Search - Various :: NOW That's What I Call Music 29

A step up from Now 28

Philip Masiakowski | Milwaukee, WI USA | 11/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been collecting the Now albums since Now first came out in the U.S. in...was it 1998? Personally, I don't listen to the radio, especially "pop" stations, so I use the Now series to catch up on where pop music is at through the years. As a result, most of these songs are new to me when I put these CDs in the player. (As opposed to the rest of humanity, who complains that these songs are "overplayed" by the time a new Now comes out.)



In recent years, I have felt that there has been a decline in the quality of Now albums. I enjoyed Now 24 and Now 27, but Now 25, 26, and especially 28 just didn't live up for me. While some Now fans (particularly Leona Lewis and John Mayer fans) were okay with Now 28, I think many would agree with me when I say that I look at Now 28 as somewhat of a low point in the Now series.



That being said, the Now series has resurrected itself in the last week with the release of Now 29 and The Best of Now. (I won't cover the latter in this review, but check it out--especially since the Now series has missed some good hits that made it to The Best of Now.)



Now 29 gets kudos from me for choosing three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100--the energized, Hollaback Girl--esque "So What" by P!nk; the catchy, dance-influenced "Disturbia" by Rihanna; and the 2008-dominating "Whatever You Like" by T.I.



Several of the other hits are also major ones. I'm pretty sure "When I Grow Up" by the Pussycat Dolls was nominated for some awards this year at the VMAs. "Hot N Cold" is a somewhat successful attempt by Katy Perry to avoid "one-hit wonder" status. And this Now offers its fair share of rap and hip-hop, as well--"Dangerous" by Kardinal Offishall is in my top 5 from this collection; "Got Money" by Lil Wayne & T-Pain, though not one of my favorites, is a decent hit; and "Put On" by Young Jeezy & Kanye West and "The Business" by Yung Berg & Casha are both respectable hits.



I hate myself for it, but I actually am okay with (not in love with!) "One Step at a Time" by Jordin Sparks.



And I am surprised by how much I like "Come On Get Higher" by Matt Nathanson. I am especially surprised by how much I like "I Still Miss You" by Keith Anderson because I really don't like country music.



...That being said, Now 29 does lay a few eggs. "Swing" by Savage & Soulja Boy Tell'em? This song wasn't that successful--and different versions of it have been available for what, 3 years?--so I was surprised by this choice. You might like "Better in Time" by Leona Lewis if you're a big fan of hers, but for a casual fan like me, it doesn't nearly measure up to "Bleeding Love," one of Now 28's few highlights. And please...Now goes with Daughtry and Boys Like Girls again with "What About Now" and "Thunder." This made me sigh.



I would have liked to see Paper Planes by M.I.A. in place of any of the songs mentioned in the previous paragraph. But overall, I still give this a 4 out of 5. My favorite is "Closer" by Ne-Yo.



And I failed to mention a couple other things. "Forever" by Chris Brown is on here, a smart choice despite being somewhat old. "Addicted" by Saving Abel and "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" by Darius Rucker aren't bad either.



And buying this CD unlocks five bonus songs from a special site. (Hopefully you won't have as much problems as I did with the site--be patient. It worked for me on my second run through.) You may be able to see why these five songs didn't make it to the Now album--they're not nearly as bubble-gum pop sounding as some of Now's biggest fans would prefer. But I think this is a great idea by Now, and I admit to being quite fond of "Beating My Heart" by Jon McLaughlin.



If you don't like the Now series--or at least the last 3 or 4 months of pop music--you've already made up your mind that you hate this CD. But if you're a Now fan, I feel this CD doesn't disappoint."

Now Vol.29

Edgar Olivares | New York City, NY USA | 11/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In additon to the twenty tracks already on this album, this is the first volume in the Now series to feature access to five bonus downloads. They're from Brevi, Clique Girlz, Jon McLaughlin, Tyrone Wells and The White Tie Affair. There are many familiar names on this collection but there are a few new ones here as well. Good variety as usual. Here are the chart positions of each track on the Billboard Hot 100.



So What-#1

Hot N Cold-#3(this week)

When I Grow Up-#9

Disturbia-#1

Closer-#7

Forever-#2

Dangerous-#5

Whatever You Like-#1

Got Money-#10

Swing-#45

Put On-#12/#3 R&B

The Business-#33/#6 R&B

One Step At A Time-#17

Better In Time-#11

Thunder-#76

Addicted-#20 (this week)

What About Now-#18

Come On Get Higher-#64

Don't Think I Don't Think About It-#35/#1 Country

I Still Miss You-#48/#2 Country



TT 76:31



Downloads:

Feelin' Myself-Brevi

Smile-Clique Girlz

Beating My Heart-Jon McLaughlin

Candle-White Tie Affair

Sink or Swim-Tyrone Wells"

Gave as a gift!

TK | Illinois | 05/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I ordered this for my niece for xmas but too many swear words in the songs so it had to be put away, I did not realize this when I bought it."