Above cover

Above

Mad Season · 1995

55 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock · grunge

A haunting blend of grunge and blues, propelled by introspective lyrics and soulful instrumentation.

Why this album works

'Above' has been recognized for its critical acclaim, debuting at number 24 on the Billboard 200 and featuring the hit single 'River of Deceit,' which remains influential in alternative rock circles. The album also addressed themes like addiction and mental health, resonating deeply with listeners and contributing to discussions around these issues in the mid-90s.
Career context
Released on March 14, 1995, 'Above' was the only studio album from Mad Season, a supergroup formed by members of Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Coming during a time when Seattle's music scene was at its peak, this album showcased the darker side of grunge, emerging shortly after the death of Kurt Cobain in 1994.
Stylistic neighbors
Local H· Melvins· Soundgarden

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Wake Up Standout 7:38
  • 2 X-Ray Mind 5:13
  • 3 River of Deceit Standout 5:05
  • 4 I'm Above 5:45
  • 5 Artificial Red 6:17
  • 6 Lifeless Dead 4:29
  • 7 I Don't Know Anything 5:02
  • 8 Long Gone Day Standout 4:52
  • 9 November Hotel 7:07
  • 10 All Alone 4:12

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata