Customer Reviews

Now That's What I Call Music! 16

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Like I always say, "Now" people always try to mix today's popular music with some old or unpopular music. "Now 16" includes more of today's popular music and summer tunes.

1)Chart-Toppers:
Even though the Now CD's say, "Includes 20 Chart-Topping Hits", it only actually includes a few actual chart-topping hits.
-Outkast "Hey Ya"
-Beyonce "Naughty Girl"
-Hoobastank "The Reason"

2)Teen Pop:
Teen pop is all over these days; which means "Now" includes a million of them.
-Christina Milian "Dip it Low"
-Jojo "Leave"
-Yellowcard "Ocean Avenue"
-Britney Spears "Everytime"
-Jessica Simpson "Take My Breath Away"

3) Rap/R&B/Hip-Hip:
I'm not a fan of rap but a fan of R&B and Hip-Hop. This Now gave a good amount of rap/r&b and hip-hop.
-D12 "My Band"
-Outkast "Hey Ya"
-Beyonce "Naughty Girl"
-Nina Sky "Move Ya Body"
-Beenie Man "Dude"
-Juvenile "Slow Motion"
-Petey Pablo "Freek-a-leek"
-Chingy "One Call Away"
-Black Eyed Peas "Hey Mama"

4)New Artists:
You know what they are.
-Nina Sky
-Christina Milian
-Jojo
-Yellowcard
-Three Days Grace
-Switchfoot
-Los Lonely Boys
-Gretchen Wilson

5)Rock:
Although Now's never include a lot of rock songs, they do tend to put some at the end of each album.
-Where Are We Runnin'? - Lenny Kravitz
-Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard
-Just Like You - Three Days Grace
-Meant To Live - Switchfoot
-Heaven - Los Lonely Boys

6)Unknown Songs:
For some reason, "Now's" tends to put some unknown songs on each album.
-Just Like You - Three Days Grace
-Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson

7)Out-of-Date Songs:
Like I say, Every Now includes out-of-date songs.They might be really good... but out-of -date.
-My Band - D12
-Hey Ya! - Outkast
-Naughty Girl - Beyonce
-Hey Mama - Black Eyed Peas
-One Call Away - Chingy
-Take My Breath Away - Jessica Simpson
-Where Are We Runnin'? - Lenny Kravitz

Overall, Now 16 is a good CD that includes many varieties of music and includes all of this Summer's good music. (and this springs good music)

The album wasn't as good as I hoped or as bad as I thought. Some songs I was suprised that I liked because they were rap songs which I hate with a passion. But I would recommend this album to people who have an eclectic taste in music.

Anway here is a rundown of what my ratings would be for each song.
1."My Band" by Eminem and D12-4/5
2."Hey Ya" by Outakst-5/5
3."Naughty Girl" by Beyonce-3/5
4."Move Ya Body" by Nina Sky-3/5
5."Pop That Thing" by Christina Millen-1/5
6."Hey Mama" by The Black Eyed Peas-5/5
7."Dude" by Beennie Man-1/5
8."Freak A Lick" by Petey Pablo-5/5
9."Slow Motion" by Juvenile-3/5
10."Leave" by JoJo-1/5
11."One Call Away" by Chingy-3/5
12."Everytime" by Britney Spears-5/5
13.Take My Breath Away" by Jessica Simpson-2/5
14."The Reason" by Hoobastank-5/5
15."Where Are We Running" by Lenny Kravitz-2/5
16.Ocean Avenue" by Yellowcard-5/5
17."Just Like You" by Three Days Grace-4/5
18."Meant to Live" by Switchfoot-5/5
19"Heaven" by The Los Lonely Boys-3/5
20."Redneck Woman" by Gretchen Wilson

