Customer Reviews

Now That's What I Call Music! 20

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

After reading some of the reviews on these NOW cds, I had to put my two cents in. I do own and like all the NOW cds. NOW does put some good song on their cds, but there is some songs I don't care for. I could not believe some of these people saying that they don't like some of these songs that I do, but everyone is different and entitled to their own opinion. I don't believe all the songs are chart toppers like they say they are. I think some of the songs on the cds are on there just to make the cd sound better. If you listen to each one, they each have their own different sound if you listen to it more closely. When I bought the first NOW cd, I did not think it would up to NOW 21. I will continue to buy these NOW cds as long they keep making them. Sometimes I can tell if a certain song might make it on the next NOW cd like SOS-Rihanna, Check it Out-Beyonce, Pump it!-Black Eyed Peas. So I have to say is keep making these cds. You're just not going to please everyone with the songs you put on them.

I've always written how the American NOW compilations do not even come close to the British ones, and my opinion has not since changed. NOW 20's track list, however, is solid and pretty good for the American series. It has mostly good rap songs (which can be sometimes rare in this series), great rock songs, and not an overload of mediocrities. I'll go in depth.

1. Missy Elliott Feat. Ciara & Fatman Scoop - Lose Control...A
A great rap song - Missy Elliott has a great style and her lyrics are actually understandable and enjoyable. Ciara is a nice addition to the song. Fatman Scoop's random screaming in the background wasn't essential, but it at least adds some energy to the track. The music's actually interesting and something different from everything else.
2. Black Eyed Peas - Don't Phunk With My Heart...C+
Their first album was stellar, and their second is as well. But this was one of the worst tracks on "Monkey Business" and did not deserve to become a single. Annoying, but not horrible.
3. Pussycat Dolls Feat. Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha...A-
A really good rap song - Busta's rapping is a good addition to the song, making this radio remix better than the original on the Pussycat Dolls' album, "PCD". A dangerously catchy chorus elevates this song to a pretty high grade.
4. Rihanna - Pon de Replay...B+
Pretty catchy, and a good party song. But it gets pretty irritating after a while. And the "dip it low and you pick it up slow" from the first verse directly copies from Christina Milian's "Dip it Low". That's so unoriginal, Rihanna!
5. Ludacris Feat. Bobby Valentino - Pimpin' All Over the World...B
Good music, but it's not much without the video, which was, by the way, partly shot in Africa.
6. Bow Wow Feat. Ciara - Like You...B
Bow Wow's returning to the rap scene was really unneeded, but Ciara's chorus makes this song better than mediocre.
7. Dem Franchize Boys Feat. Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat & Bow Wow - I Think They Like Me (Remix)...C
This song does not deserve the publicity, and I'm stunned why people like this. It's worse than mediocre, it's horribly irritating. And much of the song is bleeped out because the original is so dirty. Rap just isn't rap when it's edited, and this song is proof. But even without the editing I don't think this song has a chance. Annoying "yep"s in the background and mediocre rapping...just skip it already.
8. Destiny's Child - Cater 2u...B-
Mediocre for Destiny's Child. Actually pretty boring. But they have great voices.
9. Lyfe Jennings - Must Be Nice...C+
Mediocre.
10. Natasha Bedingfield - These Words...A
A great "new" artist who actually found success with this song a year earlier the US. Great songwriting about bad songwriting (if that makes any sense at all) and a good voice. Now I'm just wondering when her brother Daniel's going to release another "If You're Not the One".
11. Kelly Clarkson - Behind These Hazel Eyes...A-
The only American Idol who earned over twenty minutes of success, Kelly's finding massive success with her second album, and for a reason - she's got an awesome voice, and pulls off rock quite well. This song was brutally murdered by the radio, but that's why I've moved onto the remixes (not on this album).
12. D.H.T. - Listen to Your Heart (Unplugged Version)...A
Though Furios F.EZ's hard trance remix of this song is a lot better than this unplugged piano version, this amazing cover of the Roxette track deserved all the fame it got. Edmee's got a fantastic voice and this is a perfect song for her. Beautiful song also.
13. Backstreet Boys - Just Want You To Know...A-
The Backstreet Boys' newest album must have been the #1 most unwanted comeback of all time (let's just hope N*Sync doesn't follow...*cringe* Justin Timberlake), but this is their best song. And this comes from someone hard to impress by the Backstreet Boys, but they pull off this rock song pretty well.
14. Click 5 - Just the Girl...A
A really good rock song which many can relate to.
15. Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To...B
Atonal, but Franz Ferdinand has a good reputation, so I'll let it slide. But this is definitely evidence of a sophomore slump.
16. Weezer - Beverly Hills...A+
Unfortunately it was flattened, torn apart, and buried alive by the radios, so I will review it as it was still last summer when I first heard it. This song is amazing and the chorus is way too catchy to believe. But I don't need to write this, as most people already know.
17. Fall Out Boy - Sugar We're Going Down...A
An amazing song, but it's only good if you can put up with songs where you can't understand what they're saying. Seriously, it took approximately six times looking up the lyrics to actually realize what's being said here. But the music is great, and this song overall is a pretty good rock track.
18. Lifehouse - You & Me...A-
An instant classic.
19. Coldplay - Fix You...A+
I've read mixed reviews about this song, but personally, I think its amazing. Following a vaguely similar buildup as Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", this song just keeps you listening until the end. The rockout part at the end is magical.
20. Keith Urban - You'll Think of Me...B
It's somewhat annoying that Keith's been on NOW albums consistently for a while but his songs aren't as popular as, say, Gretchen Wilson. I'm starting to think Keith's been put on these albums not for popular songs but just so a default country artist could be there. A good song, but it could've been replaced with something better in the Country department.

