ALICE IN CHAINS No Excuses ~ Composer Reaction and Dissection ~ The Decomposer Lounge

[@robdaniel3211]

Jar of Flies is a perfect EP

[@SouthernAssault]

Genuinely. I consider it the greatest EP of all time.

[@joshuamonaghan1897]

"Don't Follow" kills me.

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

Truth. Whale & Wasps is such a horrific song. I've never done drugs, but I feel like if slipping away on heroin had a sound, that song would be it.

[@JLeaf-xs7yp]

Rap Coltrane also 🙌💟 love Jar of Flies also so much 🙌❤

[@trenchy1990]

First EP to ever go #1 in the US justifies this comment.

[@seakay5705]

As a drummer, this is my absolute favorite drum sound and tone of all time, it doesn't get much better than this

[@wesleycolvin7158]

"You, my friend, I will defend. And if we change, well, I love you anyway." One of the truest expressions of unconditional love on display.

[@Smokie_666]

Becomes more real and relevant the older we get.

[@gojiraass8961]

Sean Kinney is the glue that holds the awesomeness that is Alice In Chains together

[@donkeyhodie8500]

Sean Kinney's drumming is awesome in this song!

[@vincentjacobsmm]

Sounds like it may have inspired some of Travis Barker's drumming. Just speed it up a bit and you're close to some Blink182 grooves

[@lindsayheywood7195]

That intro!

[@kilo1981]

This song...and every song!

[@blppt]

King of grunge-era ghost notes.

[@chrisd7047]

Kinney is an underrated drummer. He doesn't do a lot of flashy Neil Peart-type technical stuff, but the writing/arranging of the drums is magnificent. He does what the song requires of him while not overdoing it.

[@mistersmeagol259]

Iconic. The harmonies on this song are totally wild.

[@BayouMaccabee]

Indeed, I'm a big fan of parallel fourths harmonies, and Alice In Chains uses them a lot...so great. Also, they had to have gotten some inspiration from the vocal harmonies on the Jethro Tull "Benefit" album....very similar with the parallel fourths...such a great album there too.

[@justinw2232]

Better on the unplugged

[@leakifolog]

​@@BayouMaccabee thanks - I always thought AIC harmonies were in parallel 3rds. I'm a drummer though.

[@leakifolog]

@@justinw2232 more emotive, yes, but Layne was sick. He lacked the power he had earlier.

[@justinw2232]

@@leakifolog i am saying that I prefer the unplugged version.

[@DiogoAlex]

Cantrell e Stayley best vocal harmonies in rock history. Two musical soulmates like Lennon and McCartney. Sean Kinney and M. Inez with a drum fill and a bass line of the charts. A true masterpiece.

[@bvades]

In the same way Hetfield and Hammett are the greatest at guitar harmonies.... In my honest opinion.

[@eclipsewrecker]

Wow….limited Beach boys?

[@Makai77]

@@eclipsewrecker Right? and Eagles.

[@eclipsewrecker]

@@Makai77 true. But I used to explain to my elders that AIC was beachboys’ metal

[@damianharkin9487]

Geebz if you’re genuinely digging on this you should have a listen to the opening track of this EP, Rotten Apple. It’s dark as hell for an acoustic track.

[@brookeellenfreeman7699]

Agreed!

[@rafanj824]

And the bassline man, genius!!! I love Mike Inez's work so much!!!

[@puppetmaster8551]

Rotten apple is glorious, the Inez bass is just phenomenal on that song and the whole JOF EP, wouldn’t have been the same perfect project if Starr was still the bassist.

[@blppt]

My favorite all time AIC song.

[@Torthrodhel]

I'm not a huge fan of Jar of Flies among their discography, but I do love Rotten Apple. It has such that perfectly balanced peppering of major/minor questioning in the mixture of tones that's such a signiature of grunge.

