Also this issue: The Core The Apples in Stereo find their seeds. -A.D. Amorosi Review: Relache Ensemble -Peter Burwasser Suite Spot -Peter Burwasser on Classical Hear Here -Patrick Rapa Reviews -A.D. Amorosi, Andrew Milner and John Vettese Greg Tardy -Kyle Parker Napalm Death -Paul Burress Devendra Banhart -Sam Adams

February 6-12, 2003

musicpicks

Butch Walker

If pop journeyman Butch Walker’s career could be summed up in one directive, it would be this: “Follow the hooks.” His sojourns with head-banging ballers Southgang and modern rockers Marvelous 3 produced many a snappy riff and sing-along chorus, and provided a public face for music fans who realized that the greatest parts of Mötley Crüe and Jellyfish came straight outta Cheap Trick’s book of tricks. Walker’s first solo effort, Left of Self-Centered (Arista), was released last year, and it, too, should provide solace for all the styles of poppy rock left behind by MTV. “Diary of a San Fernando Sexx Star” takes a couple pages from “Surrender” and puts them through the shredder (no, the guitar kind, silly), while the surreal love story of “Alicia Amnesia” is told over splendiferous guitar pealing. Unplugged on this tour, Walker may be dooming some of his songs by denying them the pop-metal grandeur that made Left of Self-Centered one of 2002’s sweetest rock pleasures, but most of the hooks will still hook you.

Tue., Feb. 11, 9 p.m., $10-$12, 21+, with Fastball and John Faye of IKE, North Star, 2639 Poplar St., 215-684-0808.

—Maura Johnston

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