Dirt – Redux

Dirt

‘Dirt: Redux’

Magnetic Eye Records

Alternative/Grunge/Heavy Metal

FFO: Alice In Chains, High Priest, Backwoods Payback, Low Flying Hawks, Vokonis, Khemmis

There is no denying it, ‘Dirt’ by Alice In Chains (AiC) is quite simply one of the seminal albums of the early 90’s. In a testament to just how revered ‘Dirt’ is, it is the next in a string of albums to be given the redux treatment.

                What ‘Dirt: Redux’ offers are 13 bands giving their interpretations of these AiC classics, some of these tracks rely more on faithful renditions such as High Priest and Backwoods Payback taking on ‘Rain When I Die’  and ‘Godsmack’, whilst others tackle ‘Dirt’ with their own unique style, picking up the AiC originals and running with them into completely different beasts altogether, such as the Low Flying Hawks version of ‘Dam That River’, an almost ambient Gothic reworking where the original would be difficult to locate within.

                The main question is this though; is ‘Dirt: Redux’ actually needed? Is there enough here to make you, the buyer, part with your hard-earned cash for essentially a cover album? Taken individually, tagged on the end of an album as a bonus track, yeah sure, the versions here are very good, delivered with the care and love needed to appreciate and album of this standing. However, ‘Dirt: Redux’ has the air of once you’ve heard it once, that’s it and ultimately, if you want to listen to ‘Dirt’, just put ‘Dirt’ on.