Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 [Enhanced, Limited Edition]

Jerry Cantrell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 10, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced, Limited Edition
• Label: Roadrunner Records
• ASIN: B00007E8O5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,984 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: CANTRELL,JERRY
Title: VOL. 1-2-DEGRADATION TRIP
Street Release Date: 12/10/2002
Domestic
Genre: ROCK/POP

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really needed this, December 15, 2002

By 

Wheelchair Assassin (The Great Concavity) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

As a somewhat grouchy Alice in Chains/Soundgarden fan from back in the early '90's, I've become pretty upset at the direction that the rock scene has taken since the original "grunge" bands passed from prominence. In fact, I'd rather slam my hand in a car door than listen to Nickelback or Puddle of Mudd's dumbed-down excuse for hard rock. So when former Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell released "Degradation Trip" earlier this year, I was all over it. And now that it's been rereleased in two-disc format, with eleven more songs than the original version, it's like a gift from above for an old (23) guy like me. That said, this album is enjoyable for WAY more than nostalgic value. It rules in its own right.

Since Jerry was largely responsible for Alice in Chains's sound, it's no suprise that his solo band (is that an oxymoron?) retains some elements of his old band. "Degradation Trip" loses little of the dark atmosphere that made albums like "Dirt" such classics. Jerry is an excellent and creative guitarist, and his signature sound, with its heavy, distorted riffing, is still evident on songs like "Spiderbite" and "Pro False Idol." As a vocalist, Jerry can't match late Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley's range or power, but I think it would be pretty unreasonable to expect him to. His voice is still plenty powerful and emotional, and his delivery eerily resembles Layne's. Jerry also gets excellent support from Ozzy Osbourne's rhythm section of bassist Robert Trujillo and drummer Mike Bordin. Robert's thumping basslines and Mike's muscular, nuanced drumming give Jerry plenty of space to explore with his guitar, and that's pretty important.

Alice in Chains's sound, with Jerry's distorted guitar work and Layne's tortured vocals, was always closer to metal than to grunge. This album is no exception, even if it isn't guite as heavy as, say, "Dirt." Rather, Jerry goes for a more eclectic approach here, expanding on his former band's thinking-man's metal approach. There are still plenty of the dark, sludgy dirges Alice in Chains were known for, the opening "Psychotic Break" being a prime example. However, there are also great acoustic-based tunes like the depressing "Solitude" and the more upbeat "Angel Eyes." And as the single "Anger Rising" and "Locked On" prove, Jerry can still rock out with the best of them. There's even a great, moving ballad on here, namely "Gone." When Jerry sings "Now You're Gone, Gone Away" at the end of the song, it's pretty hard not to think of Layne, or of anyone close to you that you've ever lost.

On the whole, as I think this review has made clear, I can't say enough good things about this album. Jerry Cantrell just does an amazing job of building on Alice in Chains's signature sound without pillaging it. At twenty-five songs covering more than two hours, "Degradation Trip" never sounds boring or forced. It just sounds good. If you love Alice in Chains, or even good rock music in general, as much as I do, then this album is a must.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JC Carries The Torch, March 29, 2006

By 

Joshua Tamisford "Tamisford" (KC, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

They say that "grunge" is gone. Jerry Cantrell is officially categorized as "post grunge" but calling Degradation Trip "post grunge" is like comparing Bill Haley and the Comets to Led Zep. It's apples to oranges.

If Degradation Trip Volumes 1&2 had come out in the early nineties it would surely be one of the seminal "grunge" albums of all. It has all the key elements. Distorted guitar. Slow deliberate tempos. Dark lyrics.

Don't let the double cd scare you off in favor of the original release. This is the most utterly captivating, electrifying, and satisfying 140 minutes of heavy rock music you will ever experience.

Be prepared though, this album is no Polyanna. It's dark, almost scary at times. "Feel The Void", for example, is eerie and just plain makes my skin crawl. I love it! It's like going to a good scary movie and being delightfully frightened. I love music that makes me feel something. This'll do it believe me.

But, at the same time, the feel of the album is not heaviness just for the sake of heaviness. It's dark, as I said, it's harrowing, it's almost depressing at times, but it is also obviously a brutally honest musicl revelation into the life experiences and inner emotions of Jerry Cantrell.

The first song on the album "Psychotic Break" starts the strange eerieness of Jerry's Degradation Trip. Oddly enough, these songs were written before the death of Jerry's long time friend and Alice in Chains musical collaborater Layne Staley. And yet, a line in "Psychotic Break" says "Thinking 'bout my dead friends whose voices ring on." I can't help but view this line as almost a eulogy in advance for someone he knew was dying.

"Bargain Basement Howard Hughes" is ostensibly directed at Layne Staley. "Enigma wrapped in a riddle. Your life I belittle . . . Stubborn bast**d, hard head knocking. We had our good years too. Though apart, you're still in my heart. I'd give anything for you." It's obvious that Jerry's frustration with Layne's situation came flooding out in this song.

Jerry dosn't just vent about Layne on Degradation Trip either. In several songs he points the finger directly at himself. Songs such as "Owned" and "Pro False Idol" are brutally honest without, however, sounding like someone whose whinning "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, guess I'll go eat worms." He just sounds honest.

By the way, I was skepticle about Jerry's vocals at first because I always felt that he lacked the vocal edge that Layne Staley demonstrated. I realize now that his lighter vocals with Alice in Chains was needed to offset Layne's heavy, screeching, style. Jerry lowers his voice on Degradation Trip and this gives the songs the edge they need to be truly effective along side the dark theme of the album as a whole.

It's hard to believe that Degradation Trip has not received more interest and radio airplay but like many solo attempts by members of supergroups, it may well be in the shadow of the great Alice in Chains musical catalog.

Hopefully, even years after it's initial release, word of mouth will help this album garner the attention it richly deserves.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A trip worth taking, December 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

This 2-disc set is a must-have for Jerry Cantrell fans. I thoroughly enjoyed the original release of Degradation Trip earlier this year, but was simply blown away by the recent album, all 25 songs released as Jerry originally intended. I simply can't get enough of it. His honest, raw, wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics are just breathtaking. This man truly writes from the heart. Musically, Jerry returns to his Alice roots, but with his own spin. The trademark haunting harmonies, chanting, humming and crunching guitar riffs are there in all their splendor. Jerry Cantrell also is a master of dichotomy. The song Pig Charmer, a brutally honest assessment of rock-star living, is at once chilling and catchy. The lyrics almost make me want to crawl out of my skin at the same time I am singing the catchy chorus. The instrumental Hurts Don't It is a masterpiece of raw emotion. The man has a way of making the guitar speak to you. It's really a crime that RoadRunner records has not done more to promote what I think is hands down THE best rock album of the year. It's a refreshing change from most of the prefab garbage that gets the air play and promotion. Shame on RR for not doing a better job with one of the most influential guitarists/writers of our time. Take the trip. You'll be glad you did.