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Adam WilliamsPopMatters Associate Music EditorFeatures
Dear Planet Earth: An Interview with Sebastian BachThrough reality shows, theater appearances, and Hep Alien, the enthusiastic Bach keeps his focus (and his funding) on his music, even if the industry is a bitchslap. [29 February 2008] Nuevo Marketing: An Interview with Me Talk PrettyMe Talk Pretty takes a flexible approach to new forms of distribution while trying not to leave anyone bewildered. [22 January 2008] The End of an Era: Hilly Kristal 1932-2007A good guy, who gave us all a hell of a lot to be thankful for. [31 August 2007] Lead By Example: A New Dawn With Sixx: A.M.More than a mere memoir and corresponding album, The Heroin Diaries, the latest project from Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx, is a graphic exploration into the mind of a man losing his battle with himself. [22 August 2007] Open Letter to Lester BangsThe fearless, arrogant, and very much missed rock writer has been gone from this world for a quarter century, now. Time to drop him a note. [30 April 2007] Crüe’d and Tattüe’dAfter catching nearly a dozen live dates, PopMatters' Adam Williams explores the rising ranks of a new class of Crüehead. [8 September 2006] Write On! Musings on Music JournalismThink you have the skills to be a music journalist? Take this test and judge for yourself. [18 January 2006] Imagining LennonHe walked away from his past and embraced his future, only to have that future taken from him. Had he lived, what would John Lennon have done over the last 25 years? [8 December 2005] Losing Our HareWith its futuristic Loonatics, Warner Bros. buries an American icon under comic-book bluster and video-gamey gunk, driving an unapologetic final nail into Bugs Bunny's cartoon coffin. [27 June 2005] Diminutive in Name Only: Bobby Short 1924-2005Boasting a show business career that lasted over 70 years, Café Carlyle's ambassador of good will leaves us with a legacy of beautiful music and memories of an exquisite man. [22 March 2005] Success StoryThirty-five years after the Who blasted the hallowed halls of academia, 'Live at Leeds' remains the greatest live recording in the annals of rock. [16 February 2005] Neverland PenitentiaryAs the King of Pop faces his day in court, all that's missing in this three-ring circus are clowns and parading elephants. But whether or not he's found guilty, Michael Jackson will remain jailed in the surreal prison he's made for himself. [4 February 2005] Heeeere’s to Johnny…: Johnny Carson, 1925-2005Johnny Carson was a comedic genius and lord of the evening talk show format whom generations of viewers welcomed into their homes for roughly three decades. [24 January 2005] What of the Voodoo Child?What would Jimi Hendrix sound like now? The anniversary of the great guitarist's birth has us wondering what kind of records he would have made, what evolution of the blues he would have pioneered, and whether he had even begun to fulfill his limitless potential. [29 November 2004] Thanks John…Who'd have thought that burnout kid would grow up to be the legendary Johnny Ramone? Damn, I miss him already... [23 September 2004] Remembering Rick JamesWhile the untimely passing of musicians is always painful, the loss of Rick James is particularly troubling; not simply because he was a rare talent, but more so because he is destined to be remembered for the wrong reasons. [10 August 2004] WHO’S 40?Gazing up at the carved images on rock music's Mount Rushmore, one will see greatness in a variety of forms: The Beatles as mop topped pioneers; the Rolling Stones as sneering pop marvels; Led Zeppelin as bombastic virtuosos; and the Who as, well, the Who. It can be argued that success and immortality were assured for three of the four, but somehow the Who survived in spite of themselves to become the best of the bunch. [7 April 2004] Alive and Still Kicking ‘em Out: an Interview with Michael Davis of the MC5Are MC5 still kicking out the jams, or have they given in to the corporate machine? PopMatters critic Adam Williams talks to bassist Mike Davis to examine what kicking out the jams means in 2004. [1 January 1995] Band on the RunThe Bamboo Kids struggle through the daily grind on the road, but they're not about to do anything else. The Band Who Would Be KingAcquiesce won't give in as they take their big rock sound out of New York. ReviewsAC/DCThe band has found itself at that precarious past-meets-present junction; lesser artists invariably show their age and labor through as nostalgia acts, but not AC/DC. [15 December 2008] Crüefest 2008Crüefest 2008 is a long day of big noise and metal magnificence that provides concert goers an attractive return on their investment. [1 August 2008] 
