Dion Roy - The Nearest Light

Coming off his amazing debut album, Gallery, Dion Roy has returned with a treat for the ears. A four-track EP, The Nearest Light is his latest offering. The first thought that comes to mind when listening to The Nearest Light is how utterly fantastic it is. Usually four song EPs are nothing more than stop gaps to hold fans over until the next real project. That’s not the case with The Nearest Light. This is four excellent songs that every fan of Dion Roy is bound to love. While Gallery was mostly acoustic folk with slower melodies, The Nearest Light is backed by a full band (although, I believe Dion played most of the instruments himself), and has a much heavier sound. This new style only enhances the musical experience and shows the depth of Dion Roy.

The EP opens with the lead single, The Wave. This is one of Dion’s strongest songs and an excellent introduction to the new direction of his music. The electric guitar and crashing drum beats are noticeable right away. Dion’s voice never sounded better than it does on this track. The Wave has summer hit written all over it. A heavier rock melody, The Wave is an excellent opening track and a solid rock song.

Dirty Hotel Scenery is the next song and is just as enjoyable as the previous track. A fast paced, foot tapping, modern folk song, Dirty Hotel Scenery is magnificent. The guitars (both electric and acoustic) are prominent, and Dion’s voice resonates strong. This is another fun-filled summertime tune that deserves to be blaring from car stereos while cruising the strip down the shore.

Of Grey could possibly be the best Dion Roy song ever recorded. This track is deep with musical layers. Dion’s voice turns dark and husky, which is fitting for this melody. The song starts slow and melodic before exploding into an intense hook that is stark and powerful. The musical changes on Of Grey are detailed and delightful. A lot of thought went into the creation of this song and it shows. The most advanced Dion Roy song I’ve heard, Of Grey is his best song to date.

The EP closes with Long Way Down, a superb rock song that is coated in Dion’s signature soft toned style. Another song routed deep in melody changes throughout, Long Way Down solidifies the evolution of Dion Roy. Another strong song backed by a full band, Long Way Down closes out this EP in style. If the future of Dion Roy is going to sound like this, then please sign me up for all his subsequent releases!

The Nearest Light is available on ITunes now. Visit http://www.dionroy.com/ for details and to pick up your copy. You need to own this EP.

Track Listing
The Wave
Dirty Hotel Scenery
Of Grey
Long Way Down

Dion Roy - February 19, 2010

As much as I love attending large rock shows, at arenas and stadiums, there is something very soothing about seeing an artist perform at a small club or bar. There is an intimacy there that cannot be matched anywhere else. That is why when Dion Roy announced a club show, on his birthday, less than an hour from my house, I jumped at the chance to go.

The Crossroads is a great place to see a local act live. There is a nice small stage set up for the performers. The acoustics in the room are solid. With a maximum occupancy of 200, this is a very intimate setting for a live musical performance. The stage is quaint. There is just enough room for four performers to stand on it (with a drum kit). If the band wants to move around a lot, they are going to have to leave the stage to do it.

Dion Roy was performing with 3 other acts, but his was the one that I wanted to see. Having been a fan since last summer’s release of Gallery, I had been meaning to see Dion live. This was an excellent opportunity for me to do just that.

Taking the stage early in the night (as he was the first act) and standing alongside his partner, Pete Mere, Dion kicked off the set with a brand new song called Long Way Down. Incredible. I thought Gallery was chock full of exceptional material, but Long Way Down was an excellent tune, and I’m hopeful that it will be released in some format in the near future.

Come Back Around quickly followed and found most of the crowd (all sitting near the stage, all fans of Dion Roy) singing along word for word, myself included. The song sounded great live. With the two acoustic guitars giving a solid performance, it was a pleasure to listen to.

My favorite Dion Roy song came next, You Can’t Take. This is a powerful song and in the live setting it was even greater. The twin guitar attack, Dion’s solid vocals, and intimacy of the atmosphere all blended together to make this song an amazing experience. You Can’t Take was the first Dion Roy song that stayed with me and it’s one of his best, so I was extremely grateful to hear it live.

