| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that because we've all heard these songs so many times, it might be easy not to notice the sexism that abounds in some of them. But it's still worth pointing out to your teens.
Greatest-hits compilations are usually terrific fun because, well, the songs are usually hugely popular for a reason. NOW! 15 includes 20 recent mega-hits by artists as diverse as Chingy and Norah Jones, yet manages to achieve a level of tedium that is extraordinary for a "greatest hits" CD.
Part of the problem is the sequencing, which seems haphazard and thoughtless. Part of it is the sameness of over-processed R&B hits, and part of it is an ethos of blatant and tiresome sexism that appears, over and over again, dressed up in different outfits. Low points are "Toxic" by Britney Spears and "With You" by Jessica Simpson, two very pretty women who simply can't sing.
High points are "Feeling This" by blink-182, "Sunrise" by Norah Jones, and "Everything" by Fefe Dobson, with slightly more interesting vocal and musical arrangements. Ludacris, Chingy, and Snoop Dogg provide the usual dose of potty-mouthed humor to keep us all from falling completely asleep. Overall, this is one of the weaker offerings in the series.
Families can talk about why so many popular songs contain such derogatory portrayals of women.
| Artist: | Various Artists |
| Release date: | March 23, 2004 |
| Label: | Capitol |
| Genre: | Compilation |
| Parental advisory: | No |