Penny Lane

As I have mentioned before,2004 has not been a great year for music. NOW 16 argues that it has been, through collecting some of trhe best singles of the year. The album flows from one song to another with perfect ease, so listenabliity is no problem. Here's the track breakdown:
(1) D12 "My Band" B+. I normally deplore D12, but this song is original, clever, fairly intelligent and, most of all, funny.
(2) OutKast "Hey Ya!" B-. Sure, it's entertaining and catchy with a great production, but there's not much beneath the surface.
(3) Beyonce "Naughty Girl" A-. This doesn't even sound like her, that's good though. As a single it's sexy, stylish and rather naughty.
(4) Nina Sky feat. Jabba "Move Ya Body" A-. The best dance song of the year. An 80s style dance track helped by the "dance hall flavor" and very catchy.
(5) Christina Milian "Dip It Low" B+. The 2nd best dance song of the year. This one works because of her sexy nature and killer insturmental arrangements.
(6) Black Eyed Peas "Hey Mama" B. The song recieved alot of praise, but I found it a disapointment after "Where Is The Love?" and "Shut Up". Good, could have been better.
(7) Beenie Man feat. Ms. Thing "Dude" A. He's like Sean Paul, but more laid back. That said, this is catchy, infectious and relaxing. One the year's best and most overlooked tracks.
(8) Petey Pablo "Freel-A-Leek" B+. Another rap song from '04 that is just cool and sounds great. The "radio station premise" is clever and the production is top notch.
(9) Juvenlie feat. Soulja Slim "Slow Motion" B-. I got excited when I saw Juvenlie on a NOW. This disapointed me though, it really wastes his talents. It's not good, but still memorable.
(10) JoJo "Leave (Get Out)" A. Not JoJo from K-Ci & JoJo, but a talented female R&B artist. As a first single, this is hard hitting, sad and a promising career start.
(11) Chingy feat. J/Weav "One Call Away" A-. Finally, Chingy sheds the sex image and creates a lighter, benevolent tune. Hands down his best single yet.
(12) Britney Spears "Everytime" A. Who'd have thought Britney could make a song this powerful, beautiful and touching? It sounds like Celine Dion quality. Hard to believe that this and "Toxic" are from the same album.
(13) Jessica Simpson "Take My Breath Away" B. An adequate remake, no more, no less. The other three singles off In This Skin are much better.
(14) Hoobastank "The Reason" A. The most hard hitting rock track of the year and Hoobastank's best ever. I'm captivated by every second of this song.
(15) Lenny Kravitz "Where Are We Runnin'?" B-. Not much to rave about in this standard material. At least Lenny can pull the song off with some style and grace.
(16) Yellowcard "Ocean Avenue" A-.I hope Yellowcard has more singles like this. The track has a catchy summer feel to it that is undeniably enjoyable. Hell, I feel tempted to write an additional verse myself!
(17) Three Days Grace "Just Like You" C. Worse than bad, it's just plain average. I can't even remember it afterwards.
(18) Switchfoot "Meant To Live" C. Same as #17.
(19) Los Lonely Boys "Heaven" B. Yet anothe retro style R&B track in '04. Well made and entertaining, just not on the top of my list.
(20) Gretchen Wilson "Redneck Woman" A-. I'm not a big fan of country, but this is just about perfect for the genre. Very catchy and entertaining.
Bottom Line:***1/2. NOW 16 is a perfectly crafted album and a nice little summer soundtrack. Maybe 2004 HAS been a good year in music.
NOTE: On a non-musical note, this album has the best and most creative cover art on any NOW.

This album isn't as strong as some of the others, mostly because the singles on the airwaves at the time were lacking in themselves. No talent hacks like Nina Sky and D12 were taking up valuable airtime and polluting our minds with crappy music. Thank god for 'Freek-a-Leek'! Ha, well, that's true in a way.

Petey Pablo delivers on 'Freek-a-Leek' and I'm glad for that. I can never get sick of that song. I prefer the unedited version, but that's just me. 'Hey Ya!' is way overplayed, 'My Band' just plain gets old (and if it weren't for Eminem no one would listen to the crap they call D12) and Jessica Simpson...I mean, do I need to say anything more? Beyonce gives us 'Naughty Girl' which is far better than her last offering, while Christina Milian finally makes it back with 'Dip it Low' and serves up a nice dirty track...far naughtier than Beyonce's.

Black Eyed Peas give us 'Hey Mama' and I like it, as I like Beenie Man's 'Dude' but the remainder of the rap is just plain crap. Chingy's slow jam is stupid and Juvinille should have quit the game after 'Back That Thang Up'.

Jo Jo is too young, well at least she was, and her song was kinda stupid. Britney actually gave me a song I thought was good, the first 30 times I heard it...but the whole controversy over the video got 'Everytime' so overexposed that I got sick of it. Everyonce in a while though it's nice to listen to. To know that she actually wrote this song herself is pretty neat too.

