Introduced in June 1999, the TOTALLY HITS series is a highly successful joint venture with BMG that has sold over 10 million units to date! The latest installment in the ongoing and perennially popular all-smash compilatio... more »ns series brings together a timely collection of all the hits that are currently topping the charts. Pulling together the best of the best, and featuring the must-have versions, it?s an ear-candy orgy that?s second to none. This edition, hot off the presses, features Mario, Alicia Keys, Ryan Cabrera, and Fabolous just to name a few. Fresh and fabulous, the hits just keep on coming!« less
Introduced in June 1999, the TOTALLY HITS series is a highly successful joint venture with BMG that has sold over 10 million units to date! The latest installment in the ongoing and perennially popular all-smash compilations series brings together a timely collection of all the hits that are currently topping the charts. Pulling together the best of the best, and featuring the must-have versions, it?s an ear-candy orgy that?s second to none. This edition, hot off the presses, features Mario, Alicia Keys, Ryan Cabrera, and Fabolous just to name a few. Fresh and fabulous, the hits just keep on coming!
"The new edition comes with four #1 songs, which include AMERICAN IDOL #1 Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be," Mario's "Let Me Love You," and Ciara's "1, 2 Step" featuring Missy Elliot. Also on the CD are "Karma" by Alicia Keys, "Truth Is" by AMERICAN IDOL contestant Fantasia, and "Nobody's Home" by Avril Lavigne.
Since this album focuses on "hits," on which charts are they considered "hits"? In researching some of the unfamiliar songs, some show up in the top 20 of lesser known or unknown charts.
Two adults and one 11-year-old listened to the music as we all have different tastes. We agree that the collection is geared towards tweens and teens. The adults liked a few of the songs and the rest weren't their style of music.
The compilation consists of mostly rap and R&B with a couple from the adult contemporary group. It might've been a better move to stick to one genre as many listeners might not necessarily like all of the genres on a CD. The kid reviewer wasn't a fan of the adult contemporary while the adults were, but she liked the rap and R&B songs. The adults weren't into some of the rap and R&B music. People buy albums because they like most of the songs on it. If they only like half, then it may not attract as many buyers.
The 11-year-old reports that nine of the 20 songs are the winners. Most tweens and teens in the Dallas area listen to a station where most of these songs usually play. The others aren't as known and people will be less tempted to buy. Not many adults are likely to appreciate this group, but the music attracts many kids from ages 10 to 18."
Sorry, but this is another flop
Person | across the street | 05/17/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"NOW and Totally Hits have both been competetors of biannual (or sometimes triannual) complications. It seems in the beginning, Totally Hits had a strong lead above NOW, but then Totally Hits started to flat out, offering more flops and songs that people have never heard of. Maybe with this issue, Totally Hits will start to get back-on-track and getting more satisfaction of what NOW used to offer (Now 17 & 18 were complete flops).
The CD offers four #1 songs (I'm talking about radio top 40, not the Hot 100), "Since U Been Gone", "Let Me Love You", "I Don't Want To Be", and "1, 2 Step". To back up the CD, there are three that made the top 10, and six that made the radio top 40 at all. All together, that is only 13 songs.
The other 7 were complete flops. Though, "Truth Is" is backed up by the R&B charts, that doesn't match up to the CD of any sort. "Charlene" could have been added to an earlier disc, as it was a hit way back in the fall of 2004. "Charlene" was also backed up by R&B charts. "Bring Em' Out" was very minor on the top 40 charts, however, once again, it was backed up by other charts. It would be better if the CD sticked to one genre. When your make a "mixed bag" complication, add songs that people who are buying this know.
"Tempted To Touch" and "So Much More" were minor to say the least. "So Much More" and "Turn Da Lights Off" were basically non-existant and "Tempted To Touch" in the Top 60.
It also wouldn't be too bad if these complications were so predictable. Adding artists that weren't on this complication before such as Green Day, Natalie, The Killers, and Usher would be nice.
Maybe I'm right, but maybe I'm wrong, but I think Totally Hits 2005 flopped with 65% of songs in the Top 40, and Now 18 had a 75% rate. Most of the songs on the CD were good, but if they aren't hits then why are they on this CD?
