B-Side Guys

Mikael Wood

Mikael Wood’s album reviews that count toward B-Side Breakdowns: 114 reviews, going back to 2008, each next to the album’s Breakdown.

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Writes for

What they review

  • Pop 30%
  • Indie & Alternative 19%
  • Folk, Country & Americana 18%
  • Rock 16%

Find Mikael Wood

By the numbers

2A-Sides reviewed, the albums the critics rate highest
7years of their reviews we track, 2008 to 2014
3outlets their reviews here ran in
How their scores spread
  • 0–497
  • 50s6
  • 60s20
  • 70s38
  • 80s33
  • 90+10

Their favorites

  1. Vince GillGuitar Slinger 95 Entertainment Weekly
  2. PJ HarveyLet England Shake 95 Entertainment Weekly
  3. ShakiraSale el sol 95 Entertainment Weekly
  4. Kate Bush50 Words for Snow 91 Entertainment Weekly
  5. Kylie MinogueAphrodite 91 Entertainment Weekly

Artists they keep coming back to

Their scores for each artist, in release order.

A-Sides they reviewed

2 albums that earned an A-Side, the critics’ top tier; they scored 2 of them 75 or higher.

Every review

Outlet
Rick RossMastermind“Reviews: Rick Ross' drug kingpin act feels stale on 'Mastermind';”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia38 1.5/4682014
Miley CyrusBangerz“In her hip-hop-inspired new album, the former Disney star shows she can twerk and tweak the heartstrings.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4642013
Sigur RósKveikur“In 2008 this cult-beloved Icelandic band upended expectations with "Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust," a set of relatively concise art-pop songs that suggested, after a series of increasingly…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/4802013
DisclosureSettleLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4812013
Calvin Harris18 Months“Calvin Harris performs solo but should maybe hunt up a woman collaborator”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/4612012
Animal CollectiveCentipede HzLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/4742012
Rick RossGod Forgives, I Don’t“Living large on 'God Forgives, I Don't”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4732012
Linkin ParkLiving Things“6SPIN Rating: 6 of 10Release Date: June 26, 2012Label: Warner Bros./WEA"We're building it up to break it back down," Chester Bennington sings on the lead”Spin60 6/10642012
GarbageNot Your Kind of PeopleSpin via Wikipedia80 8/10642012
The Mars VoltaNoctourniquet“7SPIN Rating: 7 of 10Release Date: March 27, 2012Label: Warner Bros. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of the Mars Volta has spoken recently with atypical clarity about”Spin70 7/10732012
J. ColeCole World: The Sideline Story“This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/4732011
Red Hot Chili PeppersI’m with You“7SPIN Rating: 7 of 10Release Date: August 30, 2011Label: Warner Bros. Given Red Hot Chili Peppers' congenital inability to hold on to a guitarist, you'd”Spin via Wikipedia70 7/10682011
The GameThe R.E.D. Album“This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4632011
Limp BizkitGold Cobra“4SPIN Rating: 4 of 10Release Date: June 28, 2011Label: InterscopeOh my god, they're back again. Rap-rock's original boy band haven't made an album”Spin40 4/10522011
Taking Back SundayTaking Back Sunday“6SPIN Rating: 6 of 10Release Date: June 28, 2011Label: Warner Bros. Last year, this high-turnover Long Island outfit reconvened the lineup responsible for”Spin via Wikipedia60 6/10722011
Foo FightersWasting Light“9SPIN Rating: 9 of 10Release Date: April 12, 2011Label: Roswell/ RCAFirst Dave Grohl learned to fly. Then, in "Times Like These," he learned to love and”Spin90 9/10792011
Beady EyeDifferent Gear, Still Speeding“This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4652011
My Chemical RomanceDanger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys“7SPIN Rating: 7 of 10Release Date: November 22, 2010Label: RepriseFour years after The Black Parade solidified their place as America's goth-friendliest”Spin via Wikipedia70 7/10732010
Elvis CostelloNational Ransom“With livelier playing and more memorable tunes, Costello's second straight collaboration with producer T Bone Burnett is a major improvement over last”Spin via Wikipedia70 7/10792010
Kings of LeonCome Around Sundown“7SPIN Rating: 7 of 10Release Date: October 15, 2010Label: RCALast year, the lovably corny "Use Somebody" turned these Southern-rock road dogs into”Spin via Wikipedia70 7/10632010
Katy PerryTeenage Dream“6SPIN Rating: 6 of 10Release Date: August 24, 2010Label: CapitolWhen Katy Perry revealed the title of her sophomore album earlier this year, the members”Spin60 6/10602010
Massive AttackHeligoland“7SPIN Rating: 7 of 10Release Date: February 09, 2010Label: VirginWith one tune called "Girl I Love You" and another on which Damon Albarn wonders, "Do you”Spin70 7/10672010
