Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet

Do you remember what you were doing in August of 1986? I certainly don't. But if you do, you probably recall the excitement that was Bon Jovi and his release of Slippery When Wet. So, I'm not even kidding when I say this, but I know people that think Jon Bon is the BEST act ever. Best singer, songwriter, performer - everything. So yeah, I completely disagree - but that's neither here nor there. I decided to review him today, and what better than to go with his biggest album. This album is a groin grabbingly sick 12x platinum in the states. Worldwide - 28 MILLION copies sold! This must be a phenomenon right? This must be 10 tracks of amazing right? Well, not really. It's got some rock anthems - some that if you've ever been to any college campus in America, you've heard them thousands of times. Maybe even some nights on loop, over and over again. This is his third studio album, and probably his most talked about. It spent 8 straight weeks at number one on the Billboard charts. This has seen it's share of changes over the years too. The original album title was set to be 'Wanted Dead Or Alive'. The band was dressed as cowboys for the cover art. That was scratched, and all that promo material was used for the single. The next name was set to be 'Guns N' Roses'. I'll give you 10 guesses why that didn't work out. Next was 'Slippery When Wet', which was coined after visiting a variety of strip clubs one night. The original cover had a lady with 34DD's in a wet, yellow t shirt. That got banned by censors, so we got the garbage bag cover of today. I will never be able to hear the track 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' and not think of Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel. I also will loathe the tracks that I was kept awake with in the dorms, because the guys thought blasting 'Livin' On A Prayer' at 2am on a Thursday night would bring the ladies over. Never happened. Regardless, this album is known for 3 hits. I'm sure he has better albums start to finish - but if you love singles, this is the album for you.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Let It Rock
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Livin' on a Prayer
4. Social Disease
5. Wanted Dead or Alive
6. Raise Your Hands
7. Without Love
8. I'd Die for You
9. Never Say Goodbye
10. Wild in the Streets

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Wanted Dead Or Alive
2. Livin' On A Prayer
3. You Give Love A Bad Name

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars

Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

Happy Monday B Siders! If you're near my neck of the woods - it's cold. What better way to warm up than with some good, old fashioned music? I decided to roll with Amy Winehouse today, as my mood style review for the week. Everyone is probably acquainted with her story - but I'll tell it again anyway. Amy was born just a few weeks after me, in England. (That's 1983 for those in the know) From a young age she was pretty rebellious. Her father was a cab drive and often sung jazz around the house. Winehouse enjoyed the jazz her father played, and would sing as well. Her grandmother felt Amy had some talent - and brought up the idea of her enrolling in a music school. Well, she did. Met a friend and started a "rap" group called Sweet'n'Sour. That didn't last long, and either did Amy in that school. She was expelled for "not applying herself" (whatever that means) and piercing her nose. That didn't really stop her though. She started seeing major label success in 2003 or so. She didn't hit international success until her 2006 release of this record. She's went 2x platinum in the states and then 12x platinum in the UK when you combine the two editions of this released over the pond. She's really struggled with substance abuse, eating disorders and general health problems the past few years. This probably leads to her not putting out more music yet. She was supposed to drop something this year in November, but that didn't work out. She then stated it would drop no later than January of 2011. We shall see. As far as this one, it's fine. I really thought I'd love this when I heard her sound and her style. I don't love it, just like it. I'd recommend giving it a shot though, as many people do love it. Worth a Monday morning listen for sure.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Rehab
2. You Know I'm No Good
3. Me & Mr. Jones
4. Just Friends
5. Back to Black
6. Love Is a Losing Game
7. Tears Dry on Their Own
8. Wake up Alone
9. Some Unholy War
10. He Can Only Hold Her
11. No Good Remix

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. You Know I'm No Good
2. Wake Up Alone
3. Rehab

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars

B Side Presents, "Stop...Grammy Time!"

As you all probably know, it's Grammy Award time. The nominees were announced the other day - so I wanted to take a day to contemplate who I want to win. Now, I'm not going to run through every single category - just the ones I feel most passionate about. Having listened to most of the music out there this year - I feel confident I can remain unbiased, and fair. Let's see how it goes. Also, give me your picks! We could have a bragging rights contest or something.

Song of the Year
'Beg, Steal or Borrow' -- Ray LaMontagne
'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo
'The House That Built Me' -- Miranda Lambert
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

B Side Prediction: I think Eminem walks away with this one. The only big challenge would be Lady Antebellum. Both songs were huge - but the lyrical value and the video for 'Love The Way You Lie' will give it the edge.

Album of the Year
'The Suburbs' -- Arcade Fire
'Recovery' -- Eminem
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga
'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

B Side Prediction: I really enjoyed 'Suburbs' and 'Recovery'. 'Need You Now' also got favorable reviews by me. However, I think this one goes to Gaga. I think she proved she's here to stay with her sophomore drop, and she'll be rewarded by the committee.

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence and the Machine
Mumford and Sons
Esperanza Spalding

B Side Prediction: Why isn't B.o.B nominated for this? Drake has been around forever, and has no chance. I hope it goes to Mumford and Sons - but I have no doubt it'll be Bieber. Disgusting.