As far as the rock is concerned, well, Three Days Grace takes the crown again with Switchfoot and Yellowcard taking second and third, but whats up with Kravitz making his return to the 'Now!'? This song is crap. And Hoobastank...I've never liked this song, and I actually liked them until they released this song and everyone on the known universe went apecrap for it. It's not that good, it actually really sucks and I have no idea why anyone likes it. Plus, live these guys can't play or sing worth crap. HoobaSTANK is right. I will say that while I hated 'Heaven' when it was first released, after hearing it a billion times on the radio it's actually grown on me...just a little.

Finally we have Gretchen with what has to be one of the biggest songs ever. 'Redneck Woman' was so huge I had my sister who hates country music in any shape or form singing it. It's a great song, if not a little overplayed, but you have to hand to to Gretchen for being brilliant!

1. D12 My Band- I'm not a big fan of rap, but I actually like this song! Good beat. 7/10
2. Outkast Hey Ya!- This song used to be good, but they overplayed too much. Now I hate it! 3/10
3. Beyonce Naughty Girl- This is a good song, but I like Crazy in Love better. 8/10
4. Nina Sky Move Ya Body. This song has a great beat to it. You can't help but get up and dance to it! 8/10
5. Christina Milian Dip It Low- I know TONS of people hate this song, but I like it! I has a good beat. The oriental strings add a nice touch. 7/10
6. Black Eyed Peas Hey Mama- I love all Blac Eyed Peas' songs. This a great dance song! 10/10
7. Beenie Man Dude- Three words. I. Hate. RAP!!! 0/10
8. Petey Pablo Freek-A-Leek- This is actually a good song! Instead of swearing, he says women's names. This sounds kind of dorky, but it works for him. 7/10
9. Juvenile Slow Motion- I'm not desperate enough to listen to this song often. 1/10
10. JoJo Leave- A good bubble gum song! Although I do think the subjects in her lyrics are limited because she is only 13. 8/10
11. Chingy One Call Away- A Chingy song that I actually think is okay! 5/10
12. Britney Spears Everytime- One of her best songs! She doesn't sound like a skanky slut in this song! The music box is soothing. 10/10
13. Jessica Simpson Take My Breath Away- Jessica, where are you? I'm losing you! I don't hate this song, but I extremely dislike it. 2/10
14. Hoobastank The Reason- This a great song! Its very sincere. But we never find out, what is the reason? 10/10
15. Lenny Kravitz Where Are We Runnin'?- This isn't Lenny's best, but its alright. 6/10
16. Yellowcard Ocean Avenue- This song is easy to dance to, but I do believe they're a one-hit wonder. 6/10
17. Three Days Grace Just Like You- I'm not a big fan of theirs, but this song is okay, a little mediocre. 5/10
18. Switchfoot Meant To Live- a nice song to listen to on a long car ride. 7/10
19. Los Lonely Boys Heaven- They have great voices! I see something good for them in the near future... 8/10
20. Gretchen Wilson Redneck Woman- I ABSOLUTELY HATE country, but this one is fine. Although some of the lyrics make her sound a little stupid. 6/10

This is okay. Not NOW's best. The radio edit of "Hey Mama" is way better than the original-actually, tracks 2-6 are very good. It's kind of sad that Christina Milian is skanking out, though-I really liked her. But I really just want to say a few words to the comically nicknamed 'Doo Doo Man "Ripper-Upper". I saw your review of one of the NOW discs and then I saw the rest of your reviews. And all 22 of them you gave one star. You must be a truly bitter, hateful, depressed person with a whole lot of time on his hands. I find it quite amusing that you loathe all 16 NOW discs and yet continue to purchase them. People who hate music in general shouldn't be looking in this section of amazon at all, let alone posting comments here.

Now that the Now website has the Now 17 jukebox, I was able to really listen to all the songs on Now 17. Here are my opinions for the songs:

