Mad Season - Above Flac (2024)

Mad Season's sole studio album, Above, is a landmark release of the Seattle grunge era, originally debuting on March 14, 1995. As a "supergroup" project, it brought together members from iconic bands to explore a blues-infused, experimental sound that served as a creative outlet for their personal struggles.  Album Overview 

The Supergroup: The band featured Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) on guitar, Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) on vocals, Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees) on drums, and John Baker Saunders on bass.

Composition & Vibe: Unlike the heavy sludge of Alice in Chains or the stadium rock of Pearl Jam, Above leaned into minor-key vamps and atmospheric, jazz-influenced rock.

Lyrical Content: The album contains the only set of completely original lyrics written entirely by Layne Staley, often reflecting his battle with addiction and themes of introspection.  FLAC & High-Fidelity Editions 

For audiophiles, the album is widely sought in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format to preserve the intricate, dark textures of the recording without the quality loss of MP3s. 

2013 Deluxe Edition: This is the definitive digital version, often available as a 24-bit / 44.1 kHz FLAC download.

Remastered Audio: Includes the original 10 tracks plus three previously unreleased songs with vocals by Mark Lanegan ("Locomotive," "Black Book of Fear," and "Slip Away").

Live Recordings: Features the full audio from the band's final performance, Live at the Moore, which was their last live show.

Availability: Lossless versions are available on specialized high-res platforms and digital storefronts like Juno Download and listed on Discogs for physical/digital tracking.  Key Tracks 

"River of Deceit": The album's most successful single and a radio staple.

"Wake Up": A haunting 7-minute opener that sets the somber tone.

"Long Gone Day": Features saxophone and vibraphone, highlighting the band's jazzier leanings.

"November Hotel": An expansive instrumental track showcasing Barrett Martin's powerful drumming.  Legacy and Success  Mad Season - Above (Deluxe Edition) (2013) Hi-Res

Mad Season's sole studio album, , is a cornerstone of the 1990s Seattle grunge scene, serving as a raw, blues-infused departure for its supergroup members. Technical & Audio Specifications For audiophiles and collectors, is frequently sought in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) to preserve its intricate production and dynamic range. Format Options

: High-resolution 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC files are available via LosslessAlbums Streaming & Purchase Mad Season - Above FLAC

: The album can be found in CD quality or high-res on platforms like Mastering Comparison : Discussions on the Steve Hoffman Music Forums

suggest the Music On Vinyl (MOV) pressing offers a weightier low-end, while original CD masters (often the source for standard FLACs) maintain a more "airy" top-end detail [4]. Album Context & Personnel

Released on March 14, 1995, the project emerged from a chance meeting in rehab between Mike McCready and John Baker Saunders [8]. Supergroup Members Layne Staley (Alice in Chains): Vocals and original lyrics [5, 24]. Mike McCready

(Pearl Jam): Guitars, heavily influenced by blues and Hendrix-style solos [11]. Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees): Drums [6]. John Baker Saunders (The Walkabouts): Bass [12].

: Mark Lanegan provided additional vocals and lyrics on several tracks, including the posthumously finished songs on the 2013 Deluxe Edition [5, 6]. Critical & Commercial Impact

: The album was certified Gold by June 1995 and peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 [6, 10]. Musical Style

: Critics describe it as a "subdued, intimate record" built on blues and jazz frameworks, often described as "heavy mood music" ideal for a "rainy day" atmosphere [1, 5]. Notable Tracks

"River of Deceit": The most successful single, reaching No. 2 on Mainstream Rock Tracks [6].

"Wake Up": An poignant opening track reflecting Staley's personal battles [5].

"Long Gone Day": Notable for its use of saxophone to add unique color to the grunge sound [1]. 2013 Deluxe Edition Deluxe Edition expanded the legacy with: Unreleased Tracks

Unlocking the Soul of the Seattle Sound: Mad Season – Above in FLAC

In the pantheon of the 1990s grunge era, few projects carry the weight, tragedy, and sheer artistic brilliance of Mad Season. Their sole studio album, Above, stands as a hauntingly beautiful intersection of blues, jazz, and heavy rock. For audiophiles and serious collectors, experiencing this masterpiece in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is more than a preference—it is a necessity to capture the atmospheric depth of a moment in time that can never be replicated. The Supergroup That Defined an Era

Mad Season was the definition of a "lightning in a bottle" collaboration. Formed in 1994, the lineup was a bridge between the titans of the Seattle scene:

Layne Staley (Alice in Chains): Providing his most vulnerable and haunting vocals. Mad Season's sole studio album, Above , is

Mike McCready (Pearl Jam): Showcasing a blues-drenched guitar style distinct from his work in Pearl Jam.

Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees): Bringing intricate, jazz-influenced percussion.

John Baker Saunders (The Walkabouts): Anchoring the sound with deep, melodic bass lines.

While many "supergroups" feel like marketing exercises, Above was born out of a communal attempt at sobriety and creative therapy. This raw emotional honesty is etched into every note. Why Listen to Above in FLAC?

The production of Above is famously spacious. Unlike the "Wall of Sound" common in 90s rock, this album breathes. It relies on subtle textures, ringing guitar harmonics, and the cavernous resonance of the Seattle studio where it was tracked. 1. Preserving the Vocal Nuance

In a lossy format like MP3, the "air" around Layne Staley’s voice is often compressed away. In FLAC, you hear the breath between lines in "Wake Up" and the slight tremor in his delivery during "River of Deceit." FLAC preserves the full dynamic range, allowing the listener to feel the intimacy of Staley's performance. 2. Mike McCready’s Guitar Textures

Above is widely considered Mike McCready’s finest hour. His work on tracks like "November Hotel" moves from delicate clean tones to feedback-drenched chaos. A lossless FLAC file ensures that the high-frequency crystalline clarity of his Stratocaster remains intact without the "shimmering" artifacts found in lower-quality digital files. 3. The Percussive Detail

Barrett Martin used various instruments beyond a standard drum kit, including vibes and marimba. The track "Artificial Red" benefits immensely from the lossless format, where the decay of the cymbals and the woody resonance of the percussion are rendered with 1:1 fidelity to the original master. Key Tracks to Revisit in Lossless Quality

"Wake Up": The ultimate test for your speakers or headphones. The slow-burn crescendos require the high bitrate of FLAC to avoid distortion during the intense finale.

