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.

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:


The greatest hits from the greatest voice!  Jul 08, 2003 By DanD
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!

7 of 8 found the following review helpful:


He's one of the best!  Jan 18, 2004 By Peter
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.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Buy it for "Every light in the house..." keep it for the others  Oct 04, 2005 By Paul Wright
I'm not going to review every song on this CD - I like most and don't hate any. I tend to prefer "up" somgs and there are some good ones on here. Trace has a great voice and a great message in his sound. "Every light in the house" has special meaning to me, so I like to listen to it often.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Sings even better than he looks  Jan 12, 2004 By Misty W "MistyMommy"
This CD is outstanding from beginning to end. The old songs sound even better now that we know what else Trace is capable of doing. (Remember when you heard "Every Light In the House Is On" or "Thinkin' Thing" and thought, Hmmmm...wonder who this guy is?) Well, Trace has certainly made his mark with his very own unique style of vocals, videos and moves (and listen [raspy breath], can that man move!). He's the first artist I ever heard who can speak a word or two in a song and make it sound normal and natural like, "Hell No, I wanna drive...". This is worth owning if only to have "Don't Lie" and "Welcome to Hell" together on one CD. EXCELLENT stuff! I really believe this is another MUST OWN for anyone who really loves country music. Trace has that classic sound with contemporary lyrics and moves that make us real fans swoon! I can't wait for the next hit and the next video every time I hear his voice.

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