Degradation Trip
A tour de force of epic proportions, the 14-song, 72-minute outing from formerAlice in Chainsguitarist Jerry Cantrell is a brutal emotional exorcism, the brooding and insinuating music perfectly suited to the pained and pointed lyrics. In Alice in Chains, Cantrell was responsible for such hits as the intensely personal "Rooster," and on this, his sophomore solo outing, Cantrell continues in that vein, painting unflinching and often brutal personal portraits on the aptly titledDegradation Trip. Just asAppetite for Destructioncaptured a debauched moment in time for Guns N' Roses,Degradation Tripencapsulates the often-pained soul and experiences of Jerry Cantrell. The singer-guitarist seems self-referential and tongue-in-cheek on songs, such as "Bargain Basement Howard Hughes," while "Mother's Spinning in Her Grave (Glass Dick Jones)" seems to address crack addiction. In "Psychotic Break," Cantrell sings "chalking up my dead friends / and loved ones long gone," an ode written even before bandmate Layne Staley's passing. With Ozzy Osbourne's rhythm section supporting him musically, the forceful, soaring, energetic "Anger Rising" is haunting, as Cantrell sings "by the way father, could you beat me some more." The lovely, instantly memorable "Angel Eyes" sounds radio-ready, while the album closer, the spare, mournful, countrified "Gone," is a tearjerker.Degradation Tripis a stunning, haunting journey, and when Cantrell sings "feel like a psychotic break comin' on," you can't help but believe him--and yearn for his redemption.--Katherine Turman