Search - Gary Allan :: Greatest Hits

Country's underdog continues to surprise

DanD | 03/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gary Allan is one of those rare artists who has gained commercial AND critical success, yet continues to be snubbed at the awards shows. His previous album, TOUGH ALL OVER (written and recorded shortly after his wife's suicide) was one of the most emotional, powerful albums ever released--in any genre. He has continuously released high-quality music; no cookie-cutter country for this California boy. He's one of the most recognizable singers currently in the genre; he's an impressive songwriter (although he doesn't write much); his guitar chops are to be reckoned with (see him live if you doubt it).



So basically, it's about damn time he released a "greatest hits." And great they are. From modern classics such as "Smoke Rings in the Dark" and "Life Ain't Always Beautiful," to the rockers "Right Where I Need to Be" and "Man of Me," to the tenderness of "Tough Little Boys" and "Her Man"...Gary Allan can do it all. The new songs fit right in here--"A Feelin' Like That" is a rollickin' number about getting over a loved one (or failing to do so); "As The Crow Flies" is simply a great rocker ("like a blackbird, baby, you were born with wings") that fits Allan's voice and style to a "T".



GREATEST HITS is possibly the best Gary Allan record to date, as it collects some of his absolute best material together in one package. I still highly reccommend you go out and purchase his individual albums, though--Allan has been crafting powerful, engaging country/rock/honky-tonk since the mid-nineties. Because of that, GREATEST HITS is more than a sum of its parts--it is a great country record, easily one of the best to be released this year."

A Solid Retrospective of a Great Country Artist

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 10/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From his debut in 1996 with the gentle top ten hit "Her Man," through his highly personal 2005 masterpiece Tough All Over, raspy-voiced Gary Allan has steadily built a career that ranks him among the finest talents in modern country music. This Greatest Hits collects Allan's 13 most successful country chart entries from his first six albums and does a great job at highlighting why he is so special.



Amidst his trademark weepy guitars, Allan impishly looks forward to a night of passion ("Nothing On But The Radio"), eloquently reflects on lost love ("Best I Ever Had," "Life Ain't Always Beautiful"), extols the joys of fatherhood ("Tough Little Boys"), proclaims odes of devotion ("Right Where I Never To Be," "The One"), and oozes sexual bravado ("Man Of Me"). It's a nicely varied retrospective of familiar gems.



There are also two new tracks on this hits set. The rousing lead-off single "A Feelin' Like That" finds Allan searching the world for thrills that can't compare with a woman's love. Meanwhile, on "As The Crows Flies," Allan rocks harder than ever before as he candidly admits his infatuation with life on the run.



Allan's energetic rendition of Del Shannon's "Runaway" nipped the country charts due to listener requests and remains a huge favorite in concert. Its inclusion would have been strongly welcomed by longtime fans. Instead, you can find "Runaway" on Allan's breakthrough 1999 CD Smoke Rings In The Dark, a suggested follow-up purchase for Allan neophytes.

"

Get to know Gary Allen

keithlynn | Connecticut | 04/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are new to country music and want to know who to listen to- I always tell people to check out an artist's greatest hits package. Since most greatest hits are now being released with at least a new song or two you can always see an artist's growth - from where he came, to where he is now and where he is headed. I first heard Gary's new single - "A Feelin' Like That" and was totally blown away - I have all of his music and when I found out that this song was on a greatest hits package I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. It is great driving music. I believe Gary Allen is one of the most talented and often overlooked country artist today. While I do enjoy the artists riding on top nowadays, I find Gary to be a great relief. I have enjoyed every song that he has put out, musically and lyrically. Anybody wanting to hear good music and not just the cookie cutter country stuff, check out Gary Allen."