1. Black Eyed Peas - Lets Get It Started: Despite the fact that everyone predicting for Now 17 believed this song would be on and it was, I liked it less after learning that it's just an edited version of the old song, Let's Get Retarded. B-
2. Fat Joe - Lean Back: If only they used the Lil Jon remix, this song would be better, but it shouldn't have been the second song. D+
3. Ciara f/Petey Pablo - Goodies: Its chart success got it on, but the beeping sound in the backround, I can't stand at all. D+
4. Houston f/Chingy, Nate Dogg, & I20 - I Like That: Here's a fairly decent hip-hop song, but I'm sort of suprised to see it on here because I don't even know if it made it far on the charts. B
5. Beastie Boys - Ch-Check It Out: Vintage rap, like Run-DMC and LL Cool J. Would've been bigger a long time ago. They yell a lot in this song, but it isn't all that bad. B+
6. Nelly f/Jaheim - My Place: The song seems a bit old now that it has been overplayed ever since it came out around the time Now 16 did. This is the same conflict as My Band By D12, only it was on Now 16 but came out around the time of Now 15. Still, a good happy song. B-
7. Lil Flip f/Lea - Sunshine: Another very happy song, just cheery and relaxing, especially for a hip-hop song. B+
8. J-Kwon - You & Me: They used this sort of hip-hop version of Steal My Kisses from Now 4 instead of the more famous Tipsy, but I think Tipsy was on Totally Hits, so they used this, but they really should've used Headsprung instead. C+
9. Jadakiss f/Anthony Hamilton - Why: Er, not the best hip-hop song I've ever heard. Kind of unusual. C-
10. Akon f/Styles P. - Locked Up: Poor Akon was sent to jail, doesn't have as good of a voice as people would like, and no one really seems to like this song. But I really like this song because of the interesting story and Styles P.'s Charisma. A-
11. JoJo f/Bow Wow - Baby It's You: Nickelodeon Kiddies with a hip-hop song that's kind of dull. I was right this song would be on here. C
12. Jessica Simpson - Angels: I'm dissapointed this song is on. It feels like it will go powerful, but it remains calm as it goes on. This is the dull version of a Celine Dion ballad. F
13. Finger Eleven - One Thing: An acoustic band with a relaxing song that's still good enough to work. B
14. Switchfoot - Dare You To Move - Sorry, but this song is way too old for this CD. It could've been on Now 12. I'm sick of it now. C-
15. Crossfade - Cold: Too minor and old. I didn't even know this song before I learned it would be on. They should've used Somebody Told Me by The Killers. D+
16. Ashlee Simpson - Pieces Of Me: Better Than Shadow, but this song is kind of old, too. C-
17. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out: This is the only Madden 2005 song on Now 17; Hoobastank, Green Day, and Ozomalti (all on Madden) didn't make the cut. This song is really good because it has a catchy beat, and the guitar is good. A+
18. Bowling For Soup - 1985: BFS is back, and they're better than ever with this song. The great energy works well. A+
19. Gretchen Wilson - Here For The Party: Not as fun as Redneck Woman. I sometimes like Country, but only when it goes powerful. D-
20. Keith Urban - Days Go By: The wrong Now 12 artist returns. Too much country sinks you into wilderness world. D+

The Good Guys: Beastie Boys, Lil Flip, Akon, Finger Eleven
The Best: Franz Ferdinand, Bowling For Soup
The Bad Guys: Ciara, Jadakiss, Crossfade, Gretchen Wilson
The Evil: Fat Joe, Jessica Simpson
The Missing Guys: Britney Spears, LL Cool J, Hoobastank, Green Day, Lil Scrappy, Tne Killers
Overall: A few of the songs help the CD be good enough, but all the songs I didn't want to see, made it, hampering the album. I'll Give Now 17 a C-.

Here are my top 10 choices for songs to be on Now 18 (The songs I believe should be on the most):

1. Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like It's Hot. Why: This song that's climbing up the charts will probably make it to #1 on the bilboard soon, and Snoop Dogg was on Now 12.
2. Gwen Stefani - What Are You Waiting For. Why: Album that's going to be released after Now 17, and Gwen appeared on three Now albums.
3. Chingy - Balla Baby. Why: It's going to be big on MTV, and Chingy has made four consecutive appearences on Now ablums, so he's going to keep it up.
4. Sum 41 - We're All To Blame. Why: A band from two of the Now albums with a huge hit on the way is destined to make a comeback.
5. Ashlee Simpson - Shadow. Why: Ashlee Simpson's appearance on Now 17 gives her the token to be on Now 18.
6. Eminem - Just Lose It. Why: Popular radio song that will stop Michael Jackson from causing mischief.
7. U2 - Vertigo. Why: U2 is finally back after their last appearance on Now 9. Vertigo is already getting big on the Rock charts.
8. Good Charlotte - Predictable. Why: The tracklistings for Now 17 were decided before this song got big enough to be on.
9. Britney Spears - My Prerogitive. Why: Britney might not be on because she's taking a break from recording and wasn't on Now 17, but hopefully, this will make it on.
10. Green Day - American Idiot. Why: The album is still among the top-selling on Amazon.com, and the Now people will put this on because of it's huge success on the charts and sales.

