From there, you may wish to lower your standards to try to get anything out of this. Short of a real song, you'll have to settle for any bit of a hook, or any sign of personality. To that end, Snoop Dogg's admonition to "Drop It Like It's Hot" has some novelty appeal. There's no actual song here, but he gets good novelty mileage out of looping some tongue-clucking noises as a surprisingly effective rhythmic base. That's slightly interesting at least.
"Over and Over" by Nelly has a somewhat compelling beat, and a decent basic vocal hook for the chorus, but not much development, and a weak verse. Also, Tim McGraw didn't make much of an impression here. If Nelly really wants some country input, perhaps he should borrow Wammo from the Asylum Street Spankers. It's half listenable, maybe.
From there, it goes downhill fast. I can't remember crap from any of the rest of this litter after half a dozen listens. They sound like test-group focused corporate "pop" and "rock" and "R&B" and "country" song products. I'll just say that Keith Urban makes me long for the good old days when Kenny Rogers ruled.
Also, pop singers of the 70s didn't carry on about how tough fame is. It's rather hard to express how uninterested I am in hearing Lindsay Lohan whining about "Rumors." Hey, maybe if you quit acting like a stupid spoiled whore you wouldn't have all them people talking about you. Also, please invest some of these big entertainment industry bucks you're making into buying a personality.
Finally, special dishonor should be flung like monkey pooh on the Frickin' A cover of "Jessie's Girl." Is a Rick Springfield cover really needed? Not this one, anyway. They did it almost like the original, rather than doing anything original with it. The main difference is that Frickin' A play it a little faster, losing the rock and roll rhythm that was one of the main appeals of the Springfield hit. Basically, they just butchered a perfectly good song.
In short, this album pretty well represents for the sorry state of modern commercial pop radio music. It has minimal in the way of melody compared earlier pop generations. It also represents a marked decline in instrumental skills, much less interesting or unique instrumentation. It mostly pretty much sucks.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'ma get back to my Elvis Costello and Prince records.
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Article comments
1 - Aaman
Loved the review - I reviewed it myself a while back, but nowhere close to your acerbity and insight.
2 - Al Barger
Thank you so much, Aaman. As I was writing this, my DVD of Sgt Pepper's showed up, so I'ma get a good look at some of my generation's prime corporate entertainment product.
3 - Aaman
Just for comparison, here's my review of Now 18
4 - Aaman
Perhaps you started with low expectations
5 - Al Barger
Yes, and thus I was not disappointed. Hey, there were a couple of decent songs- which is approximately two more than I expected.
6 - Karen
k don't you think you're being a bit hard?? maybe its just not you're type of music. it probably wasn't intended for you're age group. A probably 50 year old woman revewing music that is made for 15 year olds? that doesn't seem right.
7 - Al Barger
I may have been slightly harsh, but I'm in favor of standards. I don't accept that something should be given a pass from criticism because it's made for teenagers. Oh, you mean it's made for young idiots who don't have any idea what real music is?
Something might have more appeal to different people other than me, but music is the universal language. If it's good, it transcends a lot of those things. I listen to gospel music, African music, children's music. If it's good, I can appreciate it.
Regarding this Now collection specifically though, I've found myself digging on Destiny Child's "Soldier" song. I will grant that this is a pretty fair piece of pop music.
8 - Keisha
You know, i don't agree with critics. At least these people are out there doing something with their lives and making a living and here comes you guys just trying to put them down. Imagine if someone said the same thing about something you were trying to put out. Oh and dont you think you were being a bit harsh on "O" by Omarion? He just broke off his band and now he's making great music. If people didn't like that song, it wouldn't have been voted viewers choice at the BET awards now would it? to finish, i add what are you doing with your life thats so great that you have the right to hate on what these people are doing?
9 - Eric Stephen
You make yourself look foolish by publishing this. You say people dont know "what real music is". Music is music. Read up the dictionary. It might help you. Im going to have to say your music is completely different from the younger generations and your opinions are dumb.
10 - Temple Stark
>>You know, I don't agree with critics.
Well you've got to agree with some of them. Some like it. Some don't. Some are nueutral. Some wave their hands in the air like they just don't care.
Or do theyB not agree with you?
Criticus conundrumus.
11 - honeybee
they need to stop hating on omarion the song o is good . He's one of the best singers out today. He is doing well for someone who just brokeup with his group some people don't make it as far as he has some people stop singing . You never know he could one day become the next usher and prove all of yall wrong.
12 - Al Barger
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Omarian would have to do a lot better than becoming the next Usher to impress me. That song's just mediocre. It's unfortunate if he's had personal issues this year or whatever. Don't care. I'm not going to force myself to listen to a bunch of dumb crap on that basis.