Classic Day – Like You Used To

Surprise drops for records and tracks are a trend of most modern-day artists who have the willpower and fanbase to use the internet to their advantage, Alice In Chains with their 1992 EP Sap did something similar, but instead used little to no marketing as the driving force for the EP.

It would become certified gold eventually, but it was due to the songwriting and obtuse pushes that Alice In Chains would take to make the journey that much sweeter. Striking to use Jerry Cantrell as the lead vocalist on the opening track, “Brother,” the personal choice makes for one of Sap’s more simple, but engaging standouts.

The differences in style would come forward too, Sap is incredibly produced, recruiting the likes of Ann Wilson, Chris Cornell on the track “Right Turn,” and even Mark Arm from Mudhoney on “Right Turn” as well for vocals. Changing the vocal structure on “Brother” moves usual frontman Layne Staley as the backing vocalist who delivers the split verse progression where the instrumentation can thrive and become this somber bridge of paths to diverge upon.

Cantrell orchestrates, “Frozen in the place I hide, not afraid to paint my sky with, some who say I’ve lost my mind. Brother, try and hope to find.” As the music grows into this grand operation, percussion from Sean Kinney and the bass from Michael Starr slowly morphs into this conglomerate of mud and mire where Cantrell finishes by illustrating, “You were always so far away. I know that pain, I won’t run away like I used to do.”

Even while coming from a space of misery, Alice In Chains moves the pace onto “Got Me Wrong” which quickly brings the tears into the forefront. While Staley takes the microphone back for main vocals, the instrumentation is more upbeat and amped than their MTV Unplugged performance that drew much of the spotlight onto the track. Hearing the original version which is much more layered and a real sense of revival, Staley’s vocals here after his passing are touching and feel more like an unfortunate misstep.

Describing, “Strong, I haven’t felt like this in so long, wrong, in a sense too far gone from love. Strong, I haven’t felt like this in so long, wrong, in a sense too far gone from love.” While the metaphorical sunshine hits the audience’s face, Cantrell’s style on the strings becomes gorgeous and as graceful as angels carrying harps and lutes. The percussion from Kinney is powerful but does not over-encumber the listener or drown out the more alluring techniques from the rest of Alice In Chains.

Matching less on the sorrow that drew Alice In Chains as a staple of sound, Sap is a perfect introduction to the band without getting too deep into the sludge. They work to compile four tracks, five including the secret track on physical pressings and give redemption where it is entirely necessary.

Listen To Sap Here!!! – Spotify/Amazon/iTunes