Alicia KeysThe Element of Freedom“Alicia Keys' 2007 smash "No One" launched this once-precocious R&B singer to U2-level save-the-world-with-song status. So you can't really blame her”Spin via Wikipedia50 5/10632009
Robbie WilliamsReality Killed the Video Star“Robbie Williams insists in "Bodies" that "All we've ever wanted is to look good naked," which is a very Robbie Williams thing to insist. Truth be told,”Spin via Wikipedia70 7/10632009
Brand NewDaisySpin via Wikipedia80 8/10792009
Tori AmosAbnormally Attracted to SinSpin via Wikipedia50 5/10682009
Depeche ModeSounds of the Universe“This is Depeche Mode's 12th studio album, but it's only the second they've released since the dance-rock style they helped invent caught fire among”Spin via Wikipedia60 3/5702009
KeanePerfect Symmetry“News flash: Coldplay aren't the only dreamy British pop-rock band with an experimental streak. On album three, Keane trick out their pretty piano melodies”Spin via Wikipedia70 7/10542008
Scarlett JohanssonAnywhere I Lay My Head“Beyond the fact that her voice is deep enough for her to front Crash Test Dummies, there's nothing particularly compelling about Scarlett Johansson's”Spin via Wikipedia50 5/10592008
Taylor Swift1989Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2/474
J. Cole2014 Forest Hills DriveLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/467
Beyoncé4“Nearly 15 years into a career with all the indicators of a future lifetime-achievement award, Beyoncé is so sure of her place in pop's ruling class”Spin via Wikipedia80 8/1071
Deadmau54×4=12Entertainment Weekly via Wikipedia81 B-67
Kate Bush50 Words for SnowEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-85
Linkin ParkA Thousand Suns“Linkin Park's fourth studio album (and second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin) contains plenty of aggressively arty material that might surprise”Spin via Wikipedia60 6/1071
Duran DuranAll You Need Is NowLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/478
Brad PaisleyAmerican Saturday NightSpin via Wikipedia90 9/1083
The StrokesAnglesSpin via Wikipedia80 8/1071
KeshaAnimalEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+62
Kylie MinogueAphroditeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-73
Blake SheltonBased on a True Story…Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/468
Justin BieberBelieveLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/468
Dolly PartonBetter DayLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/480
Lenny KravitzBlack and White AmericaEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B66
Drive-By TruckersBrighter Than Creation’s DarkEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+85
Good CharlotteCardiology“Last time we heard from these pop-punk glamour boys, on 2007's Good Morning Revival, frontman Joel Madden was reflecting on his breakup with Hilary Duff”Spin via Wikipedia40 4/1044
Guns N' RosesChinese DemocracySpin via Wikipedia70 7/1063
Toby KeithClancy’s TavernEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+70
Vampire WeekendContra“Los Angeles Times blogs that were published between 2006 and 2013.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/478
Willie NelsonCountry Music“Los Angeles Times blogs that were published between 2006 and 2013.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/478
Billy CurringtonEnjoy YourselfEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+69
Enrique IglesiasEuphoriaEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B68
Joe JonasFastlifeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B66
The VerveForthSpin via Wikipedia80 4/567
Miranda LambertFour the RecordEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-77
Keith UrbanGet CloserEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B74
Alicia KeysGirl on Fire“Album reviews: Alicia Keys treads familiar ground on 'Girl on Fire”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/470
Britney SpearsGloryLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia80 80/10072
BauhausGo Away WhiteEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia78 C+65
Vince GillGuitar SlingerEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A73
Ellie GouldingHalcyonLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/470
Maroon 5Hands All OverLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/462
George StraitHere for a Good TimeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+72
Cobra StarshipHot MessSpin via Wikipedia70 7/1070
Susan BoyleI Dreamed a DreamEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia81 B-52
Yeah Yeah YeahsIt’s Blitz!“Los Angeles Times blogs that were published between 2006 and 2013.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/482