[@Dyrtbag68]

I love this song. It feels so warm all the way through. The harmony between Layne and Jerry are amazing along with Mike carrying that solid bass rollercoaster while Sean is on the toms. Man just makes you feel good. Probably one of their most cheerful songs lol.

[@roger_clay0381]

I think this is one of their best songs. Even upbeat which is rare for Alice In Chains

[@Gary_M]

How could anyone live through the 90's without hearing this song?

[@monsterk7603]

This song has never gotten old in all the years since I've first heard it. Soul soothing.

[@nunya8412]

alice in chains is one of the greatest rock bands of all time. every song is amazing

[@MisterTotality]

I love AIC! Easily one of my all-time favorite groups. This is one of those rare songs where Sean Kinney's drumming really shines. He's an incredible drummer, but he doesn't get noticed as much as he should because he's in a band with legends like Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. Don't get me wrong, I love Layne and Jerry, too. But it's nice to see Sean and Mike Inez on bass getting some much deserved love and praise. Like a lot of great bands, there isn't a weak link in this group. They're all top-shelf musicians.

[@nathanbaca5131]

Sean Kinney's drums in this song are amazing.

[@JaySay]

You can never go wrong with Alice In Chains, with their new stuff, or old. _Black Gives Way to Blue_ lead the way for a new era in the band after Layne's death, but some of my favorite songs come off of _The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here._ Low Ceiling, Phantom Limb, Hollow, so many good ones off that album! Jerry Cantrell is a genius, no doubt about it. Thanks for getting back to AIC, Geebz, and thanks for all that you do! Keep on rockin', awwwright!

[@jitseslump3756]

Some of my favorite songs also come from the period after layne's death (which sounds weird I know). "your decision" from black gives way to blue is absolutely amazing.

[@oliverlewis9578]

Shout out to Jerry's solo albums

[@peterworth9403]

That album is just amazing. Duvall is an amazing addition to the band.

[@williamcozart8158]

I love Layne & Chains and get all the nostalgia hearing it, but yeah BGWTB and TDPDH are truly great records.

[@JaySay]

@@jitseslump3756 It might just be because I got it last in my collection of AIC, but "Tripod" is my least favorite of theirs. Some good singles on there, but it is a really forgettable album to me. I still find myself going back to _Dirt_ and then _The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here_ every few months or so.

[@PriestessOfNothing]

This is one of my favorite songs. The harmonies is probably what I love most about AIC. Layne and Jerry's voices were so inextricably intertwined, they almost created a wall of voices between the two and in this song the wall was fortified by that acoustic guitar. It's otherworldly, really.

[@BassmasterGeneral]

I count myself lucky to have seen them live with Layne back in ‘93 in the Lollapalooza tour. Love the content!!! Thank you Geebz. Aloha from Connecticut

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

Damn. I envy you.

[@coolmoon4382]

You are so Friggin' Lucky! How Amazing you witnessed an Amazing piece of History .. I'm from Mass. Take Care Neighbor...💕

[@brettschacht4183]

Saw that show in Dallas. My first concert was actually Clash of the Titans in 1991, with Alice opening on their first major tour! Great memories.

[@mdpahlas]

I'm so jealous!

[@n8vsprt315]

Mark Pahlas I’m so w/U on that 1. Instead I had the privilege of fighting w/my brother over who got to 🎧to Dirt driving up from LI to a ⛷ trip @Brody, then off to visit colleges in Mass. I didn’t get to my 1st concert till ’96 when I got 2C Tori Amos’ “Boys for Pepe” tour.

[@nickmcshane1299]

I’ve gone down an AIC rabbit hole recently and this whole EP really stands out as the whole band being at the top of their game. So good!

[@konasurfah]

I actually caught Layne helping Tool with a song or two at Kualoa Ranch... '92 or '93. Can't recall which. Amazing show!!! 🤙🏽🍻

[@ryanmustain6545]

There's video of him with them on Opiate. Pretty sure it was that show.

