Welcome to…
…Hosted by Vinyl Connection
“If You Could Only See” the reasons I own this CD.
Nobody buys a CD like Hit Zone 4 and likes every single track. Stuff like this was popular because it gave kids an easy way to get a bunch of one hit wonders from the rock and pop genres without buying the albums. There were also big names on board. CDs like this were always on the charts, year ’round. Today, kids just go to Youtube or Spotify. But even a curmudgeon like me can find a few songs here to enjoy.
In particular, I bought this CD for a rare non-album version of “If You Could Only See” by the underrated Tonic. This was their big hit, and the version on Hit Zone 4 is an alternate recording with a slightly new arrangement. The liner notes lie and say it’s from their album Lemon Parade; this is obviously false. In fact there’s no obvious way to tell it’s a unique version without listening to it.
What else is good? “All Around the World” by Oasis (from 1997’s Be Here Now) is one of their more Beatles-worshipping moments. Here it’s in the form of a radio edit (4:50). I’ve never felt “All Around the World” was one of Oasis’ best tracks, and it works better in the context of its grandly overblown album. However, “All Around the World” is like freaking gold, compared to Boyz II Men….
Other decent music: I have a soft spot for Chantal Kreviazuk’s ballad “Surrounded”. Jann Arden too, and “The Sound Of” is one of her very best tracks. I’ve seen Jann live, and she did a fantastic show with stories and jokes and unforgettable songs. Then there’s fellow Canuck Bryan Adams, with his excellent acoustic rocker “Back To You”, from his Unplugged album. Few Adams albums from the 90s on are worth a full listen. Unplugged is. “Back To You” was the “new” track used as a single. It’s bright and alive in a way that Adams’ later music is not. Fiona Apple’s dusky “Criminal” is classic, of course. Finally, who doesn’t still love The Mighty Mighty Bosstones “The Impression That I Get”? They were one band that truly deserved their hit. They’d been at it for so long, and this song is really just that one perfect tune for the right time.
Unless you were a kid in the 90s, you’ll find yourself skipping over ‘N Sync, Backstreet Boys, All Saints, Robyn, and even Hanson. Young Hanson can be tough to listen to. I mean, they were kids, making music that kids liked. It couldn’t really be helped. I also find myself breezing past Mase, The Verve Pipe and Imani Coppola. One hit wonders, right? Shawn Colvin’s OK, but Boyz II Men can fuck right off. “4 Seasons of Loneliness”? Maybe because you guys are all wearing matching sweaters. You can’t win friends with sweaters.
Hit Zone 4 is the kind of thing you buy in a bargain bin if you find it for $1.99. These were once front racked at the old Record Store for $16.99 because they had so many hits from the late 90s. It really was great value, because really, are you going to listen to Imani Coppola’s whole CD? Be honest!
2.5/5 stars
Good point about ‘All Around the World’ as part of Be Here Now. These albums are such a mish-mash, aren’t they?
LikeLiked by 2 people
They really are, this one very much so. I’m wondering if I will be doing my Elmo (Sesame Street) also featuring the Bosstones and some guy from the same town named Steven Tyler.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember buying a few of these for those exclusive tracks. I like Oasis and Tonic too. I think I only have Lemon Parade.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have an Oasis post coming up, stay tuned.
LikeLike
Seems like I have Sugar instead. I could have sworn I have Lemon Parade too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sugar is the better album!
LikeLike
Imani Coppola! I mind her… she had some great stuff… Even signed with Ipecac a good while back, though I’m not sure how the album sounded.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But you wouldn’t listen to the Cowgirl all the way through wouldya? For pleasure?
LikeLike
I’m guessing not, cause I didn’t do much as hit up YouTube. I still might, though. May even hit up Amazon for the CD… I dare say that’s the kinda thing I could find for 1p (with £1.26 postage).
LikeLiked by 1 person
The price is right!
This exercise has reminded me how much I loved the Bosstones track. Now I’ll be tracking down some Bosstones vinyl. Turns out they put bonus tracks on the LPs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yas! LP bonus tracks!
LikeLike
A 2.5 is a pretty fair rating as the album doesn’t really get good until track 8. That thing reminds of the NOW series that has been going for years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it was really in the same vein. Now! was very popular. I think that was based on a UK series called Now That’s What I Call Music!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Boyz II Men can fuck right off. “4 Seasons of Loneliness”? Maybe because you guys are all wearing matching sweaters. You can’t win friends with sweaters’
I love you Mike.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right back at you, you might be 1537 but to me you’re #1.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You guys should get matching sweaters.
It’s all the rage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps with the saying “I (picture of heart) Cassettes!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You buy it and I’ll wear it publicly dude!
LikeLike
Good point about Hansen. My eldest was into them when he was 9 but not much after that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think they’re talented guys but I can’t listen to their stuff from when they were really young.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me neither, I had to smile and endure when he wanted me to play it on the car stereo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the title just needs an S in front.
LikeLiked by 2 people
BWAHAHAH
LikeLiked by 1 person
I take it you didn’t like the Boys to Men cut.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah! Is it too obvious?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I try to keep it positive but just the name of the band kinda sets the tone. I will admit right now that I have never knowingly heard that band.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to take a bullet for readers. I listen so you don’t have to :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I had this? Maybe not. Cover sure looks familiar though. Cut the first 7 songs and it’s not bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Side one and side two would work on a CD like this.
LikeLike
Man! I loved that Boston’s tune but it really doesn’t seem like it belongs on this mix does it? But do any of the tunes belong? I guess that’s the real question…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah they really don’t belong together. It’s not something that’s enjoyed as a start to finish listen. Not unless you’re working in a record store trying to sell some.
LikeLike
From Oasis to the end, that’s not too shabby for a compilation titled hit zone 4, with BA/Chantal/Fiona being my favourites, along with the MMB closer.
I hate to be a stickler Mike, but I believe ‘Mase’ is actually ‘Ma$e’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall make the edit Geoff, thanks! I hope he too has a Greate$t Hit$.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to give Ma$e credit – after being ‘bad boyz for life’ with Puff Daddy, he went on to be…wait for it…a preacher!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see this CD at work all the time. I had no idea the Tonic was a rare version! I’ll keep my eyes peeled, ‘cos I’d get it cheap and for one song, it’d have to be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unless it’s on some Tonic single, but I have a few and have yet to encounter it! Wherever it’s from, this is the only place I own it. (Same with the Oasis edit.)
LikeLike
Thanks for the pro tip!
LikeLiked by 1 person