Alice in Chains? “Greatest Hits” album, and “Music Bank – The Videos,” a DVD collection of their award-winning videos, are two essential possessions for the hard rock/alternative music fan.

Recently released by Columbia Records, both the DVD and “Greatest Hits” album feature re-mastered original recordings and “Greatest Hits” is their second best-of collection released in just over two years.

When Alice in Chains first formed in 1987, the Seattle-based quartet of Layne Staley (vocals/guitar), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Mike Starr (bass), and Sean Kinney (drums), introduced their own original hard rock sound that is still unmatched today.

While the album includes well-known and well-liked songs like “Man In The Box” and “Grind”, these hits have been played so often for so long that it seems something is missing. There?s nothing fresh here.

In contrast, the DVD is an exhilarating treat, with 94 minutes of videos and 10 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage that invites you to witness Alice in Chains in their early years, with their long hair, tattoos and breakfasts of cigarettes and Spaghetti-O’s.

As the videos continue, you get to watch the band as hair is cut shorter and goatees grown longer, with guitarist Jerry Cantrell becoming the lead singer for a few songs.

The imaginative videos and brilliant quality of the DVD stereo sound make this 17 video discography exciting to watch, with live videos, clay animation, and outrageous special effects.

Don’t miss out on this classic video collection of the best of Alice in Chains.

Greatest Hits album rating 3 stars Music Bank DVD rating 4 stars