[@konasurfah]

@@ryanmustain6545 Found it, thanks dude!! Big Mele '93 🤙🏽🍻

[@victor_.]

I think it's opiate

[@konasurfah]

@@victor_. The song, yes. Layne helped on Opiate at the Big Mele Festival, Oah'u 1993. Was a sick concert, I remember Fishbone went off, too! 🤙🏽🍻

[@BUD420MAN]

These guys were my Nirvana in high school ...While everyone was going crazy over Kurt Cobain ,I was all in on Alice in Chains. Their Acoustic (unplugged) version of Sludge Factory has got to be my favorite. One time my truck got broke into...They stole my CD player , some change and some other little things...But really pissed me off is that my Alice in Chains Unplugged cd was in the CD player!! I was pretty chill till I realized it was gone. Went to Zia Records and bought a new one the same day. Had to install the stock stereo back in my truck and go back to using my portable CD player connected through a cassette adapter. Thanks again Geebz for the trip down memory lane again. Oh, Remember JR & LH - Ho's Down ft. Rick Graham! I'm buying you a large cup of coffee for your anniversary regardless if you react to it. I'm still here and I'm AWWWRIGHT!!

[@buckfuttler2877]

nirvana is the least interesting, least talented, least..EVERYTHING Seattle era grunge band. PJ, AIC, Soundgarden. even Mother Love Bone is better. Nirvana just got huge cause of a terrible radio hit, and a dead singer.

[@BUD420MAN]

@@buckfuttler2877 And obviously David Grohl Was the only talent in the band...and I'm not a huge Foo Fighters fan either. lol

[@anthonynelson1699]

AIC Unplugged, aside from Mastodon's Crack the Skye, is the only album I've ever bought more than once. I've bought it three times. Lol

[@heylittleman8084]

@@anthonynelson1699 nice! I freakin’ love CTS.

[@blppt]

Nirvana did a lot with very little instrumental talent (except for Dave, who was a great, great power drummer)---then again, the Beatles weren't exactly virtuosic either. But I think had Kurt lived, they probably would have stagnated---there's almost no compositional growth in their three major studio releases. But we'll never know. Maybe Kurt had something revolutionary in mind for album 4.

[@rainydaygirlz]

Would HIGHLY recommend checking out Layne Staley's other band, Mad Season. It's a jazz infused grunge affair with members of Pearl Jam and Screaming Trees. I would say check out Long Gone Day Live at the Moore, or Wake Up.

[@philearl7614]

Superb album, good choice \m/

[@normie2716]

If you're doing the 'Live at the Moore' show, check out X Ray Mind. As far as I'm concerned it's the best song from that show, and it blows the studio version out of the water. Very underrated.

[@StefanMedici]

I love Long Gone Day for the Mark Layne duo, but for me the hidden gem from that show is the cover of Lennon's I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier. Sherik's sax solo with the Wah peddle. Only in the 90s could we have the crazy anything goes.

[@Prognosis__]

Hey Geebz....you put a smile on my face choosing AIC.. this band got me through high school...Jerry Cantrell is such a great composer of music. He is a natural.

[@fubar1217]

One of my favorite grooves. I also love the little bongo hit along with the hi-hat and splash work. And I agree with how drums used to be recorded with a more natural organic sound.

[@blppt]

You can thank the rise of computer based editing for that---now most stuff is locked to a grid to inhuman perfection. Might as well not even play any instruments in the studio at all.

[@MrGreendayzed]

I've never help financially but i always like and comment which help the algorithms, even if i don't leave the best comments.

[@AS-rz5ku]

What a collection of individual talent this band is, I love Alice in chains. Great work!

[@aesthetixx9642]

I’m 60 yrs old and AIC is my favorite band . They have been for years !

[@cynthiahutchinson459]

I’m 70 yrs old and they are also my favorite. The original AIC, though I like AIC of today, they just aren’t the same. There is only one Layne Staley. He was also great in the supergroup Mad Season.