So overall, this is a great selection of songs, some amazing, some decent, and some mediocre to bad. I'd suggest you buy this, as it's a good list of tracks.

Overall, this album gets a B+.

The twentieth edition of Now That's What I Call Music proves that they can still do it. While this edition is clearly too full on rap, it is by far not the worst in the series.

The rap collection features favorites from the summer and fall's biggest hits, with Missy Elliott providing a rap and dance twist on "Lose Control", a rap-funk song by the Black Eyed Peas, and a guilty pleasure from The Pussycat Dolls. Ludacris's "Pimpin' All Over The World"'s production saves the song through the subject manner isn't the most appealing. The CD also features a new song from Dem Franchise Boyz. The rap may be overloading at first but it's definitely a pleasure nonetheless.

The R&B section features new artist Rihanna with "Pon De Replay" and holding the title of "song of the summer", Destiny's Child's "Cater 2 U", a nice Lyfe Jennings tune, and a funky and fresh pop-R&B song from Natasha Bedingfield. The R&B songs are all excellent choices though "Must Be Nice" was less played on Top 40 radio.

The pop section of the disc includes new artist (on a NOW) Kelly Clarkson with "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and new pop-rock sensation, The Click Five. D.H.T.'s "Listen To Your Heart" is on the disc but the dance mix was more perfered. The Backstreet Boys are a guilty pleasure however they don't put talent in their work. All of these songs were pretty big, The Backstreet Boys one being the worst on the charts.

The rock section includes rock favorite Weezer, Fall Out Boy's addictive "Sugar We're Going Down", and Lifehouse's "You & Me". The rest of the CD pretty much holds on it's own, however, the Coldplay song may make some pop fans fall asleep.

This edition doesn't have the biggest hits, however, most of the songs hold on it's own. While it doesn't get the best grade, it's still work looking at. 3 stars.

Replay Value: Medium
Child Appeal: Medium
Teen Appeal: High
Adult Appeal: Low

this album was ok but not as good as now 16 which was my favorite. here is my review of now 20

1. Missy Elliot f/ Ciara & Fat Man Scoop-Lose Control (A-) I love both missy elliot and ciara. glad Now had some music sense to include missy. Troppo bello!

2. The Black-Eyed Peas-Don't Phunk With My Heart (B) Defenetly not best BEP song but solid. glad Now kept Phunk and didn't change it to Mess like those losers at Kiss FM and other stations. if they changed it, it would've been really stupid, since parents could just look at the title

3. The Pussycat Dolls f/ Busta Rhymes-Don't Cha (A) the chicks are hot. especially Nicole (lead singer) if i was a chick in that band, i think i'd become le$sbian. anyway, hot song improved with busta. i have the uncut busta rhymes remix myself. i like all these ladies' singles.

4. Rihanna-Pon De Replay (D) NO NOT REPLAY PLEASE! my least fave single next to the annoying, DISCUSTINGLY overplayed and very whiny and b-itchy Unfaithful. she didnt even write that song. a dude did! i like If Its Lovin That U Want and SOS.

5. Ludacris f/ Bobby Valentino-Pimpin' All Over The World (D-) i usually like Luda, but he was aiming for Radio Disney as his target station when he wrote this song. lacking major substance. Che scifo!

6. Bow Wow f/ Ciara (B+)Love the beat. Ciara comes again with her second collaberation track this time helping out Bow WeeWee. Bow WeeWee, Now's squeeky clean rap pet. To me, Ciara saved this dude from landing on the rocks.

