Few bands leave an impact on music like dc Talk has. Their success can most likely be attributed to an unbeatable live performance, an uncompromising faith, and a perfectionist's approach to songwriting. dc Talk released their final full-length project with their name stamped on it in 2000, ironically dubbed Intermission. The album was a hits collection that would look to serve as either just a glance back at where they'd been up until that time, or the starting point for a temporary hiatus. Now nearly seven years since the suspension of the supergroup began with Intermission, Forefront Records revisits Intermission by repackaging it and pruning it to a lean but smart sixteen tracks. The move is a bit curious, however, considering that it really is just a reissue and restructuring of a previous collection. Just why do we need another version?

Honestly, we don't. For the typically titled Greatest Hits, the mediocre exclusive new tracks that were featured on Intermission are replaced by fan favorites like "Godsend" and "Red Letters," making for a tighter, more inspired grouping of hits. Also getting the axe is the impactful live rendition of Larry Norman's "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" and the unnecessary "Morgan" interludes. But since nothing new or exclusive is here on this edition, the novelty is gone. The band members had no hand in this particular Greatest Hits round-up, and the fun of having something new from dc Talk just isn't there. Longtime dc Talk fans need not dip into their pockets for a collection of songs they already have (except the CD/DVD version offers an additional eight music videos and three live videos). Greatest Hits is merely a collection for those who aren't acquainted with dc Talk's success-laden past, or have been following the popular solo venture by TobyMac without having much knowledge of his original project. Greatest Hits is mostly a stronger list of songs (save for the miserable "Say The Words" remix which turned the deliciously atmospheric original into a goofy dance number in 2000 and returns to disappoint again), and is the best tool for educating listeners of some of the best pop/hip hop/rock blend of the nineties. However, this disc won't be the hits collection that will be remembered by the most loyal of dc Talk fans as the essential greatest hits release.

- Review date: 6/24/07; PReview date: 6/11/07, written by John DiBiase