When you're a super pop band who seems to have as many hits as songs recorded in their career, choosing songs to craft a great "hits" album shouldn't be a problem. And for dc Talk, it certainly isn't. And what better name to give the greatest hits album than Intermission. Considering all the rumors that have circulated about the band over the past couple years about their demise, the name Intermission hints that there's more to come and this is just a "in the meantime" project.

The album starts off with a new dance-influenced remix of "Say the Words" from their 1992 Free at Last album, entitled "Say the Words (Today)." The songs that follow is a good mix of hits created from 1992 to present day. The catchy acoustic pop tune "Colored People" from the renowned 1995 Jesus Freak album follows, with the upbeat rap/rock of "Jesus is Just Alright" steps up afterwards. The acoustic pop rock flows from one song to the next in working order next with "Between You and Me," "Mind's Eye," "Consume Me," "My Will," and "In the Light." The famous bit from old "Mrs. Morgan" (retitled "Mrs. Morgan (Act 1)") breaks up the mix as the more edgier, upbeat tracks such as "Socially Acceptable," "Luv is a Verb," "Supernatural," and "Jesus Freak" follow. The album ends pretty well with a remix of "Hardway," followed by the fear of falling "What If I Stumble?" and the fear of being left behind, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready."

As the collection closes, three brand new tracks aid the exit. "Chance" is a new song with a primarily acoustic setting about the chances Christians have all the time to be a light. A solid song, "Chance" fits well among the hits. "Sugar Coat It" doesn't fit so snugly, however. An upbeat song in the same feel as "My Friend (So Long)" and "Since I Met You" from their 1998 Supernatural, "Sugar Coat It" seems less organized, innovative, and ground-breaking than the other tracks on the album (and those left off the album). Granted it's a good song, but I don't feel it was the best choice for the collection. The final inclusion on the project is the new "Mrs. Morgan (Act 2)" which has Morgan's jests set to a electronic beat reminiscent of that of Kid Rock (on "Mr. Morgan (Act 1)," Mrs. Morgan's husband gets his few seconds of fame).

A great collection selected by fans from a great band, Intermission leaves fans with the hope that there will be much more to come from this trio before they turn in the mic's. And it's certainly an album for non-fans to spin to hear what some of dc Talk's best offerings are.

- Review date: 10/30/00, written by John DiBiase