[@bobgross8761]

This is another great selection from Jar of Flies, and it actually got a lot of radio play when it first came out. You might like hearing the treatment of this song on the MTV Unplugged recording. Everything discussed in the reaction to 'No Excuses' is right there in the open, especially Layne and Jerry's vocals. Their voices, with their variation in tone/timbre, are perfect together.

[@kylelewis4685]

I remember the day the Jar of Fly's EP dropped. It was such a change from Dirt, but still distinctly AIC. It says a lot when a band can chance it up like they did on Jar of Fly's and you didn't hear any BS about them "going soft" or "selling out". Also if you have a chance to check out their first EP Sap, I think you would really dig it. It is super low key cool. Cheers man and grats on the up coming Anniversary.

[@Prognosis__]

I bought the album or EP as soon as it came out and I wasn’t sure as it was acoustic. (I was more into the heavy metal) but once I was chilled about it, I just fell for this album. It’s a bit like Opeth and Damnation album. Big change from the heavy stuff but fans love it.

[@puppetmaster8551]

One of the most versatile bands ever, release Dirt one of the best albums ever followed up by maybe the greatest EP ever that was a completely different style. Cantrell is a god songwriter

[@briandonn2783]

They did do SAP earlier, so wasn't too far from what they'd already done

[@mediumvillain]

I used to wear that EP out on a cassette walkman lmao

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

Alice in Chains are one of my all time favorites! I'd love to hear you check out Sludge Factory by them one of these days :)

[@benmacdhui]

Good choice. Great song

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

​@@benmacdhui I love it so much. The riff and the lyrics make for such a dirty song. It's just so filthy! I always feel the need to shower afterwards. Though the same goes for a lot of AiC songs lol

[@Torthrodhel]

That might be my favourite of theirs.

[@JinxMarie1985]

GREAT song!!

[@jonfoy9166]

I Love Alice in Chains! Good morning

[@richpeltier9519]

I always remember a friend of mine (who is also a drummer) coming to me after seeing the Unplugged version of this song. He was blown away by the drum intro, that he'd always thought had a 2nd percussionist. When he saw him at that, it changed his way of looking at playing. I'd always assumed he did it on Roto-Toms (by the sound) and was surprised to see him use something that looked more like a Tama Octaban. Great sounds outta those little buggers. Anyways, this is my goto AIC Karaoke song. If I have someone to do the high parts for me and flesh out the harmonies, I'll tackle The Rooster. I live the way Layne ends some of the phrases, that wouldn't sounds right with any modulation, mso he just drives it into a nasal cry. Heart ripping. Rich tAMB

[@mikekirby2085]

Don’t Follow is probably my favorite song by AIC. But man Jar of Flies is still basically perfect after all these years.

[@jamesthemachinedean]

It sounds so country but they are so northern

[@Rench221]

Mine too! It’s a such a powerful song!

[@puppetmaster8551]

Another masterpiece song from Jerry, guy has written many just perfect songs. God tier songwriter.

[@bpo1975]

Best vocal solo by Layne in any AIC song, IMO.

[@jamesthemachinedean]

@@bpo1975 you do know this song is all Jerry don't you?

[@micheleparker8123]

Thank you so much for doing AIC. They're my favorite grung-era band, followed only by Soundgarden as #2; then Pearl Jam.... This old geezer (actually crazy cat lady) is loving this!!! Enjoy your coffee, man!, 🥰🙏

[@StefanMedici]

That was my 3 in order too, back in the day. Didn't mind Nirvana, but couldn't understand the attention they were getting over more talented groups. It was a great time to be a teenager.

[@wbsMullet]

This is the correct order! 1 and 2 very close though IMHO. AiC just hit you in the soul though.

