Various Artists - 2001 Grammy Pop Nominees (17 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

Save your money and listen to the radio

Jesse | 02/23/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Should have called this "Best of Bubblegum 2001". Do we really need more Bye Bye Bye or What A Girl Wants? There are a few respectable tracks (Aimee Mann, U2, Beck, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan) but where are Shelby Lynne, Bela Fleck, North Mississippi Allstars, Dolly Parton and Steve Earle? There were some great artists nominated that you DON'T hear on the radio 50 times a day. Would've been nice to give them some exposure."

A Good Collection & Nice Mix

Brian Glass | Zanesville, OH United States | 04/08/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been looking at the Grammy series for a few years but have never been able to bring myself to purchase one. They always seemed to be just a bit to short on interesting songs. I was browsing in the record store the other day though and happened to spot this one. There were several groups I had heard alot about but hadn't been able to hear (because commercial radio sucks!) so I thought I would buy this CD. So far I haven't been disappointed. The teen pop songs are catchy and while this style isn't my favorite, this album has the best of what's out there (or at least the most played). If you listen to alot of radio though you may be getting tired of these particular songs. I know "What a Girl Wants" is getting a little old. A few years from now though it will be nice to pull this CD out and listen to them again.The more established (i.e. older) acts are just as good. I'm not what you would call a fan of Paul Simon but I love to hear his songs on the radio so it's nice to have one to play on a trip. Then there's "Beautiful Day" by U2, what can you say. It's a great song with wonderful vocals and guitar. I wasn't crazy about thr Radiohead song, I think they're a bit over-rated but again, if you're on a trip this song isn't bad to hear every once in awhile.Thanks to this disc I finally figured out who sang the song "Breathless". I've heard it several times on the radio but DJs never mention who's singing a song so I had no idea it was the Corrs. I was disappointed that "The Real Slim Shady" was so heavily censored but I guess the uncut version would have excluded alot of 'N Sync and Britney fans, so commercially it makes sense.Overall I think if you keep an open mind and want to expose yourself to some music you might not otherwise listen to this isn't a bad disc to start with. It's also a nifty little time capsule of music from the year 2001."

Good but not perfect

Mat7h3w | Mulberry, IN United States | 07/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With any compilation album, you are taking some risks. Much like the editor reviewed, the Grammy Nominees series is a bit classier than some other compilation albums.

You tend to get a slightly higher quality grouping of songs than those found on the NOW or Totally Hits series. This one is no exception. There's some good music here to appeal to a wide variety of people.

The only downside to this album, much like any compilation, is that you have to accept what someone else considers a "hit", deserving to be on the CD.

In my honest opinion, there are a couple of things that would really help compilation albums come out with a bit better quality.

1. Don't use radio edit or edited for content versions of songs. I realise this isn't exactly something considered "family friendly" with some artists, particularly someone like Eminem. Yet, to me, it shows a serious lack of respect for an artist to only releases edited versions of their music. You don't see people selling statues of David wearing pants, why do the same to music?

2. To be considered a true "hit", a song should make it to #1 on the Billboard charts at least once. It should also stay there for more than one week. I've seen a number of compilation albums of so-called "hits", that include songs that never broke the top 20 on Billboard. Just because a song gets a lot of airtime, doesn't necessarily mean it's a good song. Radio tends to seriously overplay a lot of music. That should never be used as a basis in judgeing a song to be a "hit" or a flop.

3. Don't try to appeal to every possible audience at once. Find one demographic and stick with it. True, some people like myself, enjoy a wide variety of music. However, your typical rap fan isn't going to be into teen pop. Just like your typical metal head isn't going to be into soft rock. Trying to include something for everyone tends to water down a compilation album. One general style or type of music should be the focus of any good compilation, and it should stay as true to that one type as possible throughout. Most compilation albums come far from that.

That being said, this is a good CD and one worth picking up. I lost interest in the NOW series after the 7th or 8th one released. I lost interest in the Totally Hits series after the 3rd or 4th one released. The Grammy Nominees series is one that I still see a lot of potential for. It's not perfect, but no compilation album ever will be."

New Millenium Variety

GMac | Anywhere, USA | 01/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Grammy Nominees 2001" was the first Grammy compilation to really break out into diversity (even "1995" was kinda safe). Within seventeen(17) songs; we range from current popular music (Destiny's Child, Eminem), old favorites (Paul Simon, Madonna) and more "aquired tastes" (Beck, Radiohead). The album has a number of weak tracks; but it flows so well that we don't mind them that much. The album covers nominees for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.

