Jar of Flies
Alice in Chains
Turning the guitars down doesn't make Alice in Chains sound much happier. Jar of Flies proves that very quickly. This seven-song EP gives the band's darker instincts a quieter setting, with the voices, bass and smaller arrangement details doing work that distortion might otherwise cover.
Rotten Apple is a patient opening, built around a bass line that draws the ear before the vocal arrives. Jerry Cantrell's guitar adds colour around it, leaving plenty of space for Layne Staley. The song is long enough to settle into its own mood, but the parts keep moving gently underneath the singing. It is a particularly good example of how much weight this band can create without relying on a heavy riff.
Nutshell is more direct and even more exposed. The arrangement gives Staley very little to hide behind, and his delivery makes that simplicity feel essential. Cantrell's guitar doesn't try to compete with the vocal. It answers it, giving the song another way to express what the words leave hanging.
I Stay Away adds strings and a broader sense of drama, while No Excuses is the most immediate song here. Sean Kinney's drums give it a distinctive movement, and the harmonies make the chorus feel almost welcoming. Almost. The emotion is still complicated, which keeps the brighter sound from feeling like a sudden change of personality.
There is room for smaller departures too. Whale & Wasp lets the instruments carry the feeling on their own, and Don't Follow moves towards a more country-influenced setting. The closing Swing on This brings a looser, jazzier rhythm. That last turn may feel odd after the more fragile material, but it also shows a band willing to follow an idea somewhere unexpected.
At just over half an hour, Jar of Flies is a complete piece of work. Its seven songs cover enough ground that expanding it would add very little. The quieter format exposes the strength of the writing and the chemistry between Staley and Cantrell. This is an excellent place to hear how much is happening underneath Alice in Chains' heavier reputation.
