffage and tunefulness throughout make that dark vibe acceptable, even homey and pleasant.

"Keep the Light On" is another gem, a perfect balance between hard, raunchy guitars and a sparkling bridge at the chorus that is tender and beautiful amid the crunchy guitars that precede it; that particular section of the song is reminiscent of a Soundgarden tune called "Switch Opens." "Between" is another great track, simultaneously bleak and fun; it's a country tune disguised as down-home rock and roll. The eight-minute-plus "Cold Piece" gets back to Cantrell-style AIC, and it's one of the best tracks on the CD. It contains despair mixed with hope, and "Boggy Depot" ends with a bold signature imprint of poignant piano and rough guitar riffage, as well as other surprising instruments.

Unlike Scott Weiland, Jerry Cantrell doesen't necessarily need to be in a surrounding band with others writing. He can do it on his own.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its not supposed to be AIC, April 22, 2004

By	spencer (somewhere in, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Jerry Cantrell, while not recording for Alice In Chains(wouldnt again for another year being the last time the band got together) explored his own personal musical talent and recorded Boggy Depot. So many people listen to this CD expecting an Alice in chains replica, Jerry Cantrell is not and does not intend to sound like AIC. Did Mad Season sound like Alice In Chains? of course not, then why would or should this? Repetition in bands or artists is the death of them. Boggy Depot is drastically different from Alice In Chains, but is still a phenominal album. Jerry Cantrell expresses his talent and musical interests so wonderfully and powerfully on this record it succeeds on multiple levels. Even Though this is not an Alice In Chains replica, most AIC fans should buy this, it really shows jerry cantrell in ways alice in chains records couldnt. overall a great cd. Highly reccomended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I liked this record, May 9, 2000

By	cyn day (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews

When I first bought Boggy Depot, I didn't like it because I was expecting Alice in Chains. I didn't listen to it for a while, then one day I decided to sit down and give it another chance. I listened to the album quite a few times, listening to different instruments each time. I especially like the songs "Jesushands", "Settling Down" and "Keeps the Light on". The vocal effects on "Breaks my Back" were interesting, and the more I listened into the layers of guitars and vocals, the more I appreciated this album. It goes without saying that the drummer is good (Sean Kinney) and the bass playing on the album is also excellent. I find the way Cantrell constructs a song to be as interesting as Kate Bush or Pink Floyd, and the record should not sound like AiC, because it is not AiC (which is my favorite band of the 90's). It's a Cantrell record. Cantrell has alot of talent as a songwriter and musician. I hope he makes another record.