What’s the Story?
Toby Keith is his usual charming self on this generous collection of 35 hits. Fans familiar with his slick modern country sound will enjoy having all these songs in one place (along with a selection of intense, brooding photos), and those discovering Toby Keith for the fist time will find these two CDs to be a great introduction, as they covers most of the high points of a successful career.
Is It Any Good?
Content is familiar and predictable: The sexy songs (even "Dream Walkin'," about a one-night stand and "Getcha Some," about raging young hormones) are handled with winking innuendo. The beer-soaked anthems ("I Love This Bar," etc.) are more explicit and celebratory of small-town party life. The most controversial messages here, though, are political. "Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)," a 2002 hit written in the wake of 9/11, may either strike a deep chord or seem cloying and sensationalist. Your mileage will vary along the lines of your politics.