Wu-Tang Clan — Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 ChambersBrad Holland

It’s pretty funny that the most popular rappers these days are guys like Nelly and 50 Cent. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they’re nice enough dudes. But does anybody buy this shtick anymore? One minute they’re all hard and street, the next they’re suave and showing off all their crap on “Cribs.” Nelly put out a “joint” with Tim McGraw, for God’s sake! This is what happens when guys get wrapped up in the life and forget about the tunes. All of today’s rappers need to go back and listen to “36 Chambers” to take notes on what a good record is supposed to sound like. Wu Tang was the real deal, and it’s my opinion this CD should be freely distributed in all middle schools from now on.

Trustkill Records Compilation — Blood, Sweat, and Ten YearsJustin McLeod

After ten years of blood and sweat, indie label Trustkill Records is celebrating with an aptly titled compilation CD. Do you have a hankering for some aspirin? Does the pounding of snares and basses intermingling with guitar riffs set you at ease–or even better, set you off? Nothing is better than a rock compilation that includes heavy metal and emo-screamo bands under one label. Even more invigorating are the subtle changes that take songs from operatic tones to rigid eardrum bashing beats.

For a measly four bucks anyone can have the rights to eighteen songs from the heavy hitters on the label, including Armsbendback, Throwdown, Hopesfall, Poison the Well, Bleeding Through, Open Hand, and many more.

Bush — Sixteen StoneNolan Dean

When the majority of people think back to the first week of December it’s usually with memories of tests, exams and dreary weather. There’s no better time to bring back grunge music than a time like this and Bush did exactly that when they released “Sixteen stone” Dec. 6 1994. With a mix of emotional lyrics and a bit of distortion, songs such as “Machinehead” and “Everything Zen” brought new listeners in touch with the grunge genre. Bush blended intricate guitar solos with catchy percussion sequences and the end result was an album that managed to compete with any other rock album, including Pearl Jam’s “Vitalogy,” released the same day.