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March 28, 2024


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Jerry Cantrell
Boggy Depot (Columbia/Sony Music)

By: Paula M. Sherman

Finally released April 7th, Jerry Cantrell's "Boggy Depot" is a definite rocking winner, and well worth the wait! With nothing on the schedule for Alice In Chains at this present time, Cantrell decides to step up to the microphone. An exciting group of 12 songs all written by Cantrell prove his talent as a musician and singer/songwriter. Cantrell plunges into the depths of emotion and pulls out life, love, agony and uncertainty and spreads in out in each song, using the music to illustrate these for the listener in a powerful yet delicate way. What is depicted from beginning to end is a feeling of passion for existance, a want for understanding, stories of the kind; all portrayed quite romantically.

This compilation consists of deep moving songs, some up tempo, but most are slower and rich. Overall, this release is very liquefying, and as satifying as a slow well-performed massage. The sound is classic Cantrell to the fullest! Even though some of the slower tunes seem ballet-like, some such as "My Song", "Jesus Hands" and "Between" rock none the less. But selections like the single "Cut You In", along with "Devil By His Side", "Keep The Light On" and "Cold Piece" are very dynamic faster tempo songs that are thrilling to the last note. "Settling Down" and "Cold Piece" feature a great piano sound that is unique to each. In addition to the single, the last song "Cold Piece" is a funky little killer, and my personal favorite. And before you listen to the music, Cantrell presents the setting with visuals of nature and pleasingly, he spills his personality throughout. In pictures and in lyrics, you'll find references to fishing, one of his best loved hobbies.

Cantrell is noted as saying that he feels this release is interesting and has variety, but it's all pretty cohesive at the same time. It's a growth process. This release can be played from the first song to the last, and you won't be disappointed one bit. I give "Boggy Depot" an A, and I recommend it be added to everyone's rock collection.

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