7. Dem Franchize Boys f/ Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat & Bow Wow-I Think They Like Me Remix (D) Not inspirational and one of the worst tracks on here. and these kids need to go to school because Dem and Da arent words. Bow WeeWee doesnt deliver, either. Now should have left his part on the cutting room floor since they're edit-happy. And no they dont like you, im sure Radio Disney does, though.

8. Destiney's Child-Cater 2 U (B-) A sweet and worthy track but not their best. Soldier was their best. RIP

9. Lyfe Jennings-Must Be Nice (C) I forgot this song. Not my cup of tea.

10. Natasha Bedingfield-These Words (I Love You, I Love you) (B) She looks cute on her album cover. my ex-girlfriend loved her. is it just me or does she sound an awful lot like Pink? but why have her singles all been about writing songs? VH1 buffets on Natasha.

11. Kelly Clarkson-Behind These Hazel Eyes (B) Did anyone notice she's cross-eyed on her album cover. she looks like she had just snorted some crack before they too her picture. i like this song. but its seriously too old to be on here.

12. D.H.T. f/ Edm'ee-Listen To Your Heart (C)Overplayed. she has this total soccor mom image. shes kinda hot though. i have the dance version. VH1, im sure, enjoyed D.H.T.

13. Backstreet Boys-Just Want You To Know (C) not a big fan but i like this one better than the last single on now 19. this one is more upbeat

14. The Click Five-Just The Girl (F) Typical of Now to have this one. Jesse mccartney must have written this song, realised it was a mediocre skip-material piece of trash and then sold it to these suckers. worste on here. it should have ended before it started. nothing but pretty boy pop. they put the P in p-ussy power. finocchi tutti quandi su!

15. Franz Ferdinand-Do You Want To (C)Sounds like a typical euro track. its not bad...if ur in the mood for a Beatles rip off.

16. Weezer-Beverly Hills (B) One of the most true to life songs on this bill. kind of pretty and sugary, though.

17. Fall Out Boy-Sugar, We're Going Down (A) The best on here. pretty dark and the chorus talks about suicide. im surprised Now didn't apparently have a problem with that since their edit-happy.

18. Lifehouse-You & Me (C) Not my favorite. the dude that sings sounds like Creed.

19. Coldplay-Fix You (F)I hate coldplay. their so whiny and down about everything. not one upbeat song from them and everyone makes such a big deal on this trash. they need to fix themselves cus they're manic depressants and put me to sleep. buono per niente!

20. Keith Urban-You'll Think Of Me (D) No country for me. the same artist to end all Now albums...Keith "R'edn'eck" urban. please!!!!

Now 21 looks slightly better than this set, although it's not the worst. so enjoy! buon appetito

Now, they've made it to the 20th Now! This has been a very successful series in America even after so many versions of it in the UK and other countries. This is a well rounded collection, as they select some good songs. The first half is good, but the second half has a strong rock section. Even the Backstreet Boys' rock-driven song blends very well into the rock section that includes Weezer and Coldplay. When I bought the first one in 1998, never did I expect it to last into the 20th some 7 years later. I have given them as Christmas gifts too. They've had some good and bad collections, but they keep getting better at it. This NOW collection is well balanced. The Keith Urban song, while it did come out in 2002, blends well with the mostly 2005 released songs here. Get this one under your Christmas tree in December too!

For years I've been glancing uncaringly upon this compilation series since it nearly always fails to provide a decent amount of good rock hits, but finally on its 20th issue there is something to be said for its rock portion. There are nine songs that I like on this C.D., and only one of them is of the rap genre (Don't Phunk With My Heart). The rest are all of the rock variety, the best likely being Weezer's "Beverly Hills". This song is decidedly awesome for its unique rhythm, loud guitars, catchy chorus, and clever usage of what seems to be a voicebox attached to a guitar (like one Peter Frampton would use). Then there is the great Fallout Boy hit "Sugar We're Going Down" (which has a great music video). I love this tune for its good lyrical flow, energetic chorus, and overall superb chord progressions. Lastly, I'd like to point out the greatness of "Listen to Your Heart". I originally despised this song since the lyrics seemed so awful, but eventually I grew to appreciate the heartfelt vocals and mystic melody. This compilation is the best Now one yet, and I would highly recommend it! Watch out for the rancid Backstreet Boys and Keith Urban tracks, though.

when one looks at the tracklisting of the what should be the LAST installment of the long crappy now series, they should see that they're money could better be spent on something else that is actually good. but wait, does anyone look at these tracklistings? Some people will buy it even if they dont like half of the songs, because thats just how they are. Some won't look at the tracklisting because the albums are all crappy and they know what to expect.