Slash by Slash, Anthony BozzaSomewhere between Slash living the junkie-cum-rock star lifestyle and recounting that life, there is a profound disconnect. [14 March 2008] 
The Naked PreyThough his seemingly directionless flight appears futile, Wilde runs with purpose; he is striding toward triumph through survival, and as such, a validation of himself. [5 February 2008] Ozzy Osbourne + Rob ZombieThere is no metal veteran closer to a musical shaman than Ozzy. [25 January 2008] 
Sebastian Bach: Angel DownWith his new album, Baz has reestablished himself as one of rock's preeminent vocalists, and, equally important, he's crafted a record that ranks among the year's best in hard rock. [17 January 2008] 
The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star by Nikki SixxSixx invites readers into the depths of his psyche and addictive past, leaving them to draw their own conclusions about the Hell they've just visited. [26 October 2007] Heaven and HellWhile the band morphed so many times that it's tough to call anything a true Sabbath reunion, everyone and their stud-jacket granny is calling it that. Ozzy who? [27 April 2007] 
KISS: KISSology: The Ultimate KISS Collection Vol. I 1974-1977 [DVD]You wanted the best, you got the best … the hottest band in the world on DVD, KISS. [21 February 2007] 
The Who: The Who: Who’s Next [DVD]The DVD falls far short in providing sufficient insights and accurate historical perspective into the album's legacy and ongoing artistic and commercial appeal. [2 January 2007] 
Hot Tuna: Keep On Truckin’: The Very Best of Hot TunaFor devout Tuna fans, Jorma and Jack are beloved members of a collective extended family. [8 November 2006] 
Rainbow: Live in Munich 1977At the core of the live set is Ritchie Blackmore, one of music's often overlooked guitar wizards, plying his trade and making it all look so easy. [30 October 2006] 
Louis Armstrong: Live in 59 [DVD]Armstrong’s smiling countenance is the perfect foil for his remarkable technical skills; his interaction with both audience and band is wonderfully disarming, making the music even more accessible. [9 October 2006] 
AC/DC: A Classic Album Under Review - Back In Black [DVD]An enjoyable and often times fascinating re-visitation of one of music's most important albums. [4 October 2006] 
Journey: Live in Houston 1981 - Escape Tour [DVD]Twenty-five years ago, Journey was #1 on the charts and on stage. Chalk it up as another of life's great unsolved mysteries. [9 August 2006] The BellRaysin Joe's Pub is like stuffing a stick of dynamite into a shoebox... [7 August 2006] 
Boston: Boston / Don’t Look BackThree decades after exploding on the pop-rock scene with Boston and Don't Look Back, Tom Scholz brings us his band's first two albums in remastered form. [25 July 2006] Wayne KramerTurned down but tuned in, these days Brother Wayne is kicking out an entirely different kind of jam. [13 June 2006] Dick Dale? Wasn't he in Pulp Fiction or something? [3 June 2006] Wolfmother's Sabbath-like crunch makes Green Day look like Hanson. [2 June 2006] Joey Ramone Birthday Bash feat. Alarm, The Star Spangles, The Strokes, and Wayne KramerJoey Ramone deserves a celebration once a year, every year, until the end of time. And one without Matt Pinfield and circus freaks just wouldn't suffice. [31 May 2006] 
Buckcherry: FifteenEmerging from the "Where are they now?" file, Buckcherry is back, perhaps not in black, with a down 'n' dirty new album. [1 May 2006] Cheap Trick: Dream PoliceEven 27 years after the fact, Cheap Trick and Dream Police still hold up surprisingly well. [14 April 2006] 
Cheap Trick: Dream PoliceEven 27 years after the fact, Cheap Trick and Dream Police still hold up surprisingly well. 
