Best of albums are like the California rolls in my bento box: the filler between the yam tempura and teriyaki beef. They serve little purpose other than to fill the slot between one good thing and another.

A best of album wasn’t so necessary for Gary Allan – not the biggest of the country stars – who started out in 1996, but didn’t achieve real success until recently. His first number one single, “Man to Man” was released in 2001. Needless to say, he’s no Tim McGraw and there are plenty of forgettable songs on this CD. However, there are a few great ones which make you wonder why Allan isn’t a bigger success.

The CD kicks off with a new single, “A Feelin’ Like That.” It’s uptempo and fresh with a hint of rock that so many of today’s mega-star male country singers are incorporating (think Keith Urban on the guitar or Toby Keith’s loud sound). The other new single on the CD, “As the Crow Flies,” isn’t anything special. It’s a poppy country romp that weaves an animal cliche into the chorus. These two songs alone aren’t enough to make you want to pick up this best of album. Fans will already either have them on previous CDs, or, like me, downloaded on the iPod.

All of Allan’s greatest love songs are here, though. The mildly popular “Right Where I Need to Be” sits in the second slot on the CD. It’s catchy, but Allan’s voice has too much of a twang. This twang is better reserved for his softer love songs. “Smoke Rings in the Dark” is a great example of this. Allan’s voice is given an echo quality that dances over the slow melody provided by the lilting autoharp, but quick, clacking tempo of drums and guitar. The music matches his broken vocals when he sings about his need to leave his love, “All I’m taking with me are the pieces of my heart and/All I’ll leave are smoke rings in the dark.” It’s when the emotion he emits during certain vocal performances matches the music that a true country hit is born.

The next track, “Her Man” follows the same principle. Allan’s voice is so wonderfully scratchy that without the perfect accompaniment it could be lost. The song is slower in tempo again, allowing for each strained note from Allan’s mouth to be heard. And the chorus is so catchy, even the most cynical, jaded girl (see: me) is left waiting for a cowboy to ride up in his pickup and take her away: “Cause I’ve been a wild catter, and a go-go getter/Been an S.O.B. right down to the letter/I’ve had misadventures, I’ve even got pictures/I’m even more than I can stand/But startin’ today, all I’m gonna be is her man.”

Now, yes, being a country bumpkin myself I may have the advantage of knowing what a “wild catter” and a “go-go getter” are, but please don’t let the subject matter deter you from picking up this CD or adding more Allan to your iPod. There are plenty of mainstream songs everyone can enjoy.

The perfect example of this: Allan’s cover of Vertical Horizon’s “Best I Ever Had.” The original is better, but this song will be likable for most people. It’s the same with “Nothing on but the Radio.” This was a huge hit for Allan in 2004 – perhaps his biggest hit ever. One of the sexiest country songs ever recorded, this mid-tempo song with Spanish fusions is perfect for any quiet summer night with your special someone. “Man of Me” and “Tough Little Boys” fall under the same category – safe hits that most people will find enjoyable.

The CD closes out with 2006 ballad from the album Tough All Over. Tough this song is not. It’s a requisite emotional interlude about how life can be awfully hard for Mr. Allan – especially without the lady he loves. While this best of album would have been better closed on a more uptempo, popular song, this is perhaps Allan’s reflection to this point in his career. He’s a Tim McGraw light if you will – not as strong vocally, not as successful, not as good as the real thing. But if this is just the first chapter of Allan’s career, all those other cowboys better be holding on to their hats.

Gary Allan – Greatest Hits
MCA Nashville
Released March 7, 2007
Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Track listing:
1. A Feelin’ Like That
2. Right Where I Need To Be
3. Songs About Rain
4. Smoke Rings In The Dark
5. Her Man
6. Best I Ever Had
7. Nothing On But The Radio
8. Man To Man
9. The One
10. Lovin’ You Against My Will
11. It Would Be You
12. Man Of Me
13. Tough Little Boys
14. As The Crow Flies
15. Life Ain’t Always Beautiful






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