Customer Reviews

Totally Hits 2002

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Totally Hits 2002 is released cunningly between volumes of the Now series to ensure bigger sales than would be otherwise. In addition to this, it features many great tracks which have reached the higher echelons of the Hot 100 this year. With different record companies compiling and licensing tracks for this series it also ensures different tracks from the rival Now series.

This latest version features top 10 hits from the likes of Pink with Get The Party Started (which appeared on Now 9 albeit in a remixed version), Tweet's Oops (Oh My) and the huge What's Luv from Fat Joe. There are some other great rap/r&b tracks from Outkast and Craig David as well as Alicia Keys with A Woman's Worth. Rock music is also well served here with Wherever You Will Go by The Calling which made the Hot 100 Top 5 and Michelle Branch's melodic Everywhere as well as other great songs from Natalie Imbruglia, Alanis Morissette and Default.

This CD features some great songs although the end of the disc is a little disappointing and goes downhill a bit but is much better than Now 9 which was released earlier in the year and is recommended to buy along with Now 9 for a more defintive collection although TH 2002 is the better of the two if you can only afford one.

The first "Totally Hits" back in 1999 was definitely the best of this series, but this one is quite good too. "Totally Hits 2002" manages quite a nice variety of hits from early 2002. Here's my low-down on the tracks:

1. What's Luv: (5/5) I am not a big rap fan by any means, but this is a kick butt song. The beat and backround music are what makes it along with Ashanti on the chorus. I just tune out Fat Joe and his gibberish.

2. Oops (Oh My): (4/5) Hmmm...not bad. But Tweet is an Aaliyah rip-off. No one can take her place.

3. Get the Party Started: (5/5) THE party anthem of 2002. The biggest hit of Pink's career. Awesome track.

4. What About Us: (5/5) Brandy's top 10 comeback single. Her "Never Say Never" work was better, but the song has a cool beat and unique chorus.

5. 7 Days: (3/5) This guy has a great voice and I like this song better than his first single, but it was overrated and overplayed.

6. Young 'n: (1/5) Blah!

7. The Whole World: (4/5) Cool and unque hip hop song. Hip hop needs more of this spice.

8. Everywhere: (4/5) Good song, but very overplayed. "All You Wanted" is better and would've been a better choice for this compilation. Still, good pop.

9. Wherever You Will Go: (3.5/5) Shocker! Another very overplayed song. Very Goo Goo Dolls-ish. Catchy chorus though. Defiitely a big one of 2002.

10. Wasting My Time: (1/5) I hated this song. It was overplayed and very annoying. Thankfully, they are a one hit wonder.

11. Youth of the Nation: (3/5) I rarely like this sort of the music, but this song is oddly appealing. Mostly, it's the chorus.

12. Hands Clean: (4/5) Good song, a moderate hit for Alanis. Cool pop/rock track.

13. Wrong Impression: (5/5) The highlight of the whole album. This song was only a minor hit missing the top 40 but it was one of the catchiest songs of the year. Fantastic chorus. This song is just as good as her first hit "Torn." WHY WASN'T IT HUGE???

14. Standing Still: (4/5) Slightly overplayed, but Jewel sounds so great on it, it can be overlooked. Nice addition.

15. We Fit Together: (2/5) It's the perverted BSB knock-offs at their most annoying. I'm a huge pop lover and the only reason i give it 2 stars is bcuz of that.

16. I Love You: (2/5) Yawn

17. A Woman's Worth: (3/5) Alicia tries to live up to her first and best song "Fallin" and doesn't exactly fal considering this song was a pretty big hit, but it's not that great.

18. Can't Fight the Moonlight: (5/5) Diane Warren strikes again! Fantastic pop song, catchy as hell, and a big hit for Leann. Helped keep pop alive in 2002.

19. Pass the Courvoisier: (1/5) Ditto to track #6.

20. Anything: (1/5) See above.

For someone looking for variety, this is a good buy.

This CD, in my opinion tops 'Totally Hits 2001' for it's contimplation of songs that are mostly hits, rather than '2001' did. It includes a mixture of music styles like pop, hip hop, rock, and R&B. There's complaints about over played hits, which I really DO NOT understand. Of course, if they're hits, they MOST LIKELY will be popular with the radio! Anyway, back to the songs. My #1 on this CD is Fat Joe/Ashanti/Ja Rule, "What's Luv?". It's a hip hop song with lotsa new flavour due to Ashanti's beautiful voice: "What's luv?/Got to do, got to do with it, babe/What's Luv?/Should be about us, it should be about trustin." Pink's "Get The Party Started" is a fun song to dance to, but at this point in time I think that it should have been "Don't Let Me Get Me". Same with Michelle Branch -"Everywhere" is a great song, but by now I think "All You Wanted" would have done better. Other highlights include Natalie Imbruglia, "Wrong Impression" and Alicia Keys, "A Woman's Worth". (I admit it, even this song has been waayy overplayed and overhyped, but it's still good.) 20 hirs in all. Enjoy!