(1) Destiny's Child "Say My Name" A. An especially tight R&B track with some inventive and intelligent content. Darkchild's production is very slick and the girls' have very mesmerizing voices. Every second of the song is flowing with a certain pulsating urgent ness, and it represents a huge comeback after the not-so-great "Bug-A-Boo". It's good to hear R&B from a more questioning side verses tragic side.

(2) Macy Gray "I Try" B-. This is a beautifully written song with heartfelt lyrics, made unsucessful by one factor: Macy's voice. Her voice is very weak and not very appealing, thus she detracts from the impact of her work. This song would be much better if someone else sung it.

(3) Madonna "Music" A. Collaborating with Will Orbit was THE best choice Madonna ever made. The beats provide an original and inventive flow for this compelling dance tune about dancing. In an age where dance has become somewhat generic, this is an inventive one with alot of techno influences.

(4) 'N Sync "Bye Bye Bye" A. It's easy to dismiss this as a meaningless pop song; but hey, those songs are often very fun. By keeping a short time length, this manages to be a catchy, refreshing and highly entertaining piece of work. It may not be too much; yet it is total sucess at what it wants to be.

(5) U2 "Beautiful Day" A. This marked U2's comeback after the less than brilliant "Pop" LP. Light, relaxed, touching, almost philosophical song that ranks up there with U2's best (and that's saying something). There's been alot of failed rock music in recent years; U2 come back and shows how it SHOULD be done.

(6) Beck "Sexx Laws" B+. I have no idea what this song is about and, in a way, don't care. As usual Beck has made a catchy, original and highly energized track. The horn arrangments alone are so inventive that they grab the ears' attention. So good to see an artist who does things his way.

(7) Eminem "The Real Slim Shady" A+. Here's an artist who always does his own thing and stands out from the crowd. This is a hands-down brilliant rap song with umapologetic, biting, hilarious lyrics that carry a bold message. There will never be another Eminem, and that's a relief. "The Real Slim Shady" is THE best song of 2000, and the still young millenium.

(8) Radiohead "Optimistic" B. Stands out from over half the music out there in originality, yet seems a little standard for Radiohead. It may feel as if the group is falling behind on their own formula. Not great Radiohead, but still captivating alernative rock with true heart.

(9) Paul Simon "You're The One" B+. Sometimes it's pathetic when old artists try to make new music, but this is a very good pop ballad. Paul Simon sounds just as good as ever and his lyrics are light and very heartfelt. A small little gem.

(10) Steely Dan "Cousin Dupree" C-. No matter how much craft has been put in this song, it still fails because of the content. The very thought of someone trying to make out with his cousin is just unappealing and wrong. Listener's don't want to hear this colassal miscalculation.

(11) Christina Aguilera "What A Girl Wants" B. A light, catchy pop tune that just isn't anything new. It may a little too soft, yet you can't really complain too much when the song so willing to please. An enjoyable listen, even if it's unnessacary.

(12) Aimee Mann "Save Me" A. This is a song for anyone who complains pop music has grown meaningless. A beautiful, deep and powerful song that pierces both the mind and heart. A great pop song, from a great movie ("Magnolia").

(13) Joni Mitchell "Both Sides Now" D. This may quite possibly be the weakest female voice I've ever heard. Her voice has no strength or conviction; feels as if she's just reading the lyrics of a sheet. Everything is also dragged out to the exetent that you'll start falling asleep.

(14) Britney Spears "Oops!...I Did It Again" D+. It may be lively, yet it has absolutley no substance. This isn't a song; it's promotional tool for Britney's image. Never entertaining at any point; the bridge towards the end reveals how laughable the entire thing is. What a mess.

(15) Backstreet Boys "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely" A-. Another example of the BSBs' mastery of the pop ballad. The song is touching. heartfelt and filled with beautiful images. Delivery is a very crucial part of any song; and this song has an graceful one.

(16) Barenaked Ladies "Pinch Me" B+. Lays back just like #5, this one is a bit more specific with content, very easing. It has the ability to bring forth memories and nostalgia; which is a hard feat to accomplish for any type of music.

(17) The Corrs "Breathless" A. A perfect pop tune. Its light, catchy, fun and completely enjoyable. A triumph on both the vocal AND insturmental levels. The song is destined to put a smile on your face and warm your heart with beautiful lyrics and beats.

Bottom Line: ***1/2. This truely is an album with something for EVERYONE. You won't find Paul Simon, 'N Sync and Eminem together on too many albums. I acctually wish that the album had more tracks on it; Marc Anthony, Sisqo, Faith Hill and Papa Roach were all contendors in top categories as well. This is a VERY diverse collection of music at the dawn of the new millenium.

"

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