A greatest-hits album appearing after just three studio albums and following a Christmas album by months can only mean one thing -- an artist is reaching the end of her contract, and she's riding it out. So appears to be the case with Jo Dee Messina, whose Greatest Hits was released in May of 2003, seven years after her first album. During those seven years, she amassed quite a number of hits, including five chart-toppers. All of them are here on this generous 15-track collection, along with four new tracks, highlighted by the opening track and lead single "Was That My Life." Only two of her charting singles for Curb are missing -- the first, "Do You Wanna Make Something of It," and the last, "Dare to Dream" -- which makes this an excellent summary and introduction to an artist who may not have blazed trails, but delivered consistently enjoyable mainstream and fairly traditional country, as this fine collection proves. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine