Providing two discs of hits,
Essential is the first major
*NSYNC hits collection since
Greatest Hits, a single compendium that appeared in 2005 just after the group parted ways.
Essential digs much deeper than its predecessor, providing all the big hits in their single versions -- "Bye Bye Bye," "It's Gonna Be Me," "Pop," "Girlfriend," etc. -- and it also adds album tracks, soundtrack contributions, and, especially, oddball duets, ranging from "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You" performed with
Alabama to "Trashin' the Camp," a
Phil Collins collaboration from the Tarzan soundtrack. If these deep cuts appeal to you,
Essential is the
*NSYNC comp to get: it captures all the hits and hubris of their glory years. If all you need are the songs that were on Total Request Live, stick with
Greatest Hits. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
