Hits of the Time Never Truly Die
I am sure everyone has at least one if not more compact discs in their car that if someone happed to stumble across you would say, wow that is so old I didn't even know I still have that cd, and pray they don't say anything me about it. More often that not this is your one pick me up disc, right? Well, I defiantly have a couple of these types that only one friend knows that I still listen to. These compact discs I am talking about for me are Now, Vol. 1 and Now, That's What I Call Music! 2.

The main reason I still listen to these compact discs when I have a bad day would be not really because of the words or the beat, but mostly because of what the songs remind me of. They are a familiar thing and you always remember the words no matter how hard you have tried to forget. I am one of those people that anything that I am familiar and comfortable with I will not get rid of because I don't really like changes much. These were all popular songs when I was in junior high and they remind me of those days. Also, when I am just cruising down the highway blasting the compact disc as loud as possible and belting out the words is comforting to me.

These compact discs may not be on everyone's must buy list but they are still good songs no matter how old they get. Every song on these two compact discs were played on the radio many times over. In many cases way too often but this did help in making sure everyone heard these songs. Also, the beats and words were easy enough to follow for the younger kids. With these being songs you would hear on the radio they would also be played anywhere that junior high aged kids would be hanging out like school dances and skating rinks.

I also feel that there is one really meaningful song on the second disc of this collection. This song has a very simple beat, but if you sit there and listen to the words it has a ton of meaning. This is the last song on the disc antilitter Everybody's Free by Baz Luhrmann. This is by far the song on these compact discs I listen to the most as a pick me up song. I don't even sing to this one, I just sit there and soak in the words. I think these compact discs are just all around enjoyable because can you honestly say if you were alone in your car or house and heard; "Barbie Girl", "...Baby One More Time" or songs by Spice Girls or Backstreet Boys you wouldn't sing along? I love to listen to these old hits and no matter how "uncool" the bands and songs seem to my peers listening to them just never completely die out of my mind.

Vol. 2
Okay, so we have the next in the long line of comp. disc's that followed the orininal 'Now!' This album, while still decent, falters a bit I feel. First off, I know that the target audience is kids from 8-14 or so, and teenage girls, but the choosing of songs like Jay-Z's 'Hard Knock Life' and R. Kellys 'When a Womans Fed Up' and then stripping it bare is kinda annoying. Not that I'm really a huge fan of either track, I just hate editing. They were better off to choose songs that didn't have to be cleaned up for the youngins and keep it that way rather than butcher music. Anyways, heres my opinion.

The appearance of Britney was of course nec. when summerizing the pop sensations of the late 90's. Of course the Backstreet BOys will make a repeat appearance because they were just that huge...but what shocked me was seeing Everclear again, not that I'm against it (I love the song despite it was so played out) but it just shocked me that the general 'Top 40' public wanted to hear more from these guys.

This album also included some new acts like 'New Radicals' and Robbie Williams, who is actually one of the greatest things to come out of the UK...ever. Semisonic give us the wreched 'Closing Time' and the Spice Girls say 'Goodbye' to everyone...boohoohoo...There is some hope though. Sheryl Crow delivers another great song, as does U2 with 'Sweetest Thing'. Garbage (awesome band) give us one of my favorite tracks of 'Version 2.0' and Cake delivers one of the best songs of the entire year with 'Never There' (I have this really funny story that goes along with this track...another place another time)...Sublime is also a highlight. Love them, wish it weren't edited, but I still love them! Hate 'Praise You' but love 'Take me There' and while it's not really a song you can't go wrong with Baz Luhrmann.

All in all it's decent...not as consistant as Vol. 1 but still delivering a nice glimpse of my past...and everybody elses!

