Alice in Chains Album: “Sap”

The first of two Ep's by alice in chains being 1994's "jar of flies" and 1992's "sap." Both are exceptionaly good, but the crisp/muddy sometimes riffs of there studio meterial is of an absence on here. Except for track 2, "got me wrong" which may very well possibly be one of the most underrated alice in chains tunes in there carrer. The only problem with this is the recording quality, they could of turned up the guitars and the vocals just a tab bit more, but oh well I find that more to be part of the experience.

Only 4 songs, but 5 star tunes. Sap starts off with "brother" with it's highly rythmyic yet sorta erie type vocals from stayley. The only main base electic tune, "got me wrong" is one of the main reason why I bought this, almost as if a b-side to facelift. "right turn" is definetly a treat for grunge fans and AIC fans alike, features chris cornell of soundgarden and mark arm of mudhoney and hearing them all going on the vocals is pretty much musical bliss. The soft and somber "am I inside" is a apt closeing for sap, dark but good. While hidden track #5 is a little out of place, but I find it houmourous.

Sap is a 5 song EP that Alice in Chains recorded on some down time after touring for Facelift, and i must say it truly is excellent.

Everything is perfect about this album, Layne's(RIP) vocals, Jerry's guitar work is true perfection and the rhythm section is truly awesome, not to mention guest appearances on track 3 'Right Turn' by Mark Arm of Mudhoney and THE singer, Chris Cornell are perfect additions

However despite the four absolutely awe-inspiring main tracks, somehow they took acid and recorded a really bad song for a bonus track which is basically the band mucking around, it really is out of place on this album

But this album is worth getting for the four tracks alone, it was the first alice in chains album i had ever heard, which was about 3 or 4 months ago and now they are my favourite band.

Also i'd recommend getting this version of SAP instead of the one that i got, it's Jar Of Flies with SAP as a bonus disc, which sucks because you don't get the sap booklet

This album is excellent for being so short. All of the songs on it are very good except for the unlisted bonus track, which, in my opinion should have been left out because it is a waste. The bonus track is a really weird song. I don't know how these guys were able to create such a deep and powerful record that has only four songs! The mood created on this album is very ethereal and dreamy. It also sounds dark and sombre like most other AIC albums. One thing that is different about this album than other AIC albums is that it is mostly an acoustic album. I will agree with other reviewers and say that the mood that AIC creates on this album is more powerful than "Jar Of Flies" and this album will stick with you longer than JOF. SAP is darker and less positive than JOF, and it has a harder edge. This album sounds like AIC are trying to be positive in a ruthless and heart-breaking world where Staley sings "Something's gotta turn out right" on one of AIC best songs of all time "Got Me Wrong." I think the best part about this album is the mood that all the songs create when looked at from a wholistic perspective. The whole mood that is set is created in the first song "Brother." From then on every note played in every song is just right, except, of course, for the "bonus" track.

I bought this CD about 1 year ago and I have to say that it's actually really fantastic. The first four songs are acoustic pieces, but there are also moments of powerful electric guitar and angst that Alice In Chains are famous for. The fifth and final song is more of a joke-song and not one I enjoy particularly. However it is pretty funny and decidedly strange, so it's good to see that the band are capable of having some fun too. Lets take a closer look at Alice In Chains' "SAP."

"Brother," is just an extraordinary track. The acoustic guitar is quite light and the lyrics are almost whispered. The words themselves also contain some very powerful imagery and enhance the song's emotion and sadness. I always think of my brothers when I listen to this song and the fact that I hardly ever see one of them. It's a personal thing but the song seems to be talking about the special relationship that brothers share. This song gets 10/10 in my opinion, it's simply flawless.

"Got Me Wrong," is slightly heavier than "Brother" and seems to talk about what happens when two or more people disagree with each other. The acoustic parts are melancholic and sombre while the electric parts are full of energy and angst. It's another fabulous song with some stunning melodies and lyrical content. Another solid 10/10, no doubt about it.

"Right Turn," is a song performed with Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and Mark Arm (Mudhoney). It's got a very gentle and soft acoustic guitar riff with a tamborine that enters in later on. The lyrical work is phenomenal and all vocalists sound brilliant on this track. There are no drums at all in this song and the tamborine serves to keep the rhythm. It's a really good song but not my absolute favourite. 9/10 for "Right Turn."

"Am I Inside?" begins with an acoustic guitar being plucked and even some very subtle piano in the background. There are numerous cymbal washes that add to the ethereal feeling of the song. You never actually hear anything other than the gentle ringing of cymbals in the background, so the idea behind this song is very similar to "Right Turn." The lyrics are haunting and seem almost distant in certain instances. It's a beautiful song and around about the 2:40 mark a female vocalist enters the song (it sounds female anyway). It's the longest and most gentle song on the album and is very effective. It gets 9/10 in my book.

"Love Song," is the mess-around song that begins with a sort of Honky-Tonk piano and some weird wailing and almost goofy drums. There are a series of farting noises and grunts in this song and it sounds really creepy actually. Cantrell "sings" on this song and I'm not exactly sure what the hell he's saying. Except for "my gums are bleeding." It's pretty aimless and probably Alice In Chains most ridiculous and um...disturbing song. It's not really a song I listen to because of its weirdness and directionless approach. It ends off with Cantrell saying "kiss the midget" (cough cough). I'd give it 5/10 because it actually is kinda funny and scares the hell out of me.

So there you have it. 4 out of 5 songs are pure 24-carat gold. And the last song is good for a laugh or just getting spinal shivers. Overall I'd give this E.P 85%. It loses points because it's a little short, and the last song is just a joke-song. Other than that, it's a great CD and essential for any Alice In Chains fan's collection. It's a really entertaining little E.P and one that is worth the money. So go ahead, buy it today!

But get it for cheap, due to its length.

All of the songs are wonderful AIC mellow material like the more acoustic songs on Dirt or all the tracks of Jar of Flies. These songs aren't as experimental as Jar of Flies, but they are all extremely solid and are classic AIC songs.

This EP has the unique feel of being the eye of the storm, the moment at the end of a hard day when you realize it's over and you can just sleep. It's interesting to see AIC trying to be optimistic when they were obviously going through bad times (leading to the total hopelessness of Dirt and onward). "Something's gotta turn out right" says Layne in "Got Me Wrong". The whole album sounds painfully honest.

"Brother" is primarily sung by Cantrell, and is one of 2 songs to feature Ann Wilson. Simply an awesome song. Good intro to the CD. "Got Me Wrong" most will have heard due to the fact that it was on the radio quite a bit. Good guitar solos. "Right Turn" and "Am I Inside" are more simplistic than the first 2 songs (probably why some people don't like them) using no drums or bass from what I can tell. "Right Turn" has Mark Arm and Chris Cornell on lead vocals, and with Layne they make this a very interesting song. With a lone guitar, each singer has a verse until the end where they all finally sing at once. Fantastic but short. "Am I Inside" has clever lyrics and a wonderful chorus, again with Ann Wilson. Very mysterious and strange. They never did anything like it again. The hidden song "Love Song (Take 1)" isn't really even worth mentioning. If it was actually considered part of the album, it would totally ruin the mood. I didn't find it particularly funny, either, but I'm not going to criticize the band for putting it there.

The production is worse than Jar of Flies by a long shot, you can still hear everything but it's harder. The acoustic guitars have a more percussive and less melodic sound so you have to listen close to tell exactly what is being played during lower notes. This doesn't really bother me though.

Highly recommended along with all their other albums.