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
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
-- 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. (
also offers his own tribute to
Staley
, also called
"Layne."
)
Hangover Music
's restraint is admirable, considering
's fretboard prowess; in fact, the album's pretty damn mellow.
"Won't Find It Here"
cops the melody from
U2
"One,"
while standouts
"Crazy or High"
"Queen of Sorrow"
feature wails from
'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
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
's vocals on the majority of
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
tributes (barring
"Layne,"
of course).
also includes an earnest, solo piano version of the
Procol Harum
classic
rock
radio fave
"Whiter Shade of Pale."
~ Johnny Loftus