[@StefanMedici]

What Geebz needs to do is a reaction to Right Turn by Alice Mudhoney and we could get all our fixes in 1 vid. 🥳

[@skoottar]

Brilliant band. Alice In Chains were one of a kind at the time & nothing comes close even today.

[@williamcozart8158]

This song, and others like Would, remind me of 6th grade. I get chills and nostalgia big time hearing these guys, every time..

[@puppetmaster8551]

2 masterpiece songs written by Jerry, guy is one of the best songwriters ever

[@dokanyon]

I think Alice in Chains' bassist is one of their strongest aspects. (nutshell, would, rotten apple and so many more)

[@TheNerdshire]

Those harmonies.....chills every time. RIP Layne.

[@RDB93]

This is in my Top 5 AIC songs, for sure! Glad I got to see you react to this one 😁 Hope all is well, Geebz! ❤️🤙🏼

[@Logrowlf]

Mike Inez is a great bass player. All time fav of mine.

[@negsterarchive7911]

Layne Staley sounds so good on this track

[@JTNugget]

Jerry does as well

[@negsterarchive7911]

@@JTNugget they harmonise so well

[@SlapNSniff]

AIC is one of my favorite bands of all time. being a bassist myself, the bass lines for AIC are really fun to play. my band covers a lot of AIC songs

[@notTHEcher]

This song is one of my favorites of all time. I also love Nutshell. But this whole album is INCREDIBLE.

[@curtjohansen5742]

I love the way your eyes dart and you move around and your mannerisms when you hear recordings and production that you like.

[@sarahkelly4026]

I love to hear about what you have to say about AIC. It’s a band with talent in every corner and one of my favorites!

[@tamibrandt]

