Undoubtedly, one of the most anticipated albums of the fall is Jerry Cantrell's new solo LP. The Alice in Chains vocalist-guitarist announced the record, titled Brighten, back in July and offered up a moody, country-tinged lead single, "Atone," featuring former Dillinger Escape Plan singer Greg Puciato and Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan. Today (September 10th), Cantrell unveiled the album's title track, a bluesy, largely acoustic number that could sit comfortable on Alice in Chains' seminalĀ Jar of Flies EP. Stream it above via YouTube.
"It's pure rock & roll," Cantrell commented of the song. "Vince Jones, on keys, added a really great track and brought it to a new level. I can picture myself playing it on a stage for people, and it feels good. It's a big rock song."
Brighten marks Cantrell's third solo LP and his first since 2002's Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2. In addition to Puciato and McKagan, the album also features miscellaneous instrumentation from co-producer Tyler Bates, drumming from Gil Sharone (ex-Dillinger Escape Plan, Marilyn Manson) and many others. The track listing boasts eight original tunes and then closes with a cover of Elton John's "Goodbye," which got a ringing endorsement from the Rocket Man himself.