Now That's What I Call Music! 18
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Free Music Notes for Now That's What I Call Music! 18
Free Music Review: Frickin' A Rocks!
Hit: 5 Stars
The only reason I basically bought this was cuz I'm sooooo proud of Frickin' A!!! They r the best band ever! CONGRATS FRICKIN' A...JESSE'S GIRL ROCKS!Free Music Review: now 18
Hit: 5 Stars
I really love this Cd it has a little of everything for everyone and i think its the second best but cant wait 4 now 19Free Music Review: omg you people are crazy
Hit: 5 Stars
I think that all the songs are great.I absolutely LOVE This cd. I think Destinys Child has had a great come back.Free Music Review: Some Chart-Topping Hits, Some Non-Charting Misses
Hit: 4 Stars
This is quite a difficult album to review; the first half contains some of 2005's best singles (so far), the second half has some of the most average ones. Strangley enough, the most exciting and livley tracks are the pop, R&B and rap ones, whereas the rock songs are, in general, the most plain ones. Considering how rap is dominating the charts these days, they should have included some more rap/hip-hop on here. Still, each genre is covered, no matter how unevenly (Keith Urban unfortunetly gets tacked on the end again). Your "20 Chart-Topping Hits":
(1) U2 "Vertigo" A-. Not great U2, but a welcome addition to their impressive, ever growing discography. It captures alot of the techno/dance flair they used on the "Zooropa" LP. Catchy, skilled, passionate and somewhat original; this is definetly worth a listen.
(2) Gwen Stefani "What You Waiting For?" A. Was there any doubt that Gwen Stefani's solo LP would be catchy, vibrant and original? Not at all, and this song fits all that criteria to pefection with her intelligent lyrics and a unique beat. If nothing else this sounds like no other pop music out there.
(3) Lindsay Lohan "Rumors" A. There's been some complaints that Lindsay is "trying to rap too much" on this song: so what if she puts some hip-hop into it? The end result works because it is fiery, fast paced and (to some extent) about something. She shows herself as a talented young artist, and as pop music goes; this is in the same league as the best works by Janet and J. Lo.
(4) Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell "Drop It Like It's Hot" B. Here's a song that is succesful and unsuccesful at the same time. The vocals are interesting, there's a nice flow through out the whole song and it remians highly enjoyable. On the flip side; the writing could be more original and you expect better beats from the Neptunes. Still, the track does have its charms.
(5) Destiny's Child feat. T.I. and Lil Wayne "Soldier" B+. In late 2004, Destiny's Child returned to the music scene, and it top form! Usually known for their stormin' dance numbers; the girls succed in pulling off a cool, catchy hip-hop song. The material isn't blindingly original, but it's so polished that it sounds new. Even T.I. doesn't sound half bad.
(6) Ashanti "Only U" A. This is Ashanti doing what she does best; creating a mesmerizing contemporary R&B tune. The song is captivating from the very first chord, and remaians consistent throughout. While "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" is similar, but this takes the material to a naughtier level and makes it even more engaging. A small treasure.
(7) Chingy "Balla Baby" B. His works are starting to grow little repetitious, but that OK because he still sounds great doing them. The song has no ambition to be deep, and is effective on it's chosen level of a "playful rap". It's a fun, flowing rap that could've been more; just look at "One Call Away".
(8) John Legend "Used To Love U" A-. What a nice balance to have John Legend performing traditional R&B...well kinda traditional. A moderen edge runs beneath everything to give it a retro AND contemporary feel at the same time. Also helpful to the track are the heartfelt lyrics and haunting beat. This is now the best thing Kanye West has been involved in.
(9) Nelly feat. Tim McGraw "Over & Over" A-. No, your eyes are not playing a trick on you: Nelly has collaborated with Tim McGraw. Don't fear thought; the single is touching, heartfelt and has sweet tone to it. It also acomplishes a diffucult feat of appealing to BOTH the rap AND country genres. What a remarkable song, although I would have like to hear more from Tim McGraw.
(10) Frankie J feat. Baby Bash "Obsession (No Es Amor)" A. Both artists have hit new career high points on this mesmerizing, passionate, slick single. Everything just falls into place so perfectly, and a cetain depth is carried throughout. Part R&B, part rap; all terrific entertainment.
(11) Omarion "O" B. Not a phenomenal R&B tune, but a decent one with nice vocal work from Omarion. B2K always had a hip-hop edge to them, but his solo work sheds (most of) that and creates a somewhat touching track. It's a good song without being great.