NO EXCUSES is about lead singer Layne Staley’s battle to overcome his heroin addiction. Another theme is Jerry’s unstable relationship with Layne as well as Jerry coming to Layne’s aide even if they grow apart. The band became inactive two years later when Layne's addiction became too troublesome. The lyrics: You find me sittin' by myself / No excuses, then I know -- In Layne’s case, he lost the closeness he had with his bandmates before, and doesn’t have anyone else to take their places. He knows that it’s his own fault and he did it to himself. Also, during the time leading up to his death, it was noted that he would frequent a bar near his condo, and pass out in a corner by himself. The lyrics: Every day it's somethin' / Hits me all so cold -- I believe this line is a reference to the cold sweats one experiences from the beginning of withdrawal, furthermore I believe he is saying everyday hardship makes him want to relapse because the challenges of daily life are too much. The lyrics: Leave our rain and cold, trade for warm sunshine -- Jerry wants Layne to detox, trading his rain (addiction) for sunshine (sobriety). Though, it could be directed at any addict. The lyrics: You, my friend, I will defend / And if we change, well, I'll love you anyway -- The final verse seems to come to a resolve in stating that Jerry will "defend" Staley and that, should they grow further apart, he will "love Layne anyway." Jerry's mother and grandmother had died within 5 months of each other and within the year, Jerry had lost his family, his house and everything he knew. When he met Layne, Jerry was coming out of a situation where his entire world had just blown up. Jerry saw Layne perform at the Tacoma Little Theater just as Jerry was about to blow town. The second Layne opened his mouth and sang Jerry immediately knew he wanted to be in a band with Layne. They met personally at a house party and Layne learned of Jerry's situation of no home, no family in the area (his parents divorced when he was young, his dad lives in Oklahoma). Jerry had little money left. Layne (drunkenly) offered Jerry a place to live (moving in with Layne at the 50-room rehearsal hall called the Music Bank that Layne lived/worked in), Layne got Jerry a job there. Layne gave him food, clothes, money. Layne got Jerry the guitars and gear he needed. Jerry was looking to put a band together and Layne gave him the number to drummer Sean Kinney's girlfriend who happened to be Mike Starr's sister. Mike Starr was the original bass player before Mike Inez came in the middle of the Dirt tour. Starr's last show was Rock in Rio festival on January 22, 1993. The band told Inez to meet them in London in February 1993 for the rest of the tour and Inez has been with AIC ever since. Christmas 1987 was the first Christmas for Jerry since his mother and grandmother died, Layne invited Jerry to spend Christmas 87 with his stepdad, mom, and siblings. Layne encouraged Jerry to sing more, after all, they were Jerry's lyrics he should sing them. Vice-versa, Jerry encouraged Layne to play the guitar which is how you get Layne playing guitar on HATE TO FEEL and ANGRY CHAIR as well as I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING on the Mad Season Above album. Jerry encouraged him on the guitar and was proud that Layne grew as a guitarist. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine taught Layne more chords than ANGRY CHAIR and HATE TO FEEL. The friendship between Jerry and Layne was unbreakable. Jerry NEVER once thought of replacing Layne as the singer while Layne was still alive. He always wanted Layne to sing whenever he had AIC do something. If there were ever cosmic soulmates ... Layne and Jerry would be it. And by that I mean, they were Sympatico with each other. The way they sang together was a perfect pitch where two voices make one. What you hear and see between Jerry and Layne was a genuine friendship. They looked after each other. When one had problems with a song, the other picked up the slack. They were a team. Jerry was doing a solo concert in Charlotte, NC when he heard that Layne was found two weeks after he died and Jerry was trying to get through the concert and crying. He did shows between the time he found out about Layne until Layne's funeral because if he had taken a break then, he didn't think he'd want to continue anything later after the mourning period. Alice In Chains was a band, but they were also a family. They had internal issues just like any family. When Layne died, it was like losing a loved one, a family member, you don't think of the fights you had with the person who died. You defend their memory. There is a reason Jerry wrote NO EXCUSES about Layne and the line "You, my friend, I will defend / And if we change, well, I'll love you anyway." "My grandmother and mother were such huge losses, but I got Layne, the guys, and I got this.” - Jerry Cantrell, Kerrang! (December 1, 2018) “Jerry really loved Layne [Staley]. They had a bond I haven't seen before,” Jerry’s former manager Bill Siddons, April 19, 2002 (the day Layne was found two weeks after he died). The song was well-received by music critics and was a charting success, becoming the first Alice in Chains song to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, spending a total of 26 weeks on the chart. It has gone on to become one of the band's most popular songs. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). Alice In Chains performed an acoustic version of NO EXCUSES for its appearance on MTV Unplugged in 1996, which marked the last time they performed the song with Layne, and that version was included on the band's Unplugged live album and home video release.

[@benmacdhui]

RIP Layne

[@johncarpenter3751]

Geebz my guy!!! Congratulations on the one year anniversary!! Can’t wait for your next TOOL reaction. I hope it’s a doozy

[@masonchewning9640]

Ah man the good ol Seattle bands

[@jonathandufern7421]

That whole album is very open. Their other stuff tends to be heavier but Jar of Flies is so amazing and beautifully composed. Jerry Cantrell is such and amazing song writer and guitarist. Unfortunately this was when Layne was already having massive issues. If you listen to Jerry Cantrell’s first solo album Bogey Depot you can hear some similar styles in some songs. Jar of Flies is a great album.

[@brettrobertleasure]

i can't remember which songs you've done, but essentially anything from Dirt is going to be great, but a deep cut i'd like you to do is 'god am'.

[@notTHEcher]

YAAAAAAAAAASSSSS

[@darrellpalmer3860]

Or Frogs

[@antonperes8213]

yeah would kill to see a video on either god am or frogs, they're my two favourite chains songs to this day

[@kesstron1]

Love it. Such a chill track

[@bryanmartin1053]

I have heard this countless times, but I have never paid attention to the subtle hi-hat work you pointed out. Thanks for making something old, new again !

