Alternative Rock Compilations music reviews

WOW!!!!! What a wonderful production concept and tribute to some very talented musicians. The sound quality is excellent and such a good remembrance of being in the subways of NYC. This is an excellent CD for those who want to take the flavor of NYC back home with them after a visit to the "Big Apple".

These guys have done an amazing job with this album! It's hard to find a compilation CD that flows so perfectly. All the tunes are beautiful and the quality of the music is beyond top notch!

THis is a must have album for all those who are not scared of listening to something new that is not yet mainstream. This is an album for everyone from your young kids to you grandmother.

Just put on the CD and listen to it.....you will fall in love with it. And on top of that not only does it support great musicians, but a poercentage of the proceeds goes to charity.

Now 61 was outstanding. It was hard to follow it up. And I'll admit that Now 62 isn't bad at all. It doesn't blow me away like Now 61 did, but it has some great songs here and there. But no trance songs? I'm dissapointed. The first CD has quite a few banal songs which will have you yawning, but both discs have some hidden treasures to feast upon. So, now let's go by each song.

CD ONE

1. Sugababes - Push the Button (3:38) B-
Annoying. It'll grow on you.
2. Robbie Williams - Tripping (4:05) B
The first verse will hook you in, but the chorus is nothing to get too excited about.
3. The Pussycat Dolls Feat. Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha (3:38) B+
A good song which got a lot of radio play, and perfect for parties. Truthfully, it's a bit downbeat for me. Ralphi's Hot Freak Remix is a nice dance mix of this song. I'd suggest checking that out. Ashley PLEASE don't put "Beep" on Now 63. PLEASE!!!
4. Daniel Powter - Bad Day (3:53) A-
Pretty good. Daniel is supposedly the next James Blunt, but now that I love "You're Beautiful", "Bad Day" is NOTHING compared to it. Catchy, however.
5. David Gray - The One I Love (3:28) B+
I still don't like his voice, but the rawness of "White Ladder" with the amazing "This Year's Love" and the long but great "Say Hello Wave Goodbye" were his best. "The One I Love" just doesn't carry the same magic.
6. Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone (3:08) A-
I'm SO sick of this song now that the radios killed it a long time ago, but it's still a good rock song from the best American Idol the show will ever produce.
7. Will Young - Switch it On (3:47) B+
I'm really confused listening to this, but the music is cool.
8. Girls Aloud - Biology (3:35) A
The best thing the band's ever done. Really good rock song which is actually somewhat different than every other pop band/artist out there. Only somewhat, though.
9. McFly - I'll Be OK (3:28) A
I am so glad they went back to the faster music, because that's what they're good at. This is a really nice song. Why are only the British boy bands good? This makes the Backstreet Boys look like...well...the Backstreet Boys.
10. Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot (3:52) B+
Nothing compared to "Every Day I Love You Less and Less", but I like their sound.
11. Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To (3:37) B
This atonal follow-up to "Matinee" and the massive "Take Me Out" proves that they were better off before releasing their new album.
12. KT Tunstall - Suddenly I See (3:19) A-
Not nearly as good as the beautiful "Other Side of the World", but KT's music is magical. I really hope that "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" is put on Now 63.
13. tATu - All About Us (3:01) B-
Annoying. Their first album was great with "Not Gonna Get Us" and "All the Things She Said". "All About Us" is pretty bad.
14. Hilary Duff - Wake Up (3:37) B
A decent pop song with horrible lyrics ("Wake up/Wake up on a Saturday night...) Her new single "Supergirl" I've heard is just as bad.
15. Rachel Stevens - I Said Never Again (But Here We Are) (3:25) A
Not as good as "So Good", but a nice follow-up. Still better than her earlier stuff. Upbeat and really, really good. She loves making the catchiest hits.
16. Liberty X - Song For Lovers (2:58) B+
Their best hit to date.
17. Friday Hill - Baby Goodbye (3:39) C+
That's exactly what I said to this song upon first listen.
18. Simon Webbe - Lay Your Hands (4:25) C+
After that ridiculous sample at the beginning, I was not compelled to listen further.
19. Mariah Carey - We Belong Together (3:22) B+
Probably my favorite Carey hit. Well-done, but I'm not sure why she's competing against Madonna. They're two completely different artists. But beyond that this song is pretty good.
20. Elton John - Electricity (3:30) A
I'm not sure what he's talking about, but this song is amazing. Definitely nothing compared to his earlier work, though. This is just becoming popular in the US. After the end of this song, change the CD.
21. Katie Melua - Nine Million Bicycles (3:14) C
Uninteresting.
22. Westlife - You Raise Me Up (4:00) C
Bad cover of a Josh Groban song.

