***REVIEW #100*** - Weezer - Blue Album

In case you didn't notice my huge review title, this is the B-Side's ONE HUNDREDTH REVIEW!! Honestly I cannot believe it's that many already. Seems like just yesterday I was thinking about starting this up. Crazy. Anyway, since it's a fairly good milestone, I had to select one of my favorite records of all time. I have to tell you, I absolutely love Weezer. They've only tossed out a couple records I didn't care for, so for the most part if they drop something, it's gold. Quick backstory on the Blue Album here - one of my good friends was having his 11th birthday when this came out. We knew Buddy Holly from the radio - and that was probably about it. Well, I went over to the local Best Buy and picked this up for his bday. I recall him semi looking at me like, "Weezer, are you kidding me??" And to be totally honest, I had no idea if this would be any good or not. I mean, I liked the one song - so it had to be solid right? Little did we know that 16 years after the release - we'd still be jamming to this on a very regular basis. Seriously, this record is outstanding. Every track start to finish has its own unique identity of greatness. If you've heard this before, put it on again and really listen to the lyrics. Especially in a song like 'Only In Dreams'. Great stuff sitting right in front of your face. To get sentimental, this was one of my first cd's as well - and it was a great purchase. I can't say I've worn out the cd since I've been an MP3 man since 1998 or so - but it has to be the most played record on my iPod. If you haven't heard this, buy it right now. I have to put my B Side guarantee that you'll love this one. If you're facing a rough Monday morning, put on the Blue Album to take care of your case of the Mondays.

AND CELEBRATE 100 REVIEWS!!

TRACK LISTING:
1. My Name Is Jonas
2. No One Else
3. World Has Turned and Left Me Here, The
4. Buddy Holly
5. Undone -- The Sweater Song
6. Surf Wax America
7. Say It Ain't So
8. In the Garage
9. Holiday
10. Only in Dreams

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Say It Ain't So
2. Only In Dreams
3. In The Garage

FINAL RATING:
5 out of 5 stars

Death Cab For Cutie - Plans

Back in the 2006 or so timeframe, I had no idea who these guys were. I think I'd heard the name before - but for certain none of the actual music. A friend of mine made an MP3 cd of all music she enjoyed, which was almost all punk/emo tuneage. I was schooled on quite a few new artists while listening to that - these guys were one of the many bands teaching class that day. I like their sound. They've got a bit of a Jack Johnson meets Coldplay thing going with 'Plans'. Very laid back guitar riffs, some solid beats on tracks and then some pretty solid lyrics and vocals you can sing along to. Death Cab never seemed to reach huge numbers for album sales, this one is their best selling just making platinum. I guess thinking about it, I don't seem to know anyone who is overly gaga over them, so maybe it makes sense. If you didn't already know, the lead singer is also the frontman for the Postal Service, so maybe I'll do a review of them soon as well. If you're in that laid back kind of mode today, toss this one on. I think you'll groove along with a few tracks. Looks like they have not put anything out since 2008 - so I'll have to do some research on whether or not they intend to soon. Happy Monday!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Marching Bands of Manhattan
2. Soul Meets Body
3. Summer Skin
4. Different Names For the Same Thing
5. I Will Follow You Into the Dark
6. Your Heart Is an Empty Room
7. Someday You Will Be Loved
8. Crooked Teeth
9. What Sara Said
10. Brothers on a Hotel Bed
11. Stable Song

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Marching Bands Of Manhattan
2. Different Names For The Same Thing
3. Crooked Teeth

FINAL RATING:
3.25 out of 5 stars

Rant #7 - "Can't Leave Rap Alone The Game Needs Me!"

So B Side Fans, it's been a while since I came at you with an editorial piece of what is on my mind. Because of that, and I'm even on my reviewing of genres, it seemed like a good time for one. Plus, I've had something on my mind for about a year now that has been bugging me.

What is wrong with the rap game today?