(12) Howie Day "Collide" C. He follows the same steps as John Mayer and Ryan Cabrera, yet never picks up their talents. The whole song is pleasant enough, but not very original or compelling. We've heard this done better many times before. Too little in the cutting edge music world.
(13) Hoobastank "Disappear" B+. Nowhere near as powerful as "The Reason", but few songs are. That aside, this is a catchy, beautiful rock song that carries some depth. Never has to try to hard as it lets emotion slowly unravel. Hoobastank has cemented themselves as forces in the rock industry.
(14) Chevelle "Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)" D. I think we can offically say that "The Red" was a fluke. THe group has never done anything to equal up to it, and this song is no exception. It's title is so intriging, yet it becomes a huge dissapointment. There's absolutley nothing here; no substance, no style, not even interesting beats.
(15) Three Days Grace "Home" B-. Three Days Grace is one frustrating group; they have true talent, but cant seem to harness it completley. There is some substance here, but it gets muddled and lost throughout the song. I really wish the group would pull it all together.
(16) Lenny Kravitz "Lady" C-. May possibly be the most lackluster thing he's done in his fifteen years. Lyrics are an almost non-existant as the song unwisely leaves everything to the beats which grow redundant in about 30 seconds. What on Earth was Lenny thinking?
(17) Good Charlotte "I Just Wanna Live" B+. The group always seems more pop than rock underneath it all, and it good that they let it show here. Yes, the song isn't really about anything, but it's very catchy and impossible to dislike. This is a fun rock song! Good Charlotte isn't a great group, but there a nice little addition.
(18) Frickin' A "Jessie's Girl" C. A somewhat adequet remake of the 1982 Rick Springfield song. The original wasn't that good to begin with, so there wasn't too much to equal up to. This is OK, but not very memorable; it never charted either. There were better rock songs out there.
(19) Skye Sweetnam "Tangled Up In Me" B. A good pop/rock song that just isn't phenomenal. She seems to be trying to follow Avril Lavigne's footsteps, but doesn't have the depth that Avril has. Could've been more, yet it's still a decent tune.
(20) Keith Urban "You're My Better Half" A. He really deserves better than the last song. Another example of how his vocals and guitar skills are rejuvenating country. The laid back take creates a beautiful and warm-hearted country track. It really does put a smile on your face.
Bottom Line: ***. It's a REALLY close call here, but I recomend the album for all the good tracks on it (which do outnumber the bad ones). Some diffent song selection may have helped; "Beautiful Soul" (Jesse McArtney), "Like Toy Soliders" (Eminem), "My Boo" (Usher and Alicia Keys) and "She Will Be Loved" (Maroon 5) would have made great additions. For now, let's see what else 2005 has in store for music!
Free Music Review: Pretty Good, but The Now People Can Do Better
Hit: 4 Stars
Usually, I go totally crazy over NOW albums, but Now 18 has too many of those songs that you don't care about. There are some classics on here, making the album worth buying. Nows 16 & 17 weren't that great either. It's too bad; there are a lot of good songs that didn't make it on here. Now 19 better have some more classics and less mediocre follow-ups to classics ("Dissapear", "Vitamin R").
1. U2 - Vertigo (3:10) A-
Awesome, classic rock song. U2 is awesome, and this song is no dissapointment for fans and non-fans alike.
2. Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For? (3:37) A-
Awesome beginning! The actual song is pretty good, but the follow-up to the song, "Rich Girl" is a lot better. It had better be on Now 19. Great song with great lyrics and music.
3. Lyndsay Lohan - Rumors (3:08) B+
Kind of annoying, but a lot better compared to most of the other songs on this album. "Over" is a MUCH BETTER SONG by far and if it isn't on Now 19 I'm going to be angry. "Rumors" is pretty good, even though it's totally overplayed on the radio.
4. Snoop Dogg & Pharell - Drop It Like Its Hot (4:28) A
One of the best songs on the album. Just plain classic. Best Snoop song ever. No way to describe it, its just a weird but good song that will be stuck in your head for years.
5. Destiny's Child feat. Lil Wayne & TI - Soldier (4:03) B
What happened? Destiny's Child used to be much better. "Soldier"'s version on the album "Destiny Fulfilled" is longer and better than the radio version. The chorus makes it a classic, but the raps kind of kill it.
6. Ashanti - Only U (3:06) B
Whoa. The riff that echoes throughout the song is incredibly annoying and is a total opposite to Ashanti's voice. The vocals and lyrics make up for the irritating music.
