Pearl Jam - Vs

Ahh Pearl Jam. My arch nemesis. Those who have been reading since the beginning - they know that I respect Pearl Jam, and what they've done both musically themselves and for the industry as a whole. But they also know that I'm simply not that big a fan of them. I can't really explain why - their music just doesn't click with me like other bands. And I know what you're thinking, "but B Side - you LOVE 90's alt rock!" And you'd be right, in general. I own this album. I bought it when I was younger. I listen to it from time to time. To me, it's a really solid time waster album. And by that I mean, it's pretty good all the way through. I wouldn't skip any tracks because they're so intolerable. But here is where I get my 'overrated' mentality. None of the tracks are SO AMAZING, that I want to listen to this over and over. I've seen them live, I've listened to every album they've put out (except the newest ones) and I just don't get it. Regardless, for those who are unbiased or haven't heard this. It's pretty solid. It's got that very grunge-ish sound, signature of the era. This was their second studio release (after the 13x platinum selling 'Ten') and was a pretty sick follow up. This was dropped in 1993 and is a very respectable 7x platinum. I'm not sure there are many bands in all of history that can say they sold 20 million albums in their first two drops - let alone in all their catalog. I'm clearly in the minority of PJ haters - but hey, sometimes it's good to be alone. There is NO question you need to listen to this if you haven't. The band itself is going to go down as one of the best ever when it's all said and done, and this album will probably be looked upon as their second best ever. Check it out. Let me know why I'm so dumb.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Go
2. Animal
3. Daughter
4. Glorified G
5. Dissident
6. W.M.A.
7. Blood
8. Rearviewmirror
9. Rats
10. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
11. Leash
12. Indifference

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
2. Dissident
3. Animal

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars

Usher - Versus

Country and pop both in the same day?!?! Have I lost my marbles? Nope, it's just what came across my headphones today. When I review pop, I try to grab the hottest artist of the moment. (if I do current pop) And right now, Usher is on a really solid run. Back when I first started the blog, Usher dropped Raymond vs Raymond. That was in March or so. When I reviewed that, I recall mentioning something about the label flowing singles off that record too quickly, and that the sales would diminish after the singles stopped. Well - little did I know - they had an EP right around the corner to follow it up! EP = Extended Play for those who may not know. In the pop world, EP means a follow up to an album of tracks that maybe didn't make the original CD - or a way to generate smaller buzz after an album. In rap terms, and EP is usually a mixtape that generates buzz for an upcoming album. Slightly different. But all in all for Usher, this means he's been clogging the radio airwaves for a good 8 months now. I don't have specific issue with this, other than what he says the subject matter what about. He says it was an album exploring his life and newly single father. This album has nothing to do with that. He also put 'There Goes My Baby' on this again - which can be found on Raymond vs Raymond in the exact same form. That's lazy. Otherwise, I think Usher is also trying to appeal more to the hip hop crowd again - which is a bad move. His bread and butter is clearly in the pop area. Not many rap die hards take him seriously. Just sayin'. Anyway, this is mediocre - but worth a listen. 3 of the 9 tracks here will be (and already are) huge singles. I'd pay 4 dollars for it - that's all it's worth.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Love 'Em All
2. DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love
3. Hot Tottie
4. Lay You Down
5. Lingerie
6. There Goes My Baby
7. Get In My Car
8. Somebody To Love (Remix)
9. Stranger

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Hot Tottie
2. DJ Got Us Fallin In Love
3. There Goes My Baby (liked it last time, like it this time)

FINAL RATING:
2.5 out of 5 stars