Now Thats How I Sum Up Music 2001! (Now That's What I Call Music! 49)

Member Name: Devil_04

Product:	Now That's What I Call Music! 49
Date:	13/05/02 (469 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good variety, Great Cover, Saves Money

Disadvantages: Has songs you won't like, no matter what you listen to

What a wonderful Double CD Set!

When I got this, I thought it was great, but it doesn't (as no NOW except the Christamas one) have that same buzz around it as NOW 50 did, and so I hadn't looked forward to it as much. Now, 9 months on, it is my favourite NOW easily of 2001.

Disc One is, as usual, the "big pop hits" at the start, then the all round songs that were top 10/20 hits at the end, or that were too cheesy to be higher up the listings. Robbie Williams' "Eternity" is a boring start, and I don't ever listen to it. Gabrielle is give or take for me, you'll have your own thoughts on her. I get into it at track three, "Eternal Flame". You can't beat a cover version! Its catchy. No its not deep. No they didn't write it. But hey - it gets stuck in your head, and is pleasant. So good! Blue are next, with "All Rise", which is good but tires after a while. S Club 7 follow, and its another of my favourites on the album. Happy, upbeat and catchy. Geri's infamous "Its Raining Men" is track six, and its one of my private weaknesses - so catchy!

From here we depart into varied zone for the next ten tracks. Highlights include Hear'Say (who have an actual good song - but its their only good song!), Destiny's Child (pure brilliance in everything!), U2 (good, rock song, radio-friendly) and Britney (depends whether you like her or not). Then we end with Dido mixed with boring, depressing songs. First 16 songs all reasonably good on this Disc.

Disc Two is my favourite, which is unusual for a NOW. The CD is totally varied - from your dance, with the brilliant Fragma's "You Are Alive" and Ian Van Dahl's "Castles In The Sky" being highlights. Gorillaz support the Indie bit here, Mis Teeq take care of catchy garage, Steps once again do a brilliant job with pop ("Here And Now" being brilliant), Janet and Eve covering the R&B
bases, and Eddy Grant up first for good measure!

As with any NOW, you start off with 20 - 30 songs you listen to the first time. By a month you are down to 20 that you know exactly where they are on the Disc. After a year - its down to your final 15 or so you listen to every time. On this one there are 15 - 20, even after nearly a year.

I've said it before, I'll say it again - I think my music taste is eclectic, but favouring Pop definitely. I can listen to anything else (although heavy metal I don't like), but tend to have more pop records than anything else. The album is not for 6 year olds though, just because it is Pop based. More for the 13 years + age group - as anyone can enjoy Steps, Eddy Grant or U2.

If you want a cherry album, with many different styles, and some of the best songs of 2001 that don't tire with age, get this. If you want a more specific genre compliation (eg, Rock, Pop) go for something like Smash Hits, or Reloaded. This CD appeals to all ages and music critics! Increase your music variety!

Two thumbs up!

Summary: