Kenny Chesney: Greatest Hits II

iTunes Review

Almost a decade after his first Greatest Hits, Kenny Chesney delivers a sequel compilation that upstages its predecessor. Greatest Hits II opens with a brand new song “Out Last Night,” a summery, skip-along ditty that furthers his foray into party anthems for those weekend warriors who like to play as hard as they work. The nostalgic “Young” is a welcome inclusion as well, with its roots-rocking Mellencamp-esque tone and endearing lyrics musing on such high school juvenile antics as cutting class, underage drinking, swapping rock t-shirts, and awkward encounters with the opposite sex. “Beer In Mexico” is the hardest-rocking number here, especially with that shredding guitar solo at the end. And the emotional ballad about unexpected parenthood, “There Goes My Life,” propelled Chesney into country music superstardom. Greatest Hits II also includes plenty of Jimmy Buffett-inspired beach-twang like his duet with Uncle Kracker “When The Sun Goes Down,” the palm tree paradise serenade “Be As You Are,” and of course the slightly Hawaiian-tinged “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.” The uplifting “I’m Alive” with Dave Matthews closes this well-assembled collection.