First of all, Kansas was contractually required by Interscope to release a compilation album of the three releases Kansas had with them (Whiskey, Freaks & Always). So all you Kerry-ites get off your high moral horse pointing an ignorant finger at the band for not releasing new material. If you bothered to keep up with Kansas you would know that Phil Ehart personally oversaw which songs were selected and their order. Since they contractually had to do this, atleast Phil cared enough to make sure the best songs were picked from the three Interscope releases and they flowed together. I personally feel he accomplished both with the CD.

The CD is a great representation of the best songs from the 3 Interscope CD's. To date, I think Freaks of Nature is Kansas' most overlooked and underappreciated album. In my opinion, it is their best album since Audio Confessions, the last time the original group was together and others beside Kerry wrote songs. "Peaceful & Warm" still stands out as one of the best Kansas songs ever. Blasphamy to the Kerry worshipers, but oh well. "I Can Fly", hands down, one of the best rocking songs Kansas has ever done (can't reach "Carry On" levels, but still, of their songs released after the hey days of the 70's, one of the best).

As for the DVD, the three songs from the Whiskey concert are gems. Not many fans have the VHS of the concert, so to at least have three of the songs, with extended Ragsdale solo during Mysteries to Mayhem previously only available on the VHS, is worth a look & listen (solo is included on the CD as well). Note to Phil; get the entire concert out on DVD. As the three songs selected for the DVD show, this was Kansas at a professional peak as far as musicianship. They have never sounded better musically on any other live recording than here. True, Steve's voice is hit and miss due to the problems he was having at the time, but the music is by far the best they have ever been captured live.

The band did not have to include the DVD with this compilation, I see the DVD as more of a bonus here which it is.

At any rate, this is going to be for the fans of the Interscope years of Kansas. If you are someone that is just a casual fan, don't bother. Definitely don't waste space out here reviewing this when you haven't even picked it up and/or have no clue about why it was released.