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MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER

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MDLIST

Megadeth | Th1rt3en

Roadrunner (2011)
While Metallica is in Lulu-land, in the doghouse of fans and critics alike, sometime-nemesis Megadeth stay the metal course with another solid release served without the pretense of musical evolution or artsy growth.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  November 09, 2011
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The '90s spawn of gothic rock

Mall bats
In recent years, the long arm of goth has rested on many a musical shoulder.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  October 26, 2011
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Beyond Bauhaus, Peter Murphy builds his own aural architecture

Forever undead
Peter Murphy's ninth solo record, artfully titled Ninth, is worth talking about, since it's his first in seven years and third straight to garner almost across-the-board praise from critics and fans alike.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  October 26, 2011
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Jane's Addiction | The Great Escape Artist

Capitol (2011)
Since the origins of The Great Escape Artist nearly two years ago, the outfit has had five different people on bass duties.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  October 25, 2011
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Chris Isaak | Beyond the Sun

Vanguard (2011)
Critics of Chris Isaak have long considered him a neo-Elvis in a cheaper suit.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  October 25, 2011
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Billy Corgan dishes on the 20th anniversary of Gish — one smashing debut record

Tales from the Pumpkin patch
The saturation of album anniversary celebrations has gotten out of hand in recent years.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  October 19, 2011
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Ryan Adams | Ashes & Fire

PAX-AM/Capitol (2011)
Historically, Ryan Adams has released, via labels or for download, every idea he's put down on tape.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  October 04, 2011
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Misfits | The Devil's Rain

Misfits Records (2011)
The reason there hasn't been a new Misfits record of all original material in a dozen years is because without Glenn Danzig, it's just not the Misfits.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  September 27, 2011
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Kasabian | Velociraptor!

RCA/Columbia (2011)
Four records in and Kasabian are still dodging that lazy comparison to Oasis, which is based mainly on their healthy egos and partly on how singer Tom Meighan sometimes pulls off the best Liam Gallagher sneer since Be Here Now — look no further than the way he stretches syllables on the cocksure, bass-driven "Re-Wired."
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  September 20, 2011
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The National carry indie rock's aging flag

Elder statesman
The National seem to be among the ranks of Bon Iver, Adele, and TV on the Radio as some of the fresh-faced replacements for tired cranks like Sting, Billy Joel, and the Eagles when it comes to the music Baby Boomers and — now Gen-Xers — are latching onto.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  September 07, 2011
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The Nightwatchman | World Wide Rebel Songs

New West Records (2011)
It's been interesting watching the progression of the Nightwatchman, the sometime moniker of Tom Morello.  
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  August 30, 2011
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Dave Mustaine's righteous path

Tragic hero
Now sober, the ginger frontman is not only sharing a bill with Metallica, but the stage in an end-of-the-night jam to celebrate the Big Four, along with Slayer and Anthrax, and commemorating 30 years of pioneering thrash by playing select gigs around the world, including New York's Yankee Stadium next month.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  August 24, 2011
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Anthrax | Worship Music

Megaforce Records (2011)
Anthrax has remained relevant over the past two decades mainly because John Bush, with his rumbling and powerful vocals, replaced Joey Belladonna.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  August 24, 2011
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Beady Eye's Liam Gallagher talks new music, the Oasis breakup, and 'shithole' Glastonbury

Feeling supersonic
Back in March, I caught up with Liam post-soundcheck in Paris, when he called to talk about his new gig, Noel taking credit for the success of Oasis, and how he is scaling back the partying -- but not to Chris Martin of Coldplay levels.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  August 17, 2011
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Active Child | You Are All I See

Vagrant Records (2011)
Pat Grossi used to be a choirboy, which is not surprising at all, given that his full-length debut under the Active Child moniker sounds like it was cut in some sort of dimly lit, hallowed hall under the cover of night.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  August 16, 2011
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Pepper Rabbit | Red Velvet Snow Ball

Kanine (2011)
Were Zach Braff still struggling to get Garden State made, there's no doubt one of these songs would have made the mix CD he was shopping around Hollywood with his script.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  August 03, 2011
GS List

Golden State | Division

State Champ (2011)
A California-themed moniker isn't the only thing frontman James Grundler has carried over from his past.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  July 26, 2011
ellie list

Ellie Goulding traces a route to pop royalty

Starry eyed
It's a tale as old as the ages: the artist who breaks big in England but never quite cracks the charts or the hearts of but a select few in the States.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  July 25, 2011
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The Horrors | Skying

XL (2011)
Skying is an epic swash of shoegaze, Britpop, and succulent reverb rock.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  July 19, 2011
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Nikki Sixx faces his doppelgangers

Still shouting
Nikki Sixx remains a live wire when onstage with LA dirtbags Mötley Crüe.
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  July 18, 2011
Mat Nathanson Boston City Hall

Out: Matt Nathanson at City Hall Plaza's BBQ Beach Party

Homecoming king
If you take a gig for something called "BBQ Beach Party," you'd think there would be some pretty decent grub on hand. But that wasn't exactly the case for Lexington native Matt Nathanson last Friday.  
By: MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER  |  June 29, 2011
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