Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 [Best of]

McGraw's second hits collection contains 16 tracks, half of which come from 2001's Set This Circus Down, 2002's Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors and 2004's Live Like You Were Dying. Those albums found a more mature McGraw appreciating life ("Live Like You Were Dying"), a buddy ("My Old Friend"), and his woman ("Watching The Wind Blow By," "She's My Kind Of Rain"), plus exhibiting an increased sensitivity ("Grown Men Don't Cry").

McGraw also reaches back to the era of the first hits collection to include the chart-toppers "Not A Moment Too Soon" (1994) and "Everywhere" (1997). Eight other top five hits have yet to be anthologized, including number ones "Angry All The Time" (2001), "Unbroken" (2002), as well as McGraw's strongest vocal performance to date, "One Of These Days" (1998). The other omitted hits include "Refried Dreams" (1995), "Can't Be Really Gone" (1995), "All I Want Is A Life" (1998), "Back When" (2004), and Do You Want Fries With That" (2005).

Two collaborative hits are making their debut on a McGraw album and both sound out of place: the rapper's delight "Over And Over" with Nelly and the Faith Hill-dominated "Like We Never Loved At All." Much better are the new four new recordings, two of which - "My Little Girl" and "I've Got Friends That Do" - McGraw co-wrote (his first self-penned recordings). Hopefully, as his musical horizons expand, McGraw will provide us with more quality compositions in the future.

During the course of 12 years and nine albums, the breadth and depth of McGraw's material has grown significantly as demonstrated by the 16 cuts on his second hits compilation. The previously released material is all here since Vol. 1 as well as a couple of suprises, notably the title tracks from Not a Moment to Soon and Everywhere. There is one glaring omission from this collection..no Angry All the Time. As a track that ranks among his best (as well as a multi week number one) you wonder why it was not included and the likes of Like We Never Loved at All was. This small thing aside, this disc excels in a way few compilations ever do.

The album contains four new songs, all potential hits should the Curb choose to release them (and they should). The sweetly paternal "My Little Girl" is culled from the upcoming film "My Friend Flicka," and is one the most well written songs I have heard in a long time. If the line "When you were asleep I would whisper I love you in the moonlight at your door...as I walked away I would hear to say Daddy, love you more" does not bring any father to his knees then he should have his pulse checked. The observant and positive "Beautiful People" is the absolute antithesis of Marilyn Manson's song of the same name and shows once again that McGraw believes in the inherent goodness and strength of the human spirit. Even better is the empathetic anthem "I've Got Friends That Do." which McGraw co-wrote (a first for him) and which evokes a theme more and more present in some of his songs of late-God. To me though, the best of the new stuff is McGraw's well-rendered take on Ryan Adams' "When the Stars Go Blue," showcasing surprising range and the instincts that have served him so well.

The collection as a whole shows why McGraw is developing quickly into an icon. He has obvious talents and undeniable gifts which make him the artist of his time-foremost among them his ability to evolve both as an artist and a human being while continuing to raise the bar musically. Songs like the abortion-themed "Red Rag Top" and the Nelly collaboration "Over and Over" prove McGraw is not afraid to take risks, and, as ever, the risks are paying off.

Finally, though fans and critics alike are hesitant to anoint people as legends until they are dead or at least 50 plus, McGraw is quickly reaching that level. Many pointed to his last album as the CD of his career but I beg to differ. With the new music here alongside what came before, it becomes instantly clear that McGraw, who has his 40's still ahead of him, is an artist who, should he choose, can go the way of George Strait and continue to be a valid if not dominating force in his genre well past most artists "prime".

Well, if you read my review on "Live Like You Were Dying", you'll know that I am a fairly new Tim Fan (heard that song/saw the video and became an instant fan, bought that cd, joined his fan club and went and saw him in concert).

Anyway, I bought this cd as a pre-order offer that I received in my email, but not before checking out the song list and listening to the new tracks clips.

I think this cd is a great follow-up to "Live..", especially for newbie fans because it gives you the more popular selection of Tim's songs. The songs on this cd are the ones you hear him singing in concert right now, including his "Like we never loved at all" duet with wife, Faith Hill, which personally, I can't listen to that song enough. (Don't even get me started on that video....oh, love it!!!)

Basically, if you enjoy Tim McGraw's music, you should buy this cd. It gives you a little bit of everything! Again, Amazon has listed the tracks and lets you listen before buying, which is great, Thanks Amazon!!

You can also check out Tim's website at timmcgraw.com for all his music, pics, bio, etc (you don't have to be a member to look and listen) but I recommend coming back and buying the cds here at amazon, the prices are better and shipping is great.

So, like I said, if you're a Tim fan, buy this cd!! I highly recommend it. (If you're not a Tim fan, why would you be here reading this??)

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