I like the album i dont know much about it but ihave heard a few songs and it seems really interesting. it also has good music too i recommend that people should buy it.

"Totally Hits 2002" can not possibly have all the biggest songs of the year, considering it was released in June 2002, and the year was only half done. That said, the album manages to collect some of the biggest and best singles from the first half of 2002 and some from late 2001. This album is more evidence that 2001 and 2002 were both great years for music.
(1) Fat Joe feat. Ashanti "What's Luv?" A. A perfect club and dance track. Impossible not to enjoy and offers perfect collaboration for Fat Joe and Ashanti. The song captures interest right from the opening and Ashanti makes herself known.
(2) Tweet feat. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot "Oops (Oh My)" B+. This is quite a unique song that works well because of its striking beat and sexy lyrics. It's not only a promising debut for Tweet, but also one of the best work's in Missy's career as rapper, writer and producer.
(3) P!NK "Get The Party Started" B+. This was hailed by many as THE best sing of 2001. It's not that good, but it is still an endlessly enjoyable, clubbed up dance track with a combination of a slick production and killer voice and lyrics.
(4) Brandy "What About Us?" A. Brandy's return to music, after a four year hiatus, is an R&B track of energy and fury. Darkchild's awasome production mixed with bold lyrics and a pounding beat make this one of the years best singles.
(5) Craig David "7 Days" B+. The song isn't in the same league as "Fill Me In", but is still very catchy and is a nice little relaxing listen. Craig David finds a relaxed tone to make the song flow efforlessly.
(6) Fabolous "Young'n (Holla Back)" B. Not a great debut single, but one that shows potential. It serves as a prelude to his later work, as we can see a rapper with killer beats, tight lyrics and a club feel in his works.
(7) OutKast feat. Killer Mike & Joi "The Whole World" A-. The new record from thier Greatest Hits album, serves as a nice reminder of why OutKast is one of the greatest groups in rap history. This captures all the funk and fun that is expected when Big Boi and Andre 3000 spit thier biting lyrics.
(8) Michelle Branch "Everywhere" B. Sort of a sacrifice to place her on the music charts. The song is a well done, catchy pop that just lacks the quality and depth of her other works. Still an enjoyable listen in the end though.
(9) The Calling "Wherever You Will Go" A. A terrific rock song that captures weight and dimension with powerful lyrics. The song also serves as a reminder that old material can sound new and good if in the hands of talented artists.
(10) Default "Wasting My Time" B. Enjoyable hard rock that could have been more. The song passes the time pleasantly, but that doesn't change the fact that the material is standard and the guitars don't exactly have grace in their performance.
(11) P.O.D. "Youth Of The Nation" A. Chilling guitar chords and deep lyrics turn this into a haunting track about violence among youg people. All of this is made even more disturbing because we know it happens everyday. I don't even remember the last time I heard a rock song with this much meaning and purpose.
(12) Alanis Morissette "Hands Clean" B+. Alanis still has all the qualities that shocked us back in 1995 and shows no sign of stopping now. This song takes that energy and anger and transfoms it into a lighter, meaningful rock ballad.
(13) Natalie Imbruglia "Wrong Impression" A-. It lacks the power and beauty that "Torn" had, yet still manages to become a quite enjoyable pop record. We've heard many songs about someone being rejected, but this one has content that takes on a new angle with that idea.
(14) Jewel "Standing Still" B-. Has some nice images and Jewel has true passion with her lyrics, yet the song seems rather draged out and never really picks up. It's not a bad song, but one that just doesn't do it for me.
(15) O-Town "We Fit Together" A-. Teen pop (as many call it) can be annoying and repedative, but I don't mind it if its done well like this. The song is fun, catchy and even a little on the naughty side with sexual references.
(16) Faith Evans "I Love You" C. She is just an average singer, and this song was standard on the R&B front back in the 60s. You would expect more considering the people who wrote and produced it.
(17) Alicia Keys "A Woman's Worth" B. A well crafted old feshioned R&B tune, given some new life by Alicia and her talents. Still, you have to wish that the song had ambitions to be more than just a traditional R&B piece.
(18) LeAnn Rimes "Can't Fight The Moonlight" A. LeAnn makes her country to pop transition with ease, grace and alot of style. It may have been made for an average movie, but the song is anything but average. This is a dance tune packed with energy that is absolutly impossible to not enjoy.
(19) Busta Rhymes feat. P. Diddy & Pharrell "Pass Courvoisier Part II" B+. There's no difference between Parts I & II. OK, this is a pretty good club track from some of the best rappers in the industry. It's fun to listen to and is a darn infectious track.
(20) Jaheim feat. Next "Anything" A. A perfect balance of traditional and modern R&B, just like Next's own "Wifey". The lyrics have a sweet touch with a modern edge that is very powerful and deep. This is hands down the best R&B writing of 2002.
Bottom Line: ***1/2. The album is an excellent snap shot of late 2001 and early 2002. Again, it shows just how vibrant those two years were on the music scene and conveys the ever growing diversity of modern music.

OK, here's my good review of this. First off, if you're looking for some of youre favorite songs from 2002 that aren't really mainstreem & great lyrically (IE Beck, old Modest Mouse), you WILL be pretty damn dissapointed. Here goes:

1. Fat Joe featuring Ashanti- What's Luv (4/5) I love this jam, but it got overplayed. They could've put the one with Ja Rule instead, even if that one got play on a few stations...
2. Tweet featuring Missy Elliot- Oops (Oh My) (3/5) OK tune... It gets annoying sometimes, but I like it a bit. Doesn't have the best sexual nature to it. Tweet isn't a bad singer though.
3. P!NK- Get The Party Started (5/5) Love this tune, im glad they put the orignal on here! I do like the Sweet Dreams melody of this better, and thats on Now 9, but, this is still awsome. Overplayed.
4. Brandy- What About Us (4/5) I like this song from Brandy, and I think she sounds MUCH more mature than she used to, a more serious voice. I hope she comes back with something new! She hit us again with 2 hits from her latest Afrodasiac! Can't there be any new singles now?
5. Craig David- 7 Days (4/5) I didn't like this much when I 1st heard it, but, it grew on me. Nice, angst-ridden ballad. I have no idea where this guy is now.
6. Fabolous- Young'n (Holla Back) (5/5) My favorite song on the CD! Fabolous at his best. "Holla back, Young'n Hoo Hoo!" The lyrics aren't the greatest, he gets better on
'Breathe'.
7. Outkast featuring Killer Mike- Whole World (3/5) OK song by Outkast, but, it gets VERY annoying often... And, Killer Mike isnt too good on this. The verses aren't that bad, but its their worst song.
8. Michelle Branch- Everywhere (3/5) 1st song by Michelle. OK. It used to get overplayed, though.
9. Calling- Wherever You Will Go (5/5) I love this song, even though it got overplayed. Who cares. This is great. "If I could, then I would, i'll go wherever you will go!"
10. Default- Wasting My Time (5/5) Great song by Default, this didn't get too overplayed. Thanks for producing this, Chad Kroger! Now in the 1-hit wonder genre sadly.
11. P.O.D.- Youth of The Nation (4/5) Good, heavy ballad from P.O.D. I like it when the kids sing later, slightly similar to Another Brick In The Wall by you know who (and its NOT POD for people looking that are idiotic)
12. Alanis Morsette- Hands Clean (2/5) Very boring and annoying song from Alanis. Its OK. Why did they put this though? It was barely anything on the charts!
13. Natilie Imbruglia- Wrong Impression (5/5) Good song, even though she has a very diffrent voice on this than she had on Torn. Awsome tune anyway!
14. Jewel- Standing Still (4/5) This gets boring rarely, but, its nice.
15. O-Town- We Fit Together (4/5) Although this wasnt a hit from them, this is a good O-Town song.
16. Faith Evans- I Love You (4/5) Great love song from Faith Evans.
17. Alicia Keys- A Woman's Worth (1/5) UGH! I dont like this song at all. Worst from Alicia. Its pointless and annoying.
18. Leann Rimes- Can't Fight the Moonlight (Remix) (3/5) One of Leean's best, although played out. It got a bit boring. I wonder why they put this on too?
19. Busta Rhymes featuring P. Diddy and Pharrel Willams- Pass The Courvorsier (Remix) (5/5) Awsome, funny song by Busta, and, Pharrel and Diddy are great, too!
20. Jahiem featuring Next- Anything (4/5) Pretty song by Jahiem. But, it got a little played out. I like Next.

So, buy this, NOW! Some tracks are boring, but, its much better than Totally Hits 1! Buy it if you're new to the TH series, although some of the songs will give ya some bores. Some "hits" from late 2001 could've been replaced although.

