Nothing Safe
Although Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley dropped off the radar following 1995'sAlice in Chains, it's amazing how good he sounds on 1998's "Get Born Again," the one new track on this 15-song best-of outing. Sounding like aDirt-era offering, the band's trademark dirgeful sound and melodic, layered, and haunting vocals shine on this strong Staley-Cantrell composition. And there's other interesting material that makesNothing Safea safe bet for fans. A demo of  "We Die Young" is faster and more metal than the version on 1990'sFacelift, while a live "Rooster," lilting "Got Me Wrong" (fromUnplugged) and "What Hell Have I" from theLast Action Herosoundtrack are all eminently listenable.--Katherine Turman