It just seems like a reason to tack some half-arsed songs onto a popular track in order to boost sales a bit. That being said, some artists do B-Sides the right way: They use them as a brand new canvas, an opportunity to go mental with their work without elongating their lunacy to full-length albums and LPs.
So what do you get when a band has no limits? No running theme to stick to, no producers to adhere to, no need to appease someone's idea of commercial viability? You get some of the best songs that these bands create. Unfortunately, they often go overshadowed by the singles which they are paired with, but they are certainly there.
Sure, these additional songs may just be fan service, but they’re still pretty great. Here’s a few that are proper B-Sides, not as tacked-on examples of cash-grabbery, but as limitless pieces of musical exploration. Keep in mind, these tracks are by no means a selection of widely-diverse songs which span multiple niche genres; they’re more just ones that I’ve come across while looking for new music, and accordingly grown to love.
And if you don’t care for any of these, just keep in mind that the likes of Radiohead’s ‘Talk Show Host’ and Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ all came to fame despite being mere after-thoughts of a record.
Muse- Glorious
It always seems the best B-Sides from Muse are hard to find. Unlike their earlier work which was compiled into the Hullabaloo Soundtrack, ‘Glorious’ remained hidden by the A-Side of the single ‘Invincible’. The track reaches a natural peak and maintains an impressive stature throughout; it sounds like a huge song, as terrible as that description is, but it aptly defines Muse during this period, in which their experimental ideas were arguably at their most successful.
It now remains relatively unknown to alternative rock. Barely ever played live, ‘Glorious’ is now confined to the likes of other amazing, but ignored B-Sides by the band, such as ‘Eternally Missed’, ‘Easily’ and ‘Fury’. That being said, it was the bonus track for Black Holes and Revelations, although this fact is unlikely to prompt the song's live return anytime soon.
It now remains relatively unknown to alternative rock. Barely ever played live, ‘Glorious’ is now confined to the likes of other amazing, but ignored B-Sides by the band, such as ‘Eternally Missed’, ‘Easily’ and ‘Fury’. That being said, it was the bonus track for Black Holes and Revelations, although this fact is unlikely to prompt the song's live return anytime soon.
The Joy Formidable- Ostrich
Given that the Welsh trio have remained far, far away from the mainstream, you can be forgiven for not knowing about them, let alone their B-Sides. Their magical mixing effects seem to have been somewhat dropped for a much heavier track in ‘Ostrich’. While it may not have much of a chorus or climax, the thudding bass keeps going through unfamiliar territory until the song’s conclusion. And while I'm not making an excuses for the band, this is a tune which certainly sounds better live.
If you're after something a bit more obscure, have a gander at the dance-worthy remix of 'Austere' done by the band's drummer, Matt Thomas. Needs a bit more of a donk on it, really.
If you're after something a bit more obscure, have a gander at the dance-worthy remix of 'Austere' done by the band's drummer, Matt Thomas. Needs a bit more of a donk on it, really.
The Black Keys- Evil
‘Evil’ isn’t an especially explosive track, but it is one which would be right at home among any of The Black Keys’ eight main LPs, (well, probably the earlier ones). It's a mellow song that'll have you intrigued at the very least, as the vocals sound much more raw than what you'd expect of Auerbach, hosting hints of Jimi Hendrix in a song which is as bluesy as they come.
Whether your fond of their earlier stuff or not, 'Evil' sounds like the spontaneous result of a random jam session, and something which any Black Keys fan can surely appreciate.
Whether your fond of their earlier stuff or not, 'Evil' sounds like the spontaneous result of a random jam session, and something which any Black Keys fan can surely appreciate.
Biffy Clyro- Thundermonster
Apart from having the best-suited title for a song on this list, this Biffy B-Side is a personal favourite. As with ‘Evil’, ‘Thundermonster’ sticks to the band's status-quo; a solid stadium-rock anthem, but one which goes shamefully unnoticed. A rather slow verse is whipped into a storming chorus which best display Neil's aptitude for the genre. The combination of his vocals and spirit-filled guitar playing is arguably at its best in this song.
