The Best of America

Capitalizing on America's reborn patriotism, The Best of America collects a baker's dozen of anthems and love songs to the U.S.A. as performed by contemporary country and pop artists. Leann Rimes' "God Bless America," Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A.," Plus One's "America the Beautiful," and Natalie Grant's "The Star Spangled Banner" are among the collection's highlights. Though some of the songs here tend toward the syrupy and overdone, Tim McGraw's "Somebody Must Be Praying for Me" and Michael English's "Freedom" also keep the arrangements and production simple enough to convey the songs' true meaning. Songs by Mary Griffin, Jo Dee Messina, Selah, and Kaci round out this well-intentioned, if over-produced, collection.