Friday's Rockin' Roundup - New Year, New Resolutions Edition

And the first week of the New Year is coming to an end. As I do every year, some resolutions were made to help make 2011 my best year ever. This year I plan to work harder to get into (and stay in) shape, dedicate myself to writing more, and of course, obtain a new (9-5) job. That is the most important resolution on my list, but the other two are almost as important. I would really like to focus on who I want to be this year and how I expect to become that person. Writing and workouts are two very sacred things to me, and I need to spend more quality time with both of them.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Guitar Center Sessions
Do you have Direct TV? Have you heard about Guitar Center Sessions? Known for its exclusive performances and intimate conversations with revered musicians, Guitar Center Sessions is an in-depth music television series that most recently presented Peter Gabriel, Buddy Guy and The Cult. Hosted by renowned music taste maker Nic Harcourt of KCRW and TheLiveBuzz, the latest episode featuring Joe Bonamassa premiered Saturday, January 1st. Curious about where you can see these previous episodes? Previews and past episodes of Guitar Center Sessions can be viewed at www.guitarcenter.com/sessions.

Hard Rock Hideout’s Best Releases of 2010
Want to know what the best hard rock releases of 2010 were? Well, look no further than Hard Rock Hideout! Not only do you get Rob Rockitt’s top 20 of 2010, but you get Stone (from Metal Odyssey)’s top 10 and your very own cousin Ryo’s top 10 hard rock releases. While my favorite albums of 2010 that were listed here at The Rock And Roll Guru encompass all types of music, the list I composed for Hard Rock Hideout is strictly hard rock. Check them out!

Van Halen Tour in 2011?
It’s possible that there may be a new Van Halen tour this year, but it’s looking less and less likely that it will include a new album to support. This begs the question – are fans willing to shell out the money to see the same tour as last time?

For more rants, reviews, news, sarcasm, and shout outs, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

The Best of The Rock And Roll Guru - 2010

Ahhhh, it’s a New Year! 2011 is upon us and I am hopeful and excited for what this year has in store. While looking ahead to the coming year, it’s always nice to take a step back and reflect on what happened in the past year. It’s nice to pause and reflect on what was accomplished as I shape my goals for 2011. Below is what I feel were the best Rock And Roll Guru posts from 2010. Rock with me as we recap my favorite moments from last year. Enjoy!

What’s A Fair Price?
In this post, I tried to determine what a fair price is for all those insane ticket fees we pay when going to see our favorite band perform live. It was another cry for Ticketmaster to get realistic and stop financially raping the fans. Hopefully someone heard the message, but I doubt it.

Who Sets The Prices For Concert Tickets?
Bands rarely get a say in the price of a concert ticket anymore. As more bands continue to sign multi-million dollar deals with promoters less fans will be able to afford tickets. It’s the sad state of the modern concert.

Milli Vanili - 20 Years Later
This was a look back at one of my guilty pleasures from high school. I loved Milli Vanili when I was a teenager. It was impossible to stop myself from listening to them. It’s tragic what happened to these performers. Corporate greed has been around for a long time, hasn’t it?

Summer Nights And The Rolling Stones
I lost a very dear friend in March of 2010. He was the man who introduced me to The Rolling Stones and taught me how to be a romantic. While we weren’t as close in the last years of his life as we should have been, I still considered him a great friend. I miss him dearly.

Choosing Music Over Baseball
This was a major turning point in my life – I chose Cinderella’s Long Cold Winter over my entire baseball card collection. It was then and there that I knew music was the ruling force in my life – forever.

How To Be A Roadie
Have you ever wanted to be a roadie? The opportunity to go on tour with your favorite band can be very alluring. In this post, I explain the pros and cons to becoming one of the men and women who make the concerts happen.

Yet Another Reason To Hate Ticketmaster
The title says it all. Not that we really need another reason, but Ticketmaster is kind enough to continually provide.

How To Become A Band Manager
Much like being a roadie, becoming a band manager is a long journey filled with hard work. However, if you think you have the talent and skills, you could be the next Doc McGhee. Reading this post is a great place to start your journey.

How The Internet Killed The Bootlegging Industry
Sometimes the internet can be a great tool. No longer do we have to pay a small fortune to own a concert we attended. Now we can download any concert in existence for free.

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - The End Of The Year Edition

Another year has come to an end. 2010 is officially over at 11:59 PM tonight. To me, 2010 was a rough year and I’ll be glad to see it go. Those who follow me on Twitter know how hard I had it at the job this past year and how desperately I am seeking new employment in 2011. I think that will happen relatively early in the coming year. I’ve created a list of 5 companies that I want to work for (my dream companies in the industry).Three of these companies have openings, one of the companies I’ve met with (they want to revisit me in January). The other two I’ve submitted my resume too along with my desire to work for them. I’m hoping for the best. A new job would be a great way to kick start the New Year.

Happy New Year to all my readers! Thank you for coming to my little spot on the web, reading, commenting, e-mailing, and otherwise making me feel like this blog is worth the time it takes to produce. You guys are the best!

Here’s what rocked this week:

A Collection of Best Of, Favorite, and Top Albums Lists
Large Hearted Boy has put together one of the most comprehensive lists compiling all of the year-end music best of 2010 lists from blogs, magazines, newspapers, etc. He has been doing this since 2006 and his lists are a great way to not only see the vast differing of opinions on what was great in music for 2010, but it also helps introduce readers to blogs they may otherwise not have known. This is such a noble deed indeed.

Paramore Breaks Up
Just as the band was starting to achieve some fame and notoriety, the tension in the ranks and dissatisfaction amongst band members caused the band to call it a day. Depending on whose side of the story you believe, there are several ways that you can view this. One thing’s for certain, it is bad news for Paramore fans no matter which side was right.

King Diamond’s Heart Surgery
The bad news is that the man had to go through this procedure. The good news is that King Diamond will live on. All he needs is some rest.

A Look Back At Phish New Year’s Eve Shows
Phish will be performing at Madison Square Garden for 3 sold out shows starting December 30th. Their New Year’s Eve shows have been historic and beloved in the past and I am sure that this year won’t be any different. Over at Jam Bands, they posted a look back on previous Phish New Year’s Eve shows. A very cool read, if you have the time.

For more thoughts, music news, rants, raves, and otherwise poetic musings, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

My 10 Favorite Albums of 2010

It’s that time of year once again. The end of the year, where we pause to reflect on all that has happened over the last 12 months while pondering what the future has in store. And as I look back, it’s particularly nice to know that 2010 was another year filled with vast musical greatness. That’s what makes picking the 10 best albums of the year such a hard one.

After much thought, listening, re-listening, and deep scrutiny, I was finally able to come up with a list of my 10 favorite records. My choices are below. Feel free to leave a comment with what you felt were the best records of 2010.

10. The Movie We Are In – Pete Francis

Pete Francis was new to me this year. The singer/songwriter released a modern folk masterpiece in The Movie We Are In earlier in 2010. With a hybrid of acoustic folk and electric rock, The Movie We Are In is a fantastic and fun record. Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally talented, Pete Francis is a musician that more people should be paying attention to. His lyrics are deep, his voice is excellent, and the music he creates is simply stunning. The Movie We Are In is a fine example of his work and an album worthy of adding to any music lover’s collection.

9. Time – The Rebellion

Canadian rockers, The Rebellion, released an exceptional album in Time this year. Blending the styles of Coldplay, U2, and The Fray, The Rebellion is a modern rock act worthy of recognition. Time, which is their debut album, is a showcase of just how grand the band is. With a modern sound worthy of everyday radio, powerful vocals, catchy hooks, and riffs that you will be singing along to, Time is worth seeking out.

8. Sting In The Tail – The Scorpions

In 2010, The Scorpions recorded what is reported to be their final album. The multiple guitar attack of Rudolph Schenker and Matthias Jabs decorates Sting In The Tail with color and style. Their finger picking is at its finest and the shredding solos performed by each of them helps to vibrantly color the record. Sting In The Tail is a fine record that has the The Scorpions going out on a high note. If this truly is the final piece of their legacy, it’s a good one to leave behind.

7. Easy Wonderful – Guster


This past fall, Guster returned to bless us with a new album. I was certainly happy that they did. Filled with the delightful sounds that I’ve come to expect from this band, Easy Wonderful was a breath of fresh air into the music scene. Guster sent us a beautiful piece of art that can be enjoyed for hours on end in Easy Wonderful.

6. 13 Arcane Hymns – The Unravelling


2 guys. 1 album. Simply amazing. 13 Arcane Hymns by The Unravelling rocks hard and heavy. It’s heavy metal for the new generation. It’s hard to believe that only two guys came up with such an amazing album. If you’re a fan of heavy, dark, rock, than 13 Arcane Hymns is a record you should own. With bold and beautiful music, lyrics that make you think, and lead vocals that range the spectrum like not many can, The Unravelling’s 13 Arcane Hymns is a solid album worth listening to over and over again.

5. Slash – Slash


Branching out with his first solo record, Slash, fans weren’t sure what to expect. The album is jam packed with guest vocalists (including Fergie, Lemmy, and Ozzy) and a lot of exceptional guitar work. Slash is a solo album done right. While Slash is the obvious centerpiece of this record, the wise decision to bring in multiple guest vocalists help push this disc over the top. It was a very unexpected treat in the 2010 releases.

4. Scream – Ozzy Osbourne


Ozzy Osbourne proves that he still has it and maybe never lost it on his latest record Scream. Released this summer, I had the opportunity to review Scream for Hard Rock Hideout and man was I impressed. I wrote that “Scream is an album that renews faith in the current state of rock and roll and solidifies Ozzy’s status as a rock god.” Those words are still true months later. Scream is an incredible album.

3. Lightning On The Strings, Thunder On The Mic – Gangstagrass

It’s bluegrass. It’s hip-hop. It’s Gangstagrass. One of the most unique records to be released in 2010, Lightning On The Strings, Thunder On The Mic is a magnificent album and a trailblazer for a new musical style. More than just a passing fad, Gangstagrass have pioneered a whole new genre that’s worth listening to. Lightning On The Strings, Thunder On The Mic is a unique experience that everyone will enjoy.

2. Social Code - Rock N Roll


Debuting with their first major label record this year, Social Code showed all the other newcomers how rock was meant to be played. Best described as dirty (or gritty) rock, Rock N Roll is a powerful album. Blending the styles of Hinder, Lynch Mob, and Papa Roach, Social Code is the real deal and Rock N Roll proves it. Bar jamming, foot stomping, good time hard rock is what Rock N Roll is all about. Social Code has my vote for best new band of the year, and Rock N Roll has my vote for best hard rock album of 2010. If you like rock, you need to pick up a copy of this record.

1. The Lucky Ones – Doug Keith


I was blessed with the gift of Doug Keith’s The Lucky Ones very early this year. When I reviewed this album back in February, I stated that if you purchased only one record this year, it had to be The Lucky Ones. That statement is still true in December. By far, the best album I have heard in 2010 (and I’ve heard a lot) is Doug Keith’s The Lucky Ones. A fantastic modern folk record that everyone needs to own and enjoy.