CD TWO
1. Gorillaz - Dare (4:05) A
My favorite Gorillaz hit by far. Way too catchy.
2. Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl (3:20) A-
Horribly overplayed and it's only good unedited. It's just not fun saying "This _ is bananas".
3. Kanye West - Diamonds From Sierra Leone (4:00) A
"Gold Digger" is better, but this song gets an A mainly for Kanye's oustanding album "Late Registration". He proves that an artist can totally reverse the sophomore slump.
4. Coldplay - Fix You (Radio/Video Version) (4:35) A+
The best song on the album. Many dislike this song, but I love it. This is the type of song which builds on each verse and ends with a bang, a la Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and even U2's Now 61 hit "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own". This song is purely beautiful and the end is rockin'.
5. Oasis - The Importance of Being Idle (3:41) A-
This is a very good song from the "Wonderwall" band. It's nothing compared to that and "Songbird", but it's still pretty good.
6. Black Eyed Peas - Don't Lie (3:39) A
With a summery feeling, this now-aging song is definitely one of the better BEP songs, and a vast improvement over "Don't Phunk With My Heart". Still, "My Humps" is better. I would highly suggest buying their latest album "Monkey Business".
7. Pharell Williams Feat. Gwen Stefani - Can I Have It Like That (3:57) B+
Pharell's latest is really good, with cool music and a fun chorus with help from Ms. Gwen Stefani. This is somehow her second appearance on the album.
8. Goldfrapp - Ooh La La (3:24) B
I am so confused on why this is so popular. It's nothing compared to the main dance songs out right now. And it's very weird. Alison does have some cool vocals though.
9. Mylo & Miami Sound Machine - Doctor Pressure (3:25) A-
This dangerously catchy cover of Gloria Estefan's "Dr. Beat" and mashup with Mylo's "Drop the Pressure" is definitely THE dance song out right now. This is mainly because Mylo's full-length album "Destroy Rock & Roll" is very popular and pulled in some awards.
10. Bob Sinclair Feat. Gary Nesta Pine - Love Generation (2:55) B+
Nice music. Maybe the vocals are annoying, but the "Bum bum ba-ba bum" in the background is cool.
11. Daddy Yankee - Gasolina (3:13) A
Reggaeton on a NOW album? ASHLEY YOU ROCK!!!!!! This was the #1 party jam of late 2004 and early 2005. It's kind of old now, and I highly doubt a second appearance on Now 63 with "Rompe".
12. Rihanna - Pon De Replay (3:34) B+
Dangerously catchy, and dangerously annoying. But dangerously catchy.
13. Amerie - 1 Thing (3:59) B
AKA the Turkey song ("Gobble gobble gobble"), this is a song that was rejected by Jennifer Lopez, and now I see why. Catchy but horribly irritating.
14. Akon - Bellydancer (Bananza) (3:13) B
Another catchy but annoying song, this time by Akon. A vast improvement over "Lonely", but that wasn't that hard, was it?
15. Mattafix - Big City Life (3:55) B-
Cool band name, but somewhat weird Jamaican song. Please skip to the next song right now.
16. Damian "Jr Gong" Marley - Welcome to Jamrock (3:33) A
Very popular in the US now, and for a reason. This great Marley family addition gives a great contribution to the legend with this awesome reggae classic.
17. Depeche Mode - Precious (4:08) A
The closest to dance music as you're gonna get on NOW 62, but "Precious" is far from bad. This is the first Depeche song I've heard but now I'm hooked. But where's Erasure's "Breathe"? (PSST: Ashley, if you're going to put "Breathe" on NOW 63, please put on the LMC remix of it).
18. U2 - City of Blinding Lights (4:12) A-
This great new U2 song reminds me of "Where the Streets Have No Name". Very well done, but their Now 61 hit was better.
19. Magic Numbers - Love Me Like You (4:49) B+
The music is the only thing good about this song, but this is nice upbeat music.
20. Texas - Getaway (3:12) A+
One of three best songs on the album. Texas almost takes the gold with this one - from the beautiful music to the great vocals, I'm hooked. Easily their best, runner-up being the awesome "Summer Son" on Now 44.
21. Bon Jovi - Have a Nice Day (3:15) A+
Three of three best songs on the album, this time a smashing but generic new Bon Jovi hit. By generic I mean that this song greatly reminds me of previous Bon Jovi hits. That is not a bad thing, though. Ending up NOW 62 with a bang, I am so going to change my rating of this album now. Amazing song.

