A grab-bag of goodies...reach in at your own risk.
DanD | 10/21/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Big & Rich have proven themselves to be more than just some novelty act: a former Lonestar frontman combined with a failed solo singer. However, how MUCH more than a novelty act remains to be seen. Some of their songs have genuine staying power: "Holy Water," "8th of November," "Lost in This Moment," and (whether we like it or not) "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy." Other tunes collected here are enjoyable, if not truly great: "Wild West Show," "Kick My A**," and "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace" especially.
It's odd that they've released a GREATEST HITS almost completely full of album tracks. Some ("Loud" and "Jalepeno" specifically") could've been replaced with far better selections ("I Pray for You" "Real World," and "Deadwood Mountain" come immediately to mind); others, such as "Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)" are perfect examples of why the boys have made such an impact: their ability to shirk the rules, to create country music that bends (and even redefines) genres. Their debut album remains unashamedly one of my favorites; the follow-ups have decreased in quality, resulting in a GREATEST HITS that offers nothing new of note, and features some (let's face it) lackluster material. Still, Big & Rich have some great songs, and most of them are compiled here; "Holy Water" and "Lost in This Moment" are alone worth the price of admission. This album is definitely hit and miss; but when Big & Rich hit, it's like nothing you've ever heard."