Seriously...you used to be able to find a new record once a month that was not only good, but some new artist that made you hungry for more hip hop. When I'm sitting down at work, it's very rare I actually feel like rap right now - and at first I thought I was just going through one of my cycles, but truth is, it's because nothing new and exciting is out there. Jay-Z dropped Blueprint 3 last September - that was honestly the last really good rap record to come out. Ludacris dropped Battle Of The Sexes which stunk. Young Jeezy has been promising Thug Motivation 103 for over 2 years since Recession dropped, and that continues to get pushed back. DMX hasn't been relevant in a decade, but he's going to put one out this year sometime - date again keeps getting pushed. Dr. Dre has been promising Detox will come out, shocker folks, been pushed back to no release date again. What is going on? Lil Wayne put out one of the best hip hop records of all time in Tha Carter III 2 years ago, and has followed that up with garbage. Snoop, Game, 50 Cent...the list goes on and on of guys who have once upon a time put out quality work that have gone lackluster. This trend is getting very frustrating for those of us who really enjoy the genre. When are the fans going to have the joy of good music again? Can anybody tell me that? We keep getting promised by artists and record labels that good stuff is coming soon - and when that date approaches, it's delayed for various reasons. Guys keep dropping mixtapes to generate buzz, and even those are bad!! Drake and Kid Cudi seem to be two guys that are actually working hard right now, and both are poised for big hits again this summer. Would it surprise me if they stunk? Not at all. Isn't that sad? A huge fan like me feels that jaded by the rap game nowadays. I have people frequently come up and ask, "what's good in hip hop today?"...I haven't had a good answer in over a year! I simply do not get it. These artists need to start making an effort again. Luda needs to STOP putting out one album per year and focus on putting out hit first GREAT one since Word of Mouf. Jay needs to stay retired and get some new and exciting talent in Roc-A-Fella. Kanye is due for another one and something needs to come out of the Aftermath camp soon. Even Em dropped the Refill side of his record that was a HUGE flop. He claims he knew it was bad and will be putting out something soon too. It's like, these guys know there is a lull and it's a problem but no one wants to step up. Record execs, figure this out and make something happen. With the resurgence of STP and other 90's alt bands keeping it going - rap might lose me for a long time to something that puts more emphasis on keeping fans happy.

Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker

Talk about a band that doesn't nearly get the recognition it deserves...this brings me to The Black Crowes. These guys have put out some really great music over the years, and no one seems to notice or care. One of the better live bands I've ever seen - they do a great job of just jamming away on stage. This cd is very - VERY good. I don't like to get into the 'underrated' argument, but these guys are if there is such a thing. This album mainly is totally under appreciated if nothing else. Starts off rockin with Twice As Hard...slows it down with Seeing Things, jumps back into high gear with Hard to Handle then DOMINATES all music history with She Talks To Angels. Top to bottom, very good work by the Crowes. One could certainly argue that they peaked too early, as this was their first and easily best selling album. That might even be true - but that doesn't make them or this record any less great. You HAVE TO check this one out if you've never heard it. There is certainly something for everybody and check your pulse if you're not moved by Angels. I'm going to have a hard time picking a top 3 because this really is so good start to finish. The price I pay for being committed to you - the fans!! As always, thanks for reading and for sure pick this one up. I'd love to hear what other people think of this one!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Twice as Hard
2. Jealous Again
3. Sister Luck
4. Could I've Been So Blind
5. Seeing Things
6. Hard to Handle
7. Thick N' Thin
8. She Talks to Angels
9. Struttin' Blues
10. Stare It Cold

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. She Talks To Angels
2. Twice As Hard
3. Seeing Things

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars

Rodney Atkins - If You're Going Through Hell

Apologies have been owed to country fans for the last few genre posts I've done. The country reviews have been less than stellar over the last month or so. Everyone knows I'm not a big fan - but I try to be extremely open minded. Even when it comes to country music, I sit back - listen to every track and try to drift into the music. Especially with country, I feel like it's about telling a story, and when I'm drifting away - I should be able to feel like I'm a part of the story. I want to make it clear I don't give this stuff bad ratings because I have some sort of bias - and I also want to be clear that just because it's not for me, it could still be really good music. Having said all that, here comes Rodney Atkins. I know nothing about this fella, other than this was his best selling record of all time. He only has 4 albums released, and this is the sole record that went platinum. What is semi crazy is singles were dropped from this in 3 different calendar years. That's really a long time to not put anything else out. Fans who bought the album probably felt gypped when listening to the radio. Anyway, I'll give this one a little credit for changing styles. Although the voice is monotone, Atkins makes a nice effort to switch up the arrangements which is good on the ear. I feel like some of the lyrics on this album are trying to really serious and contemplative, but they feel phony to me - and I'm not really sure why. I just don't get the wave wash over me that this is really what he might be facing in life. Who knows. Well, check it out if you like country - and let me know what you think of it.

