N.E.R.D - In Search Of...

Ashley then asked me to talk about NERD, and what I think of their overall sound. First a little background. Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley are the members and they make a very different blend of hip hop and rock and pop and funk and everything under creation. These dudes are serious about their music. Everyone at this stage should recognize Pharrell as the super producer he is - but he also can lay down a tune when called upon as well. NERD stands for No one Ever Really Dies - not sure where they got that from - but that's what they came up with. This album dropped in 2002 and has seen gold status success. It was the first album by NERD - but not the last. Their fourth studio recording is due out in November of this year. They were originally signed with Virgin records - but left following their 2nd studio record. The Neptunes started their own label Star Trak to which their current releases come out. Star Trak's biggest acts today are Clipse and these guys. Robin Thicke is in there too - his albums are solid sellers. Anyways - I love NERD. I love the Neptunes, I love Pharrell and I love Clipse. Basically anything Pharrell touches is gold to me. This was one of my favorite college albums - just because it was so different. I still toss 'Rock Star' on a lot to pump me up. There are 100 different versions of that track out there - and they're all great. These guys are always making different sorts of music and it comes out so fresh and so fun. I can't wait until the new ones drops - as I'm sure it'll equate to me listening to something for a good long time. You NEED to check these guys out today. It's very worth your while - no matter what music you enjoy. Thanks again Ashley!!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Lapdance
2. Things Are Getting Better
3. Brain
4. Provider
5. Truth or Dare
6. Tape You
7. Run to the Sun
8. Baby Doll
9. Am I High
10. Rock Star
11. Bobby James
12. Stay Together

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Rock Star
2. Stay Together
3. Lapdance

FINAL RATING:
4 out of 5 stars

Five For Fighting - America Town

Today is a somewhat special day on the B Side. I'm doing two reviews based on the Suggestion of follower Ashley. Hopefully she reads this, as I enjoy her Suggestions and I'm almost out of them! This is a plea to all of you guys, keep the Suggestions coming! I need 'em! In case you didn't know, Five For Fighting is one man - John Ondrasik. He was born way back in 1965 out in LA to a musical family. He adopted the name Five For Fighting from the hockey penalty. Ashley specifically asked me to review the track 'Superman' off this album - and I don't think that's a song I'll ever forget. This album dropped in late September of 2000. And I'll remember this for two reasons: 1) the girl I was seeing at the time loved that track. She'd come into my dorm room and crank my speakers as loud as they go and bump that song. 2) A fairly big moment in US history happened that month - and 'Superman' was used very often on the 9/11 attack videos. I'll always remember that song and 'Only Time' by Enya on almost every video I watched for the following 3 months. Looking back at this album, that song is really the only one to have made an impact on society. This album as a whole is really bland. Now, 'Superman' might not be my favorite song in the world, but I cannot deny the emotion is invoked in people after the attacks. And some have criticzed that's not a good thing to have your song known for - but I totally disagree. Music can help us get through some of the toughest moments in our lives. If John is only remembered for helping one person get through the incredible pain of losing a loved one - that's a job very well done.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Easy Tonight
2. Bloody Mary (A Note on Apathy)
3. Superman
4. America Town
5. Something About You
6. Jainy
7. Michael Jordan
8. Out of Love
9. Last Great American, The
10. Love Song
11. Boat Parade
12. Alright

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Superman
2. Easy Tonight
3. Jainy