Record of the Year
'Nothing on You' -- B.o.B. Feat. Bruno Mars
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna
'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo
'Empire State of Mind -- Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

B Side Prediction: This is a tough one. I'm not even 100% sure why this is called 'Record Of The Year' - but whatever. I think Jay-Z takes this one home though. I like all of these songs - and the fact they censored Cee-Lo's track makes me want him to win. But alas, Jay walks away victorious.

Best Pop Vocal Album
'My World 2.0' -- Justin Bieber
'I Dreamed a Dream' -- Susan Boyle
'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga
'Battle Studies' -- John Mayer
'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

B Side Prediction: Can I claim apathy and not vote? Oh wait, I'm deciding that and I wrote this down. While I gave the edge to Gaga up top, I think this one will go to Boyle. Just a gut feeling. I don't think it merits the win - but people really like her and her story. I'm calling the upset.

Best Country Album
'Up on the Ridge' -- Dierks Bentley
'You Get What You Give' -- Zac Brown Band
'The Guitar Song' -- Jamey Johnson
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
'Revolution' -- Miranda Lambert

B Side Prediction: I don't have a ton of educated stuff to say here. I think Lady Antebellum crushes the opposition here.

Best Rock Song
'Angry World' -- Neil Young
'Little Lion Man' -- Mumford & Sons
'Radioactive' -- Kings Of Leon
'Resistance' -- Muse
'Tighten Up' -- The Black Keys

B Side Prediction: Please - for the love of Pete, please reward the Black Keys. They are still one of the best bands you're not listening to.

Best Rock Album
'Emotion & Commotion' -- Jeff Beck
'The Resistance' -- Muse
'Backspacer' -- Pearl Jam
'Mojo' -- Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
'Le Noise' -- Neil Young

B Side Prediction: What a lackluster listing this year. Muse probably walks away with this - but pretty much by default. The PJ album was really mediocre and so was Young and Petty. I like Jeff Beck, but he's too unknown to win it.

Best Rap Song
'Empire State Of Mind -- Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem & Rihanna
'Not Afraid -- Eminem
'Nothin' On You' -- B.o.B & Bruno Mars
'On To The Next One' --Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

B Side Prediction: Well, given the nominees, Em has a really good shot at this one. Unfortunately, they didn't put a track like 'No Love' or something on that I think would cause him an immediate win. If you want me to go with straight up quality - it'll probably go to Jay and probably for Empire. 'On To The Next One' is probably the best song though.

Best Rap Album
'The Adventures of Bobby Ray' -- B.o.B
'Thank Me Later' -- Drake
'Recovery' -- Eminem
'The Blueprint 3' -- Jay-Z
'How I Got Over' -- The Roots

B Side Prediction: Seriously, if Em doesn't win this one - I'm quitting paying attention to the Grammys. It's the best Rap album by far. Jay could steal it, but Roots, Drake and BoB don't even sniff those two albums. Em gets 2 awards I think.


Let me know what ya'll think! What did I get right or wrong? What other categories to you have opinions on? Let me know!

White Zombie - Astro Creep: 2000

Nothing like cleaning my BEP palette with a little metal. Follower janis! was commenting the other day how Mr. Rob Zombie can put together a good soundtrack. Since I really don't know any of his soundtrack work - I can go back to what put him on the map for good. When this dropped in 1995, 'More Human Than Human' was all the rage. Even the white bread suburban kids LOVED it. It was hard not to hear this on the radio and do a little head-banging. These guys are named after a 1932 film with the same name - bet you didn't know that! The B Side always drops a little knowledge in addition to being the best music review site out there. White Zombie was making music even in the mid 80's, but never really caught on anywhere. It wasn't until signing with Geffen in 1992 that they hit the charts. 'Le Sexocristo' is a really good album too, but 'Astro Creep' really put them in the headlines. Most of the members have moved on to other acts - which is cool. Obviously Rob made a bunch of solo stuff and have gone on to movie directing. I still don't think I've seen any of his films, but I've always wanted to. It's hard finding people big into the horror genre. But this album, really good. Even if you're not big into metal, it's solid. Something about it is simply entrancing. Like a lesser awesome version of any NIN album. This is very industrial metal, but if you listen hard enough, there are spots where it's almost poppy. Like More Human - very hard, very in your face - but also tolerable to the non metal ear. This is only 2x platinum, but I can't imagine it'd be even sniffing that sort of sales if it wasn't for that track. If you're a metal fan, the whole album is great. Totally worth checking out. Rock your way into Friday with a little Zombie.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Electric Head Pt. 1 (The Agony)
2. Super-Charger Heaven
3. Real Solution #9
4. Creature of the Wheel
5. Electric Head Pt. 2 (The Ecstasy)
6. Grease Paint and Monkey Brains
7. I, Zombie
8. More Human Than Human
9. El Phantasmo and the Chicken-Run Blast-O-Rama
10. Blur the Technicolor
11. Blood, Milk and Sky

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. More Human Than Human
2. Super Charger Heaven
3. Electric Head, Part 2