Replay Value: Medium
Child Appeal: Low
Teen Appeal: High
Adult Appeal: Low"
It was okay
M. Lemon | 11/25/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"1. Since U Been Gone: 5/5
2. I Don't Want To Be: 5/5
3. Let Me Love You: 3/5
4. 1, 2 Step: 4/5
5. Karma: 5/5
6. So Much More: 1/5
7. Some Cut: 5/5 (sidenote: the only good song trilville has)
8. Bring EM Out: 4/5
9. Breathe: 5/5
10. Truth Is: 4/5
11. Sunday Morning: 4/5
12. True: 2/5
13. Nobody's Home: 5/5
14. Shut Up: 1/5
15. Let's Go: 1/5
16. I'm A Hustla: 1/5
17. Tempted To Touch: 1/5
18. When It Comes: 3/5
19. Charlene: 4/5
20. Turn Da Lights Off: 5/5
It was okay a few bumpy roads but overall it's was pretty good. Buy it on sale."
Totally Hits 2005; Or Atleast The 1st Half Of It
GMac | Anywhere, USA | 09/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Totally Hits 2005" does live up to the first promise of it's title: the album is abundant with hits. But the album came out in May 2005; thus many of the songs come from the end of 2004. This is a minor quibble thought, because the disc is a very solid sampler of today's music scene; with a large focus on urban sounds, yet that makes sense when you consider that in late 2004, 75% of the Billboard Hot 100 was rap/hip-hop. That's not to say the pop and rock songs included are bad; they just don't have the force of the dominance of R&B and Rap. Many "Totally Hits" regulars return on this disc, including two American Idol winners (Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia). Without further ado; the breakdown:
(1) Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone" A-. Kelly has taken everything "Thankful" (2003) stumbled with a refined it for her sophmore disc. This second single is a rocking track vibrating with true passion and conviction. The insturmentals lend much energy to the track (courtesy of super-producer John Shanks), as they lace the meaningful lyrics. We've heard this kind of stuff before, but ussually not this well. Kelly Clarkson was the 1st American Idol, and is by far the best.
(2) Gavin DeGraw "I Don't Want To Be" B+. Ever since John Mayer hit it big in 2002; the labels have been digging up all the male vocalists they can find. Gavin DeGraw is not in the same leauge as Mayer or even, his direct competitor, Ryan Cabrera; and his voice is borrowed heavily from Maroon 5. The writing on this track, however, is very effective with a simple, yet striking message. His voice and the lyrics make the song work far better than it should.
(3) Mario "Let Me Love You" A. In the current trend including "My Boo" and "Used To Love U", this is another addition which combines traditional and contemporary R&B to create a unique sound. Mario's best asset is that he sings this with true conviction and feeling: we really do belive the lyrics which he is singing. A certain beauty present throughout the song, that makes us realize how much love and skill have been worked in. This is one of 2005's best songs.
(4) Ciara feat. Missy Elliot "1, 2 Step" A+. It is vey easy to just dismiss this as dance/rap junk, but you have to look closer to see the talent that has been poured into it. Ciara has lyrics and a voice that are downright mesmerizing; no matter what she's saying, you're hooked. Missy Elliot shines as well, but the real victory is achived from Jazze Pha's kinetic, energy injected beats. This is one of those songs, like "Family Affair" and "Crazy In Love", where everything just falls into place and works. Surprisingly, this is THE Best song of 2005.
(5) Alicia Keys "Karma" A-. The intention of "The Diary Of Alicia Keys" (2003) was to have the feel of diary enteries; something that "Karma" achives admirably. When she belts out her lyrics, there is a cetain sense of truth carried beneath them. This song has been made with passion, fire and conviction, and strikes the same consistant tone throughout. Also notice how "You Don't Know My Name", "If I Ain't Got You" and "Karma" follow the sequential progress of a relationship.
(6) Fat Joe "So Much More" B-. For starters, this is nowhere near as good as his breakout hit "What's Luv?" (2002). The lyrics are simple and standard, while the beats never really find a pleasing flow. Yet, the song still works because of Fat Joe's voice and, more importantly, his charisma. It's a pretty forgettable song, but fun because of Fat Joe.
(7) Trillville feat. Cutty "Some Cut" C-. Crunk music was good idea to begin with, but has become damaged throught bad songs like this one. Everything here is just plain, average and boring. The lyrics and beats are unsatisfiing and dissapointing, and (unlike Fat Joe) Trillville does not come across as likeable. In fact, they inspire no emotions what so ever. This is what rap music doesn't need.
(8) T.I. "Bring Em Out" B. It may be standard writing, but Swiss Beatz creates an intense, pounding beat, while T.I. has true joy in fun in delivering his rhymes. Although it doesn't offer anything new, the song is incredibly catchy, cool and most of very fun. This serves as a nice reminder that rap/hip-hop doesn't have to be dark and offensive.
