Nothing Safe: Best of the Box

Last updated
Nothing Safe: Best of the Box
Alice In Chains Nothing Safe.jpg
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedJune 29, 1999 (1999-06-29) [1]
Recorded1989–1998
Genre
Length62:18
Label Columbia
Producer
Alice in Chains chronology
Unplugged
(1996)
Nothing Safe: Best of the Box
(1999)
Music Bank
(1999)
Singles from Nothing Safe: Best of the Box
  1. "Get Born Again"
    Released: June 1, 1999 [1]

Nothing Safe: Best of the Box is the first greatest hits album by the American rock band Alice in Chains. It was released on June 29, 1999, on Columbia Records. The previously unreleased track "Get Born Again" was released as a single to promote the album [1] and peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, [2] and at No. 12 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. [3] "Get Born Again" was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2000. [4]

Contents

Overview

The album is the first of Alice in Chains's best-of albums, and also served as a sampler for their Music Bank box set. Nothing Safe contains newly remastered tracks from previous albums Facelift , Sap , Dirt , Jar of Flies , Alice in Chains and Unplugged , as well as the previously unreleased track "Get Born Again", recorded between September and October 1998. [5] [6]

Despite the "Best of the Box" album subtitle, this compilation includes several tracks not found on the Music Bank box set.

The demo version of "We Die Young" was previously unreleased and did not appear on Music Bank. This track remains exclusive to this collection.

The live version of "Rooster" found here was also previously unreleased, and similarly, did not appear on Music Bank. However, this track was re-released in 2000 on the compilation, Live .

The remastered, "unplugged" version of "Got Me Wrong" was also omitted from Music Bank.

The version of "What The Hell Have I" that appears here is the original version mixed by Andy Wallace, not the version remixed by Toby Wright that appears on Music Bank.

The newly remastered version of "Again" that is found on Nothing Safe was also left off of the Music Bank compilation in favor of a techno/electronic dance remix of the song called, "Again (Tattoo Of Pain Mix)".

Unlike the version found on Music Bank, "Iron Gland" is featured with the beginning drum found on the Dirt track "Dam That River".

Because of these differences, many fans consider Nothing Safe to be a companion piece to the Music Bank box set.

A "Best Buy Exclusive" issue of the CD included a bonus disc in a cardboard sleeve, with live versions of "Angry Chair" and "Man in the Box".

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Metal Hammer 8/10 [8]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]

The album was certified platinum by the RIAA, and the revenue generated from the album was used to fund the Music Bank box set. [10]

The album has received mainly positive reviews, with critics praising the compilation's inclusion of rare material, along with the band's hits. AllMusic staff writer Steve Huey gave the album a four star rating writing "The package is not unattractive, since nearly all the hits are present in some form; also included are the new song "Get Born Again" and the better of the group's two contributions to the Last Action Hero soundtrack, "What the Hell Have I." [7]

Bill Adams of Ground Control Magazine, reviewing Alice in Chains Discography wrote "To its credit, Nothing Safe is a solid compilation of odds, ends, live tracks, studio cuts, soundtrack appearances and rarities, which serves its purpose for giving 'in-passing' fans a pretty enjoyable set". [10]

Track listing

All tracks written by Jerry Cantrell, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Get Born Again" (previously unreleased)
5:26
2."We Die Young" (previously unreleased demo) 2:28
3."Man in the Box" (from Facelift )
  • Cantrell
  • Staley
4:46
4."Them Bones" (from Dirt ) 2:30
5."Iron Gland" (unlisted track from Dirt) 0:43
6."Angry Chair" (from Dirt)Staley4:46
7."Down in a Hole" (from Dirt) 5:37
8."Rooster" (Live; previously unreleased in North America) 6:46
9."Got Me Wrong" (from MTV Unplugged ) 4:24
10."No Excuses" (from Jar of Flies ) 4:15
11."I Stay Away" (from Jar of Flies)
4:14
12."What the Hell Have I" ( Music from the Original Motion Picture – Last Action Hero ) 3:57
13."Grind" (from Alice in Chains ) 4:44
14."Again" (from Alice in Chains)
  • Cantrell
  • Staley
4:04
15."Would?" (from Dirt) 3:28
Total length:62:18

"Rooster" is not present on the iTunes edition.

Personnel

Chart positions

Album

Chart (1999)Position
US Billboard 200 [11] 20
Top Internet Albums [12] 17

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positions
US Bubbling
[13]
US Main
[2]
US Mod
[3]
1999"Get Born Again" [I] 6412

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [14] Silver60,000
United States (RIAA) [15] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Facelift</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Alice in Chains

Facelift is the debut studio album by the American rock band Alice in Chains, released by Columbia Records on August 28, 1990. The tracks "We Die Young", and "Man in the Box" were released as singles. "Man in the Box" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal in 1992. Facelift became the first grunge album to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), achieving this feat on September 11, 1991. The album peaked at No. 42 on the Billboard 200 chart, and has been certified triple-platinum by the RIAA for shipments of three million copies in the United States.

<i>Sap</i> (EP) 1992 EP by Alice in Chains

Sap is the second studio EP by the American rock band Alice in Chains, released on February 4, 1992, through Columbia Records. Sap is mostly acoustic and marks the first time that guitarist Jerry Cantrell sings lead vocals in an Alice in Chains release, with the song "Brother". The EP was produced by Alice in Chains and Rick Parashar and features guest vocals by Ann Wilson of the band Heart, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Mark Arm of Mudhoney. The track "Got Me Wrong" became a hit two years later after being featured on the soundtrack to the 1994 film Clerks. On January 14, 1994, Sap was certified gold by the RIAA for the sale of more than 500,000 copies.

<i>Music Bank</i> (album) 1999 box set by Alice in Chains

Music Bank is a box set of a large variety of songs by the American rock band Alice in Chains. It was released on October 26, 1999, on Columbia Records. The box set includes previously unreleased demos, hit singles, remixes, alternative versions and four new songs, "Fear the Voices", "Get Born Again", "Lying Season", and "Died". The track "Fear the Voices" was released as a single to promote the box set. Music Bank peaked at No. 123 on the Billboard 200 chart.

<i>Live</i> (Alice in Chains album) 2000 live album by Alice in Chains

Live is a live album by the American rock band Alice in Chains. It was released on December 5, 2000, through Columbia Records. The live version of "Man in the Box" featured in the album was released as a single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooster (song)</span> 1993 single by Alice in Chains

"Rooster" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains, featured on their second studio album, Dirt (1992), and released as the fourth single from the album on February 22, 1993. It is the fifth song on the original pressing of the album and sixth on others. The song was written by guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell for his father, Jerry Cantrell Sr., whose childhood nickname was "Rooster" and served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Cantrell would later name his music publishing company as Rooster's Son Publishing. "Rooster" spent 20 weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and peaked at No. 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man in the Box</span> 1991 single by Alice in Chains

"Man in the Box" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains. It was released as a single in January 1991 after being featured on the group's debut studio album, Facelift (1990). It peaked at No. 18 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1992. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). "Man in the Box" was the second most-played song of the decade on mainstream rock radio between 2010 and 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Them Bones</span> 1992 single by Alice in Chains

"Them Bones" is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains. It was released as the second single from their second studio album, Dirt (1992). "Them Bones" peaked at No. 24 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and at No. 30 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on the band's compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Greatest Hits (2001) and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). It was also included on the box set Music Bank (1999). A live performance of the song was included on their second live album, Live (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down in a Hole</span> 1993 single by Alice in Chains

"Down in a Hole" is a power ballad by Alice in Chains, and the fifth and last single from their album Dirt (1992). It is the twelfth song on most pressings of the album and fourth or eleventh on others. The song was written by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell for his then-girlfriend, Courtney Clarke. The single spent 21 weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks and peaked at No. 10. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999) and Music Bank (1999). An acoustic version performed on Alice in Chains' MTV Unplugged in 1996 was released in a live album and DVD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Excuses (Alice in Chains song)</span> 1994 single by Alice in Chains

"No Excuses" is the lead single from American rock band Alice in Chains' third EP, Jar of Flies (1994). Written by guitarist and co-lead vocalist Jerry Cantrell, the song was well received by music critics and was a charting success, becoming the first Alice in Chains song to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, spending a total of 26 weeks on the chart. It has gone on to become one of the band's most popular songs. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). Alice In Chains performed an acoustic version of "No Excuses" for its appearance on MTV Unplugged in 1996, which marked the last time they performed the song with Layne Staley, and that version was included on the band's Unplugged live album and home video release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Would?</span> 1992 single by Alice in Chains

