Greatest Hits (BNA, 2003)

Once upon a time Lonestar (don't ever confuse them with most of the country music coming out of their home state) played music that was more properly country. That was more at the get go with songs like "Tequila Talkin" with lots of fiddle and a country beat and the the revved up, infectious "No News."

But that was a long time ago when they started charting in 1995. Like their song says, "Everything's Changed" over time. Lonestar has carved a very successful career based on strong vocals and a slew of catchy melodies and power ballads Increasingly the quartet - strong voiced singer Richie McDonald, Keech Rainwater, Dean Sams and Michael Britt - displayed little sense of country. That tendency increased big time with the huge success of "Amazed," their biggest hit ever.

Lonestar has increasingly become a pop act with just a hint of country. The new, 17-song disc contains 3 1/2 new songs with "My Front Porch Looking In" having just a bit of a fiddle. But "I Pray" and a remake of Mark Cohn's "Walking in Memphis" have nothing to do with the genre. And a somewhat revised reprise of "I'm Already There (Message From Home)" seems to try to cash in on those missing their loved ones fighting by using kids to express their emotions over the music. "No News" was good news for the country side of Lonestar. It wasn't exactly original, but there was some meat on the hoof.