The Rockin' Side

In February of 2002, / offered up two compilations, one spotlighting his "Rockin' Side," the other his "Lovin' Side." Titles don't come much clearer than that, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that both compilations deliver on their promise without straying from their template. Because they stick to a theme, neither has all of his hits, but that's not a problem since the selected hits -- in this case, tunes like and -- are surrounded by sharp selections from his albums, giving each compilation a surprisingly well-rounded feel. Of the two, is superior because sounds livelier, freer, truer in this setting than he does crooning , and the material is also far more consistent. Note that this really does take "rockin'" seriously, meaning that numbers (and big hits) like are entirely absent, but those looking for either the "Rockin' Side" or "Lovin' Side" of will find either volume satisfying. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine