Search - Various Artists :: Totally Hits 2004, Vol. 2

Some different song selections would've helped this cd a lot

ohenrybear | Rochester, NY United States | 10/17/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although the "Totally Hits" cds are never completely inferior to the "NOW" series (although "2002 More Platinum Hits" was pretty bad - I mean come on, they actually had the nerve to include a track by Justin Guarini on that one!!!) Anyways, getting back to my review of their latest release "2004 vol. 2". It does always seem like this series, at least in my humble opinion, come up just a little short on each outing. I think with just a little more careful selection of the songs being put onto each of the volumes, the end product could be so much more profitable for them and enjoyable for the listener! For example, where's Usher? Probably the biggest artist of 2004? His monster hit "Yeah!" possibly has a really good shot at being the #1 song of the year based on the number of weeks it spent at the top of the charts. The song is very old and overplayed by now, but consumers do expect the popular stuff on these compilations and he has appeared on several of the other "T.H." volumes before. If not that track, then why not "Burn" or "Confessions Part II"? Just wondering. I am totally confused on the inclusion of "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Alan/JB? This song is SO ancient it could have been included on "Totally Hits 2003"!!! It was playing on the radio and charting during the summer of '03! If they really had to fill up that last track space with a country track (which I also question that when the song before that was also a country song too), but why not "Hey Good Lookin'" by Jimmy Buffett, etc. which is new and still charting or "When The Sun Goes Down" by Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker? That song is a little bit older but it did go Top 40 and it would have had more wider appeal since it is more country rock with both Kenny but also Uncle Kracker who Pop/Rock fans would recognize from his "Drift Away" and "Follow Me" hits. One case where I would've gone with the older hit instead of the newer one is with the song by Cassidy. His first hit "Hotel" was a big Top 10 song plus it had R Kelly on it who a lot of people like and would recognize. "Get No Better" did not do so well (like not into the Top 40 at all I believe) and I have no idea just who the heck or where Mashonda came from?! In closing, the first half of the cd are all pretty good or recent song choices. Ditto with 12,15,16 & 17. I know why Fantasia is on here because her song went to #1 (?) and somehow she won last season's American Idol (??) but I will never personally think she had the talent for that win and I will never listen to this song on my cd or the radio for that matter. I don't like her voice at all! It will always be skipped or programmed not to play. I was surprised we had Kimberley on here instead of Diana since Diana went almost Top 10 with her hit "Dreams" but "8th World Wonder" didn't even crack Top 40. The Darkness should have been on "Vol. 1" because their song was out before that volume even was! Also like I said before I think if they are going to put some country on here, it should really be kept to one track (and I even like country music!) But I also thought that's what their "Totally Country series was for? The same also goes for the producers over there at the "NOW" cds, though. Check out the track listing for the upcoming NOW 17. Both tracks 19&20 are by country singers!! So there's my offering to you on how I think the cd could have been much better and now you can decide if you want to purchase it the way it really has been made? I just wonder though with BMG and SONY merging if that will mean that sometime in 2005 that different labels will have to be teaming up to make these compilations? Since right now Sony has been contributing on the "NOW"s. It may have to turn into something like NOW: EMI/Capitol/Virgin/Universal/Zomba/Jive and TOTALLY HITS: BMG/Sony/Arista/Warner?"

A Vol. 2 That Got Away

GMac | Anywhere, USA | 10/06/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Totally Hits 2004: Vol. 1" turned out to be one of the better compilations of the year, and left everyone waiting for "Vol. 2". Too bad "Vol. 2" does not live up to the quality of the previous entry. The album is not a total waste (there are a number very nice tracks; best being "Don't Tell Me" and "Scandalous"), but the 2nd half really dips down after the fantastic 1st half. The variety of tracks and genres:

(1) Kevin Lyttle feat Spragga Benz "Turn Me On" A-. A fiesty flair flows in the beats and cathchy lyrics are a total delight. It's not a groundbreaking song; but I don't remember the last time I heard something this light and joyful. This is one of the best dance songs of 2004.

(2) OutKast "Roses" B-. The song is a little too long and doesn't fully represent the group's abilities, yet it still contains alot of style and charm to be entertaining. It should still be heard just to hear the two of them do what they do best: funky and bizarre raps.

(3) Twista "Overnight Celebrity" C+. The material and message have purpose, but never really take it anywhere different or new. Twista's speedy rapping is fun at first, but eventully begins to feel like a gimmick. "Slow Jamz" (w/ Kanye West and Jaime Foxx), which hit #1, would have been a much better track to use.