I'm not really a big fan of compilations. And I don't own this CD, but I like some songs on it. The top 5 (in my opinion, in order) are:
1. Youth of the Nation-P.O.D. This song needs no comment.
2. What's Luv-Fat Joe. Cool song.
3. Wasting My Time-Default. I like this song. Cool hook.
4. Wherever You Will Go-The Calling. A bit overplayed, but still good.
5. Get The Party Started-Pink. Got too overplayed, but like 4, still kinda good

"Totally Hits 2002" is much more satisfying than the last two "Now" compilations. It looks like we'll get only one "TH" compilation per year. One the one hand, they're missing out on some big tunes such as Madonna's "Don't Tell Me", Matchbox Twenty's "If You're Gone", Outkast's "Ms. Jackson", P.O.D.'s "Alive", and all of Pink's follow-ups to "Most Girls" and "Get The Party Started". On the other hand, we're left with compilations with little filler and some fun tunes, which TH2K2 has. The best samplings here are the women's songs and the R & B and hip-hop (better than TH2K1). We could still use a lttle more rock.1. WHAT'S LUV-A fun danceable tune which sort of echoes the success of those Ja Rule duets we've had recently. Ashanti has a nice voice. (4/5)2. OOPS (OH MY)-Also kind of fun. Can get annoying if you play it too much. (3.5/5)3. GET THE PARTY STARTED-Awesome party tune. Much better than that awful remix on "Now 9". (5/5)4. WHAT ABOUT US-I like Brandy, but I wasn't crazy about this. (2/5)5. 7 DAYS-Another sweet R & B entry from this Brit. Like his other tunes, this was a hit 1 1/2 years ago in the U.K. (4/5)6. YOUNG'N (HOLLA BACK)-The first of two Neptunes-produced rap tunes. The production makes this fun to dance to, but I wish Fabulous would find something else to rap about than the same old gangsta and bling-bling that's been done a million times before. (3/5)9. THE WHOLE WORLD-The pioneers of Southern rap have done it again. (4.5/5)8. EVERYWHERE-Women have been coming back to the pop scene after a few down years and this is a perfect example. (4.5/5)9. WHEREVER YOU WILL GO-Good rock ballad. (4/5)10. WASTING MY TIME-This was a hit in Canada about 6 months before it charted in the states. (4/5)11. YOUTH OF THE NATION-Terrific, inspirational rock from P.O.D. (5/5)12. HANDS CLEAN-A sort-of comeback from Alanis. Pretty good, but nowhere near the impact of her "Jagged Little Pill" album. (3.5/5) 13. WRONG IMPRESSION-Another woman who had hits in the 90's (like Alanis and Jewel) trying to be heard in the 00's. This one wasn't too memorable. (2/5)14. STANDING STILL-A little better than the previous two entries. (4/5)15. WE FIT TOGETHER-I guess TH had to have a boy band on this disc. Not nearly as good as "All or Nothing", but better than the sickening "Liquid Dreams". (2/5)16. I LOVE YOU-Good, slow R & B. (3.5/5)17. A WOMAN'S WORTH-Okay folow-up to "Falling". (3/5)18. CAN'T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT-This is sort of a dance remix of the original from the "Cowboy Ugly" soudtrack and it works better. (4.5/5)19. PASS THE COURVOISIER, PART 2-This is another fun party rap tune and an even better video. Pay attention to Pharrell Williams, the singer of the chorus, the lead singer of N.E.R.D., the leader of The Neptunes' production team, and a fast-rising star in the hip-hop industry. (4.5/5)20. ANYTHING-Another okay R & B ballad. (3/5)This once-a-year strategy seems to be working as "Totally Hits 2002" is the best-selling of the lot and is outselling "Now 10". More importantly, it's free of the boring filler and bad songs that have sank the last few "Now"s.

I have only 1 gripe about this incredible cd, and it is this: What is up with the editing in the Fat Joe song? C'mon!! This song has less edits on the radio! Other than that, this cd is an excellent buy for anyone who is fed up with the NOW series. Why? Because these songs are actually good. Most of the music featured here is upbeat and keeps up a good pace (there are few ballads)and only a few artists from "Totally Hits 2001" make a return appearance (other than the NOW series, who have the same exact people EVERY SINGLE TIME). This actually deserves 4.5 stars, not just 4. Hate NOW? Try "Totally Hits 2002" and finally get your money's worth. Here's to "Totally Hits 2003"...keep up the good work! (about my gripe? It's not really a big deal...I don't like Fat Joe anyway.)

This is a hit-filled CD, too bad the track listings fail to denote that these are the "clean" rather than "explicit" versions. I don't like being "protected" and the clean versions sound like the CD is skipping though all those edits. Kind of ruins the song, IMO.

So, if you don't mind having your music edited, or if you are Tipper Gore, buy this CD.