B-Side Guys

Chris Willman

Chris Willman’s album reviews that count toward B-Side Breakdowns: 59 reviews, going back to 1987, each next to the album’s Breakdown.

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Writes for

What they review

  • Folk, Country & Americana 31%
  • Rock 27%
  • Pop 25%
  • Indie & Alternative 12%

By the numbers

1A-Sides reviewed, the albums the critics rate highest
3albums given a perfect score
22years of their reviews we track, 1987 to 2008
How their scores spread
  • 0–490
  • 50s4
  • 60s4
  • 70s10
  • 80s20
  • 90+21

Their favorites

  1. Elvis CostelloBrutal Youth 100 Los Angeles Times
  2. Elvis CostelloMighty Like a Rose 100 Los Angeles Times
  3. Talking HeadsNaked 100 Los Angeles Times
  4. Sheryl CrowDetours 95 Entertainment Weekly
  5. BjörkMedúlla 95 Entertainment Weekly

Artists they keep coming back to

Their scores for each artist, in release order.

A-Sides they reviewed

1 album that earned an A-Side, the critics’ top tier; they scored 1 of them 75 or higher.

Every review

Outlet
The ReplacementsAll Shook DownEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B732008
The LemonheadsCome On Feel The Lemonheads“At least you can't say they don't warn you: The Lemonheads' very name suggests that this isn't going to be heavy-duty thinking music, and the title of their fifth album…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/4771993
PrinceLove Symbol“On Prince's latest, the funk is outweighed only by the bunk.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2/4781992
The ReplacementsDon’t Tell a Soul“THE REPLACEMENTS "Don't Tell a Soul.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4731989
Suzanne VegaSolitude StandingLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4811987
Little Big TownA Place to LandEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-80
R.E.M.AccelerateEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-77
James BluntAll the Lost SoulsEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+50
Brad PaisleyAmerican Saturday NightEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-83
Scarlett JohanssonAnywhere I Lay My HeadEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia75 C59
PrinceBatmanLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia60 3/573
StingBrand New DayEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia81 B-75
Elvis CostelloBrutal Youth“ELVIS COSTELLO "Brutal Youth" Warner Bros. * * * * Like Woody Allen, Costello has long been beset by fickle fans who prefer "the early, funny stuff"–and has sworn death…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/480
Britney SpearsCircusEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B60
Jennifer LopezComo ama una mujerEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia78 C+44
Sheryl CrowDetoursEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A78
MadonnaEroticaLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2/471
Josh TurnerEverything Is FineEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+76
GodsmackFacelessEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia71 C-52
Alan JacksonGood TimeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+70
MadonnaHard CandyEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+65
Gillian WelchHell Among the YearlingsEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-82
Michelle BranchHotel PaperEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia75 C59
Sinéad O'ConnorI Do Not Want What I Haven’t GotLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia80 4/585
PinkI’m Not DeadEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+70
Whitney HoustonI’m Your Baby Tonight“** 1/2 WHITNEY HOUSTON "I'm Your Baby Tonight" Arista Houston has always liked to dance–with somebody who loves her, if we remember correctly–but until now even her most upbeat numbers…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/458
Trisha YearwoodJasper CountyEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia81 B-88
Jordin SparksJordin SparksEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+70
INXSKickLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/474
Tim McGrawLive Like You Were DyingEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B65
SugarlandLove on the InsideEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-79
Kenny ChesneyLucky Old SunEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B54
Rascal FlattsMe and My GangEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia75 C65
BjörkMedúllaEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A82
Paul McCartneyMemory Almost FullEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-68
Mariah CareyMerry ChristmasLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2/468
BeckMidnite VulturesEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-84
Elvis CostelloMighty Like a RoseLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/474
Talking HeadsNakedLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/478
Pearl JamPearl JamEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+76
Gillian WelchRevivalEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A79
Paul McCartneyRun Devil RunEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-74
DidoSafe Trip HomeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B69
EurythmicsSavage“*** EURYTHMICS. "Savage." RCA.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/469
Ashton ShepherdSounds So GoodEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+79
WhiskeytownStrangers AlmanacEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+80
Elton JohnThe Captain & the KidEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-71
SugarlandThe Incredible MachineEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia78 C+49
Tears for FearsThe Seeds of LoveLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2.5/576
StingThe Soul Cages“Not since Roger Waters spent one-and-a-half concept albums mourning his father has a pop star dealt so blatantly with familial loss–though Sting's muted grief is expressed, as you might expect,…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia70 3.5/566
Vince GillThese DaysEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-87
Brad PaisleyThis Is Country MusicEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A77
The ReplacementsTimEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A90
Gillian WelchTime (The Revelator)Entertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-84
Brad PaisleyTime Well WastedEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-79
ColdplayViva la Vida or Death and All His FriendsEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-76
The CranberriesWake Up and Smell the CoffeeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia71 C-66
Toby KeithWhite Trash with MoneyEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B72
Tom PettyWildflowersLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/483

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