Now, Vol. 14

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: This is part of Columbia Records "Now That's What I Call Music!" series. Now, Vol. 14 blasts off with perhaps the most exciting song of 2003, Beyonc�'s slamming "Crazy in Love." From such heights there is nowhere to go but down. Still, this 20-track collection of songs that were hits in the middle months of 2003 does have a handful of excellent songs. Justin Timberlake's sultry Latin pop-influenced "Senorita" is another key point in the argument that he really is talented; Liz Phair's "Why Can't I?" is a total Avril ripoff that is a bit unseemly for someone her age, but one can't deny that it's an incredibly hooky song; and Fountains of Wayne's "Stacy's Mom" is an intelligent, fun power pop song that should have been a hit in 1983, not 2003. How did it get to be a hit anyway? Other songs that might not have much shelf life past 2003 but were fun at the time include the tuneless but charming "Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Ooh!)" by Lumidee, which makes use of the seemingly ubiquitous Diwali riddim, Chingy's dorky and charming "Right Thurr," the Ataris' ridiculously earnest cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer," and Baby Bash's naggingly catchy "Suga Suga." Unfortunately most of the disc is made up of generic pop-rap (Murphy Lee, Bow Wow), overcooked R&B (R. Kelly, Ginuwine, Jagged Edge), pop-punk (Good Charlotte), and modern rock (Nickelback and the horrible 3 Doors Down). There was much more to 2003 than this disc lets on. Songs by Snoop Dogg, the Neptunes, Missy Elliott, OutKast, and others put the likes of Black Eyed Peas and Mya to shame. Skip this disc and pick up a disc that truly reflects the excellent year for pop that 2003 was. ~ Tim Sendra Now, Vol. 14 blasts off with perhaps the most exciting song of 2003, Beyonc�'s slamming "Crazy in Love." From such heights there is nowhere to go but down, but this 20-track collection of songs that were hits in the middle months of 2003 still has a handful of excellent songs. Justin Timberlake's sultry Latin pop-influenced "Senorita" is another key point in the argument that he really is talented; Liz Phair's "Why Can't I?" is a total Avril ripoff that is a bit unseemly for someone her age, but one can't deny that it's an incredibly hooky song; and Fountains of Wayne's "Stacy's Mom" is an intelligent, fun power pop song that should have been a hit in 1983, not 2003. How did it get to be a hit anyway? Other songs that might not have much shelf life past 2003 but were fun at the time include the tuneless but charming "Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Ooh!)" by Lumidee, which makes use of the seemingly ubiquitous Diwali riddim, Chingy's dorky and charming "Right Thurr," the Ataris' ridiculously earnest cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer," and Baby Bash's naggingly catchy "Suga Suga." ~ Tim Sendra Like its predecessors, NOW 14 serves as a musical postcard from the pop charts, with this particular installment covering mid-to-late 2003. Not surprisingly, hip-hop makes a big mark, whether it's Jay-Z hooking up with paramour Beyonce Knowles on the Chi-Lites-sampling grandeur of "Crazy in Love" or St. Louis native Chingy dishing out his summer jam "Right Thurr." Justin Timberlake also clocks in a pair of appearances by way of his soulful duet with tourmates Black Eyed Peas on "Where Is the Love?" and a solo turn on the Latin-flavored radio edit of "Senorita." There's no shortage of R&B divas on this compilation either. In addition to Beyonce, Mya relaxes into the beats of the Missy Elliott co-written "My Love Is Like�Wo," Lumidee sings over the percussion-soaked "Never Leave You (Uh-Ooh, Uh -Ooh)," and Stacie Orrico croons her way over the harmony-tweaked "More to Life (There's Gotta Be)." As for rock fans, Fountains of Wayne offers up Beatlesque hooks and harmonies on "Stacy's Mom," alt-rock goddess Liz Phair serves up a sugary sweet "Why Can't I," and the Ataris give a pop-punk treatment to Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer."

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25