(4) Alicia Keys "If I Ain't Got You" B+. Another victory from 2001's Best New Artist. Her voice and piano skills make another stylistic and quietly powerful R&B track. Alicia normally is more laid back than her peers, but especially here as she lets her voice shine to it's full potential.

(5) Ryan Cabrera "On The Way Down" A-. His long term career may be questionable, but he fills in the Male Pop area 2004 nicley. A well made, accomplished track that is rather relaxing and packs some emotion. He has more depth and dimension than you would except with his age

(6) Maroon 5 "This Love" B+. More proof that Maroon 5 will be around for a long time. A track that finds a perfect pop and rock balance with a one of a kind voice and style. It really is a unique song; which is more than you can say for half the stuff on this album.

(7) Avril Lavigne "Don't Tell Me" A. The exact quality that we expect from her, the song is powerful, deep and hard hitting. As I've said before, she always find the right tone and words for everything. A very good song.

(8) Mis-teeq "Scandalous" A. A cool, sexy R&B dance hit that took a while to reach America, but was worth the wait. A perfect track for Summer 2004, completely enjoyable from start to finish. It also happens to be the sexiest R&B single since B2K's "Uh Huh".

(9) T.I. "Lets Get Away" C+. It has a nice little flow, and the chorus is fairly catchy; yet the song never really takes off. He's been hailed as "the southern Jay-Z", althought he lacks the lyrical acrobatics and skills of the Brooklyn rapper. Fun, but you expect more from a Jazze Pha production.

(10) Brandy feat. Kanye West "Talk About Our Love" B+. An urban song with intelligence and a clever beat with alot of style. Even Kanye West sounds very cool during his verse. It comes close to the top league of Brandy's best work, like "What About Us?" and "The Boy Is Mine".

(11) Cassidy feat. Mashonda "Get No Better" C. Not a very good rap song, but that's because Cassidy plays everything safe. He needs to find his own tricks and skills to stand out on his own. On another side; "Hotel" (feat. R. Kelly) was the much bigger hit from Cassidy in 2004.

(12) Monica "U Should've Known Betta" B-. A well made R&B track that could just be alot bolder. It's pretty pedestrian, even for Monica. Monica just doesn't impress me that much; not original enough to stand apart from the rest

(13) Fantasia "I Believe" C-. It's an experimental single, not a song which is why it doesn't work. In the end it feels too uncomplete and in need of finalizing. It doesn't help that her voice is pretty weak. No where near the same league as Clay's "Invisible" or Ruben's "Sorry 2004".

(14) Kimberley Locke "8th World Wonder" C. She wasn't even a semifinalist, yet she gets a record deal? Despite the use of some nice "images", the material still seems to be written by the numbers. Not an "American Idol" high point.

(15) Taking Back Sunday "A Decade Under The Influence" C-. The exact type of music that is damaging rock. The title promises so much, yet the song delivers nothing of any relevance. What a huge dissapointment, truly.

(16) Jet "Cold Hard Bitch" C. Just plain standard, average and no where near as fun as "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?". They gotta do better if they plan on hanging around. The group seems to be a "one-trick pony" right now.

(17) Alanis Morissette "Everything" B. It may not have the same impact as her earlier works, but is still a fairly deep female rock track. I don't think she can possibly have the same impact anymore; she was a pioneer vwhen she first started. To think that next year will make 10 years for her!

(18) The Darkness "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" B+. Not as good as "Stacy's Mom", but it still manages to be another nice 80s throwback song. It just feels a little too bizarre for it's own good. Think of The Cars and you'll get the idea.

(19) Big & Rich "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" B. Another entry in the rejuvenation of country music. The sound is very original; like Willie Nelson meets Mick Jagger. It may not have the skill and substance of Keith Urban, but it's a rockin' counrty single with a unique sound.

(20) Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" B-. The song is pretty fun and the two "legends" pull it off very nicely, yet it seems to be a little to safe for music in 2004. A fun listen, but not much more than that.

Botttom Line: **1/2. The album has some high points (like "This Love", "Don't Tell Me" and "Scandalous"), but the 2nd half is a real let down. Maybe the inclusion of differnt tracks could've helped. The album is, in short, a mixed bag of tracks; we have alot of good singles, but alot of forgettable ones as well. It's OK, but not a must have."