I quite like Texas (named after the Wim Wenders film Paris, Texas), I am not a massive fan though so their albums normally hold little attraction for me as I only really like the songs they have released as singles, so this is the ideal choice for me as they are all here without the filler tracks I would normally have to wade through, that is unless the three new previously unreleased tracks turn out to be rubbish! They (by they I mean Sharleen Spiteri and Johnny McElhone, who used to be in fellow Glaswegian band Altered Images) have now been around for 13 years which slightly surprises me.

The opener was their first chart hit, written by an 18 year old Sharleen Spitiri whilst she was working in a hairdressers, released in 1989 'I Don't Want A Lover', and I would say that to date this is probably still my favourite track. The opening bars are reminiscent of Jon Bon Jovi's 'Blaze Of Glory' (I am not sure which one was released first). The guitar opening leads into someone strong dramatic drumming, and then the unique voice of Sharleen Spiteri kicks in over the music, spitting out the superb lyrics that belong to this song, but she soon shows how chilled she can be with 'In Demand', which was released as a single just before this album. A song all about how someone leaves their lover, only to find that when they want them back they have someone new. It is understated, and it works so well as the music fades into the background and Sharleen's voice really shines through. This is a song which can haunt you as it is so perfectly done.

In the video for 'Inner Smile', for some reason Sharleen decided to dress up as an Elvis impersonator. The song is co-written with Greg Alexander (New Radicals). When this song was out in the charts, I was away on holiday with my husband, and I used to love to get ready to this song, as it has a really sensual feel to it, and made me feel really sexy and up for a good night out and in, and the perfect song for the good time when you get in is 'So In Love With You'. This is one of the best ballads you are likely to hear, and it was written specially for this album. The string arrangement is just awe inspiring, and it is a song which stops me in my tracks, and forces me to listen to it.

Looking for a dreamy ballad to just leave you open mouth in admiration? Look no further, because with 'Put Your Arms Around Me', you have certainly found it. The tracks starts with an acoustic feel, and then progresses to a really powerful track, where Sharleen's voice is really stretched and copes brilliantly, and this song has brought me close to tears on more than one occasion. The lyrics are simple, and the emotion that comes across in the vocals leaves me stuck for words to describe it without doing it an injustice.

When she was interviewed recently, Sharleen said all that she wanted to do was make songs that would stand the test of time, and I am certain she has accomplished this. I am a bigger fan now, and have vowed to listen to their five other albums in full and not expect to be disappointed. Lyrically, they are far superior than some of their peers, and their style is a refreshing change. To me it is an album which is best played loudly on a warm summers day, as all of the songs lend themselves to that kind of atmosphere so well, and one that I would urge you all to add to your collection, as the songs all sit so well next to each other, that they will satisfy all music tastes. It is a killer collection to rival all others, and I hope it is not the kiss of death as so many other Greatest Hits albums have been, as I am not ready for Texas' swansong just yet.