[@BuzzaB77]

They're moving between the wonder scale and mixolydian my faves. Love that

[@Rati0nalGaz3]

From Periphery to Alice In Chains you’ve done almost all of my favorite bands man I really enjoy your channel.

[@NotBenCoultry]

The bass is cool, sounds like it's adding either extensions or the root (both I guess, huh?) to a sus chord. As a non-bassist I'm glad you brought it up because I'll be playing it soon enough on my own guitar-based stuff. Holy crap, that comment is ALL rhymed lmao

[@puppetmaster8551]

Inez really elevated JOF, he’s a better bassist than Starr and the EP wouldn’t be the same without him.

[@mistersmeagol259]

In a way, the character of the bass movement is reminiscent of Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On." During the verses here, the bass line dances around notes of a Bb7 chord (AiC tuned down a half step from standard, so it's a "B7" on the fretboard). The 4th, 3rd, 7th combo is prominent, as is the 9th. 🤓

[@aarontaylor6638]

I'm just your friendly neighborhood guy and I've come to tell you that les claypool is also a great bassist but primus sucks

[@puppetmaster8551]

@@aarontaylor6638 everybody knows less is a one if the greatest, he also played on like 3 tracks on Jerry’s solo album boggy depot. AIC/primus have been friends for many years

[@wendyc.beecher3336]

When I was in my late teens, this was my absolute favorite band! Glad you are doing lots of songs from the 90's. Nostalgia is strong!

[@DaveyPalmer1]

Great choice Geebz. Such beautiful harmonies and band members totally in sync with each other. Great stuff 👍

[@xxndoxx1]

This is it! This is the song I was trying to think of when you did I Stay Away! Soon as the first couple bars played it hit me. Love it, love the band, and great review as always... Very excited for a big finish to this month!

[@n8vsprt315]

This album was just iconic, & the live is great too. But I would really love for someone to react to Mad Season. Although the album didn’t have Cantrell’s voice, it had Mark Lanegan’s…a bunch together w/Layne, but on the deluxe album, Lanegan recorded 3-4songs for what would’ve been the 2nd album…& I really loved the song “Black Book of Fear” separate from the staples“River of Deceit” or “Long Gone Day.” I also❤️‍🩹their lack of fear in using non-traditional sax🎷, marimbas, Congo🪘, etc.

[@laeonflux]

Rotten Apple next! My fav off Jar of Flies, masterpiece. The whole album really but THAT one... Wow.

[@veevamm3642]

Thanks! You are such a great reactor! I love your style. Never boring...i never roll my eyes 😒🤣

[@KeyOfGeebz]

Oh thank you!

[@JungleScene]

Mike Inez bass tone on this whole album is absolutely incredible. likewise in the MTV live accoustic set. Its just so buttery, yet still has some balls. And yea he used an accoustic bass for most, if not all of the jar of flies album.

[@carolynm.7530]

I love AIC. Another great song by them. I was thrilled when I saw this.Thanks for breaking it down like you do do. 😊

[@McKings11]

My dad introduced me to the MTV unplugged version when I was about 13 or so. 17 years on and it is still one of my favourite tracks! If you get a chance, check out the MTV unplugged version of No Excuses. Absolutely phenomenal

[@cheburek9859]

Converge - A Single Tear

[@ctguitarguy8510]

My favorite alice in chains song.

[@adamhenton6221]

This is such a great pick Geebz. Although, the unplugged MTV version is JUST THE BEST!!! Maybe circle back and do this as a bonus? You won't regret it!

[@nikirick]

Never clicked so fast. So excited about this one!

[@keithking7556]

aic all opera level artists. Masters of what they love playing.

[@loganirvine3700]

Awww yeah perfect 4th harmonies

[@riccardocravero3614]

You're right about the acoustic bass, they used to double track the electric bass with an acoustic one to get that tone

[@salival667]

Thank you for your spirit. and purest "ALL RIGHT" you can ever hear

[@wbsMullet]

Jar of Flies is even more remarkable when you read the story of how it came together. Cheers!

