Texas Album: “Greatest Hits”

Ooh, I've reviewed their two previous albums and given each of them glowing reviews & 5 stars ratings. Wonder what I'll give this one? Yeah, just in case you hadn't noticed, I'm biased. It's foolish to suggest I'm not. I am a Texanite. I am in love with Sharleen. I hate Rickman for even getting close to her (watch the video for In Demand to see why). So reviewing this album is like deciding whether water was a good invention. In short...yes, Yes and YES!!!

If you've never heard Texas before then consider this album you're new education in the ways of genius. If by So in Love With You you haven't been wondering why you've never heard of them before then you're either A: American or B: Stupid. There's no doubt that the album has been made to help them crack America (they've admitted as much) but who's complaining. This is Texas gold. It's them removed of the slack that occasionally gets into any album, no matter the artist. And Texas without slack is truly a thing to behold.

I can't begin to describe the majesty on display here. The Motown cool of Black Eyed Boy. The chilling beauty of Put Your Arms Around Me. The bluesy rock of I Don't Need A Lover. The sheer driving power of Halo. The quiet longing of Say What You Want. STOP!!! Stop before you recite the track listing! Calm down! Breathe. That's better. I was saying...show me a bad track. Point it out to me. Tell me where Sharleen's voice falters. Where Ally's guitar work is wrong. Where the lyrics are banal pap. You can't, can you. That's because they don't. These are classic tracks most would sell their mothers for.

And then there's the new material. Wow. If this is an indication of where the new album is going I'd like to pre-order it now thank you very much. In Demand is a wonderful, summery track, Guitar Song makes seduction an art-form and Inner Smile...well it's potentially the best song on the album (and that's saying an awful lot!) Pop is a difficult genre to achieve at the moment..... Texas hit it note-perfect, every time, without seeming to break a sweat. If anything they're getting better which is a thought as scary as it is wonderful.

The only possible bone of contention I could have with it is of course the one thing that always creates an argument with fans and Best Of's: the track selection. Where is Breathless? Where is Listen To Me? Most of all, WHERE IS SAINT?!!! C'mon, there's enough space left on the 2nd disc to fit them on (I know I've calculated it). Plus, there is nothing from their second album Mothers Heaven. Of course this isn't a Best Of. It's a Greatest Hits. Which means any song not released as a single ain't up for consideration (grumble, gripe, moan) but that's a minor matter. Like being served a delicious fruit salad containing 50 different varieties and complaining because there's no strawberries. In a word: pointless.

If you like Texas then I'm already preaching to the converted. If you like Boyzone & Britney take your first steps to adulthood and buy this. If you like Radiohead & The Smashing Pumpkins, listen to this in a lighter moment. If you like Heavy Metal...well, just put it on when no-ones watching. Whatever, just listen and enjoy and be happy.

This album is exactly what I thought it would be: Perfect.

Forget Kylie, forget Dannii, forget Sophie. TEXAS RULES!!! Sharleen Spiteri is one cool chick! All those other little pop pretenders can only wish thay had what she has. Beautiful, TRULY talented, she has a voice for the ages. She can be coy one moment, seductive siren the next. It truly is a crime this group isn't well-known here is the States. They define what high-quality pop and rock music is. You try and pretend "Inner Smile" isn't as catchy (even more so) as "Can't Get You Out Of My Head". You can't! "Insane" draws you in with its haunting melody. I simply love that string section on the bridge. "In Demand" is a sassy little song. Watch the video and you'll see that a truly sexy woman looks like. "In Our Lifetime" is one of my favorite songs. I first heard it in 1999 when their album "The Hush" was released, and I still listen to it over and over. What a funky bass line! Sharleen's voice is amazing, singing all the highs and lows. What other singer can do that? Texas is the best group in Europe, in my opinion. Sophisticated pop that you can sit down and listen to, or get up and dance to. This Greatest Hits is a gem for those who've never heard of them, and die-hard fans alike. I usually don't like remixes, but those on the bonus disc are really nice! There's a true disco vibe on the Jules Disco Trip Mix of "In Our Lifetime". And the Sunship remix of "In Demand" is fun. Plus you get enhanced music videos. Get aquainted with this group now. They'll still be making hits long after the wannabe's have faded.

If you haven't gone out and bought this incredible cd yet what else are you waiting for??? You won't be disappointed I promise it's worth the price you're paying for ..and it's certainly something you won't get tired of anytime soon. I just want to say that I'm SO frustrated that not many people here in the US know about this great band. They're missing out on something truly fantastic. I can't believe that people would rather listen to say..Britney Spears or any of that cheesy, overrated pop music that teens here seem to be so fascinated of. If you do decide to buy this cd, I congratulate you for making a wise decision.

I was in London shortly after this CD came out and when I heard "Inner Smile" I was astounded. It's one of those songs that I kept begging people to turn up louder every time it came on. I'd never heard of Texas before, but I instantly fell in love with Sharleen's voice.

When I got this CD I couldn't believe it. The only band (in my mind) that comes close to bridging this range of music is X. This is pop, it's soul, R and B, country, it's everything. The new songs are amazing. "In Demand" is a pop song that, in the words of Sharleen, sit's well with the others. With "Inner Smile" Texas works with Gregg Alexander (former front man for the New Radicals) and Rick Nowells (best known for his work with Belinda Carlisle and Madonna) and this song sings. Compare this song to the drab "Love is a Rollercoaster" also written by Alexander and Nowells, but recorded by the dullest of the dull Ronan Keating. "Guitar Song" is one of the greatest love songs written -- think Dusty Springfield in Memphis. You can actually hear the snow falling and the fire crackling.

The older songs are amazing too. "Summer Son", "Black-eyed Boy" "Halo", "Insane", "I'm so Tired of Being Alone". You'll get sucked in. Six months after buying this album I still listen to it constantly.

If you've never heard of Texas get this album you simply don't know what your missing.

This is one of my favorite albums of *all* time. It has the very best selection of Texas' songs. All their hits are on this album: "Inner Smile", "Once in Our Lifetime", "Say What You Want", "In Demand", all songs that are so great they're included in movies over and over again.

I love that these songs are virtually timeless. I can listen to this every single day and not get tired of it.

The very last song is one of my favorites on this cd, it's a duo with Method Man of "Say What You Want", great song.

This is a must have.