Various Artists - Now, Vol. 12

Now That's What I Call Music, Vol. 12, as the series is wont, takes 20 of the bigger songs from late 2002/early 2003 and puts them on one album. Because the editions in the Now series come out so quickly (one approximately every four months), a lot of the songs that people may associate with that time period ("Where Is the Love," "In da Club," "Cry Me a River," "Crazy in Love," "Clocks") are not found on Vol. 12, though, have no fear, they are found on other volumes. Most of the music here dominated the radio charts in the early 2000s -- meaning it's in the pop/r&b/rap realm (B2K featuring P. Diddy's "Bump, Bump, Bump," Aaliyah's "Miss You," JC Chasez's "Blowin' Me Up [With Her Love]," Nelly's "Air Force Ones"), but there are some forays into post-grunge adult alternative (3 Doors Down's "When I'm Gone," Saliva's "Always"), dance-pop (Télépopmusik's "Breathe"), and contemporary country (Keith Urban's "Somebody Like You"), all which fall at the end of the album. It's what you would expect and nothing more, but if you're craving popular songs from this particular quarter-year, Now, Vol. 12 should suit those needs well. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide

Name Credits Clipse Rap R. Kelly Producer, Arranger