So, overall, NOW 62 has some boring songs, and it is not nearly as good as NOW 61, but it's a solid album. The second disc is the main reason to buy it - the first disc has quite a few boring 'uns. Overall, the album gets a B+/A-. Just buy it.

After listening to this album (some of the songs several times-hehehe) I have decided that it is a very good tracklist, with a few exceptions. Some of the songs made me cry to stop, but i wont go into details about which ones. I like the front cover, but the colours on the discs were disgusting. They should definitly start using different colours.

Only five good songs:

Ch Check It Out
One Thing
Take Me Out
Cold
Goodies - guilty pleasure

Skip this one. Now 18 is MUCH better.

The 17th 'Now!' disc presents a few problems...namely in the rap area, where three of the songs sound as if they have the same beat...those three songs being Lil' Flips 'Sunshine', J-Kwon's 'You & Me' and Jadakiss's 'Why?', Jada's taking the crown as the better of the three. Those few flops aside, this album does sport 'Lean Back' which is one of the coolest rap songs in a long time, and yes there is Beastie Boys returning to the game with 'Ch-Check it Out' and they do a pretty good job at that. Black Eyed Peas deliver their worst song ever (hate this crap, always have) while Nelly and Jahiem (hysi) deliver a nice smooth r&b/rap track that is sure to please many.

Simpson should be shot, JoJo does better this time around and Ashley, well, she's better then that crap they call her sister but she's still beneath the rest of the pack. Nice additions are the overplayed but still great 'Goodies' and Houston's underplayed 'I Like That' with Nate Dogg and Chingy. Great beat!

As far as the closing rock tracks, Finger Eleven is finally getting some love in the world, but they have put out far better tracks than 'One Thing' so I don't know why everyone went crazy for this song...I mean, it's good but they've done better ('First Time' is a classic example). I like 'Cold' but I hate Crossfade...go figure. I LOVE 'Dare you to Move'! Great song. '1985' is funny, Gretchen's 'Here for the Party' is decent if not a rip-off of her previous hit 'Redneck Woman' (kinda has the same vibe) while Keith Urban makes his first appearance and does okay, not great, just okay.

So that leaves us to the best song on the album, and it's a tie between Akon's 'Locked Up' which never gets old and Franz Ferdinand's 'Take me Out' which is so cool it's cold! This album is worth it for those two tracks alone.

I love this CD! Love it, love it, love it! I will review each song individually:

1. Black Eyed Peas-Let's Get It Started: I like this song, but it's been way overplayed. Rating: B+

2. Terror Squad-Lean Back: I love this song. Great beat and the appearance of Fat Joe is a perfect selection. Rating: A

3. Ciara-Goodies: Petey Pablo was okay, but I don't like Ciara very much. Rating: B-(Without the Petey Pablo part: C-)

4. Houston-I Like That: Good beat and the guest appearances from Cingy and Nate Dogg were good. Rating: B

5. Beastie Boys-Ch-Check It Out: Not as good as their earlier work(what is?), this song is still good 'ol fashioned rap. I particularily enjoy the lyrics. Rating: B+

6. Nelly-My Place: I don't like this song very much. Check out his other single, "Over & Over". This is bad. Rating: B-

7. Lil Flip-Sunshine: Is this even a single? I don't think so. Even if it was, I still wouldn't like it. Rating: C

8. J-Kwon-You & Me: I love this song. You really can't compare this to his other hit, "Tipsy" because they are two very different songs. Anyways, I love this song. Rating: A

9. Jadakiss-Why: This song is bad. Skip over it. Rating: C

10. Akon-Locked Up: Finally, a rapper uses a piano in his song. Just for that(and because I like the song), I'll give it a B+.

11. JoJo-Baby It's You: "Leave(Get Out)" was okay, but this one is inferior. Rating: C-

12. Jessica Simpson-Angels: I admire Jessica's courage. Anyone who tries to make Robbie Williams' classic better must be courageous. Rating: C-

13. Finger Eleven-One Thing: Even though I've heard it a lot, I still like this song. I don't know why. Rating: A

14. Switchfoot-Dare You To Move: Not as good as "Meant To Live", but it's a good song. Rating: B

15. Crossfade-Cold: Finally, we find some genuine rock on this CD. It's kind of a relief from all the rap. Rating: B+

16. Ashlee Simpson-Pieces Of Me: I don't enjoy this song and why would the people at the music company put it in the "rock" category? Rating: C

17. Franz Ferdinand-Take Me Out: This song is really great. Catchy guitars, funk-fuelled beat, and a memorable chorus. Rating: A+

18. Bowling For Soup-1985: I wasn't around in 1985, but I still like this song for what it is: catchy rock/pop. Rating: B+

19. Gretchen Wilson-Here For The Party: I usually don't like country, but this is an OK song. Rating: B

20. Keith Urban-Days Go By: Ewwww. End the CD at Gretchen Wilson's song, do anything, just avoid this. Rating: D

NOW 20 is the worst piece of trailer park trash available presently.It does not get any worse than this.This lousy compilation features eminently forgettable tripe like BLACK EYED PEAS,MISSY ELIOT,BOW WOW(WOOF WOOF),BACKSTREET BOYS,DESTINY'S CHILD PUSSYCAT DOLLS,CIARA and KELLY CLARKSON.You will instantly lose your credibility by being seen buying this trash.Get the best of FOGHAT instead.

