Alice in Chains' shadow has grown longer as
post-grunge settles into homogeny. Every outfit from
Godsmack to
Soil claims them as an influence;
Staind's
Aaron Lewis even wrote
"Layne" in tribute to the band's departed frontman.
Zakk Wylde throws his own goatee into that ring with
Black Label Society's
Hangover Music, Vol. 6, a largely acoustic album that recalls both
Jar of Flies and
Wylde's own
Book of Shadows. He handles vocals, piano, and acoustic duties himself, also contributing the occasional display of electric guitar wizardry just to remind listeners of where he came from.
Ozzy's influence looms at least as large as
Alice in Chains -- he and his family are thanked prominently in the liner notes, and material like the
ballad "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow" sounds like it could have been written for him. (
Wylde also offers his own tribute to
Staley, also called
"Layne.")
Hangover Music's restraint is admirable, considering
Wylde's fretboard prowess; in fact, the album's pretty damn mellow.
"Won't Find It Here" cops the melody from
U2's
"One," while standouts
"Crazy or High" and
"Queen of Sorrow" feature wails from
Wylde's electric over
Southern rock-influenced acoustic licks and a rhythm section that includes
Crowbar drummer
Craig Nunenmacher.
"Takillya (Estyabon)" is a brief burst of acoustic fretboard magic, and the piano-led
"Woman Don't Cry" finds
Wylde shelving his normally tortured moan in favor of a heartfelt croon comparable to
Axl Rose on
G N' R Lies. It makes the track one of the album's highlights, since
Wylde's vocals on the majority of
Hangover Music suggest he's a much better guitar player than he is a singer. Still, fans eager for fiery guitar work will enjoy
"House of Doom," which joins the lighter
"No Other" as the most obvious
Alice in Chains tributes (barring
"Layne," of course).
Hangover Music, Vol. 6 also includes an earnest, solo piano version of the
Procol Harum classic
rock radio fave
"Whiter Shade of Pale." ~ Johnny Loftus
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