Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/27/2007
The 24th volume of the
Now series predictably relegates the
rock selections to the closing third of the program, and that sequence predictably includes the likes of
Nickelback (who make their fourth straight appearance, with
"If Eveyone Cared") and
the All-American Rejects (who make their third appearance since
Now, Vol. 21, with
"It Ends Tonight"). Newcomers
DAUGHTRY appear as the less grizzled, more hungry version of the former, while
the Fray's
"How to Save a Life" -- which, at the time of this disc's release, was on the brink of being on the
Billboard Hot 100 for a full year -- is finally part of the series. The first two-thirds of the disc is another shuffled deck, and the fact that none of the headliners is an MC reflects
rap's slide from the top of the singles chart.
Ciara's steamy
"Promise" and
Omarion's frigid
"Ice Box" (which out-
emos any
emo included on past volumes) represent the best
pop-oriented
R&B of the past several years. The real standout, above all, is
Lily Allen's
"Smile," an irresistible kiss-off that would make perfect sense at the top of the charts in the middle of summer. Unfortunately, it peaked before spring thaw.
~Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
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