Mad Season – Above (2xLP)

Above (1995) is the sole studio album from Mad Season, the Seattle supergroup featuring Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees), and John Baker Saunders. Written and recorded during a rare moment of calm in the midst of the mid-’90s grunge explosion, the album captures a darker, blues-infused side of the era’s sound. Tracks like “River of Deceit,” “Wake Up,” and “I Don’t Know Anything” unfold slowly, balancing heavy, hypnotic grooves with moments of quiet reflection and haunting beauty. What sets Above apart is its restraint — it’s spacious, meditative, and deeply emotional. Staley’s voice carries a fragile power, while McCready’s guitar work weaves melancholy and transcendence through every song. The result is an album that feels timeless and deeply human, a meditation on addiction, faith, and redemption. Above remains a singular work within the Seattle scene — soulful, mournful, and quietly transcendent.

Reviews

“A haunting, beautifully restrained record that finds power in vulnerability.” – Rolling Stone

“Mad Season’s lone album is a brooding masterpiece — dark, soulful, and unforgettable.” – The Guardian

“Above captures a rare chemistry — heavy, graceful, and deeply moving.” – AllMusic