That being said, thanks to their fairly recent B-Side compilation Similarities, it may gain a bit more recognition, but of course it won’t be played live, with the exception of their Barrowlands gigs...
That being said, thanks to their fairly recent B-Side compilation Similarities, it may gain a bit more recognition, but of course it won’t be played live, with the exception of their Barrowlands gigs...
Royal Blood- Hole
I can tell you from experience, this number does get played live. It evokes such an atmosphere that it opens most Royal Blood gigs, and sets the mosh-worthy tone for the rest of the night. If I were to show a bit more of my opinion on their self-titled debut album, it’d be that the duo need to recognise that this song would have been much better suited on their ten-track album than other such as ‘Careless’ or ‘Better Strangers’, but oh well.
I appreciate that it takes a bit more to get used too than some other tracks on the album, but it's a much, much better fit for the band. I mean, have a look at the opener in the video above, then look at live videos of 'Careless', and have a look at the crowd reactions for both. 'Hole' wins, that's all I'm saying...
Queens of the Stone Age- Born to Hula
Hidden away on the deluxe edition of Rated R, ‘Born to Hula’ embodies earlier Queens’ work rather aptly, tying you into a riff until you’re satisfied enough to mosh along, and then changing direction through the odd stop and start. And if you really want to get into things, there’s two different versions…
Regardless of which version you listen to, it's a cracking song which tops the likes of 'Quick and To The Pointless', which has the odd uncanny parallel to Biffy Clyro's earlier stuff.
Regardless of which version you listen to, it's a cracking song which tops the likes of 'Quick and To The Pointless', which has the odd uncanny parallel to Biffy Clyro's earlier stuff.
Oasis- Acquiesce
There’s a load of great Oasis B-Sides, showing that Noel Gallagher and friends didn’t mess around making sub-par tunes. ‘Talk Tonight’, ‘Half the World Away’, ‘Headshrinker’ and ‘The Masterplan’ are all very fine examples of this.
But if you want a straight-up, uncomplicated song which can make crowds jump to the same degree as ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’, then you can’t go wrong with this track. And there’s also the fact that Liam Gallagher never sung it correctly live, so make of that what you will.
But if you want a straight-up, uncomplicated song which can make crowds jump to the same degree as ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’, then you can’t go wrong with this track. And there’s also the fact that Liam Gallagher never sung it correctly live, so make of that what you will.
Death From Above 1979- You’re Lovely (But You’ve Got Problems)
There’s no messing around with this DFA 1979 track, which sounds ahead of its time, considering it’s from a 2005 B-Sides and remixes compilation.
Sounding more like their recent album, The Physical World, ‘You’re Lovely (But You’ve Got Problems)’ is a thrashing dance-punk song which devolves into a mosh worthy interlude halfway through and continues like nothing ever happened. You may enjoy it, you may not, but it's DFA1979 through and through.
Sounding more like their recent album, The Physical World, ‘You’re Lovely (But You’ve Got Problems)’ is a thrashing dance-punk song which devolves into a mosh worthy interlude halfway through and continues like nothing ever happened. You may enjoy it, you may not, but it's DFA1979 through and through.
Arctic Monkeys- If You Found This It’s Probably Too Late
Starting off with a small string section, like something out of hard-core rendition of Downton Abbey, the change in this B-Side is strong enough to snap necks. With an appropriate scream, high-tempo drums come in, sounding more like the aforementioned Death From Above than the band which pumped out AM not too long ago.
It may just be a glimpse into the past with a quick minute duration, (as the first twenty seconds or so are filled with strings), but it’s a tune in need of revival. Imagine the High Green-ers playing this one live? If you're after their earlier songs, I'd step aside 'Fluorescent Adolescent', make way for this wonderful slice of nonsense.
It may just be a glimpse into the past with a quick minute duration, (as the first twenty seconds or so are filled with strings), but it’s a tune in need of revival. Imagine the High Green-ers playing this one live? If you're after their earlier songs, I'd step aside 'Fluorescent Adolescent', make way for this wonderful slice of nonsense.
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