FINAL RATING:
4 out of 5 stars

Black Eyed Peas - The Beginning

Ahh yes, the Black Eyed Peas. This just dropped on Tuesday, but no samples were linked, so I waited. I decided for no real good reason to check on it again today - not sure why. I have a very deep love/hate relationship with the Peas. While their music is certainly catchy and DEFINES the word pop - lyrically it's just garbage. I mean, I'm so 3008, you so two thousand and late. Get serious. I still have a huge crush on Fergie though, so that saves them for me a bit. Hey, don't judge. This album is a follow up to The E.N.D (duh) which stood for the Energy Never Dies. This is named the beginning because it supposedly symbolizes growth, new beginnings and starts a fresh new perspective. I highly doubt that. I just don't see them really messing with the recipe for success they've built. Take track one for example - they remix and cover the Dirty Dancing anthem "The Time". This song is honestly terrible. This album in total might be a little more dance-ish than normal, but it's not earth shatteringly different. I'm still waiting for them to drop something awesome. Monkey Business was pretty solid, but after that - mostly garbage. I actually like this MORE than END - only because I love dance music. This fits more into that genre. I don't know what else will be radio worthy off this - but I'm guessing it won't be as big as The End. It's worth checking out I guess - but not more than a few tracks. If you don't like track 2, you won't like track 14.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Time, The (Dirty Bit)
2. Light Up the Night
3. Love You Long Time
4. XOXOXO
5. Someday
6. Whenever
7. Fashion Beats
8. Don't Stop the Party
9. Do It Like This
10. Best One Yet, The (The Boy)
11. Just Can't Get Enough
12. Play It Loud

Listen To Samples

1. Play It Loud
2. Love You Long Time
3. Own It

FINAL RATING:
3.25 out of 5 stars

Heart - Self Titled

When I was listening to Cher the other day, I remembered this little band called Heart. It all started in Seattle in the early 70's. They still make music today, in fact dropped a new album not all that long ago. The only members who have been there start to finish have been the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy. Just full disclosure, I think these guys are extremely talented. I mean, even if you're he hardest rap loving guy in the world, you still have to enjoy a little Barracuda right? The vocals, the riff, everything about it is rock solid. I specifically chose this album though because it didn't have that song on it. Oh wait, fun story about that track. It was rumored back in the late 70's that the Wilson sisters had maybe experimented with each other. You know, in that illegal way. This enraged Ann so much, she read that article went back to her hotel room and wrote Barracuda. Crazy, since that song really put them on the map for good. If we could all find such glorious inspiration in our haters, we'd all be so much better off. Regardless, I picked this album because they're no one trick pony. This album didn't drop until 1985 and is a nice 5x platinum in the states. 6x in Canada, which is surprising. Anyway, there are another solid 4 songs on this album too. I didn't listen to Hearts latest yet, but I have watched a recent show, and they can still bring the fire. I don't think they intend to stop anytime soon again. They've gone through ups and downs and made big money and lost big money. I think at this point, they're just doing for their passion and love for the fans. It doesn't get better than that. Check it out today - I think you'll love it too.

TRACK LISTING:
1. If Looks Could Kill
2. What About Love
3. Never
4. These Dreams
5. Wolf, The
6. All Eyes
7. Nobody Home
8. Nothin' at All
9. What He Don't Know
10. Shell Shock

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. These Dreams
2. What About Love
3. Never

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars

Ciara - Goodies

Pop music can be funny. Sometimes what is super poppy at the time, is also considered r&b or rap or alternative. The list goes on. Ciara (I think) tried to get into the rap pool at first, similar to Lil Kim or now Nicki Minaj. She also was very tight with Missy Elliott - and many rap devotees respected Missy E. That didn't translate to Ciar though, in spite of her best efforts to collaborate with Ludacris. Ciara's actual middle name is Princess. That's crazy. She was born in Austin, Texas - but ended up traveling the world and meeting DJ Jazzy Pha in the ATL. 'Goodies' was Ciara's first studio album, and it came out back in 2004. I actually remembered that off the top of my head, because this album had singles that were HUGE. As a whole, this has only sold a meager 3x platinum. Honestly, that's shocking. Having the three huge singles this did, I would have expected more album sales. 'Oh' was the first huge drop - and that was with a good reason. Usually Ludacris blows collabos up. If you want your album to go platinum, you contact Luda. The other singles seemed to have put this album on the map for good. And this was also when ringtones were really starting to blow up. (does anyone care about ringtones anymore?) Ciara did HUGE ringtone sales too, mostly for Goodies. Start to finish, this album is super lackluster. This is probably why the sales are low. This is an album that you could spend 3 dollars downloading the singles on iTunes, and not have to spend 10 on the whole record. If nothing else, listen to the singles today. They're certainly catchy.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Goodies
2. 1, 2 Step
3. Thug Style
4. Hotline
5. Oh
6. Pick Up the Phone
7. Lookin' at You
8. Ooh Baby
9. Next to You
10. And I
11. Other Chicks
13. Goodies (Bonus Track)

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Oh
2. 1,2 Step
3. Goodies

FINAL RATING:
2.25 out of 5 stars