FINAL RATING:
3 out of 5 stars

Radiohead - Kid A

I love Radiohead. Devotees will recall my excellent rating for their 'The Bends' album a while back...but I'm not even sure that's my favorite. Kid A here is right there with that one and every other Radiohead record. The reason I enjoy this one so much is the change of pace. Most people would recognize their brand as more of an anthem rock or indie rock feel. And this record was a total experiment with more of an electronic sound. It's so different - which is awesome, but it's still Radiohead. That probably doesn't make any sense to the casual listener or reader, but it really does. If you were really jacked up about Bends and then OK Computer - I'd have a hard time thinking you listened to this and didn't enjoy it. It just has that signature Radiohead strangeness to it, just a totally different arrangement. And I've said this before, but I LOVE when bands experiment like that. Especially when they lean toward the less money, but doing what you love side. They could have easily made a more poppy record and sold a ton of copies. Instead, they didn't care what people thought per se, and made what they wanted to. Turns out, it still sold like gangbusters. Just goes to show you, if you make really good music - people will still buy it. You need to check this out today. One of the most complete records of the 2000's. Enjoy B Siders and Happy Wednesday!!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Everything in Its Right Place
2. Kid A
3. National Anthem, The
4. How to Disappear Completely
5. Treefingers
6. Optimistic
7. In Limbo
8. Idioteque
9. Morning Bell
10. Motion Picture Soundtrack

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Idioteque
2. Optimistic
3. Everything In Its Right Place

FINAL RATING:
5 out of 5 stars

Toby Keith - Pull My Chain

Country music. Now, I've gotten through all of the requests in the box, so I'm just moving on to artists that I've heard of but don't really know much about. Add Toby Keith to that category. And why do so many country artists not want you listening to their music? I don't get it. Most of the bigger artists won't allow me to link samples to their tuneage. Makes no sense to me. My original review was going to be the 'Unleashed' album - but nothing. So here goes 'Pull My Chain', which I think I've heard of one track off of. This fella has a fairly quirky background. Music aside, he's made some pretty big news regarding his political prowess. He says he was a democrat but now changed his stance to independent but votes republican. He's made some patriotic music and has gone over to put on shows for the soldiers. I guess there was some feud with the Dixie Chicks, but it seems fairly boring. He owns his own restaurant in Oklahoma. He also has his own line of clothing. He's married, has a bunch of kids and his father passed in a bus accident. His family was thusly awarded millions in a wrongful death suit against the company who made the bus his father was killed in. Other than that - his music, it's really not for me. This was his first release under the Dreamworks label, and I guess the first one that focused more on jovial hits instead of country ballads. This album was meant to emphasize his playful side and his humor. Yeah - it's just kind of boring. Sorry to all the country fans, but maybe I'll have to try a different Keith album some other time. This one just makes me want to hit the skip button.

TRACK LISTING:
1. I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight
2. I Wanna Talk About Me
3. I Can't Take You Anywhere
4. You Leave Me Weak
5. Tryin' to Matter
6. Pull My Chain
7. Sha la la Song, The
8. Pick 'Em up and Lay 'Em Down
9. Forever Hasn't Got Here Yet
10. Yesterday's Rain
11. My List
12. You Didn't Have as Much to Lose
13. Gimme 8 Seconds (Bonus Track)

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. You Leave Me Weak
2. I Wanna Talk About Me
3. The Sha La La Song

FINAL RATING:
2 out of 5 stars

Kings Of Leon - Come Around Sundown

Tuesday can only mean one thing - well two things actually, but you've already read Techno Tuesday's entry, so on to New Music Tuesday! Quick story about KoL, if you're at all into sports, you know that Ohio State played UW at Camp Randall this week in what was a huge game. ESPN's College Gameday was taped at the Camp that morning, and they almost always have a celebrity picker for the bigger games. Now, this person usually has some sort of tie to the state, the school - something. Anything. Well, it ends up being Nathan Followill - the drummer from Kings. He's not from here, he's not a fan of UW's, nothing. Biggest flop for a guest ever. Anyhow, I reviewed their previous album not all that long ago. I enjoyed it - this one doesn't seem to be too much different in terms of overall sound and style. Yet another record that was released in other countries days before the states. Still can't quite figure out why that happens all the time. The big single off this album thusfar is 'Radioactive', and it's pretty good. I don't think it has the star generating power that 'Use Somebody' had - but it's still good. I'm not sure how to grade this one. While I enjoy it, it's by no means outstanding or something I'd listen to on a very regular basis. But it's certainly above average. Tough call. I might have to give this a few more go 'rounds before I make a final decision on it. I think at some point I need to see these guys live. That might give me a better appreciation of their tuneage. Anyway, give this a shot today. Help me understand why it's better than a pretty good album.

