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Other than that, this is a pretty good CD. Personally, I've been waiting awhile for a greatest hits from this foursome; ever since I purchases their self-titled debut a few years ago, I've waited anxiously for their music to come out. They have heaps of talent, they really do; they are truly one of the best bands in country music today.

On with the music.

Taking a look at this album, you can see that Lonestar enjoy a good ballad; "Tequila Talkin'," "Everything's Changed," "Amazed," "Smile," "Tell Her," TWO versions of "I'm Already There," and "Not a Day Goes By." But their best stuff is, really, when they're cranking it up; "No News," "You Walked In," "What About Now," and "With Me." Their earlier stuff, too (found near the beginning of the album) is best; you know, back when the guys wore belt buckles and hats, and John Rich was still around. Not that I'm complaining. Just reminiscing.

Let's take a look at the new stuff, shall we? You've heard "From My Front Porch Looking In," a rowdy little happy-go-lucky number. "I Pray" is a bit more on the serious side; a ballad of a bad Christian's plea to his God for forgiveness and all that. "Walking in Memphis" is an engaging song about a man going to Memphis to cope with depression and heartache and so forth, and following the ghost of Elvis through the streets. And the new version of "I'm Already There" ("message from home" version) is interlaced with radio messages from family members of soldiers out on call. It really is an emotional number; I felt a tear come to my eye.

Okay, you've waited for it, and here it is: the end of this review. (Or, more correctly I hope, Lonestar's "Greatest Hits".) Subtiled "From There to Here", this album covers the beginning of a great career for a great country music band. If you're a Lonestar fan, you gotta have this album. If you're not really a Lonestar fan, then you should buy this album as a great introductory course into their music. Either way, you should buy this CD so, a few years later, we can have another GREATEST HITS from these guys!


Strong Overview Of A Constantly Evolving Group   July 7, 2003
 15 out of 17 found this review helpful

This seventeen-track collection charts the dramatic evolution of Lonestar as a country act. For their first two albums - 1995's Lonestar and 1997's Crazy Nights - Lonestar was a quintet. Decked out in western wear, up-tempo stompers like "No News," "Come Cryin' To Me," and "You Walked In" as well as the occasional gritty ode like "Tequila Talkin,'" established Lonestar as competent honkytonkers.

By the release of their third album - 1999's Lonely Grill - Lonestar had undergone significant changes. Bassist and occasional lead singer John Rich left the group for a solo career (which has yet to take off) and the western wear was dropped in favor of hip, Gap-type duds. The honkytonkers were largely replaced by sentimental ballads such as "Amazed, "Smile" and "Tell Her" that effectively utilized lead singer Richie McDonald's emotional, elastic tenor, and appealed directly to droves of female listeners. 2001's I'm Alright There with its touching title smash and its follow-up "Not A Day Goes By" repeated this winning formula.

In addition to the aforementioned country hits, From There To Here also includes three new recordings. The perky leadoff single, "My Front Porch Looking In," with lines like "there's a carrot top that can barely walk with a sippy cup of milk" that effectively zero in on its soccer mom demographic, has already topped the country charts. "I Pray" is an inspirational ballad that's melodically reminiscent of "Smile," while their energetic remake of Marc Cohn's "Walking In Memphis" - a longtime concert staple - is one of the best recordings they've made in awhile. The latter successfully incorporates sentiment and grit, a combination Lonestar should strive for more in the future.


Lonestar at it's best!!!!!   June 18, 2003
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is truly a great CD. I was not a big Lonestar fan until I recently heard their new release ,"My Front Porch Looking In". They are what I believe is true talent. Their rendition of ,"Walking in Memphis", is better than the original! Dean Sams defines what a talented and excellent pianist truly is. I plan to update my CD collection with the earlier Lonestar CD's but this new CD is one that everyone will definately enjoy. No negative remarks on this one. Only the finest! Thanks for great music and keep up the great work!


The sell-out has officially happened   November 5, 2003
 7 out of 19 found this review helpful

Back when cowboys didn't dance, didn't wear designer shirts, didn't have a massive hit with Amazed and go off the rails of the crazy train chasing cash Lonestar was a good band. Sadly, the sell out following the well deserved success of Amazed has caused Lonestar to get lazy and their music has suffered. This cd contains many of the bands early neoclassics, but is weighed down by the overly radio friendly dreck that has followed their massive cross over hit. The new songs on this cd are the epitome of what is wrong with this band now--too bland, too coy, and too over-produced. It's a shame, really, because they really had something at one time and Richie's voice is so full of character. Mark Cohn would be rolling over in his grave if he were dead at the bashing remake of Walking in Memphis. The first 7 songs on this disc should be in any fans collection. But, the rest is pretty much pure garbage.