One of the first albums I reviewed for ChristianityToday.com in 2000 was Intermission, which adequately summarized dc Talk's explosive reign of hits in '90s Christian pop/rock. The title alone reflected the trio's intention to continue with "act two" after a short break to explore solo projects. Yet here we are, almost seven years later, and little has changed. Kevin Max, Michael Tait, and tobyMac continue to record separately, and Forefront is now releasing virtually the same compilation under a different name. Why now? Think of it as the lighter at a concert that keeps vigil for the encore that might never come.

Greatest Hits shares 14 of the 19 tracks originally found on Intermission—half of them in the same sequence on both albums. Gone are the two short "Mrs. Morgan" interludes that got in the way of the music, and no one's likely to miss the mediocre "Chance" and "Sugar Coat It," even though they offered something new for fans. But what a pity to lose the fine cover of Larry Norman's "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," a popular rarity not found on dc Talk's other albums.

The newer compilation instead favors the Supernatural album more than Intermission, thanks to the inclusion of the okay ballad "Godsend" and the stunning finale "Red Letters." But since Greatest Hits still (wisely) ignores the group's first two projects, we're again left with a compilation that only draws from three albums—all classics no fan should be without. Thus Greatest Hits still feels rather unnecessary, as does the deluxe edition with its bonus DVD of music videos and $25 price tag.

However, it's impossible to deny the songs here. From the cool dance remix of "Say the Words" and heavy rockers like "Jesus Freak" and "Supernatural," to the contemplative "What if I Stumble?," the worshipful "My Will," and "The Hardway" with all its poignancy, every track is a testament to dc Talk's eclectic range and musical excellence. Completists should stick to Intermission, but Greatest Hits is the dc Talk album for those insisting on only one.

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