"Would?" is a song by Alice in Chains, written by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell as a tribute to his friend Andrew Wood, lead vocalist of Mother Love Bone, who died in 1990. Cantrell sings the verses of the song, while Layne Staley sings the chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grind (song)</span> 1995 single by Alice in Chains

"Grind" is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains. It is the opening track and the lead single from their third studio album, Alice in Chains (1995). The song was written by Jerry Cantrell, who also sings lead vocals with Layne Staley harmonizing with him. "Grind" spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number seven. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angry Chair</span> 1992 single by Alice in Chains

"Angry Chair" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains. It was the third single from their album Dirt (1992). It is the eleventh song on most copies of the album and twelfth or tenth song on others. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Stay Away</span> 1994 single by Alice in Chains

"I Stay Away" is a song from Alice in Chains' 1994 EP Jar of Flies, and the second single from the album. This song marked the first time the band wrote with bassist Mike Inez. The single reached No. 10 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks, and stayed in the chart for 26 weeks. "I Stay Away" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1995. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Beside You</span> 1996 single by Alice in Chains

"Heaven Beside You" is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains and the second single from their third studio album, Alice in Chains (1995). It was written by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell about his relationship with his then-girlfriend, Courtney Clarke. Cantrell sings lead vocals, with Layne Staley doing harmonies during the chorus. The song spent 26 weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and peaked at No. 3. An acoustic version performed on Alice in Chains' MTV Unplugged in 1996 was released in a live album and DVD. "Heaven Beside You" was included on the compilation albums Music Bank (1999), Greatest Hits (2001), and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What the Hell Have I</span> 1993 single by Alice in Chains

"What the Hell Have I" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains. It was originally featured on the soundtrack to the 1993 John McTiernan film Last Action Hero starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The song was released as a single and peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was included on the compilation album Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999). A remixed version of the song was included on the compilation albums Music Bank (1999) and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got Me Wrong</span> 1994 single by Alice in Chains

"Got Me Wrong" is a largely acoustic song by the American rock band Alice in Chains, originally featured on the band's 1992 EP, Sap. It was written by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell, who also shared vocals with Layne Staley. A slightly different version of the song also appeared on the soundtrack to the 1994 comedy film Clerks, and is played when the character Randal first appears in the movie. "Got Me Wrong" was released as a single in 1994 after being featured on Clerks. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999) and Music Bank (1999). An acoustic version performed on Alice in Chains' MTV Unplugged concert in 1996 was released on a live album and DVD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Born Again</span> 1999 single by Alice in Chains

"Get Born Again" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains and, along with "Died", one of the last two songs recorded with vocalist Layne Staley before his death in 2002. The song was released as the lead single from the compilation Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999) on June 1, 1999. It peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and at No. 12 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. "Get Born Again" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2000. The song was also included on the compilation albums Music Bank (1999) and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Over Now (Alice in Chains song)</span> 1996 single by Alice in Chains

"Over Now" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains. Written by Jerry Cantrell, who also sings lead vocals, the song is the last track on the band's third studio album, Alice in Chains (1995), and it is about the 1995 breakup of the band. The song closed the televised broadcast of Alice in Chains' MTV Unplugged performance, and that version was released as a single in 1996. The B-side is the original studio version. The single peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and at No. 24 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1996. The song was included on the live album Unplugged (1996), on the box set Music Bank (1999), and the compilation album The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). The MTV Unplugged concert was the first and only time that Alice in Chains performed the song. It was performed again 23 years later at Jerry Cantrell's solo concert at the Pico Union Project in Los Angeles on December 6, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (Alice in Chains song)</span> 1996 single by Alice in Chains

"Again" is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains. It was released as the third single from their self-titled 1995 album. It peaked at No. 8 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1997. The song was included on the band's compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999), Greatest Hits (2001) and The Essential Alice in Chains (2006). A remixed version of the song was included on the box set Music Bank (1999).

<i>Joe Strummer 001</i> 2018 compilation album by Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer 001 is a career-spanning compilation album by the English musician Joe Strummer. The 32 song album was released on 28 September 2018 by Ignition Records and features 12 previously unreleased songs, as well as known favourites from his recordings with the 101ers, the Mescaleros and his extensive soundtrack work along with alternate versions of previously released songs. The album was preceded by the singles "London Is Burning", one of the last songs Strummer recorded before his death in 2002, and "Rose of Erin", an unreleased song used in the 1993 film When Pigs Fly.

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