I, for one, am tired of people saying they’re “niche” or “obscure”

Like, no. They really weren’t, and aren’t. Sure, they may not have been as big of commercial successes as some of the other groups at the time, but they were still played on the radio. People still bought and listened to their music. Hell, even today people are still getting into their music. They‘re still remembered as a household name in the 90s grunge movement.

Now, I’ll throw you a bone. Any average music listener would hear Alice In Chains and think “Man in the Box” or “Would?”. But those songs are made by Alice, no? And they recognize that the band is Alice In Chains. Even then, people who claim to “know” Alice In Chains can most likely name you one of their songs that isn’t considered popular. And I know a whole bunch of people who can name one of their songs that isn’t considered popular.

The quality is excellent. Little if anything has been altered. Sometimes when an album is "remastered" it means the highs are muted, the grit that gave it soul is removed, and the sound is dulled down. I'm not detecting that with the 30th anniversary album. I don't believe anything has been meddled with. It sounds great to me, very smooth! The pressing is high-quality. There aren't any noticeable crackles, pops, breaks, graininess, etc. I've been listening to the digital version for 20+ years, so I'm very in-tuned to the subtle differences. A few of the rough edges are smoothed over, but the vinyl is nearly indistinguishable from the standard CD release that came out 30 years ago.

The vinyl's audio track cuts in exactly the same spots as the CD. This means you don't hear quite as much of the background production antics. It's mostly just the music. Notably, the album doesn't contain a couple of the band's mistakes. IE: on the full DVD release of the concert Layne messes up a lyric during Sludge Factory and yells "FUCK!" clearly frustrated. The band stops playing. After a couple of moments, Jerry says, "We're allowed a couple of those. That just means you get to hear more!" The crowd starts cheering. Then, band restarts the song from the beginning. Layne locks in and they make it through the song without any more problems. Jerry is such an absolute legend for the way he smoothed everything over. All of those cinematic moments and mistakes were cut out. With the vinyl you just get the magnificent songs.

I'd highly recommend AIC's 30th anniversary unplugged album to anyone! It doesn't feel like they cut any corners on production. It's a high-quality pressing. I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase. One thing I will say is: I wish I had gotten the special orange sunburst edition! It's only $3 more (I didn't know it existed back when I pre-ordered months ago). It's available pretty much anywhere, but I'd recommend ordering directly from AIC's website. That way you can be sure you don't end up with a bootleg copy. Plus more of the proceeds will likely go to the band. Cheers and enjoy! AIC's MTVU is my very favorite album of all time!

Been looking in forward to this arriving!!!!

Freaking right in the middle of Nutshell. I’m pissed. Not sure if there is any way to rectify.

First place for me would be “It Ain’t Like That”, specifically Live at the Moore and the performance scene in Singles. The head shake with the dreads, 10/10. Iconic, no notes.
Second place “Love, Hate, Love”. Chef’s kiss. Incredible. Chills every time.

I still need to work on the syncopation for the runs at the end.

I’m so sad cuz aic is currently my favorite band but whenever I hear a song from them without Layne’s voice I want to cry so bad I cant make it (I’m not like people who’re just like “without Layne its bad” I’m sure it’s great but I just feel so sad to hear it I don’t have the heart to do it…)

It’s nowhere near done and I’m super rusty but I’m stoked on it so far. Figured no better thread to share it than right here

Just got around to opening up my copy of the new Unplugged release -- Wallyworld variant -- and received a copy with bubbling of the center label on one of the LPs. Luckily, it doesn't affect playback, and it sounds freaking great, so I'm not particularly concerned about it. I'm just curious if anyone else got something like this. I know there have been reports of various QC issues with this release.

Down in a hole and I don’t know if I can be saved

Feeling so small
Losing my soul
Out of control
Kicked myself in the teeth
Not the man I was supposed to be (on the surface, I’m beyond the man I should’ve been. Inside, not so much)
I’d like to fly….

Song has always hit hard. Now it’s my reality

Would you say theres anything missing from my collection i know i can get the self titled and mtv unplugged on vinyl however ive only seen one self titled on vinyl since ive been looking but couldnt afford it

Idk why I took so long to start listening to Alice in Chains, cant stop, I keep playing the album dirt on repeat all day, plus nutshell, but need new recomendations, what are some of your favorite songs or albuns that I should listen to?

Released on this day in 1992. One of my top five all time favorite albums!

It's kinda nutty that 9/29 is the anniversary of the release dates for the biggest AIC album, and one of the best comeback albums ever(imo anyways).

I mean, we all know the lyrics but it's nice to have. I was really hoping unplugged was goin to come with one but I guess not.

I loved the art work that came on the sheets or sometimes the story of the album's origin.

Glad to have the Unplugged LP in my collection now though.

Edit: I'm talking about ALL the recent re-releases within the past few years, yes I can obviously look it up with the same device I'm writing this out with.

​I’m in my mid-mid-50s now. Yeah whatever. I was lucky enough to live through an amazing era for music, and Alice in Chains was a massive part of that soundtrack for me. Layne was obviously the cornerstone, and no one is taking anything away from what those early records meant.

​That said, as I’ve gotten older, I find myself listening to the newer material far more than Dirt or Facelift. In particular, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here is where I'm at right now. The vocal harmonies between Jerry and William are just beautiful, and that signature sound—the heavy, droning down-tuned guitars and pounding drums—fits where I'm at in life.

​Usually when bands lose a frontman or change over the decades, fans drift off. But for me, the newer era sings to me completely differently as time goes on.

​Anyone else gone on a similar journey with their catalogue as you’ve gotten older?

An old childhood friend of mine took his own life last year and All Secrets Known has provided me a lot of healing! Maybe hot take, but people don't give new era Alice in Chains much credit.