If ever a pop album had a fighting chance with an IDS reviewer, it was this album with this reviewer. My tolerance and enjoyment of the pop genre has been a long-standing joke in the newsroom, and when Now That's What I Call Music 5 drifted into the IDS, it immediately found its way into my waiting hands. I tried to play it off like I wasn't that excited to review it, but I was in heaven.
Various Artists
Now That's What I Call Music 5
Capitol Records
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In my mind, I was already writing a glowing review. And only one thing stopped me from loving this album: I listened to it.
Every song on this album has one thing going for it and two strikes against it: While they are all catchy and fun, they are repetitive and overplayed. Taken in small doses, each song, such as Everclear's "Wonderful" and Destiny's Child's "Jumpin' Jumpin'," could be a welcome addition to any party or road trip mix. But apparently, this album was created by a candy-happy DJ who doesn't know when enough is enough. Sure, we all secretly like "It's Gonna be Me" by N'Sync, but there is no need to put it on an album full of songs that sound just like it.
There are a few gems, such as Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." This way, you don't have to buy the whole Crush album just to get that song. But it's the last track on the CD, and even Bon Jovi isn't worth owning an album that actually has Aaron Carter's "Aaron's party (Come Get It.)" For those of you blissfully unaware of who Carter is, he's the little brother of Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys fame. Carter's ridiculous tune reminded me of "At the Playground" by the forgettable Another Bad Creation. As my cousin aptly put it, this song belongs on the Disney Channel and nowhere else.
And then there's SoulDecision's "Faded." Sure, it's fun to car dance to, but it really sounds like a George Michael '80s club flop. And every red-blooded Hoosier hates Jessica Simpson's "I Think I'm In Love With You" with a passion: Don't sample Mellencamp!
I really do wish that I had liked this CD. I like pop, and I think it gets a really bad rap here at the IDS. But this CD is way too much of a good thing. As much as I love Bon and Backstreet, I have two words for this album: Heavy rotation.
