ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell has released behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the official music video for the title track of his upcoming solo album, “Brighten” Due on October 29. Watch it below.,
“Brighten” was co-produced by Jerry over the past year with film composer Tyler Bates and Cantrell’s longtime engineer Paul Figueroa. They welcomed a dynamic cast of supporting players, including drummers Gil Sharone and Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney), pedal steel master Michael Rozon, Vincent Jones on piano, Wurlitzer, and organ. Other rock legends added to the fun of this LP, including Duff McKagan (GUNS N’ ROSES) on select bass tracks, Greg Puciato (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) handling all of the background vocals and Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) overseeing the mixing of “Brighten”. Together, they recorded eight originals and the LP closes with an approved-by-Elton John cover of his classic “Goodbye” as the finale.
“It’s pure rock and roll,” Cantrell said about the “Brighten” title track. “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.”
In July, Cantrell released “Atone”, the first single from “Brighten”. The song’s accompanying video was creatively directed as a group effort by Jerry; photographer/musician Jim Louvau; Puciato; visual artist Jesse Draxler; and photographer Tony Aguilera.
Cantrell played a pair of sold-out solo shows in Los Angeles joined by an eclectic group of musicians and friends, several of whom appear on “Brighten”.
“It was fun to play tunes I hadn’t performed in years from ‘Boggy Depot’ and ‘Degradation Trip’,” Jerry continues. “Tyler Bates not only introduced me to a lot of cool players, he also helped me put the band together for the shows, and performed with me.”
“Brighten” spawned from those gigs.
“It was like an old-school ’70s record where a multitude of musicians played,” smiles Cantrell. “So it’s not a set band. I got to make music with a bunch of people I never had before, along with friends like Duff, Tyler and Gil who I’ve worked with previously.”
Jerry‘s expansive sonic palette incorporates everything from moments of moody organ and powerful pedal steel to the cathartic choruses and airtight riffs which is the hallmark of Cantrell‘s sound.
To commemorate its release, “Atone” will be available in multiple configurations including a 12-inch vinyl single with a B-side that includes an exclusive instrumental version (with glow in the dark packaging), 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and a blood red colored vinyl exclusive to the Jerry Cantrell webstore. Each “Atone” vinyl single purchase includes a red flexi disc, red pick set, and an instant download of the song.
“Brighten” is available for pre-order everywhere now and will be offered in an exclusive bone with gold splatter color 180-gram vinyl via Jerry‘s webstore. Limited signed CDs will also be available in the webstore for pre-order.
“Brighten” track listing:
1. Atone
2. Brighten
3. Prism of Doubt
4. Black Hearts and Evil Done
5. Siren Song
6. Had To Know
7. Nobody Breaks You
8. Dismembered
9. Goodbye (Elton John cover)
The cast of players on “Brighten”
- Jerry Cantrell / Guitar, bass, vocals, keys
- Greg Puciato / Background vocals
- Duff McKagan / Bass
- Gil Sharone / Drums
- Abe Laboriel Jr. / Drums
- Tyler Bates / Strings, percussion, guitar
- Vincent Jones / Piano, keys, & strings
- Jordan Lewis / Piano
- Michael Rozon / Pedal steel
- Lola Bates / Background vocals
- Matias Ambrogi-Torres / Strings