[@GuyWithACamera23]

STILL my favourite song of all time.

[@brothadarrell8315]

I usually don't hear a high harmony vocal over Layne's voice and this one really stands out. Usually I hear lower harmony vocals under his voice

[@Brew78]

I love the percussion in this song. It's one that I can't avoid drumming on the steering wheel if it comes on when I'm driving. Something so satisfying about those hi-hat quads. It almost feels like a triplet, but the 4th hits on 1.

[@MessalineApghar]

This is my favorite AiC song. Hands down

[@kevinschotte2106]

Alice In Chains, legendary band! I dig the new singer (DuVall) but Layne was something else, out of this world. This track (and the EP in total) is breathtaking! Another great breakdown Geebz. I am glad I had the chance to see AIC play live with Layne back in '93 in my place of birth Rotterdam. (Venue Ahoy) I remember Layne hanging in chains on stage, singing his lungs out. What a performance!

[@puppetmaster8551]

Jerry Cantrell is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and Sean Kinney laid down some absolutely iconic drums for this song. One of the best bands ever so it makes me very happy seeing them in Channel’s like this. Jerry and Layne harmonies are god tier, iconic as fuck and unmatched still today in the rock/metal scene.

[@Bluesbabesrv]

Just listened to AIC yesterday, now this! What a treat.

[@danielmcbride2375]

Gotta do Rotten Apple by AIC. Total underrated song.

[@JinxMarie1985]

Excellent choice. Also when you did I stay away was so cool. One of my favourite songs. 💙 jar of flies is gold

[@TheTwoThumbs]

Jar Of Flies is like stranded on an island type shit. Its a pillar to the genre. Definitively. Forever loved and missed.

[@cloudbloom]

Love these guys, great song

[@Gopha23]

Congrats on the one year mark! I'm really enjoying the 30 day countdown block. Keep up the great tunes!

[@ericthorpe5670]

I feel like every time you do a reaction video to a song, it's the song or band that I've already been listening to that day. Get outta my heeaaaaad!! Love these breakdowns man! Keep it up!

[@benniecameron6441]

im a bass player and have heard all the bass player jokes as ive played in bands for 25 years. the guitars always get the glory for putting some icing on that drum and bass cake.

[@alexsmith5649]

All time favorite band.

[@VectorBandit]

If you enjoy funk/soul, I recommend listening to Tatsuro Yamashita's Merry-go-round!

[@chrisd7047]

One of the amazing things to me is that this was the first album with their second bassist, Mike Inez, who replaced Mike Starr. Starr's work on the first 2 albums helped set their sound and the style they played, and Inez matched it seamlessly. His acoustic bass tone on their Unplugged version of Nutshell is amazing.

[@jimmypop1549]

Any chance you could look at any Zappa stuff? From any era honestly

[@TheStepmonkey]

Best band in all history 💗💗

[@derricktipps9867]

I love it when a drummer uses his whole kit... gosh! Why ya gonna have all those toys and not use 'em! Just friggin love it!

[@skbche]

Go Geebz! It would be awesome if you could include MELVINS - Night Goat on this countdown.

[@joshuatorresnarvaez8765]

Soo cool you got to some Alice tunes my all time fav band just some next leves stuff Layne is LEGEND RIP LSMS

[@xRavenKittiex]

Jerry and layne made the perfect harmony together, it was meant to be!

[@rafanj824]

Geebz, give listen to Days of the New's "How Do You Know You". A beautiful, dark, grungy acoustic song. The entire album are acoustic, so so good!!!

[@chrisburrelljr9270]

Man Alice in chains and Pearl jam was one of the best grunge bands of the '90s and I miss that group

[@melbright100]

Of all their songs this is the most upbeat song most of AICs songs have a dark and melancholy sound

[@memomoto990]

Thanks for this. And please continue to do what you do. Because you're doing it so good. :)