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Alice in Chains - MTV Unplugged

Alice in Chains - MTV Unplugged

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $11.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Unplugged Concert ever, and it's caught on DVD!!
Review: Unlike a previous reviewer, I think Layne Staley's voice is outstanding at this show, the same way it always is. Alice In Chains is so talented, they are just as comfortable in this acoustic setting as they are in hard rock like the albums Dirt and Facelift. I was surprised they could do such an effective job converting loud, heavy rockers like Would? and Rooster into such great acoustic songs. This concert is at least twice as good as Nirvana Unplugged in New York. Alice in Chains is one of the most versatile bands ever, and Layne Staley is sorely missed. For more live Layne footage, check out the VHS of Mad Season, Staley's side project with Pearl Jam's Mike McCready. It just shows how talented this man was, and hopefully it will be released on DVD soon.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Layne's years of substance abuse took their toll here...
Review: All fans of Alice In Chains know that Layne Staley was a hopeless junkie. They also know that he was a great musicsian, and it is a great shame that he ruined his and AIC's ability by getting all strung out on heroin. This is a great DVD, but i must say that Layne's performance as a singer took a great toll on the band. He is very quiet, the vocals are half-gone (seriously, they were faded and he missed a lot!), and it seems like Jerry Cantrell (guitarist) is holding the band up entirely. It is almost like the band could have gotten along just fine without their frontman, and that just explains how Layne ended up dragging this concert down with himself.

On another note, however, the rest of the performance was great, with Mike's bass playing far better than on album, Sean's drumming as precise as ever, and Jerry's guitar sounded good in acoustic form.

This brings me to the final problem. With "unplugged" taken literally, about half the songs on this album lose their impact entirely. "Angry Chair", usually one of AIC's heaviest songs, is all stripped down and light on an acoustic guitar and bass. Don't get me wrong, it is still great, but without the heavy songs adding impact, that just makes the whole performance a little boring.

After these setbacks, the end result is an OK performance that die-hard/long-time fans will love for sure, but this IS NOT IN ANYWAY a good introduction to AIC. The best intro to this band is their album "Dirt". Get this if you know and love AIC. If you are not a fan of awhile, this can be a dissapointment. Otherwise, get it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: AIC, beauty through music.
Review: this video is amazing. they showcase their most beautiful songs in acoustic, orchestral brilliance. i'm not too sure how to write a review for this. on one hand, it's by far the most wonderful music ever made (definetely up there with nirvana). i never get tired of hearing this and other AIC music. the production is great. crisp and clear. they play astoundingly well for a band that hadn't been doing concerts in a while. layne's voice, although strained at times, comes off just as it is intended. so much pain, agony, and beauty in one place at one time. the lyrics are so true and from the heart, whether the literal of persoanl figurative meaning.

it killed me to see layne in such bad shape in this video. you can see it in his eyes. he's got this look like he's wishing he had a heroin fix right there while they were playing. it's quite sad.

i was just recently thinking maybe he got over it. maybe someone stepped in, and being thru with AIC meant he might be thru with his drugs. seeing as how a nirvana-reunion is "out of the question", i was hoping for an AIC reunion tour. and now it will never happen. it disgusts me that they let layne die like he did. for almost two decades he had a drug problem, and no one helped him. i'm sure he got pep-talks from friends and families, but no one helped him. look what happened to kurt. it was inevitable. someone should have done something. what a horrible loss. this video is an anti-drug commercial in itself. look what we lost. who knows what we missed? it really ruins the video for me. i'd love to just watch it for the musical and artistical value, but all i can think is how he ended up.

anyway, this movie really does show just what AIC could do. in their own worst of times, they made the best music of my generation. i have yet to see any band messure up. get this video.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Alice in Chains or Alice in Flames?
Review: This DVD was not what I expected from a Group like Alice in Chains. For one, the best sounding song seemed to be NO EXCUSES.
(I copied this version on to CD) When I first played the DVD I enjoyed the Instruments very much. I, my self, am a BASS player and could appreciate the bass playing as well as the rest of the instruments.

What I believe hurt this concert the most, unfortunately, was Layne Staley's performance as a singer. When I listen to Layne on CD(especially DIRT), I am at awe with the skill he seems to possess in his vocals. On this DVD he seems as though he puts no effort, but i feel as though he really had, but due to
Drug use and not playing in concert together for 3 years may have faultered his.

The only other song that I would say sounds pretty good is WOULD?.Again, if you want to purchase this DVD for Instrumental reasons then the sound is excellent. If purchasing this DVD for Songs as a whole or to hear the powerful voice of Layne Staley then I can not recommend this DVD.

!!I, in no way choose any band over another due to fashion. I enjoy any music that sounds good.Alice in chains is Incredible but just not in this DVD!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: this is the DVD that broke the camel's back..
Review: I watched this one at a friend's house . untill then i could'nt see what the fuss is about DVD formats . You watch this one , and you see what they invented DVD for . I am not an AIC fan , but they are TALENTED !

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Haunting, Especially Now
Review: I bought this video in 1999 and have watched it about 50 times (probably more). I love it! This was a great live band. I had always hoped for their reunion, but now that will never happen. What a shame. If you loved AIC or just love good music and great live performances, get this video.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: definately worth the watch
Review: This is definately something that any AIC fan should own. Jerry comes around full circle for this performance and Layne is amazing with is vocal abilities... plus it has one of the best songs not released on any of their albums.. "The Killer is Me"...

It's just a shame that Layne had to pass away..

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Live Performance
Review: This is, by far, the best Unplugged concert ever. This is a must have for every rock music fan. Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrell, and the other guys give an amazing performance that is, in my opinion, the best they've ever given.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Goodbye Layne Staley
Review: Another talented life cut short...too short. Troubled, and tormented. Obviously lonely and depressed. What a terrible shame.

This DVD is the best music DVD I own. The quality is first rate and the audio the best mix I've heard to date.

Don't miss this "collectible" quality performance by the now late Staley and his talented band members and friends.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A MUST for all AIC Fans
Review: Possibly the best of all the MTV "Unplugged" series... this shows just what fantastic musicians all the guys are, they're so tight as a band...

It's really sad to see Layne Staley, one of the best vocal talents ever in my opinion, looking so pale and fragile, but despite his struggle he pulls off one of the best performances I've ever heard - what a voice!!

A timeless classic that EVERYONE should have in their collection! Buy it NOW!!!!


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