The most pleasurable aspects of Sara Evans's 2007 greatest hits package are following the progression of her career and enjoying the amazing quality of the four new songs included here. This was a risky proposition, and many other artists have included mediocre filler material in their "greatest" or "best of" packages, but Sara's new material compares favorably with the hits of her entire catalog. The listener can enjoy the traditional material from Sara's early years, then her transition toward pop/country with Born To Fly material, and the mix of styles from every release since then, including this one. Neither fans of hardcore "twang" country, nor fans of "crossover" country should complain since Sara carries both styles off flawlessly.

Here are just a few words about the new songs. I love "As If," a bouncy pop/country tune that really gets it right. This was the obvious single and hit, its upbeat, happy, and shows off her big voice. "Love You With All My Heart" features excellent vocals, very traditional Sara. "Pray For You" is a nod to Doris Day, a mother's plea. "Some Things Never Change" champions hometown and traditional values; I consider this particularly appropriate considering the recent changes in Sara's life. I heard Sara say that choosing this material was unusually challenging since all the new songs must be, in essence, "greatest hits." These make the grade.

These songs are so well-chosen that this record is a must-have for old and new fans alike. Sure, there are always omissions, depending on which songs you like, but you've got to stop somewhere. I'd actually recommend buying her entire catalog.