Adkins' bodacious baritone adds hypnotic intensity to gutwrenching ballads like "I'm Tryin'" and "Help Me Understand" while he exudes charisma on the toe-tappers, be they snarling ("This Ain't No Thinking Thing") or fun ("Big Time," "Chrome"). Midtempo tunes such as "There's A Girl In Texas" and "Every Light In The House" are his least distinctive vocally, but they also entertain.

The new tracks find Adkins tackling fresh themes. The dramatic ode - and current hit - "Then They Do" takes a wistful look at watching one's kids grow up. Meanwhile, "Welcome To Hell" is a sarcastic stomper detailing the devil greeting his latest, sinful arrival. A thoroughly downbeat recording, it wouldn't stand much chance at country radio (and Adkins doesn't plan to release it as a single), but it does showcase Adkins' versatility as a songwriter.

This set is a good representation of an underappreciated artist's best work. For those who haven't purchased Adkins' music before, it is a great starting point.


The greatest hits from the greatest voice!   July 8, 2003
DanD
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

I had the luck of seeing Trace Adkins perform on July 3 of this year. It was an amazing concert, and I realized how truly alive his songs come during his live shows.

If you want a little taste of that, then buy this CD. "Greatest Hits Collection , Volume 1" is the very CD Adkins fans have been waiting for. Here, at last, we can listen to the best of country music's greatest singer.

It's amazing how Adkins can vary his styles. One moment, he's rockin' out with "Chrome", "Big Time," and "More," and the next he's belting out traditional tunes like "The Rest of Mine" nd "Every Light in the House Is On" (which is my personal favorite of his).

I won't go through the songs one by one; you probably know at least some of them. After all, these babies have been playing on radio for years, garnering fans galore. Instead, I will hit the two new tracks:

"Then They Do" is an emotional number about a parent and his kids. A crowd-pleaser live, it also brings a tear to your eye listening to it on your radio. The other new track is my newest Trace Adkins favorite: "Welcome to Hell." Adkins lends his voice as the devil, welcoming in a new "houseguest." Darkly humorous and ironic, this song left no doubt in my mind that the Devil, if he has a voice, has a baritone just like Trace Adkins'.

Trace Adkins is a terrific singer, and not too bad a songwriter, either ("Welcome to Hell", "The Rest of Mine," "There's a Girl in Texas"). This guy is obviously one of the most talented men in Nashville today, one of the reasons he's soon to be the newest member of the Grand Ol' Obpry. Two thumbs up for Trace Adkins and his first (but not last) GREATEST HITS CD!


He's one of the best!   January 18, 2004
Peter (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Trace Adkins is one of THE most underrated male singers in country music today. Although i'm a huge fan of guys like Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Toby Ketih, and Darryl Worley, in my opinion Trace Adkins stands above all of them. His voice is unlike any other out there today. I'm envious of anyone who has seen him live in concert! I love his greatest hits cd. There is not one bad cut on it, and if you're new to Trace's music or are curious as to what he sounds like, this is the best place to start. I guarantee that after listening to his greatest hits cd you'll want to run out and buy all his cds. I first heard Trace Adkins with the Chrome cd and was hooked on first listen. You've never heard such a deep rich voice as Trace's in today's crop of country males. Trace may not write most of his material, but the way Trace delivers the songs you would swear he was talking about his own life experiences. The two new cuts are good, the best being Welcome To Hell. I wish i could rate Trace's cds higher than five stars. He's that good. I'm glad he got inducted into the Grande Ol' Opry. He sure deserves it out of all the men in country today. If you like Trace Adkins, you MUST buy this cd.


All the best of Trace   April 12, 2006
KGANNON (Lake Forest, IL United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

If you are new to Trace Adkins, this album is a must. It truely contains his greatest tunes. This is a CD you'll definately always enjoy.


Outstanding singer   December 19, 2004
Christian Szita (Santiago, Chile)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

There's no doubt Trace has an outstanding voice. If you are new to country music I definetly recommend this album. !