Now That's What I Call Music! 31 CD

When this collection's predecessor (NOW 30) was released, Lady Gaga was still a bit of an unknown. NOW 31 captures her as her star rises with the catchy hit "Poker Face." Such is the magic of the NOW series, which strives for a balance of tried and true artists (Britney Spears, Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce) and bankable up-and-comers like the Ting Tings.
When the 31st volume of the Now series was released, 16 of its 20 songs were in the Billboard 100, including eight -- smashes from Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa, Pitbull, Jamie Foxx, Kid Cudi, Beyoncé, P!nk, and 3OH!3 -- that were, at the time, in the Top 20. As usual, more songs than not were slowly waning in popularity, but the disc -- minus the small, obligatory clutch of throw-ins that had either yet to chart or would not chart at all -- mirrors the spring and early summer of 2009 more than any other compilation. Plenty of the usual suspects are here, including Nickelback, Britney Spears, Ne-Yo (none of whom are in top form), and the token contemporary country entry (this time, it's Lady Antebellum). ~ Andy Kellman