Above (30th Aniversary Edition) vinyl

Mad Season's singular studio effort weaves between raw grunge and introspective melancholy, a haunting exploration of the 90s alt-rock sound. Anchored by the emotive vocals of Layne Staley and the blistering guitar work of Mike McCready, the record captures a mood of somber reflection and hard-hitting release. Tracks like 'River of Deceit' pulse with dark, brooding energy, its aching delivery underscored by a gritty groove, while 'I Don't Know Anything' shifts between quiet introspection and explosive moments of intensity, embodying the turmoil of self-doubt. With Mark Lanegan's gravelly vocals adding an extra layer of depth, the album merges pained ballads with cathartic rock, evoking a sense of both isolation and raw emotion. Across the tracklist, the combination of delicate and forceful moments paints a portrait of a band fully immersed in their emotional landscape.