Dirty Hotel Scenery was another new song that Dion performed on that night. While I love his debut album Gallery (as made apparent by the fact that it was in my top 10 last year), the new songs were outstanding. They really made me yearn for another Dion Roy release as soon as possible, which is what they were supposed to do, I guess.

The set closed out with Wants It, a great track from Gallery. Since he was the first act to go on, Dion Roy had a short and sweet performance that left me wanting more. If he comes around to the area again (which I’m sure he will), I will be attending another show, hopefully a headliner’s set so I can enjoy a longer performance.

As for the new stuff, well, there are rumors that it will be out in some form very soon. I can’t wait for that. I would love to have those songs to enjoy on a regular basis. If you have the chance to see Dion Roy in concert, do yourself a favor and go. It is an intimate, pleasurable music experience that you are bound to enjoy.

Setlist
Long Way Down
Come Back Around
You Can’t Take
Won’t Go On
Dirty Hotel Scenery
Wants It

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Dion Roy Live Edition

Tonight I am going to see Dion Roy live for the first time. Regular readers know that I am a big fan of his debut album Gallery. That album made my ten best list for 2009. I am excited to finally get to see his live show. It’s at a club not too far from my house, The Crossroads (www.xxroads.com) and it’s a birthday bash for Dion. It should be a lot of fun with some great live music. If anyone is planning to attend, drop me a line or send me a tweet. Those of you that are interested in learning more about Dion and his fabulous music visit his website at: www.dionroy.com.

And while I was preparing for a fun filled Friday night of birthday celebration and great music, here’s what rocked this week:

Three Days Grace to tour with Chevelle and Adelita’s Way
I had the opportunity to see Adelita’s Way open for Theory of a Deadman and they were awesome. Three Days Grace is supporting their excellent new disc, Life Starts Now. Unfortunately, there aren’t any dates in my area, but if this show is coming to your town, you should definitely check it out.

Download Festival 2010 Lineup
If you live in the UK, or are planning a trip there in June, the Download festival is showing an awesome lineup this year. It makes me wish I had the money to be a world traveler. With AC/DC and Megadeth on the bill and Aerosmith getting together (with Steven Tyler) for this one, it’s going to be an exceptional weekend of rock and roll.

Guns N Roses Rocked NYC With A Surprise Gig
I need more friends in the industry to let me know when things like this are going to happen. I would have given a lot to be at this club show.

Stephen Pearcy Talks About The New Ratt Album
While I am excited about the new album, reading Stephen’s comments make it painfully obvious that they are only together for the money. He sees it as a job and not as an act of love (which it was when they first got together). This worries me. An audio sample to the first single is also included.

Bonnaroo Lineup Announced
Wow! What a lineup this year! I am seriously considering making the trip to Tennessee for this. Even though I am supposed to attend a meeting for my 9-5 job that weekend, I’m still thinking of going. It just looks that good!

My 10 Favorite Releases of 2009

Well, it’s that time of the year again. 2009 is almost at a close and as we hover in anticipation of the New Year, this is a good time to reflect on the great music that came to us this past year. I’m hopeful that 2010 will bring half as many quality releases as 2009 did. Will we see a new Aerosmith record? I doubt it. Could we hold out hope that KISS goes back into the studio? Not likely. But we do know that there are some great albums on the horizon. Bruce Kulick is set to release a solo album, Buckcherry is in the studio, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are recording new music. Spoon, Lifehouse, Vampire Weekend, Natalie Merchant, and Airbourne are all talking about 2010 releases. And that’s just to get us started. Yeah, 2010 should be a great year for new music!

While we wait for future releases, let’s take a moment to reflect on the past. Here are my ten favorites of the past year. This was no easy task by any stretch of the imagination. A lot of incredible records were left off the list only because there were so many excellent choices. This is in no particular order, other than they are what I feel represent the 10 best releases of the past year. Got a different opinion? Leave a comment or drop an e-mail and let the debates begin!

Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King


Without a doubt, Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey… was one of the greatest gifts of 2009. Packed with memorable hits, smooth funky rhythms, and artistic punch, DMB has shown once again why they are leaders in the field of music and entertainment. Released in June, I played this CD several times when I first got my hands on it, at one point not listening to anything but this album for a week straight.

