Black Gives Way to Blue Songs Ranked

Black Gives Way to Blue is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Alice in Chains, released on September 29, 2009, on the 17th anniversary of the release of their second album, Dirt. It is their first record without original lead singer Layne Staley, who died in 2002, and their first album with new vocalist and rhythm guitarist William DuVall sharing vocal duties with lead guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, who sings lead vocals on most of the songs. The title track is a tribute to Staley featuring Elton John on piano. This is the first Alice in Chains album released on Virgin Records and their first venture away from Columbia, who handled all of their previous releases. Musically, the album sees the band return to the heavy metal/hard rock style of Dirt and Facelift instead of the murky dark mood that their third album showcased with more grunge-fuzz pedal elements; some songs also have acoustic elements reminiscent of the band’s two acoustic EPs and also from their third full-length album. It also includes songs that Cantrell described as “the heaviest he’s ever written” Here are all of Black Gives Way to Blue songs ranked.

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11. Take Her Out

“The decent back into darkness begins with this cool slow-paced track that contains a great wailing guitar solo from Jerry.”

10. When the Sun Rose Again

“When the Sun Rose Again – is an unusual song. It sounds like it would make a good movie soundtrack. Another acoustic-electric number, but with AIC’s typically edgy lyrics it still manages to sound slightly sinister, yet oddly uplifting at the same time. Hmm…its messing with my head…”

See more: Alice In Chains Albums Ranked

9. All Secrets Known

After an absence of a decade or so, Alice in Chains marks their triumphant yet somber return with this crescendo-riddled song. The lyrics pretty much fill in the rest.”

8. Last of My Kind

“A great heavy track that has everything I like in an Alice in Chains song. Spacey intro, heavy distorted riffs, major changes in vocal styles between the verses and choruses, and a fuckin cool Jerry Cantrell guitar solo.”

7. Black Gives Way to Blue

“The album stops the decent into darkness as it finishes with this beautiful tribute to Layne Staley. The addition of Elton John on piano is great, and this song bears the distinction of being one of only two songs that can make me teary-eyed simply by listening to it, the other being Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails.”

6. Acid Bubble

“This song would fit in nicely with some of the darker tracks from Dirt. The seductively simple intro leads into some slow dark riffs, and then the choruses are just chaotically awesome. Throw in another great solo from Jerry and you’ve got another rock solid song.”

5. Lesson Learned

“An excellent slow-paced groovy track that contains another good Jerry solo. Also the last track on the album that can be described as upbeat in any way.

See more: Alice in Chains Songs Ranked

4. Your Decision

“The mood gets a bit calmer with this emotionally charged song. The softer guitar and vocals sound sort of like something off of Sap or Jar of Flies. Your Decision has echoes of Nutshell to it and is my favourite track on the album. A softer acoustic number with flourishes of electric guitar and great lyrics.

3. A Looking in View

“A Looking In View like Last of My Kind is another one that takes a few listens to get your head around. Another typically downbeat song but good nonetheless.”

2. Check My Brain

“With the dark mood of the album firmly established, this track trashes it and gets back to the heavy distorted riffs and free-spirited lyrics from the old days of Facelift. Check My Brain immediately reminded me of Angry Chair – only more up-tempo. Has a nice catchy feel to it, with dark-sounding verses interspersed with a daft but very singable chorus. One of the stand out tracks.”

1. Private Hell

“Private Hell is another one that would have gone well on the Dirt Album. It seems to hark back to Layne’s drug problems. Quite dark and gloomy but also surprisignly melodic. This song dives deeper into the shadows with it’s dark lyrics and melancholy tone. This song has gotten me through quite a few emotionally dark times. I also dig the mid-song solo.”