Articles by: Nick DeRiso

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Walter Trout – Battle Scars (2015)

Depite Water Trout’s devastating illness, ‘Battle Scars’ boasts a striking resiliency and sense of purpose.

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Brian Eno’s Small Craft on a Milk Sea has only gotten better with time

When Brian Eno’s ‘Small Craft on a Milk Sea’ arrived in November 2010, I was disappointed. You expect him to be ever changing.

How the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour was almost, but not quite, saved

How the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour was almost, but not quite, saved

Pity the poor Brits, who didn’t initially receive the full 11-song U.S. version of the Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour,’ released on Nov. 27, 1967.

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The Kinks – Sunny Afternoon: The Very Best of (2015)

This is the compact, early-career overview the Kinks have deserved for some time, one that builds upon their familiar successes rather than simply relying upon them.

Phil Collins found himself at a crossroads with Hello, I Must Be Going!

Phil Collins found himself at a crossroads with Hello, I Must Be Going!

Released this month in 1982, Phil Collins’ ‘Hello, I Must Be Going!’ was a disparate collection of moods, tempos and personas – a reflection of both his career and private life.

Daniel Davies + Sebastian Robertson - 'Condemned' (2015)

Daniel Davies + Sebastian Robertson – ‘Condemned’ (2015)

Sons of famous axemen, Daniel Davies and Sebastian Robertson have made the brave choice to spin a blood-curdling yarn without the infrastucture of guitar.

The Beatles' Love was a worthy concept not taken far enough

The Beatles’ Love was a worthy concept not taken far enough

The Beatles’ Love, released this month in 2006, was at its best when George Martin got outside of convention – but that didn’t happen nearly enough.

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Badfinger’s ‘No Matter What’ didn’t always have that crazy-cool solo

Badfinger’s Joey Molland talks to us about a moment of inspiration on “No Matter What,” which arrived as part of ‘No Dice’ this month in 1970.

Genesis, "No Son of Mine" from We Can't Dance (1991): One Track Mind

Genesis, “No Son of Mine” from We Can’t Dance (1991): One Track Mind

Genesis’ “No Son of Mine,” released on Nov. 11, 1991 as part of ‘We Can’t Dance,’ couldn’t have been more different than “The Living Years.”

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A side-stage Svengali, Allen Toussaint found musical salvation in Katrina

Allen Toussaint, who has died at 77, was always content to work behind the scenes – until a devastating storm swept him from New Orleans.