Now 26

If you've had the sinking feeling that you somehow overlooked the best songs of 2007, fret not: You can catch up in a flash with Now 26, the latest installment of the Now That's What I Call Music! series.

There are no surprises here -- the folks at Now continue following the formula that has worked exceedingly well for them since 1998. Using the same model that had succeeded for 15 years in the U.K, they began bringing together some of the hottest hits on one stellar disc. That has helped build an empire that seemingly can't fail, and with Now 26, they again show why it works so well.

The first half of the disc gives a nod to hip-hop, R&B and rap, starting out with this year's Internet sensation, Soulja Boy. Contributing his smash hit, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," he provides a lively start for the disc. It was a given that Justin Timberlake, who returned to the charts this year with FutureSex/LoveSounds would make the cut. Here, he contributes "Lovestoned," his fourth single from the multi-platinum album. This funk-fortified track shows his Michael Jackson influences and also shows that Timberland hasn't lost a step during his time away from the recording studio.

Timberlake is in great company, with artists like Timbaland, Rihanna, Chris Brown and Baby Bash featuring T-Pain filling up the first 10 cuts. Kanye West weighs in with the powerful "Can't Tell Me Nothing," a mesmerizing track with a hypnotic bass-driven beat. He uses that irresistible musical backdrop to unfold a tale about being young and insisting on learning the hard way. It's classic Kanye; in anyone else's hands, this track could easily come off as preachy.

Eleven tracks in, the mood of the music shifts and it takes a pop direction. Fergie leads the change of pace with her touching take on personal woe, "Big Girls Don't Cry." She's followed by Pink ("Who Knew?") and Avril Lavigne ("When You're Gone"), and then just to complete the theme of love, loss and longing, The Last Goodnight weighs in with "Pictures of You."

For the final quarter of this disc, the music turns to rock, starting with one of the year's best surprises, Plain White T's. Those who like their rock a little bit more roughed-up get to enjoy tracks by Daughtry ("Over You"), Three Days Grace ("Never Too Late") and Lifehouse, who resurfaced this year with a slightly harder sound that is well represented on their track, "First Time."

By far one of the best cuts of the year remains Nickelback's "Rockstar," and the song stands out even on this collection of stand out songs. Lead singer Chad Kroeger nails every clich￩ about the rock and roll lifestyle, and the spoken word interludes by Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) are the icing on the cake.

Judging from this disc, 2007 was a great year for music. It's tough to sum up the year in music in 20 tracks, but this is as close as you can come to that -- and as good as it gets.

By Paula Felps