WILLIAM DUVALL LOVES THE CLASSICS
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 4:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
I think that William DuVall is ready for his close-up. Black Gives Way to Blue kills, and proves that Alice in Chains have done what even the most cynical of us (namely, me) thought was impossible: this band can carry on without Layne Staley. And, yes, Jerry Cantrell deserves a BJ or twelve for that fact, but this would be just a glorified make-over for Cantrell’s solo band if DuVall wasn’t a killer front man.
So. MetalSucks Maniac Amanda Dobbs has tipped us off to the fact that DuVall has made a list of ten songs that “blow him away” for AOL. And while there’s a goodly amount of rock on the list, it’s probably not what you expect. I don’t wanna spoil it here, but… the most recent song on the list was recorded in 1971. So if you were hoping for some metal… stop.
But they’re all great songs, and give some real insight into where DuVall is coming from. Check out the list here.
-AR
One thing about the Duvall v. Staley argument is that live, he could not do worse than Staley. Yes, Layne was a killer singer and songwriter, but live he was uneven at best, and usually a boring, stand-there front man. Duvall is dynamic and engaging live.
Can anyone please explain to me why there’s a DuVall v. Staley argument? I can totally understand being skeptical, as brother Axl notes above, but once you’re presented with this new iteration of AIC, how is there room for any such argument? Layne didn’t just leave the band to pursue other interests — he left this plane of existence entirely. Is it a matter of trying to defend Layne’s “honor” (which everyone currently in AIC does a great job of without anyone else’s help, btw)? Seriously, I’ve heard much wringing of hands about DuVall fronting AIC and I just don’t get it.
Wasn’t Duvall the front man of Cantrell’s solo band for the second record?
NO DUVALL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH DEGREDATION TRIP THAT WAS CANTRELL ALONE
Enough with the grunge crap-lebration. We’re fixin to have grunge-goo spewed all over our faces, what with Billy Corgan, AIC, PJ, and Soundgarden all gearing back up, so we’d appreciate you keeping it confined to your own chins for now.
Fail Sir. Alice-n-Chains are miles away from “Grunge”. AIC is what Billy Corgan wishes he couldve been, and i know by fact that AIC has more Metal Influence than you think.
They got popular in a time when it was easy for Trolling Stone magazine to label them “Grunge”
Its good fuckin music, if you dont like it dont listen.
I pretty much disregard the opinion of anyone who uses the term “grunge.”
THANK you, Stu! I’ve made that argument dozens of times (on this site a few, as well). The so-called “grunge” bands had only three things in common, and none of them were musical similarities. They came from the Pacific Northwest, wore shorts with boots and flannel shirts, and started up around the same time – the early ’90s. But musically, they really were different. Sure, they were all a departure from ’80s metal and glam/hair/butt rock, but no one was confusing AIC with Pearl Jam.
Im not using the term positively, trust me i dont really care for the term either. Just trying to make a point.
Apparently the producers of “Clerks” were.
I was talking about the brain surgeon, Pat.
good list.
That’s a great list. Typo on the Jumpin Jack Flash date, though. But yeah, good shit, through & through.
black gives way to blue is way better than what I expected. it is killer
Dude has a good taste in music for sure. he did a great pick in the The Kinks: ‘You Really Got Me’ (1964), The Beatles: ‘I Am The Walrus’ (1967) and The Rolling Stones: ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ (1957) \m/
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Cantrell’s solo stuff would have been AIC albums if Layne hadn’t been so busy effing around with drugs.
I dunno about that new album…It juts sounds like a solo Cantrell Cd.. boring slow rock songs.