Chronology, Vol. 2 (2001-2006)

Album Review

Vol. 2 of Third Day's retrospective focused on the years where the Southern rock band gained notoriety while scaling back its rock sound. Though each half of Chronology covered four albums, they were weighted much differently as the band produced more AC light rock in its later years. The band was highly influential in the Christian rock world during this period of its career, and its influence seemed second to none as subsequent releases Wire and Wherever You Are garnered critical success and strong sales. Still, there was no mistake that Chronology was a fan tribute rather than a down-the-line greatest-hits collection. In fact, six of the band's number one songs weren't included on either volume. Instead, the band conspicuously included live and alternative versions of hits along with a DVD with bootleg videos. "Carry Me to Jesus," for instance, the ubiquitous anthem for Hurricane Katrina victims, appeared here in a live recording, as did the colossal hit "God of Wonders." The true fan experience culminated with a 60-minute documentary on the second disc. Chronology was no substitute for the band's studio and live albums, though it offered fans a wealth of material to remind them how Third Day had become one of the most successful contemporary Christian bands of all time.