This is just bogus! The songs on Now 17 are far from good. I was displeased enough to not see K-Ci & JoJo on Now 12, but Now 17 has missing artists all around, much like Now 12. First off, where in the world is ol' LL Cool J? Not only did he make it on Now 12, but his Headsprung was one of the top-5 songs on MTV! It's horrible that he isn't on Now 17!

Not only is he missing, but a bunch of old/minor hits invade the disc, when bigger hits could've been selected. No Same Direction. No American Idiot. No How Come. No Vitamin R.

It's a nightmare that Lean Back is on Now 17, especially since it's the 2nd track. It will be just like Slow Motion from Now 16 - both are repetitive songs that surprisingly made #1 on the billboard that many consumers end up disliking. If they want to put on easily known hits, at least put on Lil Scrappy's No Problem, a hip-hop song that made it to the top 5. Who is K-Won? Who is Crossface?

I REALLY can't stand Angels, and Ashlee Simpson gets old too fast. They didn't even put on Britney Spears! Since when did she and Blink 182 stop wanting to be on the Now albums? All that I know is that Now 16 was a lot better.

This should have been Now 17:

1. Usher f/Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah!
2. Ciara f/Petey Pablo - Goodies
3. Britney Spears - Outrageous
4. Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get It Started
5. Houston f/Chingy, Nate Dogg, & I-20 - I Like That
6. LL Cool J f/Timbaland - Headsprung
7. Lil Scrappy - No Problem
8. D12 - How Come
9. Nelly f/Jaheim - My Place
10.Akon - Locked Up
11.JoJo - Baby It's You
12.Finger Eleven - One Thing
13.Lenny Kravitz - Lady
14.Bowling For Soup - 1985
15.Hoobastank - Same Direction
16.Green Day - American Idiot
17.Chevelle - Vitamin R
18.Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
19.The Killers - Somebody Told Me
20.Gretchen Wilson - Here For The Party

Anyway, here are some Now 18 predictions (Too Early?)

- Black Eyed Peas are comming out with a new album called Monkey Business, so maybe one of the songs on there will become a major hit.
- Ludacris is also comming out with a new album. We'll see if he's on.
- Nelly - Flap Ya Wings
- Chevelle - Vitamin R (Maybe it was too early to put this on, but it was also early to put on Move Ya Body, so that's why this song is on what should've been Now 17)
- Good Charlotte - Predictable (Not yet as big as can be, but soon to become huge.)
- LL Cool J - Headsprung (I just can't let them leave this one alone!)

Now That's What I Call Music Vol.16 is #2 on the billboard charts this year so far. With Music from Christina Milian, Beyonce', Jojo, Juvenile, Outkast, Yellowcard and more. With #1 hits such as, Dip it low, Leave(Get out), Naughty Girl, Ocean Avenue, Hey Ya, and Slow Motion. Now 16 is a wonderful mix of Rap, R&B, and pop. So if u are wondering,"Should I get this?" Say yes with a Capital Y. U will not be sorry.

I am really glad this isn't another "Now 15" as I was so disapointed with it. A very good album. Here are my ratings for each song.
PLEASE NOTE: "O" means "Outstanding", "E" means "Exceeds Expectations", "A" means "Acceptable", "P" means "Poor", and "D" means "Dreadful".

D12... My Band "P"
OutKast... Hey Ya! "O"
Beyonce... Naughty Girl "E"
Nina Sky (F/ Jabba)... Move Ya Body "E"
Christina Milian... Dip It Low "E"
The Black Eyed Peas... Hey Mama "O"
Beenie Man (F/ Ms Thing)... Dude "E"
Petey Pablo... Freek-A-Leek "A"
Junevile (F/ Soulja Slim)... Slow Motion "O"
JoJo... Leave (Get Out) "E"
Chingy (F/ J. Weav)... One Call Away "E"
Britney Spears... Everytime "E"
Jessica Simpson... Take My Breath Away "D"
Hoobastank... The Reason "P"
Lenny Kravitz... Where Are We Runnin' "E"
Yellowcard... Ocean Avenue "A"
Three Days Grace... Just Like You "A"
Switchfoot... Meant To Live "E"
Los Lonely Boys... Heaven "E"
Gretchen Wilson... Redneck Woman "E"

Overall, "E". The first good "Now!" in a while.