Travis Barker (Give the Drummer Some)

To start off, let me just say, I am an enormous fan of Travis Barker. For real. Like, colossal, mammoth, huge fan. I seriously get the shivers almost every time I watch him drum. I don't care if he is drumming for Blink 182, or Transplants, or +44, or Box Car Racer or whoever else, he is great. That kind of passion, is just... outstanding, unreal. So, I'm sure you can apprehend the excitement I felt when I found out that he is finally releasing a solo-ish, drum centered album. Pretty-freakin'-excited, let me tell ya.

Give the Drummer Some was released almost two weeks ago now. In this time, my opinion has been moving all over the map. Travis is wonderful, of course, we know this. But, it was a matter of seeing how the hip-hop, rock, rap, drum infused album would fare with the superabundance of talent featured on it. Unlike what I expected, this isn't a drum album with featured vocals. Instead Give the Drummer Some is a complimentary fraternity where everyone involved has their talents on display.

Fact: rap is more gripping with authentic drum beats. It just is.

The artists involved in this album are so vast, and some of the best of the best in their field; Tom Morello, RZA, Raekwon, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Slash, Cypress Hill, The Cool Kids, Kid Cudi... to name a few. The best part about collaborating with so many different artists is no two tracks sound alike. Give the Drummer Some makes it virtually impossible to ever feel bored.

It is so rad to hear L'il Jon's snarl, with Twista and Busta's rapid fire rhymes in Let's Go alongside Yelawolf. Or, The Transplants with Slash escorted by their tranquilizing vocals and Spanish inspired guitar in Saturday Night. OR just the complete genius masterful combination, of our Mr. Barker in the company of Tom Morello, RZA and Raekwon in Carry It. I could really go on and on and on and on about how impressed I am with this album. But, I don't think I could ever articulate properly how I feel. You need to listen for yourself.