'Now! 20' is a pretty decent collection of current hits we all can enjoy. This of course is subject to a few exceptions, Dem Franchise Boys being one of them, but fellow rappers Ludacris, Bow Wow & Missy Elliot more than pick up the slack with their contributions, and while Ciara doesn't have a track to her name she lends her talents to both Missy's opening smash 'Lose Control' and Bow Wow's 'Like You', two of the best songs on the album. Black Eyed Peas also lend a bit in the rap department, and while 'Don't Phunk With my Heart' got tiring after hearing it every five minutes on the radio, it's still a decent song and worth a listen to every once in a while.

Rihanna makes her debut with 'Pon De Replay' which is still not a very good song, but there is a not very good song here that eventually grows on you, and that's 'Don't Cha' which irritated the fire out of me the first time I heard it, but now makes me sing along in embarasment and amusment.

Destiny's Child really needs to hang it up, since 'Cater 2 U' is boring as crap. Lyfe is great, love the song, love his album, he's just awesome, and his new song is great too. Natasha, brother to David, is also great. Love her style and voice and creative effort on her album, this song in general too. DHT gives us palatable techno/pop with their cover of 'Listen to Your Heart' while Keith Urban steps back in time a bit to give us an oldie but a goodie, actually 'You'll Think of Me' was the first song I heard from the Aussie and I loved it so much I bought everything I could by this guy.

Now for the rock set, I saved a special group for this...The Backstreet Boys. WHAT THE F#$%! They think their rock stars now huh. This song is rediculous. They need to just accept the fact that they're over, washed up, no one likes them! Now Click Five, Franz, Weezer, Coldplay, Lifehouse...we can all live with this, and thank god for Fall Out Boy. Amazing song, amazing video, amazing band! Oh yeah, and I want to make special mention of Kelly Clarkson for proving that American Idol is not a curse. She's freaking awesome and I admitt no shame in saying that. LOVE HER!

All the hits are RIGHT HERE on one album. It doesn't get any better than this. Thank goodness for these "Now" albums. Hip hop, dance, pop, and teen queens are right here!

Now, I know a couple of people are going to counter this review. Go ahead. I dare you. See what happens.

It's practically tradition that I present the first American review of the UK NOW series. But truthfully there's not a lot to get excited about on this one.

Here's the tracklisting:

Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Rachel Stevens - Some Girls
2. Shapeshifters - Lola's Theme
- These first to tracks entered at #2 & #1 respectively on last week's UK singles chart. "Some Girls" is a very catchy pop tune, and "Lola's Theme" is a huge dance track.
3. Anastacia - Left Outside Alone
--- When, oh when will American radio pick up on this homegrown talent? This is one of the best tracks of the year. Half Evanescence, half Bonnie Raitt. 100% talent.
4. Kelis - Trick Me
-- Mediocre "Milkshake" follow-up
5. Jamelia - See It In A Boy's Eyes
6. Eamon - F**k It (I Don't Want You Back)
7. Frankee - F.U.R.B. (F U Right Back)
-- Bleeped versions of the dirty ditty and it's response record.
8. Christina Milian -Dip It Low
9. Outkast - Hey Ya!
-- Great track, sure, but approaching a year old.
10. The Black Eyed Peas - Hey Mama
--- 4th and least successful single from the album
11. Scissor Sisters - Laura
-- Huge album in the UK for this act, just starting in the States.
12. George Michael - Flawless (Go To The City)
-- Remember when George Michael had hit after hit? Well, this sounds just like that era.
13. Narcotic Thrust - I Like It
14. Beverley Knight - Come As You Are
15. Joss Stone - Super Duper Love
-- Yeah, i'm diggin' on her.
16. Keane - Everybody's Changing
-- Imagine Radiohead or Coldplay with the guitars removed.
17. Franz Ferdinand - Matinee
-- May be the best new UK act of the year.
18. Razorlight - Golden Touch
19. The Rasmus - In The Shadows
-- Just a great mid-tempo rocker with a great hook.
20. Gladiator Feat Izzy - Now We Are Free

