Now That's What I Call Music!

The fact that most of these compilations contain really terrible songs is just a reflection of what was popular at the time (which in itself is part of the attraction). The first 10 or so releases contained predominantly Top 10 hits, but by the 90s they contained any old tat from the EMI group of the time (EMI-Capitol-Parlophone/Chrysalis-Cooltempo/Virgin-Circa-Ten-Siren etc), including stuff that didn't even chart (e.g. Kerri-Ann 'Do You Love Me Boy' from Now 40). Precisely because the focus had moved away from the massive hits, the compilations from the 90s featured some well-produced stuff that you rarely hear these days - Incognito, Brand New Heavies, Bobby Brown, Hue & Cry, Level 42 etc.

I'm new with this consept. Now... 94 on the listening now. Some uplifting songs (9 out of 42). But. Sorry to say, but most of the tracks race this notion: "Now That's What I Call Boring". Gotta check out if any other of the compilations feels any better.

Ah yes, definetely my favourite compilation album series.
I have all of them, but digital only (these CD were too expensive for me)

Anybody knew other compilation album series other than Now That's What I Call Music?
I know Bravo Hits, but is there another compilation hits series?
If you know, please reply, Thank you.

In the space of a decade or so, the later vinyl Now's (20+) seem to have gone from selling at around £30-80 each to £250+. It's reasonable to assume that the later volumes sold in fewer quantities than the 80s ones, and with the resurgence in vinyl's popularity it seems that the Holy Grail of Now collectors has changed from being Now 4 on CD to becoming Now 35 on vinyl (the final one released on the format in late 1996).

I was fortunate enough to stumble across Now 34 on vinyl in a second hand shop. Being one of my favourites in the series I was tempted to buy it but opted to leave it for someone else to nab. Two weeks later and it was still on display, untouched and less than a tenner. I gave in and bought it, taking it back home to nestle amongst my handful of other Now records, albeit leaving a big gap after volume 22. I doubt that gap will get any smaller.

That was a few months ago, and during lockdown I felt like giving it a whirl on the decks. As a lot of people have pointed out, the number of tracks per inch on these later editions makes for some terrible sound quality. Most records I tend to have playing at a reasonable 6-8 on the volume dial; yet when playing Now 34 even if I could crank it up to 11 I'd still be struggling to get much from the speakers! Cranked up to the max, Now 34 (and I suspect several volumes prior) was adequate at best, although at such magnified volume any slight crackle or pop was like listening to the radio next to a firework display.

I'm thankful I didn't pay through the nose for Now 34, it's a little novelty on my shelf but it's unlikely to be played for pleasure anytime soon (I have the CD version for that plus I don't have to worry about spilling tea on it as they are a couple of quid to replace). So if you are genuinely tempted to pay triple figures for the later Now records, please think again. Are you genuinely interested in buying them to listen to? Even the cassette versions probably sound better, although again that's not immune to extortion (Now 63 on cassette, anyone?). If you've got £250 to spend on a piece of plastic you'll store on a shelf and never play, please reconsider and give the money to an alternative worthy cause. My personal favourites are the WWF and the NSPCC, but yours may vary.