B-Side Guys

Richard Cromelin

Richard Cromelin’s album reviews that count toward B-Side Breakdowns: 61 reviews, going back to 1988, each next to the album’s Breakdown.

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Writes for

What they review

  • Rock 41%
  • Indie & Alternative 33%
  • Pop 10%
  • R&B & Soul 5%

By the numbers

3A-Sides reviewed, the albums the critics rate highest
6albums given a perfect score
21years of their reviews we track, 1988 to 2008
How their scores spread
  • 0–491
  • 50s2
  • 60s5
  • 70s26
  • 80s21
  • 90+6

Their favorites

  1. RadioheadHail to the Thief 100 Los Angeles Times
  2. Steely DanTwo Against Nature 100 Los Angeles Times
  3. Tom WaitsBlood Money 100 Los Angeles Times
  4. The ClashLondon Calling 100 Los Angeles Times
  5. BeckMidnite Vultures 100 Los Angeles Times

Artists they keep coming back to

Their scores for each artist, in release order.

A-Sides they reviewed

3 albums that earned an A-Side, the critics’ top tier; they scored 3 of them 75 or higher.

Every review

Outlet
Ashlee SimpsonBittersweet World“Ashlee Simpson "Bittersweet World" (Geffen) * 1/2 Omigod did you hear who Ashlee has hooked up with?”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia38 1.5/4642008
Annie LennoxSongs of Mass Destruction“Annie Lennox "Songs of Mass Destruction" (Arista) * * * On her first album in four years, Annie Lennox is on the prowl for deliverance — from isolation, from "the…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4672007
WilcoSky Blue SkyLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4772007
Arctic MonkeysFavourite Worst Nightmare“The Arctic Monkeys "Favourite Worst Nightmare" (Domino) * * * 1/2 MONKEYS see, monkeys do a song about it.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4822007
Sigur RósTakk…Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/4782005
AudioslaveOut of Exile“Black Eyed Peas "Monkey Business" (A&M;) ** 1/2 "Monkey" (in stores Tuesday) continues the kitchen-sink approach that made 2003's "Elephunk" a breakthrough, but with spotty results.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4722005
ANOHNI and the JohnsonsI Am a Bird Now“Mary Gauthier "Mercy Now" (Lost Highway) *** 1/2 This fortysomething's resume doesn't prepare you for the intensity and depth of her stark, weather-beaten songs — at least not the part…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4862005
Jane's AddictionStraysLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2/4752003
Steely DanEverything Must Go“Metallica "St. Anger" (Elektra) *** 1/2 No slow songs. No guitar solos.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4712003
RadioheadHail to the ThiefLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/4792003
RadioheadAmnesiac“* * * 1/2 RADIOHEAD "Amnesiac" Capitol Well, OK, so they really meant it after all.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4792001
Steely DanTwo Against NatureLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/4742000
MorrisseySouthpaw Grammar“The Beatles-Spector-Morricone orchestral introduction that opens Morrissey's fifth studio album is grandly excessive, but somehow it never capsizes.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4671995
David BowieBlack Tie White NoiseLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4691993
Mick JaggerWandering SpiritLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/4791993
The ReplacementsAll Shook Down“In which Paul Westerberg completes the progression from unruly rocker with a tender heart to tender-hearted tunesmith given to rock spasms.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia70 3.5/5731990
Elvis CostelloSpikeLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4791989
Patti SmithDream of LifeLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/4751988
R. Kelly12 PlayLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia50 2/475
Prince3121Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/471
IncubusA Crow Left of the Murder…Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/471
The Smashing PumpkinsAdoreLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/477
Dead Can DanceAionLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia60 3/578
R.E.M.Automatic for the PeopleLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/496
Michael JacksonBadLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/486
SoundgardenBadmotorfingerLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/484
Tom WaitsBlood MoneyLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/482
PavementBrighten the CornersLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/483
Drive-By TruckersBrighter Than Creation’s Dark“Drive-By Truckers "Brighter Than Creation's Dark" (New West)*** ½ THE eighth album from this protean band completes one of the widest mood swings in recent rock history.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/485
Red Hot Chili PeppersBy the Way“*** RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS "By the Way" Warner Bros.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/483
MadonnaConfessions on a Dance FloorLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/479
Rage Against the MachineEvil Empire“RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE "Evil Empire" Epic * * * 1/2 Rage Against the Machine's second album barges into an alternative rock world where discontent is routinely channeled into introverted…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/472
Tom WaitsFranks Wild YearsLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/475
Ryan AdamsGold“* * * RYAN ADAMS "Gold" Lost Highway If Lucinda Williams needs a male counterpart to form a first couple of modern folk rock, Adams might be her man: a…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/479
Beastie BoysHello NastyLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/486
Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsHenry’s DreamLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/478
UsherHere I StandLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/468
BjörkHomogenicLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/486
Leonard CohenI’m Your ManLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/487
Nick Cave and the Bad SeedsLet Love InLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/489
The ClashLondon CallingLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/497
WeezerMaladroitLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/473
BjörkMedúllaLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/482
The Smashing PumpkinsMellon Collie and the Infinite SadnessLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/481
BeckMidnite VulturesLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/484
IncubusMorning View“With its occult name, its label link to Korn and its presence on the front lines of Southern California alt-rock activity, Incubus is easily mistaken for one of the nu-metal…”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia63 2.5/468
LambchopNixon“*** Lambchop, "Nixon," Merge.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/484
Jane's AddictionNothing’s ShockingLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/487
BeckOne Foot in the GraveLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/476
R.E.M.Out of TimeLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia60 3/584
EurythmicsPeaceLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/471
The OffspringRise and Fall, Rage and GraceLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/452
SoundgardenSuperunknownLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/493
TravisThe Man Who“*** Travis, "The Man Who," Epic/Independiente. "What's a wonderwall anyway?”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/474
Patty LovelessThe Trouble with the Truth“Following her best-album honors at last fall's Country Music Assn.”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/481
Pearl JamVs.Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/474
WeezerWeezerLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/467
Arctic MonkeysWhatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m NotLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia100 4/491
PlaceboWithout You I’m NothingLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia88 3.5/472
Emmylou HarrisWrecking Ball“EMMYLOU HARRIS "Wrecking Ball" Elektra/Asylum * * * Are fans of the Sweetheart of the Rodeo ready for EmmyloU2?”Los Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/486
MorrisseyYou Are the QuarryLos Angeles Times via Wikipedia75 3/471

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