Disc: 2
1. Britney Spears - Everytime
-- Sweetest thing Britney's ever done.
2. Kylie Minogue - Chocolate
3. Girls Aloud - The Show
4. McFly - Five Colours In Her Hair
-- Boy band #1
5. Sugababes - In The Middle
6. Busted - Air Hostess
-- Boy band #2. I can't tell 'em apart.
7. O-Zone - Dragostea Din Tei
-- Bizzarre Romanian folk tune with not a speck of English. Yet after a couple of listens, you'll be singing along. "By ya he. By ya ha. By ya he. By ya ha ha."
8. Blue - Bubblin'
9. V - Blood Sweat And Tears
10. 2 Play Feat. Raghav & Naila Boss - It Can't Be Right
11. Nina Sky feat Jabba - Move Ya Body
12. Fatman Scoop Feat The Crooklyn Clan - It Takes Scoop
13. Kanye West - Through The Wire
14. N.E.R.D - Maybe
-- 3 US dance/rap acts in a row.
15. Estelle - 1980
16. Jay Sean Feat The Rishi Rich Project - Eyes On You
17. VS - Call U Sexy
18. Joe - Ride Wit U
19. Gabrielle - Stay The Same
20. Ronan Keating & LeAnn Rimes - Last Thing On My Mind
-- or as it's listed in the States "LeAnn Rimes (with Ronan Keating)"
21. Kristian Leontiou - Story Of My Life
22. Atomic Kitten - Someone Like Me

Too much filler for me, but maybe you'll be interested.

Most Now... Compilations are worth four stars... I was hoping this could be a five-star album, but this one was no exception...

Like all Now... Compilations, this one is presented in two discs, with the biggest hits and top chart hits. Notice it includes the biggest and most popular, so depending on what music taste you have, some of the songs that you like, may not be on here.

The first disc does start off with three excellent songs, though. Rachel Stevens - "Some Girls", Shapeshifters - "Lola's Theme" and Anastacia - "Left Outside Alone", which is one of the best on the whole two discs! The next track is Kelis - "Trick Me", another good song. Jamelia - "See It In A Boy's Eyes" is next. This is a good song, but not as good as her previous hits. Eamon and Frankee are up next with hits "F**k It (I Don't Want You Back)" and "F.U.R.B (F U Right Back)" respectively. These are more great songs that hit #1! Christina Milian - "Dip It Low" and Outkast - "Hey Ya!" are next. These songs are definately highlights. The Black Eyed Peas - "Hey Mama" is next followed by Scirror Sisters - "Laura" which are arguably two of the best songs on the disc.

George Michael is up next with "Flawless (Go To The City)" but I did not really care for this song that much. This dip does not last for long, as the next four songs are great! They are Narcotic Trust - "I Like It", Beverley Knight - "Come As You Are", Joss Stone - "Super Duper Love" and finally Keane's smash hit "Everybody's Changing". These songs are great! Franz Ferdinand - "Matinee" is alright but Razorlight - "Golden Touch" picks things up again. The Rasmus - "In The Shadows" and Gladiator feat. Izzy - "Now We Are Free" end Disc One nicely.

The second disc begins with seven brilliant songs! The seven begin with Britney Spears - "Everytime" which is definately the sweetest thing that Britney has ever done! Kylie Minogue - "Chocolate" and Girls Aloud - "The Show" are next. Very successful boy bands McFly and Busted are included, with "Five Colours In Her Hair" and "Air Hostess". The other two are Sugababes - "In The Middle" and O-Zone - "Dragostea Din Tei" better known as Mi Ah Hi. Blue and V score a goal with their songs "Bubblin'" and "Blood, Sweat And Tears", respectively. 2 Play Feat. Raghav & Naila Boss - "It Can't Be Right" is up next, which is another good song. Nina Sky Feat. Jabba is next with "Move Ya Body", a great, popular song! Other songs featured on Disc Two that I liked were Fatman Scoop Feat. The Crooklyn Clan - "It Takes Scoop", Kanye West - "Through The Wire", Gabrielle - "Stay The Same", Ronan Keating & LeAnn Rimes - "Last Thing On My Mind" and Atomic Kitten - "Someone Like Me", even though this song was so short. I did not really care much for the other six.

Overall, this Now... Compilation deserves its four stars, though some of the tracks are complete throw-away tracks. (Sorry)

How many good songs? 34 out of 42

If you have been collecting Now... Compilations for awhile, and have many others, I'd reccommend you buy this. This is definately one of the best Now... Compilations ever released!