TRACK LISTING:
1. End, The
2. Radioactive
3. Pyro
4. Mary
5. Face, The
6. Immortals, The
7. Back Down South
8. Beach Side
9. No Money
10. Pony Up
11. Birthday
12. Mi Amigo
13. Pickup Truck

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. The Immortals
2. Radioactive
3. The End

FINAL RATING:
3.25 out of 5 stars

Deadmau5 - Random Album Title

Techno Tuesday comes back with a purpose today. As someone who has loved the genre since I was probably 14 or so, I've been to a few dance/house/techno shows in my life. They're typically a lot of fun. Even if you're not trippin' on acid or dropping any E - you can still have a good time at these shows. Usually there are some fun laser shows or some funky strobes and smoke that really keep you entranced. Deadmau5 has a perfect groove to go along with a show like that. And in this crazy world, Mr. Deadmau5 will be in Madison tonight! Yeah! He'll be at the Coliseum (Alliant Energy Center) at 7pm. This show was scheduled to be at the Orpheum Theatre on State Street - but for some reason or another got moved. Kind of a bummer since the smaller venue would have been neat, but at least now there should be no issue getting tickets. I know the Orpheum show was sold out. I might be there - just look for the nerd diligently taking notes while ever so awkwardly moving to the beat. I think I made it fairly clear with my last review - but I really enjoy this guy. Great blend of synths, piano in spots, overall bass beats and then a snare kit to mesh it along. He's not a Fatboy Slim or someone that gets ever so wordy - so if that's the brand of dance you like, this isn't for you. This is just flat out funky beats for you to crank up in your car. This particular record you could put on at a salon and get a massage to. For me anyway, it's very calming and relaxing. There are a couple of pump you up-ish tracks, but for me those are in the minority. This is album 2 of his 2 total CD releases. There is some digital stuff out there too. Check this out and 'For Lack Of A Better Name'. Beatnuts love it, so will you!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Sometimes Things Get, Whatever
2. Complications
3. Slip
4. Some Kind of Blue
5. Brazil
6. Alone with You (Original Mix)
7. I Remember
8. Faxing Berlin
9. Faxing Berlin
10. Not Exactly
11. Arguru
12. So There I Was

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Brazil
2. Slip
3. Some Kind Of Blue

FINAL RATING:
4.5 out of 5 stars

Les Baxter - The Exotic Moods of Les Baxter

My 'odd' review each week usually makes me step outside my comfort zone, and listen to something that normally wouldn't grace my headphones. This week, it's this classical/background noise/elevator music artist known as Les Baxter. This is also a Suggestion Box specialty - this one coming from follower janis!. I was going to go into some great deal about his music history - but it's really not super exciting. Was going to Pepperdine to study piano - gave that up. Started doing a bunch of composing that ended up being used in soundtracks and tv themes. He's put out around 7,000 albums since 1947. His most recent being this one that dropped in 1996. Les also passed away in 1996, otherwise some suggest he'd still be making music today. I'm giving this all the respect in the world - I think people like Les were very vital to the music community in their day. Without him doing composing work and lending his efforts to the film work - you might not have guys like John Williams or the like today. Would I toss this on just some rainy day? Probably not. This isn't really my brand of music to sit back and groove to - but that doesn't make it any less worth noting. This album is 40 tracks deep, and I can't find a text track list - and I don't feel like typing them all out today by hand. So I'll link the samples, and encourage you to check them out. It might not be something you want to listen to on your iPod - but something you might appreciate in terms of music history.

TRACK LISTING:

See Samples

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Temple Of Gold
2. Voodoo Dreams
3. Pantan

FINAL RATING:
2 out of 5 stars