Playlist: The Very Best of Soul Asylum

Soul Asylum fans have been treated to a number of compilations over the years, including two overviews of the band's formative years (Welcome to the Minority: The A&M Years 1988-1991 and Closer to the Stars: Best of the Twin/Tone Years), an encompassing look at their entire career (Black Gold: The Best of Soul Asylum), and a handful of budget-priced collections that focus on the hits and little else (Super Hits, Runaway Train). Released in 2011, Playlist: The Very Best of Soul Asylum is one of the band's better comps, largely because it presents the requisite grunge-era hits -- namely "Runaway Train," "Misery," "Black Gold," and "Somebody to Shove" -- along with a handful of rarities. The album opens with a live performance of "Never Really Been," taken from 1994's internationally released Insomniac's Dream EP, and subsequently weaves B-sides, cover songs (including a funky/punky take on "Sexual Healing"), and additional live footage into an otherwise lean track list. There isn't much material from the early days, but Playlist: The Very Best of Soul Asylum still packs a punch. ~ Andrew Leahey