Two iconic grunge bands. They burned bright but also briefly, with both frontmen dying tragically young.

So, which band has best stood the test of time?

I prefer Alice In Chains (numerous songs come to mind), Nirvana not so much (only ever liked one of theirs). -kd5-

AiC experimented with their sound more and Layne had a wonderful voice. On the flipside, Nirvana was a one trick pony and way overrated at that. Nirvana Unplugged is an essential album though.

Alice in Chains for me.

AIC without question. They had IMO 2.5 great releases (Facelift, Dirt-t and Jar of Flies) vs. one great release from Nirvana.

Dirt was pretty much the record that pulled me into liking the "alternative" rock of the time.

Nirvana. I think the best AIC album is the one with the new singer. I didn't like Staley's voice so much.

AIC by a fucking mile.

I used to enjoy Nirvana when I was in HS, but as I've gotten older I find myself appreciating their music less and less.

I certainly appreciate and enjoy Nirvana but AIC is one of my favorite bands -- Jerry Cantrell is a bad mutha!

The whole grunge thing was right around the time I was finishing high school and I was as big a Nirvana fan as anyone back then. But somewhere along the line I kind of lost my love for them, whereas Alice in Chains is one of my 3 favorite bands ever now.

Kind of the opposite of you guys. I really dug AIC, but I don't think it's aged as well whereas I still enjoy a majority of Nirvana's songs.

Nirvana. Better at writing pop songs that I prefer.

Aic

AIC for me but I like Nirvana as well.

I completely agree. I've always thought Nirvana were on their way out, even if Kurt had stuck around. Plus, I'm pleased as punch that AiC pulled off such an awesome "comeback" album as they did.

I like both.

But for comparision sake:

There is no question than Layne and Jerry were far better singers, and their harmonizing is awesome.

But Nirvana had more songs that I enjoyed listening too more. And those newly released "Devonshire Mixes" make me enjoy Nevermind more than I did in the past.

I would love to learn how to play both "Come As You Are" and "No Excuses".

Wow, I expected this to be a Nirvana lovefest. I've been called crazy for preferring AiC over Nirvana, but prefer them I do for all the reasons already listed.

Nirvana. Alice in Chains are (to me) just another anonymous generic hard rock band.

I agree. You just can't touch those harmonies and riffs, and AIC's latest album so many years later is still so worthy.

Are you talking about Cantrell's solo album which used AIC's name for money and publicity purposes?

Alice In Chains without Layne is like Nirvana without Cobain...it just doesn't exist.

They're about equal for me I guess. Nirvana is overrated by a lot of people but they've still got a lot of catchy songs so I still like them to an extent. They aren't a band I listen to a lot anymore but I don't mind them. Alice in Chains is pretty good too though.

Yeah that album was garbage. I think there is a newer one with a new singer that sounds a lot like Layne.

I've enjoyed what I've heard from Cantrell's solo work, and I think the new AIC record is great. That's coming from someone who absolutely couldn't imagine the band without Layne. It's different, but it works largely thanks to Cantrell's fantastic harmonies. I love the tribute title track.

Nirvana, easily.

That being said, I love AiC. New album is solid.

Aic

Nirvana.


I hate Alice in Chains.