Here’s my review of Big Whiskey:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/06/dave-matthews-band-big-whiskey-and_07.html

Lynch Mob – Smoke And Mirrors


I’ll be honest, when I heard that this album was coming out featuring original vocalist Oni Logan, I didn’t have much hope for greatness. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited and I wanted the album to do well and sound incredible. However, I’m a realist, and with Logan being MIA for so long, and George being out of the spotlight, I wasn’t sure if they still had that magical chemistry. Am I ever so glad that they erased all doubt. Smoke And Mirrors is a metal classic!

Here’s my review of Smoke And Mirrors:
http://hardrockhideout.com/2009/08/24/lynch-mob-smoke-mirrors-2009

U2 – No Line On The Horizon


Shocked. That’s how I was when I listened to No Line On The Horizon. I was skeptical of the new U2 disc. How could they possibly release another great disc after All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb? Well, somehow, they made it happen again. Another near perfect album came out this year from the Irish rockers beloved the world over. With incredible songs like the title track, Breathe, and Moment Of Surrender U2 continues to dazzle and show us just why they are one of the greatest rock bands in existence.

Here’s my review of No Line On The Horizon:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/03/u2-no-line-on-horizon.html

The Clarks – Restless Days


Back with their first album of new material in more than five years, The Clarks made fans very happy with this year’s release of Restless Days. The wait was worth it, because The Clarks turned in their best album since 2000’s Let It Go. Combining typical bar blues Clarks style rock and roll with intense lyrics and melodies, The Clarks have produced one exceptional album. If you only own one Clarks album, this is the one that it should be. Restless Days is simply amazing and definitely a worthy contender for record of the year in 2009.

Here’s my review of Restless Days:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/10/clarks-restless-days.html

KISS – Sonic Boom


Long time readers of The Rock and Roll Guru may call me biased for picking KISS to be in the top 10 albums of 2009, but that is not why they are being chosen. Yes, Kiss is my favorite band, but Sonic Boom is a worthy contender for record of the year. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley went into the studio with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer and put together one incredible album. Sonic Boom is so much more than a great Kiss record – it’s a great record. If you played it and had no idea what band it was, you’d still like it. It’s their best work in decades, it’s a strong rock record, and it’s one of the ten best for 2009.

Here’s my review for Sonic Boom:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/10/kiss-sonic-boom.html

Wilco – Wilco (the album)


After a 2-year tour in support of Sky Blue Sky, Wilco returned this year with Wilco (the album) a fun filled disc of excellent material, some of the best Wilco has delivered in a while. The evolution of their musical talent and their transitioning from alternative country to jazz rock is what helped this album stand out. Never being afraid to push the envelope or change his sound, Jeff Tweedy has taken the band into unchartered territory and it paid off. Wilco (the album) is one of the best Wilco albums to be released in a long time and it’s one of the 10 best to come out this year.

Here’s my review for Wilco (The Album):
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/08/wilco-album.html

Phish – Joy


2009 was a most excellent year for Phish and their fans. First, the band announced that they were reuniting and going on tour, kicking it off with three solid concerts in March. Then they made those concerts available for free while they launched into an extensive tour. Finally, the best news of all came out that Phish was cutting a record with Steve Lillywhite producing. Wow! Joy was the result of those recording sessions and the album is simply amazing; not only a great Phish album, but a great album in general. Lillywhite has the ability to bring out the best and beyond in the artists he works with, which is why he is such a sought after producer. The results are imminent in Joy, one of the best records I’ve heard this year.

Here’s my review of Joy:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/11/phish-joy.html

Dion Roy – Gallery


New to the scene and new to me this year was Dion Roy who released the amazing Gallery back in May. A fabulous album of blended melodies, acoustic guitar, and wonderful harmonies, Gallery mixes elements of Pete Yorn, Ryan Adams, and David Gray and turns them into a wonderful record of folk style rock and roll. Gallery was the nicest surprise of the year for me and a fantastic album that fans of Ryan Adams and/or Uncle Tupelo should definitely own.