GG Allin and the Murder Junkies: Terror in America - Live 1993 [DVD]GG Allin would have eaten the Pistols for breakfast then shit them out onstage. [23 March 2006] 
Inked - The Best of Season 1What's the difference between a bad tattoo and a bad television show? The latter won't last nearly as long as the former. [31 January 2006] 
Johnny Cash: The Complete Sun Recordings 1955 - 1958Time Life digs deep into the Man in Black's archive and unearths a near perfect collection of material. [23 November 2005] CreamWhich of the greatest bands from the '60s recently took the stage for a long-anticipated, live performance with all of its original members? [11 November 2005] 
Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock [DVD]Experience Hendrix has done a tremendous service to aficionados the world over by adding another treasure to the archive. [9 November 2005] 
The BellRays: The BellRays @ the Barfly [DVD]Let the BellRays take you on a wild ride... going back to school has never been as much fun. [8 November 2005] 
Various Artists: The Rough Guide to Bottleneck BluesSlip sliding away... A look back at bottleneck blues' power and passion. [2 November 2005] 
Tommy Lee: Tommyland: The RideCritics will assuredly scoff at Lee's latest solo effort as a self-indulgent exercise in musical mediocrity. Yeah? Scrüe them... [31 October 2005] DKT/MC5Davis, Kramer, and Thompson succeed where many groups on nostalgia tours fail, by paying homage to the beauty of what was while offering the majesty of what is. [12 September 2005] Motley CrueThe Motley freak show continued, stopping in Atlantic City for a pair of small venue gigs. And me with three Crue concerts in six days... Gee, you think I'm having fun yet? [8 September 2005] 
B.B. King: The Ultimate CollectionRegal in name and stature, the King of the Blues is paid tribute with the latest thumbnail sketch of his historic career. [19 August 2005]
Various Artists: The Rough Guide to Bottleneck BluesSlip sliding away... A look back at bottleneck blues' power and passion. [2 August 2005] 
Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of DarknessThe good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly questionable from the Prince of Darkness and Metal's reigning Court Jester. [24 June 2005] 
Joe Cocker: Heart & SoulEven with a little help from his friends, Joe Cocker doesn't provide much more than an honest effort with his latest recording. [5 May 2005] 
Iggy Pop: Iggy Pop! Live San Fran 1981 [DVD]A packed and smoky club... San Francisco... 25 November 1981... The nexus between the fading remnants of punk and disco and the germination of new wave... What better ambassador to represent the changing times than the remarkable James Osterberg?" [26 April 2005] 
The Ramones: End of the Century - The Story of The Ramones [DVD]As dysfunctional as they were influential, the Ramones survived more than two tumultuous decades together to become the preeminent voice and image of punk rock. [18 April 2005] 
The Jackson 5: GoldYears before he became the iconic King of Pop, Michael Jackson was in a quaint little group known as the Jackson 5. And yes, he and his brothers were amazing. Mötley CrüeHow wrong they were... [15 March 2005] 
The Layaways: We’ve Been LostChiming guitars and an underlying current of melancholy propel the Layaways on their sophisticated sophomore effort. [4 March 2005] 
Mötley Crüe: Red, White & CrüeYet another repetitive greatest hits package? What is this, the Crüe or the Who?" [3 March 2005] 
Tony Iommi With Glenn Hughes: The 1996 DEP SessionsNot exactly colored in shades of the blackest Sabbath or deepest Purple, the joint effort of Iommi and Hughes still packs enough wallop to satisfy one's daily metallic craving. [16 February 2005] Who’s NextCan a cover band faithfully replicate an epic mod adventure? Will everyone leave the club wanting to buy GS scooters? Who knows. [1 February 2005] 
The Bamboo Kids: self-titledStripped down, abrasive out-in-the-alley music…The Bamboo Kids pay homage to their punk forefathers with their sneering self titled debut. [31 January 2005] 
Acquiesce: ShatteredWho said you need a major label to compete with the big boys? Acquiesce shatters that notion with a blast of energized New York rock 'n' roll. [13 January 2005] The Star Spangles + The River City RebelsPunk's not dead. It just smells that way. [10 January 2005] 
Jimi Hendrix: Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight [CD + DVD]As he had so masterfully done at Monterey and Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix engulfed Isle of Wight festival goers in a brilliant sea of cosmic sights and sounds. No one could have imagined that the 1970 concert would be the Voodoo Chile's last hurrah. Guided By VoicesDrunken revelry, a brewery's worth of beer, and a solemn so-long to my crazed, party crashing uncle. [21 December 2004] The Donnas + The Starlite Desperation + The DatsunsConvulsions and conflicted cock-rock? Yawn... Bring on the headliner... [14 December 2004] 
DKT-MC5: Sonic Revolution - A Celebration of the MC5 [DVD]Of the many words that could describe the MC5's legacy, controversy would be prominently displayed on the list. [23 August 2004] 
MC5 * A True Testimonial (2002) - PopMatters Film Review)The MC5 were an extremely proficient musical unit that genuinely lived their lives according to the credo, 'Kick out the jams.'" [22 May 2003] 
The Who: Who’s Next [Deluxe Edition]Few albums in the pantheon of classic rock recordings embody the greatness of an artist more than 1971’s Who’s Next. [18 April 2003] |
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