TRACK LISTING:
1. These Are My People
2. About the South
3. Watching You
4. Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)
5. In the Middle
6. Man on a Tractor
7. Wasted Whiskey
8. Invisibly Shaken
9. Angel's Hands
10. If You're Going Through Hell

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Invisibly Shaken
2. About The South
3. These Are My People

FINAL RATING:
2.25 out of 5 stars

Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill

Man do I love when I get to hip/hop day. As all of my devotees know, I probably listen to rap overall more than any other genre. When I finally get to that review, I'm like a kid in the candy store. I strum through my collection trying to decide which gem to drop on the B Side world! Seems like many of you aren't big on rap, so I seriously hope you give some of these albums a chance. Most of them I think you'll enjoy - even if you generally hate rap. Beasties are probably the easiest rap to listen to. Most of the major issues folks have with hip/hop - the lyrical content, inability to understand lyrics, crude remarks about women and the idea of promoting killing - Beastie Boys have none of that stuff. I can't immediately come up with a song I remember them cursing in, and they usually talk about "fun" stuff as opposed to other artists out there. Personally I have no problems with an artist expressing themselves to the fullest - and I feel the Beasties do that without having to talk about anything rough. This is far and away my favorite record by them, and has a lot of songs that many of you would recognize. You watch these guy perform or even on some of the videos, and they look like such nerds from your local high school - but they survived over two decades in the rap game. They garnered a ton of respect from current artists and even paved the way for a guy like Eminem to drop onto the scene. You HAVE TO check this one out today. No question your hump day will be over in what seems like an hour if you toss this on!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Rhymin & Stealin
2. New Style, The
3. She's Crafty
4. Posse in Effect
5. Slow Ride
6. Girls
7. Fight for Your Right
8. No Sleep Till Brooklyn
9. Paul Revere
10. Hold It Now, Hit It
11. Brass Monkey
12. Slow and Low
13. Time to Get Ill

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Brass Monkey
2. No Sleep Till Brooklyn
3. Paul Revere

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars

Ted Nugent - Self Titled

Hooray for classic rock! I've taken a lot of flack over the years for enjoying the work of one Ted Nugent. He's a little bit out there, and one of my friends would go so far as to call the guy "an inbred hick" - but say what you will - he made some good music. This was his first album ever made on the solo side. After he left Amboy Dukes, he went solo in a big way with this release back in 1975. Uncle Ted has to be in the discussion for Top 15 guitarists of all time too. He really puts down some tasty riffs on pretty much every record I've ever heard. Currently, Ted does all sorts of crazy television hunting shows, has a cookbook and seems like he's always out there toting a weapon and talking about how great it is. Nugent seems to be one of those quiet great selling artists too. A few of his albums are multi-platinum - but no one really seems to notice. I personally only own 1 of his records, but I do enjoy almost all of them. This isn't even the one I own, but it has probably his greatest song on it. Maybe you could focus on just getting a greatest hits record by the Nuge, if you're not a huge fan. But check this one out, I think if you like rock - you'll really enjoy at the very least the Top 3!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Stranglehold
2. Stormtroopin'
3. Hey Baby
4. Just What the Doctor Ordered
5. Snakeskin Cowboys
6. Motor City Madhouse
7. Where Have You Been All My Life
8. You Make Me Feel Right at Home
9. Queen of the Forest
10. Stormtroopin' - (Bonus Track)
11. Just What the Doctor Ordered - (Bonus Track)
12. Motor City Madhouse - (Bonus Track)
13. Magic Party (Outtake - Bonus Track)

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Stranglehold
2. Just What The Doctor Ordered
3. Stormtroopin'

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars