"Overcome", from the band's fifth album, titled simply V, is often said to be a reaction to the events of 9/11. A haunting song both musically, vocally, and lyrically, the most interesting thing about it, is that the song was written prior to 9/11, and was supposed to be on The Distance To Here, but was shelved at the last minute. The band's timing just happened to be right, with the album being released a week after the events of 9/11. As I recall, I think that "Overcome" had even already gone for radio airplay, prior to 9/11, so it was a total fluke.

Awake is a great collection of a band that is at times, for all the records that they have sold, quite under-appreciated. There are some interesting oddities to be found on the album, including "Run Away", featuring Shelby Lynne on guest vocals, a cover of Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line", and a previously unreleased track, "We Deal In Dreams", lifted from sessions for the "Throwing Copper" album.

I think the collection is fairly inclusive, though I find it odd that "White, Discussion" is omitted, and on a personal level, I would have liked to have seen "Freaks" included on the collection as well.

For a few extra bucks, you get a bonus DVD that is well worth it, that collects 22 of the band's best videos, including 2 versions apiece of "Operation Spirit", "Pain Lies On The Riverside", "Turn My Head", and "Heaven". This DVD/CD combo package is definitely one of the better ones I have seen in a while. The DVD also includes 30 minutes of interview commentary with Kowalczyk.

All in all, you can't go wrong with this one as a Live fan, and for the casual fan, this collection has EVERYTHING you could possibly want on it.