Jason DeruloJason DeruloEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia78 C+68
Jessie James DeckerJessie JamesEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+66
Carly Rae JepsenKissLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/464
LeAnn RimesLady & GentlemenEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B75
PJ HarveyLet England ShakeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A91
Kenny ChesneyLife on a RockLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2/463
ASAP RockyLong. Live. ASAPLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/477
Garth BrooksMan Against MachineLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/476
One DirectionMidnight Memories“The raw ambition of 'Midnight Memories' easily hands the group the most convincing rock album of the year.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/467
Ariana GrandeMy EverythingLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/470
ColdplayMylo XylotoSpin via Wikipedia70 7/1066
Blink-182NeighborhoodsSpin via Wikipedia60 6/1068
David GuettaOne LoveLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/467
Flo RidaOnly One Flo (Part 1)Entertainment Weekly via Wikipedia75 C61
Lady AOwn the NightEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia85 B56
PitbullPlanet PitEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia91 A-64
Miranda LambertPlatinum“Miranda Lambert waits until she’s 12 songs into her new album to uncork the kind of aggression that's helped her become one of the biggest stars in country music.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/479
No DoubtPush and ShoveLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/464
WeezerRaditudeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+59
UsherRaymond v. RaymondLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/455
Duran DuranRed Carpet Massacre“For 2004's Astronaut, Duran Duran hired Dallas Austin and Linkin Park pal Don Gilmore to overhaul their vintage dance-pop sound; it didn't work. Here,”Spin via Wikipedia60 3/559
T-PainRevolverEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia88 B+58
Mötley CrüeSaints of Los AngelesLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia38 1.5/457
ShakiraSale el solEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia95 A85
Little MixSalute“Little Mix touched down in the U.S. last year with surprising force, scoring the highest-ever chart debut for a British girl group's first album.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia38 1.5/465
Scotty McCreerySee You Tonight“The earnest boy-next-door country star is all grown up”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/470
ShakiraShakiraLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia38 1.5/465
Hunter HayesStoryline“When Hunter Hayes took to the Grammy Awards in January to premiere his song “Invisible” – a windswept power ballad in which the 22-year-old country singer describes the hardships faced…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/472
Natasha BedingfieldStrip MeEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia75 C61
Kelly ClarksonStrongerSpin via Wikipedia70 7/1063
Demi LovatoTell Me You Love MeLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia80 80/10072
MuseThe 2nd LawLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/467
Sufjan StevensThe Age of AdzSpin via Wikipedia70 7/1080
Drive-By TruckersThe Big To-Do“Los Angeles Times blogs that were published between 2006 and 2013.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/477
Bon JoviThe CircleLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia38 1.5/453
Lady GagaThe FameEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia81 B-75
Lady GagaThe Fame MonsterLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/474
The FrayThe FrayEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia71 C-50
Jamey JohnsonThe Guitar Song“9SPIN Rating: 9 of 10Release Date: September 14, 2010Label: Mercury NashvilleJamey Johnson is bringing brawny back. While many male country stars are”Spin via Wikipedia90 9/1093
MuseThe ResistanceLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/472
The Lonely IslandTurtleneck & ChainLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/472
Janet JacksonUnbreakableLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/478
Swedish House MafiaUntil NowLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2.5/556
Panic! at the DiscoVices & VirtuesEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia81 B-66
OneRepublicWaking UpEntertainment Weekly via Wikipedia81 B-59
The All-American RejectsWhen the World Comes DownSpin via Wikipedia60 6/1062
AnthraxWorship MusicLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/471
Green Day¡Uno!Spin via Wikipedia70 7/1068

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