ok enough with my biased opinion that these cd's will never be good. Now before you go ahead and tell me my review isnt helpful because you think this cd is good, I will say that there is some good here. Franz ferdinand's "do you want to" is one of the cathiest songs of the year. so is Weezer's "Beverly hills" and fall out boy's "We're Going Down". You and Me, from lifehouse was one of my favorite songs of this year, and I like fix you (coldplay) to some extent, at least more than speed of sound, and click five is at least tolerable, but five or six songs can't save a 20 song compilation, especially since each of those songs, with the exception of franz ferdinand has been most murderously overplayed. If someone hasn't downloaded fall out boy yet then the chances are they don't like it. You and Me has been shooting around both tv and radio since about may, and despite the fact that fix you is about the least played coldplay song ever, its still found ways to be overplay on Tv. Come on, the only song not overplayed out of all 20 is franz ferdinand, and that still doesnt make it worth it to buy this CD because you could just buy the real album.

other problems remain. genre shifting, including country with the ever present keith urban, songs that would have made an innovatinve mix in april but make a dated one now, all the things that the creators never see fit to fix.

everything else on the album ranges from bad to worse. rap and hip hop is more than half the cd, and most of the crap doesnt deserve to be considered music. its just pisses me off that there is so much more good music out there and this series sells millions of copies every few months when they decide to release. by now they could release a full cd of crappy hip hop artists teaching cooking lessons and idiots would still buy it and hype it as "the best one yet"

but who cares what I say. You're of course going to buy thins, and you're of course going to say my review wasn't helpful because I just described everything you do, because most of you would know good music if I shoved it down your throat.

1. mariah carey-don't forget about us, 2. pussycat dolls-stickwitu, 3. nelly-grillz, 4. chris brown-run it, 5. black eyed peas-my humps, 6. rihanna-if it's lovin' that you want, 7. bow wow-fresh azimiz, 8. dem franchize boyz-lean wit it, rock wit it, 9. three 6 mafia-stay fly, 10. t-pain-i'm sprung, 11. ray j.-one wish, 12. kelly clarkson-because of you, 13. natasha beddingfield-unwritten, 14. nickelback-photograph, 15. all american rejects-dirty little secret, 16. fall out boy-dance dance, 17. relient k-who i am hates who i've been, 18. gorillaz-dare, 19. trace adkins-honky tonk bodonkadonk, 20. casada-everytime we touch.

As in all my other reviews, I will review each song individually:

1. Missy Elliott-Lose Control: Catchy hook, phat rhymes and an appearance from Fat Man Scoop earn this song a good mark. Rating: A

2. Black Eyed Peas-Don't Phunk With My Heart: An OK song, but way overplayed. Rating: B+

3. The Pussycat Dolls-Don't Cha: A sexy song with catchy beat and even catchier chorus. Rrrrowl! Rating: B+

4. Rihanna-Pon De Replay: Good beat, but vocals weren't very good. Rating: B-

5. Ludacris-Pimpin' All Over The World: A good song, but Luda can do better than this. Rating: B

6. Bow Wow-Like You: Ewww. Too sappy for me. Rating: C

7. Dem Franchise Boyz-I Think They Like Me: I like this song, it's very good. Rating: B+

8. Destiny's Child-Cater 2 U: I've said it before and I'll say it again: stop singing! You guys are over! Rating: C-

9. Lyfe Jennings-Must Be Nice: This song was a little too weird for me, what with the narration. But because it wasn't horrible, I will give it a B.

10. Natasha Bedingfield-These Words: Catchy rhymes and an eclectic mix of backing beats net this song a decent mark. Rating: A

11. Kelly Clarkson-Behind These Hazel Eyes: I like Since U Been Gone better. This is just poor. Rating: C

12. D.H.T.-Listen To Your Heart: Um, try using another instrument besides piano. Rating: C-

13. Backstreet Boys-Just Want You To Know: Better than Incomplete, but I'm still not too keen on the Backstreet Boys. Rating: B

14. The Click Five-Just The Girl: This sounds like a clone of the song before it. Rating: B, Originality: F

15. Franz Ferdinand-Do You Want To: Not as good as Take Me Out, but a very, very good song. Rating: A

16. Weezer-Beverly Hills: There's always a song on one of these CDs that gets a really high mark. And this is it. Rating: A+

17. Fall Out Boy-Sugar, We're Goin' Down: A good rock song, but tone down the poppy vocals a bit. Rating: B+

18. Lifehouse-You & Me: Hanging By A Moment was good, but this one is dismal. Rating: C

19. Coldplay-Fix You: Not as good as Speed Of Sound, but a good song that proves Coldplay can make decent follow-ups. Rating: B+

20. Keith Urban-You'll Think Of Me: I hate country. Rating: D

i got the CDs on January 6, so fast! I'm impressed too because one of the CDs is not even open. Excellent job!