Not bad, but a bit of a let down... (Now That's What I Call Music! 51)

Member Name: Devil_04

Product:	Now That's What I Call Music! 51
Date:	12/05/02 (650 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good Pop Songs, Nice Layouts, One for Collection

Disadvantages: Fillers, Bad Disc, Good Disc, Too extreme

Now 51 is of course the next step in the UK's major compliation series. It has already done well - shooting to number one on the compliation charts (but then again - which NOW doesn't?!).

Personally, Now 51 is kinda good, kinda bad. The typical start of year NOW disc are generally the worst or medium NOW of the year. End of year NOW's tend to be brilliant, and middle year NOW's mixing with start of year ones. I hope this is the worst one of the year.

CD1 starts off pleasent enough with Enrique's #1 song, "Hero". Its harmless, but no highlight - and kinda disappointing to start with such a slow song following from Kylie's anthem on NOW 50. The first ten tracks flow nicely, with #1's from Daniel Beddingfield, Aaliyah, Robbie & Nicole and S Club 7, all nice, solid pop/r&b songs that deserve a place on this Disc. Thrown in are the credible songs from Blue and R Kelly, plus Britney's song (which is catchy and fun, so glad to have it here), plus Shaggy & Ali G. "Murder On The Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis Bextor is 100% the best song on the album. Catchy, quirky and fun!

The latter part of the Disc loses momentum after Kylie's "In Your Eyes", with just dance hits. "True Love Never Dies" is a highlight out of these. Then we end with cheesy pop - most of it which is nice. Victoria and Geri have two pop songs, good to sing along to. Allstars have a cover of Bucks Fizz in the form of "Land Of Make Believe", and Steps have "Words Are Not Enough" - one of their weaker singles, but still a good effort.

Disc2 I find to be rather boring. I'll go backwards here a little - the last 6 or so songs are forgettable, I can't name you half of them. Totally boring and filler. Back to the start of the disc - we get four rock songs. "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback is the only good pick from this bunch. Puretone follow, then two great songs by C
hristina Milan and Ja Rule f/Ashanti. City High, have a reasonable effort along with Samantha Mumba. Backstreet Boys get tossed in the middle (how does it fit in here?!) but its a nice enough song. Princess Superstar is the other highlight, with her amusing tune.

Overall, Disc One would be a 4/5 disc - full of top pop songs, with some reasonable dance - topped off with a block of Edam Cheese. Disc 2 is more of 2.5/5, with only about 5-6 highlights - too little from around 20 songs. Buy this CD if you are like me and into the NOW series, or if you want the November - March pop hits for your collection - hey it saves buying 15-16 singles.

Otherwise, decide for yourself upon the tracklisting, and your personal taste. I personally think my taste is eclectic, if slightly more pop-based, but this CD is acceptable, but slightly pushing my limits.

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