7. Chingy - Balla Baby (3:33) C
Nope. Doesn't cut it. Being one of two rap songs on the album, one being a classic and one being a mediocre follow-up, this is answer B. Chingy used to produce huge classics like "Right Thurr" and "Holidae In" but his new album is nothing to go crazy for. All this song is here for is to teach the world about the meaning of the word "balla".
8. John Legend - Used To Love U (3:29) B-
Decent, but the "holla, holla, holla, holla!" is extremely annoying. Good, though, but not memorable at all.
9. Nelly & Tim McGraw - Over & Over (4:11) B+
Even after the radio butchered the song by playing it "over and over again", the song is still pretty good. Best mix between a rapper and a country artist, a mash-up kind of like Jay-Z and Linkin Park, only quite different (lol). Good song, but I dislike that Nelly is now an R&B artist.
10. Frankie J & Baby Bash - Obsession (3:42) A
One of the best songs on the album, only because its new, catchy, and not butchered yet by the radio. Actually, it has been overplayed, but it's still good.
11. Omarion - O (4:06) B+
Good song (actually MEMORABLE), but the title and chorus stink. "O"? Without the chorus and different title, this song would be A material. Despite O not making sense, the rest of the chorus is catchy, at least. Also, truthfully, I think Omarion is an Usher wannabe, and he's not close yet.
12. Howie Day - Collide (4:06) B-
This song is somewhat irritating. The "doo, doo, doo" is EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND I WISH IT WASN'T IN THE SONG AT ALL! Otherwise, it's just OK.
13. Hoobastank - Dissapear (3:58) B
This song is good, but nothing compared to "Reason". Again, like #11, the chorus stinks! The verses and guitar riffs are great, but the song is ruined by the chorus.
14. Chevelle - Vitamin R (Leading Us Along) (3:42) B
Decent, but compared to Chevelle's earlier songs, this song isn't much. OK, though.
15. Three Days Grace - Home (3:58) B+
Every Three Days Grace song is good, and "Home" is no dissapointment. It's angry rock, like usual. Good song.
16. Lenny Kravitz - Lady (3:40) C
I hate this song. It's mediocre with not-very-good lyrics and annoying guitar playing. Not like Lenny at all; his previous songs have been so good and "Lady" is not at all up to his standards.
17. Good Charlotte - I Just Wanna Live (2:44) A-
Great song. Good Charlotte NEVER dissapoints. The screechy chorus is on purpose and isn't that bad. Definitely worth a listen. The second song on the album about hating publicity, the first being "Rumors".
18. Frickin' A - Jessie's Girl (2:54) A
AWESOME COVER of a good song. I don't see what people dislike about it, because it has great lyrics and vocals. Great new band with a horrible band name.
19. Skye Sweetnam - Tangled Up In Me (2:41) B-
Not very good. Just mediocre. That's about it. Yeah.
20. Keith Urban - You're My Better Half (3:58) A-
Country isn't that bad! Keith Urban is a great singer who always releases good country songs like this and "Days Go By", on Now 17. While I'm confused why the NOW people keep on including country music on pop/rock/rap albums, whatever! Who cares? This song is great. Catchy chorus, good music, and great singing. Nice way to end the album.
Overall, the album gets a B+. No songs that are a real reason to buy the album (like "Ocean Avenue" on Now 16), but there are some great classics on here. There are some mediocre fillers also included, which prevents the album from getting an A. Not the worst NOW, but not the best either. Buy it, only because of some great songs.
Oh, also: where are these songs? (Hopefully they will be on NOW 19...wink wink).
1. JLo: Get Right
2. Gwen Stefani: Rich Girl (and "Hollaback Girl" on NOW 20)
3. Kelly Clarkson: Since U Been Gone
4. Lyndsay Lohan: Over
5. Bowling For Soup: Almost
6. Ciara feat. Missy Elliot: 1,2 Step
7. Ludacris: Get Back
8. Jay-Z & Linkin Park: Numb/Encore
9. 50 Cent: Candy Shop (or "Disco Inferno")
10. Mariah Carey: It's Like That
11. Will Smith: Switch
12. Rob Thomas: Hurt No More
13. Jet: Look What You've Done
14. Green Day: Blvd. of Broken Dreams
15. Jessie McCartney: Beautiful Soul
16. Alicia Keys: Karma
17. Natalie: Goin' Crazy
18. Britney Spears: Do Somethin'
19. Amerie: 1 Thing
20. TI: Bring 'Em Out
Nope, this tracklist will never happen because NOW never has that many good songs.