Jerry Cantrell recently shared insights into his music-making philosophy, emphasizing that capturing the right “vibe” is more important than achieving technical perfection in the studio.
As a key figure in the early ’90s rock revolution, alongside bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains has produced multi-generational hits such as “Man in the Box,” “Would,” and “Them Bones.” The band’s distinctive sound is rooted in a clever interplay of simple musical elements, which makes their music memorable.
In a recent interview with Rick Beato, Cantrell discussed his approach to songwriting, which he likens to a “flat triangle” format. He explained that Alice in Chains evolved into a four-piece band, with Layne Staley occasionally playing guitar and William DuVall joining as a vocalist and talented guitarist.
“I think it’s got to be like a flat triangle for me,” Cantrell said. “If you’re going to operate that, it’s got to be a triangle—meaning the drums, bass, and guitar have to all be equally as important. If you take the drums and the bass away from the guitar, the guitar loses all its impact.”
He elaborated on the importance of balance in the mix: “You have to have pretty equally balanced drums and guitar. Maybe the guitar is just a little bit over the top, but not by much—that’s what I mean by a flat triangle.”
Regarding the recording process, Cantrell underscored that capturing the essence of a great take is more crucial than achieving technical precision. When asked if he records parts at home, he explained, “Sometimes you can’t recreate something, even if it’s not recorded in the best way—maybe with a bad mic or not the greatest tone. But there’s a vibe to it. That’s the most important thing.”
He noted that many legendary bands, such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles, have tracks filled with imperfections, yet those very flaws contribute to their greatness. “You can listen to all the many imperfections—like being out of key or out of time. And when you put it all together, that’s what makes the song so badass.”
Cantrell concluded with a powerful lesson: “It does not have to be perfect. It just has to have the right vibe. Perfection is not necessarily being perfect; it’s kind of an unattainable thing.”
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