Customer Reviews

Boggy Depot

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Jerry Cantrell never ceases to amaze me with his wondefully beautiful structured songs. Yes, he is and was the mastermind be AIC, and it shows on this solo album. He really knows how to write enchanting music and lyrics. There are several amazing songs, Cold Piece being my favorite of the bunch. Other key tracks: Settling Down, Between, Keep the Light On, Cut You In, Breaks my Back, and Dickeye. An amazing cd by an excellent guitar player. Also, be sure to check out his Degradation Vol. 1 and 2...

This album is awesome. It is one of a kind and has a very bold and confident style, especially for being Jerry's first on his own. Many of the songs focus on relationships and I've found are easy to relate to. I especially like "Breaks My Back". The song initially was too trippy for me and I didn't care for it, but once I sat and found the pain and sadness that was coated throughout the lyrics I fell in love with song. "Settling Down" and "Between" are also quality songs outside of the obviously popular songs "Cut You In" and "My Song" which most everyone has heard. As a whole the CD isn't one that you can sit down and instantly love if you've never heard it offhand before. It takes a couple times of concentrated listening to start appreciating it, and then you'll love the whole album and won't be able to stop listening to it. Definate recommendation!!!!

While other members of the band are busy cleaning up (or not cleaning up) their acts, Jerry Cantrell is making unbelievably good music. I can't think of another record by a lead guitarist that is remotely this tight, true to his band and growing beyond it. Forget Keith Richards...Forget the solo "Rock Gods" i.e., Satriani, Malmsteen, etc...This is no "Paul Stanley." Every song on this record could be a single. And on that subject, why hasn't "Between" been released as a single? (Personal favorite; it has a wicked sense of humor and feels like summer.) I'm a fan of AIC, I'm eager for new music from the band, but in the meanwhile, this will do just fine.....

This album shows once again that Cantrell is a talented guitarist and song writer, but it also gives us a better glimpse of his singing ability as well. In the six albums turned out by his band Alice In Chains, Cantrell's backing vocals were a key element to their sound. On this one, he takes center stage all to himself and turns out a magnificent performance yet again. Though the other members of Alice In Chains are undeniebly talented, Cantrell has just proven to me that regardless of what happens to the band in the future, Jerry will be here entertaining us all for a lot of years to come. A great CD with great tunes, especially the stellar track "Breaks my Back."

Many folks getting "Boggy Depot" seem to have missed the point of Jerry Cantrell's first solo effort. Cantrell was not trying to recreate the AIC sound all by himself; why would he? More importantly, why _should_ he, when he's a fine guitarist (who doesn't solo much during this album, strangely enough) and good singer who writes great lyrics?

"Boggy Depot" is more or less a mainstream rock album; Cantrell focuses on more traditional subjects, talking about relationships and how they don't work, friendship ("Cut You In" is a riot), and working hard ("Breaks My Back.")

There are many styles seen here, as on the best AIC albums; I'd say for the most part, Cantrell has more country and folk influences here than hard-rock or grunge. But so what? It's still a very fine album, with lots to recommend it.

My personal favorites are "Dickeye," "Cut You In," "Settling Down," and "Cold Piece." I love the horn work on "Cut You In" and I especially love the bass clarinet solo on "Cold Piece." Bass clarinet? Cantrell, you shouldn't have . . . but it works. Oh, does it ever work.

Cantrell's group played in tune, and their songs hold up to repeated listenings. Other than that, though, this solo effort sounds very little like AIC -- it sounds more like Bob Dylan or someone like that in his prime.

Still, I'd recommend it; it's a good album, highly listenable and enjoyable -- just not in the same class as AIC.

But why does it have to be?

Four stars, recommended.

Okay, I'm a little late writing this, but with "Degradation Trip" soon to be released, I figured I better. I actually just bought my second copy of "Boggy Depot". In 1998, I saw the "Cut You In" video on MTV, and my jaw dropped! There was killer rhythms, a horn section, and the raunchiest sounding guitar I had heard in a long time. I also loved the video itself, but I'm talking about the music right now. :) Anyway, I knew from just that one song, I had to have this! I didn't even know Jerry was from AIC at the time.
I ended up driving 30 miles to find a record store that had it, and it was worth every mile! From the hard edge of "Dickeye", haunting emotion of "Hurt a Long Time", all the way to the country-fied twang of "Between", this one has it all. I have never seen such a scope of different music style by one artist on one album before.
Jerry impressed the [heck] out of me with his guitar playing. I love Vai and Van Halen, but it's the deep, emotionally rich playing that draws me. Jerry's playing will make you FEEL! he is more than technically competent, but he seems to be more concerned with the feel and flow of the album than just how many arpeggios he can fit in.
The other thing about "Boggy Depot" is that it is sneaky. Even the songs you don't immediately love, you will find growing on you. The get in you head and you have to hear them again, and again and again! This is why I am on my second copy. My first copy was a tape, and I actually played it till it broke. I wised up, and got my new copy on CD and actually made a second copy ( ;) shhhh). This is the one CD in my collection that I am guaranteed to listen to everyday, so I hope it lasts a long time!
BTW Jerry is coming out with a new CD on June 18, 2002. It's called "Degradation Trip" and from what I've heard so far, (advanced copy) it's gonna be killer! Buy it!!

This is a great record, but it ain't Alice in Chains - Jerry's vocals sometimes get a little sappy, totally missing the rage and edge of Layne Staley. Of course, at least Jerry is still working and not hooked on anything!

Definately a must buy for AIC fans, but it's not exactly the same.