"NOW" : Version 2.0
If "NOW 1" was an experiment that happened to succeed; "NOW 2" displays the results. The album gives brings back all the qualities that made the 1st one work, and refines them. There are a couple of tracks that don't work, but they can be ignored when compared to the number of good songs we get. Wheras the the 1st album was all safe pop/rock with some R&B; this one has some harder rock (Garbage, Sublime), alternative sounds (Fatboy Slim, Cake), even some rap (Jay-Z) and spoken word (Baz Luhrmann). The diversitry is essentail, as that is what truly makes it sound like Top 40 radio. All the sounds mend well for a solid cimpilaton:
(1) Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time" C-. The song is very catchy with a sexual tone in it's slick production, yet there's really nothing left beneath the sugar. Sounds great at first; then we realize how little the song really. Still, it was a VERY big hit, so I guess it deserves a place on the album.
(2) New Radicals "You Get What You Give" A. In response to the fast, flash of Britney; here is a relaxed, low key tune that's really about something. Lead singer, Gregg Alexander has a cool tone to his voice that is perfect for delivering his intelligent lyrics. Though the song clocks in at near 5 minutes; it is always able to keep attention throughout.
(3) Robbie Williams "Millennium" A-. Of couse it was shamelessly released to take advantage of the Y2K craze, but it's still a really good single. Robbie is definetly a great male vocalist and his material is equal to his voice. The lyrics really do sum up the insane feelings and fears of the time. It's a shame Americans have never caught on to Robbie.
(4) Semisonic "Closing Time" B. Semisonic was praised to be a great post-grunge band, but they never lived up to it. The 1st single of their sophmore LP isn't bad at all; it's just on the safe side. There's nothing wrong with the craft of delivery, but think about what it could have been if it was more daring.
(5) U2 "The Sweetest Thing" (The Single Mix) B+. Originally a B-side from "The Joshua Tree" (1987), this is a pretty good mix of a U2 classic. Although it's not one of their VERY BEST works; it still does a nice job of conveying the talent U2 brought to the 1980s. A minor, if highly satisfing offer from one of the greatest groups ever.
(6) Sheryl Crow "My Favorite Mistake" A. Simply put; this is Sheryl Crow at her best. Striking, heartfelt lyrics combined with her near flawless guitar chords make for an excellent pop/rock track with real heart. One of 1998's best and possible a personal best from her 11 year career.
(7) Fatboy Slim "Praise You" A. Another brilliant offering from Fatboy Slim: an artist who always does things HIS way. Light on substance and lyrics, yet there is so much to praise for the skill and energy which he infuses into the song. This is the perfect example of why he was the front runner of the "Big Beat Movement".
(8) Garbage "I Think I'm Paranoid" A. Perfect, cutting edge rock from a great female group. The song has some meaning, but the most notable parts are the group's electrified beats which are flowing with energy. It's a catchy, distinct sound that we've never heard before, and that is a relief when you consider today's rock music.
(9) Cake "Never There" B-. Very toned down and subdued compared to the last two tracks. Cake seems like an old fashioned group, yet there is something unmistakenly modern about them. This song has many charms, including the content and horn arrangments, but something seems to be holding it back. You wait for everything to just "pop" into something really grand, yet it never does.
(10) 98 Degrees "Because Of You" A-. While "Invisible Man" was good; this was the single that elevated 98 Degrees among the rest in their genre. It is presented as a pop song, yet the slick R&B current runs beneath it all. As male groups go, few can harmnonize like these guys can; and the essential to gracefully deliver these beautiful lyrics. It'a a small treasure.
(11) Spice Girls "Goodbye" A. Yes, that is an "A" next to a song by the Spice Girls. After all the worthless, mindless dance-pop they bombarded us with; they pull together to create a powerful, touching friendship ballad that really gets under the skin. How ironic is it, that their last song released released in the U.S. would turn out to be a masterpiece?
(12) Blackstreet and Mya feat. Ma$e and Blinky Blink "Take Me There" D. What were all these talented artists thinking? Signing up to do a theme song for "Rugrats" is not a smart career move. Everything about this song diminishes the crdibiliity of the artists involved. As a vehicle for the talents of Blackstreet, Mya and Ma$e; this is a deadly miscalculation. A real disaster from otherwise sane producer Teddy Riley.
(13) R. Kelly "When A Womnan's Fed Up" A. Now this is what music SHOULD be. Powerful and deep; this is a perfect single to display R. Kelly's vast talents. Everything falls perfectly into place, and carries alot of atmosphere and dimension. The writing and beats are so crisp and touching that we can't help but get caught up in this heartbreaking tale.
(14) Everclear "Father Of Mine" B+. The usual quality that expect from that wondeful, underrated group known as Everclear. As always, Art Alexakis' powerful lyrics and voice create a rich, vivid single that is flowing with the group's style. Serves as a good companion to Simple Plan's "Perfect" (2004).
(15) Sublime "What I Got" C. There's some skill in this rock tune, but it's just not very satisfying in the end. It's too short and breif to really go anywhere and we crave more. The group, although higly overrated, does have some talent; yet the don't let it shine to it's full potential here.
(16) Backstreet Boys "I'll Never Break Your Heart" B+. An early showcase for the boys' mastery of the pop ballad. The wrioting seems outdated, yet their smooth voices and charisma elevate it to heartfelt and beautiful. They get panned as "teen pop", but this exceeds that classification in almost every way.
(17) Jay-Z "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" B+. One of the few rap songs on the earlier "NOW"s; this is a strange mix from Jay-Z. His lyrics a rhyming is as tight as ever, but the chorus borrowed from "Annie" is a little jolting at times. Thankfully it isn't used too much, a mixes fairly well at times. In the enmd this is a solid rap track from a great rapper.
(18) Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" A-. This is definetly the most unique song ever put on ANY "NOW". The entire song is spoken word over 5 minutes long. Yet the words have deep sense of poetry to them, and are highly effective because of their relevance. If nothing else this is original to every word.
Bottom Line: ***. A solid collection of Top 40 hits from Late 1998 and early 1999. A good amount of variety and quality helps the album flow very well throughout it's entire running time. It also serves as proof that "NOW" figured out the secret to making a good compilation from the begining. Something that many imitators can't seem to accomplish

A review from a hole in the wall
Hmm...It's been almost six years since this release. I still haven't reviewed it! I know, I can't believe I forgot.

Ok.

1. Britney Spears, Baby One More Time: B- I used to hate this song, now I like it because Britney Spears sucks really bad now.

2. New Radicals, You Get What You Give: B Good song. Nothing special, but a good listen.

3. Robbie Williams, Millenium: D- Sorry, I thought it sounded like Justin Timberlake smoking p0t.

4. Semisonic, Closing Time: A One of my favs. Too bad Semisonic was a one-hit wonder.

5. U2, The Sweetest Thing: C- Worst U2 song to date. Slow, stupid, and boring.

6. Sheryl Crow, My Favorite Mistake: B- Not the best from Sheryl Crow, but, I guess it's decent.

7. Fatboy Slim, Praise You: B+ Not the best from Fatoby Slim either. It's still pretty good.

8. Garbage, I Think I'm Paranoid: C+ Pop-Metal? Don't think so.

9. Cake, Never There: B+ Pretty good, but why is it so short?

10. 98, Because Of You: D+ Worst 98 song yet.

11. Spice Girls, Goodbye: F The worst song on the CD. The Spice Girls can do much better!

12. Mya & Blackstreet, Take Me There: F Rugrats? Right...next track

13. R. Kelly, When A Woman's Fed Up: C- This song has absolutely no point! Who cares?

14. Everclear, Father Of Mine: A Woo...a breath of fresh air from the crap on the last 4 tracks. This is a great AC song!

15. Sublime, What I Got: A Once again, this is a great song, that is really short.

16. Backstreet Boys, I'll Never Break Your Heart: C- Meaningful lyrics with horrible singers.

17. Jay-Z, Hard Knock Life: B+ This was a great rap song, but Now could have done a bit better with editing.

18. Baz Luhrman, Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen: F I've changed my mind, this is the worst song on this CD. Wait, it can't be because it's not a song!

CD. Various Artists, Now 2 Overall Grade: C+

Truly not the best now, but I've seen much worse with Now 12 and 17.

It was an ok cd
1. Britney Spears, Baby One More Time: I like this song. I don't care what people think of her this is one of her best hits. A+

2. New Radicals, You Get What You Give: It was an alright song I have no complaints. B

3. Robbie Williams, Millenium: I really didn't care for the song but I can see where some like it alot. C

4. Semisonic, Closing Time: I loved this song in high school and I still love it today. A

5. U2, The Sweetest Thing: It was a good song by U2 I bought the cd this was released on. B

6. Sheryl Crow, My Favorite Mistake: I was not impressed with this song. I always skip it. D

7. Fatboy Slim, Praise You: I am not a fan of Fatboy Slim and like the previous song this one gets skipped too. F

8. Garbage, I Think I'm Paranoid: It was alright but they overplayed it. C-

9. Cake, Never There: This song was great and I still like it. B

10. 98, Because Of You: It was ok my girlfriend at the time always listened to it but it got on my nerves. D+

11. Spice Girls, Goodbye: I like this song cause it reminds me of when I left for basic training. A

12. Mya & Blackstreet, Take Me There: They needed to leave the Rugrats music off of here. I thought this was a Rugrats promotional disaster. F

13. R. Kelly, When A Woman's Fed Up: It is a good song and I liked the meaning of it. B

14. Everclear, Father Of Mine: This is a good song and I still listen to it all the time. One of the best on the cd. A

15. Sublime, What I Got: The one Sublime song I actually like and I would give it an A but since it is edited... B

16. Backstreet Boys, I'll Never Break Your Heart: The song always reminds me of my senior prom. It does bring back bring good memories. A

17. Jay-Z, Hard Knock Life: Yeah it is a ripoff of Annie combined with rap but it is a good song none-the-less. B

18. Baz Luhrman, Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen: I am from the class of 1999 and this song repulses me. Baz needs to stick to directing not singing and this was a bad choice to end the cd. F