The middle school period in anyone's life is a challenging time full of awkwardness and growth. It isn't pretty, most of it is annoying, but there were a few precious days when your face was clear and your voice didn't crack. Today is one of those days.

Bookended by a pair of forgettable albums, "Three Snakes and One Charm" and "Lions", the Black Crowes released "By Your Side" today in 1999. The Crowes were slogging through their middle period and there were some casualties along the way, as guitarist Marc Ford and bassist Johnny Colt left the band. While replacements would eventually join, founding member Rich Robinson took this opportunity to record all the bass and guitar parts himself on "By Your Side".

The result was a reminder why so many people love the band in the first place - tasty licks, excellent vocals, and the snotty sneer of old school rock and roll blended with the slick sheen of soul done right. The album peaked at #26 on the chart and spawned three top-25 singles in "Go Faster", "Only a Fool", and "Kickin' My Heart Around".