Review: 'The One You Know': Alice in Chains' grunge resurgence from 2018

With the announcement of a new Jerry Cantrell solo album, it seems appropriate to review an AiC song that's not brand-spanking new, but not exactly ancient, either. As you likely already understand, "The One You Know" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains. Known for 1990s hits like "Man in the Box," "Would?" and "Rooster," this song was released on May 3, 2018, as the first single from their sixth studio album, Rainier Fog. The song marked the band's return after a five-year hiatus since their previous album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013), and its single "Hollow."

"The One You Know" doesn't diverge much from the band's known musical style, but that's fine. The song is characterized by heavy, grinding, at times discordant guitar riffs and dark, brooding vocals, typical of Alice in Chains' signature sound. Basically, it has an "AiC vibe."

It blends sweet-and-sour elements of grunge, alternative metal, and hard rock. The lyrics of "The One You Know" reflect themes of confusion, distrust, and introspection. Personally, when I heard the chorus of "And I'm the one you know," my mind sort of filled in the blamks with "I’m the one you loathe..." (maybe that says as much about myself as it does about the band).

The words suggest a complex relationship, a troubled dynamic, possibly reflecting on interpersonal or internal conflict. It's a rather common theme for the band, but what do you expect? Are they suddenly going to start singing about sunshine and lollipops? Probably not. And, due to how influential grunge was, perhaps it's a travesty not to include any grunge icons in a list of artists who best represent rock.

How "The One You Know" stands in Alice in Chains' legacy

The song was well-received by fans and critics, praised for its powerful guitar work and the strong vocal performances by Jerry Cantrell and William DuVall. It continued to solidify Alice in Chains' status as a band that can remain relevant while staying true to their roots. The music video, directed by Adam Mason, features a blend of live-action shots of the band and storytelling sequences (don't ask me to recap it, but I'll just say the story is somehow emphasizing a surreal, dystopian aesthetic that complements the song's mood).

Album context

Rainier Fog was an important album for Alice in Chains, as it was their first album recorded in their hometown of Seattle in over 20 years. The album's title refers to Mount Rainier, a symbol of the band's connection to the Seattle music scene. As BMG's Zach Katz put it: "They've never needed to follow trends..."

Well, other than the trend of rocking, of course. "The One You Know" does that. It is significant not only as a strong lead single but also as evidence of Alice in Chains' ability to evolve while retaining their core sound. At a time when rock is struggling to find its place and define itself for modern listeners, this is a band that has still retained its spot. Oddly, it seems many keep forgetting they should be as relevant as ever.