(9) Fabolous "Breathe" B. It lacks the depth of his singles off 2003's "Street Dreams", yet there really is something to it. The sampling of Super Tramp's "Crime Of the Century" provides a striking, and quite chilling beat to go along with Fabolous cold lyrics. They may not be his best writing, but there is much impact with them. Not a great moment in hip-hop, just a good one.
(10) Fantasia "Thruth Is" B+. I felt that her 1st single, "I Believe" was an enourmous dissapointment. Fantasia shines here though, as her voice and lyrics work perfectly to tell a heartfelt story of love. Many of the verses, most noteably the bridges, carry heatfelt truth to them. This is some of the best R&B writing you will see this year.
(11) Maroon 5 "Sunday Morning" C+. Maroon 5's blend of rock and R&B was terrific on "Harder To Breathe", "This Love" and "She Will Be Loved", but they stumble here. This single becomes too much R&B and not enough rock; the lyrics are here, but the rock energy of the prevoius songs is missing. That said, in the end we feel as if the song is incomplete.
(12) Ryan Cabrera "True" B-. The idea of the all acoustic approach is nice, and rather sweet when joined with lyrics. But Ryan sounds better when he has a faster beat to work with, as with "On The Way Down" and "40 Kinds Of Saddness". "True" is a well made and well meaning song, that isn't as good as it could have been.
(13) Avril Lavigne "Nobody's Home" A-. Another victory for someone who can not seem to take a wrong step. It's not as powerful as "Complicated" and "I'm With You", but it still has more emotion and depth than half the pop/rock songs out there. If Avril can keep this kind of pace up, she will continue to have a long flourishing career ahead of her.
(14) Simple Plan "Shut Up!" B+. Granted, this doesn't have the depth or power of "Perfect", but it makes no desire to. It is on the other hand, a nice adolesant punk track in tradition of blink-182. The boys have fun with it, and create a rocking single that is impossible to not enjoy.
(15) Trick Daddy feat. Twista & Big D "Let's Go" D. I'm not a very big fan of Trick in general; he comes off as very irritating, but never have I found him as unlistenable as he is here. Nothing about this song works; the lyrics are tiresome and shallow, the beats are almost non-existant, Twista is given nothing to push against, and Lil Jon has produced it with no readeamable qualities. This is one of the year's worst songs.
(16) Cassidy "I'm A Hustla" B. Cassidy is a solid rapper with out being exceptional. It's pretty funny to hear him rap about the various types of hustlin', and he does it with much enthusiasm set to a catchy beat. But picture what the song could have been if it had a bit more vision and scope. It's servicable, but not exactly filling.
(17) Rupee "Tempted To Touch" A-. Following in the footsteps of Kevin Lyttle & Spragga Benz' "Turn Me On"; we have another light, catchy, dance song with reggae influences. This works as well as it does for the same reasons that "Turn Me On" worked: it's light, filled with energy and fun. It's no masterpiece, but it's good harmless fun all in the same.
(18) Tyler Hilton "When It Comes" B. I have no idea why they tryed to market this as country; it's adult-contemorary-pop. That aside, this is a decent single with some nice writing and lyrics; yet it doesn't offer anything new to it's already packed genre. It's a touching song that just plays it a little too safe.
(19) Anthony Hamilton "Charlene" A-. Another beautifully crafted old fashioned R&B tune from Anthony Hamilton. It's interesting the way he focuses so little on beats; allowing his striking voice to reach full impact. His voice is good, but the lyrics that sings work the best because they are heartfelt and sung with total conviction. This is a real treasure.
(20) Tweet feat. Missy Elliot "Turn Da Lights Off" D+. Same artists and producer of the higly enjoyable "Oops! (Oh My)"; maybe they'll have the same touch?. Not at all. This is all a joyless, weak, pointless follow up with no memorable lyrics or beats. A total waste of the talents involved in it. It's a shame to think that in almost three years, this was the best Tweet could come up with.
Bottom Line: ***1/2. Despite a few stumbles scattered about, the album works terrificly as a whole. In the end, many very good singles are included, and the disc flows because of them . This isn't great like "NOW 19", but it's still a very worthy choice, and one of the best in the "Totally Hits" series.
"
OK . . .
M. McCarty | Evergreen, CO | 11/10/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD for my ten year old neice. It's perfect for her because it includes a lot of popular music that makes her feel grown up. Yes it's perfect, if you're ten. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone over the age of 15 just because it's all the music that's already overplayed on the radio. But for my neice, it was just right."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
