In 2003, Las Vegas born rapper Big B dove head first into the scene with the album High Class White Trash, however it wasn’t until 2009 when his single “Sinner” was featured and garnered heavy airplay from the world-renowned LA based alternative rock radio station KROQ, putting Big B in a much larger and brighter spotlight. Fast-forward to July 2016, Big B dropped his 13th studio album titled Drunk in the Garage: Live & Acoustic-ish under Suburban Noize Records. The album which features heavy hitters like Dirty Heads, Everlast, Scott Russo and Micky Avalon is a reenvisioned, stripped down acoustic versions of Big B classic tracks including “Hooligan,” “Sinner,” “Hangovers with You,” and “Before I Leave This Place.”
the music is given greater room to flourish while retaining just enough of its glowing warmth
The idea of remolding and repurposing existing recordings is, essentially, the beauty of the album. With Drunk in the Garage, Big B transforms big melodies and rhythms and spits them back out as something new, exciting and beautifully produced. The mixing is exceedingly impressive because he understands the history, balance and dynamics of songwriting. Big B lets every element of the track shine, and he never forgets the basics.
The album’s sound is decadent, the music is given greater room to flourish while retaining just enough of its glowing warmth. But where Drunk in the Garage really shines is in its cohesion. This is a 14 track, 54-minute collection that never once falls out of step. The album transitions from a funky hip hop to soulful ballads without a single mistep. 2016 has been a great year for music all around, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more consistent and undivided album than Drunk in the Garage.
Preview and download Drunk in the Garage: Live & Acoustic-ish on
Track listing
- Let it Rain
- Put Em’ Up featuring Mickey Avalon
- Bad Girl
- Wide Open
- I Fucked Up Again
- Lightning
- Sailing
- Hangovers With You featuring The Dirty Heads
- Out Here in Cali
- Sinner featuring Scott Russo from Unwritten Law
- White Trash
- Before I Leave This Place featuring Everlast
- Hooligan
- West Coast Summer
Big B and Dirty Heads “Hangovers With You” music video
Links: Facebook | Website
Release Date: July 8, 2016 • Label: Suburban Noize Records
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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