The Finest by Dead Poetic is a compilation of the band's career highlights compiled onto one disc. The album covers songs from their three full-length releases, which date back to 2002. All three of those albums were good, so it goes without saying that this album is an excellent listen filled with great tracks. Dead Poetic is what I like to refer to as a complete band; they have it all going for them - great guitar riffs, wrenching screams mixed with strong vocals and, of course, awesome lyrics. A Dead Poetic album carries with it high expectations and always delivers.

This "best of" album includes great songs like "New Medicines," "August Winterman," and "The Corporate Enthusiasts." My favorite tracks are the three versions of "In Coma," especially the acoustic one. Good choice, guys. Aside from that particular choice, it's slightly disappointing to not find anything different from the tracks on the previous three records. Oftentimes on a greatest hits album, the band will release some older unheard material or something brand new to round out the collection, and that was absent on The Finest. The only extras included here are demo versions of selections from the band's third studio album, Vices, and the acoustic version of "In Coma."

If you already own Four Wall Blackmail, New Medicines, and Vices, this album probably won't appeal to you very much. However, if you're a die hard Dead Poetic fan, or you don't own two or three of their previous albums, this is an essential addition to your rock collection. My only hope is that The Finest is not a prelude to the end of a great band.

- Review date: 2/6/08, written by Kevin Hoskins