Mad Season - Above (1995)

The Seattle supergroup Mad Season consisted of Layne Staley(Alice in Chains), Mike McCready(Pearl Jam), Barrett Martin(Screaming Trees) and John Saunders(The Walkabouts). Above was the only release by the band and no surprise it didn't work out because originally 3/4 of the band were all sober and fresh out of rehab and the second being that they all belonged to another band. It was a side project that turned into a big deal as they made there first single land #2 with "River of Deceit" on the Billboard Rock Chart and the album went gold. A lot of hope was put into making the band to help struggling heroin addicted Layne Staley to possibly stay away from the Alice in Chains life and into this sober band which didn't pan out. No surprise that it wasn't critically acclaimed as the material is said to be not upbeat, slow and sludgy a equation to not be liked by mainstream. I disagree with Rolling Stone's review of Above, I really think this is just four guys exploring music outside of the main projects where there accustomed to be playing at shows each and every night. It has hint's of Pearl Jam with Alice in Chains, a totally awesome grunge album. It blows my mind that someone told me it took less than a week for the writing process of Above. Songs to check out "River of Deceit", "I Don't Know Anything" and "Long Gone Day".

1. "Wake Up" 7:38
2. "X-Ray Mind" 5:12
3. "I'm Above" 5:44
4. "River of Deceit" 5:04
5. "Artificial Red" 6:16
6. "Lifeless Dead" 4:29
7. "I Don't Know Anything" 5:01
8. "Long Gone Day" 4:52
9. "November Hotel" 7:08
10. "All Alone" 4:12