Best of Hilary Duff - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Best of Hilary Duff received mostly mixed reviews. Allmusic gave the album a positive review stating that The Best of Hilary Duff "is a flipside of her 2005's Most Wanted", which was "pitched squarely at bright, happy tweens". They also went on to say the album "is not a look back at the past but a blueprint for the future". Allmusic gave the album a 3.5/5 star rating. Commonsensemedia said that "parents need to know that Miss Duff has turned up the heat with sexually provocative lyrics that may be too hot to handle for younger fans. Hilary Duff isn't for tweens anymore. The hit single "Reach Out" features more aggressive sexual lyrics than on previous albums. While Dignity was OK for 11 year olds, the Best Of compilation pushes the target age higher. The funky remixes and danceable electronic beats are fun and catchy, but the sexed-up lyrics and themes aren't intended for younger fans." Rachel Devitt of Rhapsody said the collection "is largely pleasant, nicely polished and, rather surprisingly, sleek and even a little edgy. Turns out Lizzie McGuire is a dancefloor diva, and even with that feathery little voice, she manages to work it on tracks like the dark "Stranger," saucy new tune "Reach Out" and a clubby remix of "Dignity." On January 22, 2009, The Times (UK) criticized the "Best Of" release and Duff's music career.

Though released in late 2008, the album was able to rank #471 in the Top Compilations of 2008 charts on RateYourMusic beating other contenders such as Lil Wayne's Dedication 3: Gangsta Grillz, Toto's Toto The Collection, Above & Beyond's Anjunabeats Vol. 6, and HIM's Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 & 2.