Album Review: Alice In Chains – ‘The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here’

By: Adam Harrison (@AdamRHarrison) –

It’s nice not having to wait another 14 years for a new Alice in Chains album. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here is the Seattle grunge/alternative rockers’ second album with new singer William DuVall, and follows up their 2009 album, Black Gives Way to Blue. The new album’s controversial title refers to a religious theory in which Satan placed dinosaur bones on Earth to confuse and dissuade the faithful. But unlike that theory, Alice in Chains knows exactly what their faithful want to hear.

For over 25 years, the band has managed to maintain the same sound, which is largely due to the involvement and dedication of lead guitarist/vocalist and founding member Jerry Cantrell. DuVall joined the band in 2006 after the death of original singer, Layne Staley, in 2002. Despite sounding remarkably similar to the late singer, he’s proven he can spice things up with the aging band.

The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here should satisfy those seeking vintage Alice in Chains. It’s got all the grungy guitar riffs and dark, moaning vocals you’d expect from the 90’s icons. Although familiar to Chains fans, it’s a shocking sound for many to hear on the radio in an age of indie pop rock.

However loyal to the brand The Devil Puts Dinosaurs Here is, it falls flat in comparison to Black Gives Way to Blue. The 2009 comeback album was such a delightful return, scaling hit after hit from head to toe. Each track, although classic Chains, was unique and memorable, creating new fans as well as pleasing the loyalists. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here lacks that individuality and suffers a bit from one song carelessly bleeding into the next.

“Hollow”, the first single, is haunting to the bone and as gloomy a song as you’d ever expect from the band, almost even playing tribute to “Grind” dating back to their 1995 self-titled album. The chorus echoes: “Hollow as a mountain all tunneled and drilled below, Hollow as a mountain crowned with a cold, blue sky.” But the song lacks memorability and timelessness. The second single “Stone” is more of the same and will fall by the same sword. Five years from now we’ll still be hearing “Check My Brain” from Black Gives Way to Blue instead of these singles.

This is not to say there are no standout songs on The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. In fact, the title track, despite breaking the ‘never discuss politics and religion among friends’ rule, is one of the catchiest tunes on the album and a key demonstration of DuVall and Cantrell’s ability to make whiny sound melodic.

Also, it’s intriguing that some tracks on The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here mimic or answer to tracks from Black Gives Way to Blue. “Voices” has the same peacefully melodic theme that “Your Decision” offered. As well “Phantom Limb” is a riff heavy, seven minute, epic answer to “A Looking in View” which had similar qualities.

The “I’ve heard this before” feel of The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here has its pros and cons. It’s the same old Alice in Chains we love to bang our head to, but it will live in the shadow of their 2009 triumph.

Essential Tracks: “Hollow”, “Voices”, “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here”, and  “Phantom Limb”.