"River of Deceit": The album’s most famous track. The interplay between the acoustic-leaning guitars and the soulful bass line is a masterclass in restrained production.

"Long Gone Day": Featuring Mark Lanegan and a sultry saxophone, this track leans into a jazz-noir vibe that sounds incredibly lush in a high-fidelity environment. The Legacy of Above

Decades after its release, Above remains a singular achievement. It wasn't just another "grunge" record; it was an exploration of the shadows. Following the 2013 Deluxe Reissue—which included unreleased tracks with lyrics by Mark Lanegan—interest in the highest quality versions of these recordings has never been higher.

For those who want to honor the memory of Layne Staley and John Baker Saunders, listening to Above in FLAC is the best way to hear the music exactly as they played it: raw, uncompressed, and heartbreakingly real.

"Above" is the debut studio album by American rock band Mad Season, released on March 8, 1995, through Epic Records. The album was produced by Brett Eliason and Mad Season, and it features a mix of grunge, hard rock, and alternative rock sounds. "Hello" "Three" "The Edge" "Long Day"

The album was well-received by critics and fans, and it has been certified 1x Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). "Above" includes several notable tracks, such as:

• "Hello"
• "Three"
• "The Edge"
• "Long Day"

The album's lead single, "Hello", peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Mad Season was formed in 1994 by guitarist Art Alexakis, drummer Aaron Turner, bassist Steve Thorn, and vocalist Mark Lanegan. The band's music was marked by Lanegan's distinctive vocals and the band's heavy, guitar-driven sound.

"Above" is notable for its dark and introspective lyrics, which explore themes of depression, anxiety, and personal struggle. The album has been praised for its raw, emotional power and its well-crafted songwriting.

In terms of musical style, "Above" is often compared to other grunge and alternative rock bands of the 1990s, such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. However, Mad Season's sound is distinct and well-defined, with a focus on heavy riffs, driving rhythms, and Lanegan's haunting vocals.

Overall, "Above" is a highly regarded album that showcases Mad Season's unique sound and style. If you're a fan of grunge, alternative rock, or heavy music in general, "Above" is definitely worth checking out.

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is an audio coding format that is used for storing and playing back high-quality digital audio. If you're looking to download or listen to Mad Season's "Above" in FLAC format, you may be able to find it on various music streaming platforms or online music stores that specialize in lossless audio.

4. “Long Gone Day” (Featuring Mark Lanegan)

The inclusion of Screaming Trees’ Mark Lanegan on backing vocals adds a baritone growl. In lossless audio, the interplay between Lanegan and Staley is staggering. The piano, played by guest musician John Baker Saunders (yes, the bassist played piano here), has a hammer-action thud that gets lost in lossy codecs.

The 2013 Legacy Edition (24-bit/96kHz)

• Pros: Remastered by Bob Ludwig. Includes the stellar Live at the Moore concert (1995) in FLAC format. The high sample rate (96kHz) offers ultrasonic frequencies that, while inaudible to humans, improve the reconstruction of audible transients (like drum hits).
• Cons: Some purists argue the remaster adds 3-4dB of limiting, sacrificing a small amount of dynamics for volume.
• Verdict: Best for the live material. The studio album sounds superb but different.

2. Qobuz

Qobuz is an audiophile-focused store and streaming service. They offer both the 16-bit CD-quality FLAC and the 24-bit Hi-Res. Qobuz often provides a PDF of the original album booklet.

4. Bandcamp (If Available)

Periodically, Legacy Recordings puts the album on Mad Season’s Bandcamp page. Bandcamp allows unlimited re-downloads in any format (FLAC, ALAC, WAV). This is the most user-friendly option.

The Sonic Breakdown: What FLAC Reveals

Let’s take a track-by-track look at what you gain with a Mad Season - Above FLAC rip compared to a standard 128kbps or even 320kbps MP3.

Technical Notes (for reproduction or academic listening)

• Key and tempo: Typically performed in a minor mode around a moderate tempo (~80–90 BPM)—exact key/tempo may vary by performance.
• Guitar gear: McCready’s tone often derived from Les Paul–style guitars with overdriven tube amps and use of wah or subtle modulation; Cantrell’s rhythm tone leans on layered clean and overdriven textures.
• Vocal mic/proc: Warm, close-miked baritone with moderate compression and plate reverb; mastering preserved midrange body.

The Side Project: Mad Season

Mad Season was a side project featuring Soundgarden lead vocalist Chris Cornell and guitarist Kim Thayil, along with bassist Ben Shepherd. Their collaboration resulted in one album, "Above," released in 1995. "Above" was critically acclaimed and explored different musical territories compared to Soundgarden's work. The album featured hits like "Fell on Black Days," showcasing Cornell's ability to convey deep emotional pain through his haunting vocals.

3. “I Don’t Know Anything”

A rawer, almost punk-blues track. The FLAC version reveals McCready’s amp hum between chords. You can hear the pick attack on the wound strings. For drummers, Barrett Martin’s snare wire buzz is distinct and realistic, not a generic white-noise hiss.