Concert trend both bad and good

What's the difference between a concert ticket and a cow udder these days?

Nothing much, really, as both exist to be milked.

Seeing as how the change beneath the average couch cushion tops what most bands make on CD sales, musicians have to earn most of their income on the road. This means that some groups are resorting to different ways to keep crowds interested, such as playing select albums in their entirety. But is this really a good thing? Let's assess matters with some of the acts who plan on taking this route this summer.

Band: Green Day, Mandalay Bay Events Center, Aug. 21

Album in question: "21st Century Breakdown"

Worthiness: Think "American Idiot" smothered in lard, a triple-chinned opus bloated by an all-you-can-eat-buffet of pomp. "Breakdown" certainly has its moments -- the heart palpitating title track, the scalding "East Jesus Nowhere" -- but like a hunk o' Spam squished into a jewel case, there's plenty of fat to be trimmed.

Verdict: Skip it.

Band: Judas Priest, Thomas & Mack Center, Aug. 8

Album: "British Steel"

Worthiness: It rocked the rust off many a Camaro in 1980, and even today, but one spin of this bad boy will leave you covered in thickets of manly chest hair. From start to finish, "Steel" is a total rager, and seeing how Priest's last two discs -- 2008's wretched, fondue-cheesy "Nostradamus" and 2005's only slightly better "Angel of Retribution" -- have harnessed enough sucking power to qualify as black holes, there's no better time to revisit this half-hour of puerile power.

Verdict: Play it.

Band: Mötley Crüe, The Joint, Aug. 1

Album: "Dr. Feelgood"

Worthiness: If bar tabs and tumors have taught us nothing, it's that bigger is not always better. Yeah, "Dr. Feelgood" may be the Crüe's top seller, but it doesn't match the filth and hooky fury of the band's classic first two LPs, "Too Fast for Love" and "Shout at the Devil." Moreover, half of "Feelgood" already has been a staple of the band's set list for years, and if you're really jonesin' to hear "Slice of Your Pie" live, well, keep it to yourself. We don't come to you with our problems.

Verdict: Skip it.

Band: Aerosmith, MGM Grand Garden arena, July 25

Album: "Toys in the Attic"

Worthiness: This hot and bothered slab of NC-17 blues captures Aerosmith at their debauched best, before they got all sober and started making snot-slick records that pack all the danger of a Muppet fight. Seriously, if you had played these dudes twaddle like "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" back in the day, they would have chugged your beer, groped your gal and puked on your Nikes. If only for "Uncle Salty" alone, it should be dusted off. Maybe their mojo could be rediscovered beneath all the silt.

Verdict: Play it.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.