Summary:Nick Raskulinecz returns to produce the fifth full-length studio release for the hard rock band and its second with William DuVall as lead singer.
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Record Label:Capitol
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
What The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here leaves one with is a feeling that Alice in Chains have returned to the top of their game, confident and back on firm ground.
With a running time of nearly 70 minutes for just 12 songs, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here can be overwhelming; the arrangements of several songs are amorphous, and tunes such as “Phantom Limb” and “Hung On A Hook” could benefit from an editor. Despite these small quibbles, the album is solid.
Though new vocalist William DuVall doesn't have his predecessor's talent for shaping Seattle sludge into molten-dread anthems, founder Jerry Cantrell's expressively torpid guitar steps up to become its own kind of lead voice.
This album is absolutely amazing. It had the dark tone of AIC that we so love and yet a new dimension to their sound. Layne is gone now, butThis album is absolutely amazing. It had the dark tone of AIC that we so love and yet a new dimension to their sound. Layne is gone now, but they're keeping his legacy alive very well.…Expand
Certainly nothing groundbreaking here but if you're familiar with AIC's past work, this won't come as a surprise. Their philosophy seems toCertainly nothing groundbreaking here but if you're familiar with AIC's past work, this won't come as a surprise. Their philosophy seems to be: if it ain't broke, why fix it?
If you're not a fan of this band's earlier music then you almost certainly won't like this album. If you are a fan of their past work then you almost certainly will like this album. I love it...…Expand
A great follow up album after the return of Alice in Chains. Fans of the band will not see anything unusual on this album. The iconic minorA great follow up album after the return of Alice in Chains. Fans of the band will not see anything unusual on this album. The iconic minor key tonality and dark lyrics return once again in this album. The first tracks on this album crank. Loud and in your face, and rock fan will appreciate these songs. Accompanied with a couple of more acoustic songs that could be off of Jerry's solo albums, there is more depth to the album than its predecessor Black Gives Way to Blue. The middle of the album is however the album's low point. These few songs are rather forgettable and seem to not go anywhere. They pale in comparison to the rest of the songs on the album. That's not to say that these songs are bad, one thing I personally see with Alice in Chains is that their songs grow on you. Perhaps with time these songs will as well. These songs are really the only reason this album does not get a ten. The rest of the album is fantastic and should not be missed by any rock fan.…Expand
I was the guy with the unpopular opinion when it came to Black Gives Way to Blue. I felt that without Layne, Alice in Chains just did not haveI was the guy with the unpopular opinion when it came to Black Gives Way to Blue. I felt that without Layne, Alice in Chains just did not have what they used to. But after listening to this album, I have changed my mind. This album contains such a dark and real tone to it that right at the beginning of the album, it I was into it. Alice in Chains has proven to us all that they still are, and always will be, one of the greatest grunge bands of all time. With, or without Layne. Rest in peace brother, this album should definitely make you proud.…Expand
Jerry Jerry Jerry you are a genius. Alice has returned with their 2nd most amazing album yet (you all know what the 1st is). Heavy bass lines,Jerry Jerry Jerry you are a genius. Alice has returned with their 2nd most amazing album yet (you all know what the 1st is). Heavy bass lines, intelligent guitar tracks and unique harmonizing vocals make this one of the greatest rock albums of the year. My only complaint is the standard drum tracks and standard production. Which is strange because those two elements are from musicians that are known to be excellent in their field (Raskulinecz excellently produced One by One and the previous Alice outing Black Gives way to Blue). Besides that this is a great album from an amazing band.…Expand
Devil put Dinosaurs here is a good album, but many of the songs lack the harder, more metal side of Alice in Chains. The vocal work is good,Devil put Dinosaurs here is a good album, but many of the songs lack the harder, more metal side of Alice in Chains. The vocal work is good, but most tracks consist of a blend of both Cantrell's and Duvall's vocals, with Cantrell's being more dominant. Album would be better if Duvall sang on his own a bit more. Overall, still a good album, just not their best.…Expand
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I don't find this album very original, but there are several good songs on it. Only worth listening to if you are already a fan. There is a lot of better Alice In Chains stuff to check out. Black Gives Way to Blue is better in my opinion, but its nothing to be ashamed of for a band this late in its career.…Expand