Alice in Chains, 'Voices' – Song Review - Audio Ink Radio Audio Ink Radio

Alice in Chains, ‘Voices’ – Song Review

2013-09-26

Review by Anne Erickson

Alice in Chains retain grunge rock character and dark, bleak tones in ‘Voices’

Alice in Chains are in a very different place than they were when their debut album, “Facelift,” arrived in 1990, the obvious change being the loss of seminal lead singer Layne Staley and bass player Mike Starr. While Staley and Starr will never be replaced, Alice in Chains have forged forward with William DuVall on lead vocals and Mike Inez on bass, and the band’s new song, “Voices,” is a return to that classic Alice in Chains sound for which the group is so revered.

What really stands out about “Voices” are the familiar harmonies. “Voices,” over any of the band’s other more recent singles (“Stone” perhaps being the exception), simply sounds like Alice in Chains. The song recalls greatest hits such as “Rooster” and “Down in a Hole” and is one of the group’s first modern tracks that could have easily fit on 1992’s “Dirt.”

The lyrics for “Voices” are introspective and eerie, “Who am I, is this me? / Am I one or thirteen? / I’ve gone cold, hard to deal / Used to stand where I kneel.” Musically, while the song isn’t as sludgy as some past Alice in Chains tunes, “Voices” certainly carries that grunge rock character and dark, bleak Alice in Chains tone.

With “Voices,” Alice in Chains reclaim their trademark sound and stylistic approach. While this isn’t the ‘90s, “Voices” still sounds modern and polished enough to fit on contemporary playlists, showing that Alice in Chains can preserve their signature sound in an ever-changing rock musical landscape.

Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.