Here’s my review for Gallery:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/07/dion-roy-gallery_19.html

Pearl Jam – Backspacer


In September, Pearl Jam released their long awaited album Backspacer to the delight of many fans (cousin Ryo included). It had been a long time since their last record (2006’s Pearl Jam) and the new songs were something that fans were crying to get their ears on. Well, the wait was worth it and the time between records paid off. Pearl Jam delivered another fantastic record, and while not quite as good as their self titled previous effort, Backspacer is certainly a worthy disc. A well crafted, well thought, beautifully arranged work of art.

Here’s my review of Backspacer:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/09/pearl-jam-backspacer.html

Pete Yorn – Back and Fourth


As mentioned in my recent review, it took me a while to get into this record. At first, I was not very impressed at all. However, after revisiting (for this post, I believe) I was amazed at how good the album actually was. Once I stopped comparing it to his magnificent debut record (musicforthemorningafter) and accepted it for what it was (a new release by Pete) I was much more open to the songs contained within. Back and Fourth is an amazing journey through song and Pete Yorn has delivered an incredible record that is worth the time it takes to truly appreciate it.

Here’s my review of Back and Fourth:
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/12/pete-yorn-back-and-fourth.html

And there you have it. Cousin Ryo’s picks for the 10 best releases of 2010. What are your picks?

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Dion Roy - Gallery

Hot off the independent scene is Dion Roy, a hard hitting musician that’s taking New York City (as well as the west coast) by storm with his beautifully blended harmonies, meaningful lyrical content, and a talent that hasn’t been seen in a long while. His debut effort, Gallery, is currently available for download. So is Gallery worth the time and investment? Let’s take a listen and find out.

Mix one part Wilco, two parts Ryan Adams, a dash of Pete Yorn, and a pinch of Son Volt, and you’ll come up with a sound that is Dion Roy. A fresh new take on the forum of folk rock, Gallery is a stellar debut by a talented artist that should break into the mainstream sooner rather than later.

Gallery opens with the hauntingly beautiful Come Back Around. This is a slow folk rocker in the vein of early Ryan Adams. The musical changes are an instant hit and after the first listen, I knew there was something special happening. Dion Roy is a departure from the everyday mainstream and a step above most independent music. While I was not sold on his vocal ability with this song, the rest of the album sets it straight and proves that Dion Roy can play guitar, sing, and put together complex melodies that stand out from the crowd.

You Can’t Take is the best track on the disc. It’s a song that grabs the listener immediately, doesn’t let go, and sells them on the style of music that is presented on the entire album. The lyrics speak of wanting more than a person can offer and how to deal with the pain and anguish that comes with troubled relationships (be they personal or professional). The subtle changes and segues between verse, bridge, and chorus are what make this song so powerful. The lyrics are meaningful, the music is pleasing, and the overall delivery of the song is amazing.

Won’t Go On picks up where the previous track left off, continuing in the vein of amazing folksy, blues rock. The vocals are strong on this song and cast aside any doubt about Dion Roy’s singing ability. With several diverse tempo changes and an upbeat rhythm, Won’t Go On is a pleasing song and a great addition to the disc.

So It Goes is a slow, melodic ballad that’s great to play late at night when there’s some serious thinking that needs to be done. The song delivers a hopeful message of the future while understanding the need for reflection on the past. It’s a song that speaks of hope and surviving today to wait for tomorrow. The message in the music is that while it may seem impossible to begin again, there are always better days ahead. Sometimes we need to just survive the moment we are on in order to enjoy the brighter future just over the horizon. While they may not be seen in the immediate foreground, they are truly waiting beyond the ridge of the unseen.

With a fresh new sound that’s sure to please even the most stubborn of ears, Gallery is worth seeking out and adding to your collection. The disc will certainly get multiple spins on your CD player and multiple listens in your IPOD. To order Gallery visit www.dionroy.com

Ryo’s Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Track Listing
Come Back Around
Waste It
You Can’t Take
Won’t Go On
Downwards
Reconsider
So It Goes
Blind World
I’ll Never Know
Orchid