The Best of 2010 - Number 14

Albums of the Year

14. Black Label Society - "Order of the Black"

Over eleven years since their debut, with "Order of the Black", Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society have finally recorded their masterpiece.

Splitting with Ozzy has clearly helped Wylde's songwriting, as he seems to completely writing for himself, without thinking about how his former boss may sound on the tracks. The pounding harmonics mix well with the piano led ballads to give the band's most complete album to date.

Essential Tracks: "Parade of the Dead" "Darkest Days" "War of Heaven"

Watch: "Parade of the Dead"

Songs of the Year

14. Eminem feat Lil Wayne - "No Love"

Eminem, with Lil Wayne in tow, sampling Haddaway. This really shouldn't work. But yet not only does it work, it's one of the finest hip hop songs of the past five years.

The lyrics and flow are at Eminem's ferocious, angry best, and the sample, on paper a ridiculous idea, is absolutely inspired. Eminem back at his best, and about time.

Watch: "No Love"

The Best of 2010 - Number 15

Albums of the Year

15. The Pretty Reckless - "Light Me Up"

When it was revelaed that teenage tearaway actress Taylor Momsen was fronting a rock band, it was easy to scoff and think that it was going to be a pseudo pop monstrosity akin to much of the musical output from the "Disney Generation".

Someone forgot to mention that Momsen has a bit of attitude however, and "Light Me Up" turned out to not only be a rather enjoyable 35 minutes, but actually really good. Momsen does not sound like a seventeen year old at any point, and her vocal maturity, coupled with what are some pretty killer riffs melted into one of the most surprising debuts of the year.

Essential Tracks: "My Medicine" "Make Me Wanna Die" "Miss Nothing"

Watch: "Miss Nothing"

Songs of the Year

15. B.o.B. feat Rivers Cuomo - "Magic"

Following up "Airplanes", which contained some of the worst 'white girl wants to be ghetto' singing I've ever heard from Hayley Williams, was always going to be hard, but amazingly, B.o.B. not just followed it up, but blew it right out the water. Gone were the memories of one of the year's most overrated songs, in was a hip-pop masterpiece.

Produced by pop meaestro Dr Luke, and co-written and featuring the talents of Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, this track is one of the biggest guilty pleasures of 2010, as well as one of the best pop songs released this year.

Watch: "Magic"

Long Live Rock N Roll

Ronnie James Dio July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010

The Greatest Song. Round 1, Match 2

Rush are in the lead in matchup 1, which will run for another 48 hours. Meanwhile, matchup 2 is announced, and an iconic song will fall.

John Lennon
"Imagine"
Released: 1971
From the Album "Imagine"
Peak UK Chart Position: 1 (1981)

The Clash
"London Calling"
Released: 1979
From the Album "London Calling"
Peak UK Chart Position: 11

Get voting below...

Greatest Song of All Time: Round 1: Fixture 1

What is the greatest song ever recorded? Well, every song have been whittled down to 64. Nominated by you, and featuring some Melody and Drama wildcards, these are the songs you will vote on. The songs have been randomly drawn against each other, here is round one.

Rush
"The Spirit of Radio"
Released 1980
From the album "Permanent Waves"
Peak UK Chart Position: 13

vs

Incubus
"Drive"
Released 2001
From the album "Make Yourself"
Peak UK Chart Position: 40

Vote for your favourite below to take the song into the last 32

Live Review: Reef, Glasgow ABC

Live Review

REEF

w/ Matthew P

Glasgow ABC

Saturday 17th April 2010

With a string of Top 20 singles, and one of the most influential rock albums of the era, Reef were one of the late 90's biggest and best British rock bands. Now, seven years after splitting, the band embark on a reunion tour, and show they've not missed a beat.

Support act Matthew P was a reasonable warm up, his jaunty acoustic numbers receiving applause from the constantly growing crowd.

But the masses weren't in attendance for any support act, and as soon as the lights went down and the intro tape started the crowd, many of whom had clearly been around to see the band in their original days, went absolutely crazy.

Opening with "Feed Me", it was clear right away that this was a band who despite being away for seven years, were as good as they ever had been. Twenty-four songs and almost two hours later, everyone left happy.

All the hits were present, "Come Back Brighter" and "Place Your Hands" still sound like full on rock anthems all these years later, and "Consideration" and "I've Got Something To Say" are as beautiful and moving as ever.

I can only hope that this isn't a one off reunion, as more and more people need to see this band. Fantastic.

1.Feed Me
2.Come Back Brighter
3.Stone For Your Love
4.I Would Have Left You
5.Good Feeling
6.Mellow
7.Weird
8.Summer's In Bloom
9.Life Seems So Clean
10.Consideration
11.New Bird
12.Place Your Hands
13.Don't You Like It
14.Lucky Number
15.I've Got Something To Say
16.Superhero
17.Who You Are
18.Set The Record Straight
19.Lately Stomping
20.Choose To Live

Encore:
21.Naked
22.I Do Not Know What They Will Do
23.Yer Old
24.End

The Young and the Restless: Daisy Dares You, Virgin Marys, We the Kings, Selena Gomez and the Scene

It's The Young and the Restless time, where four of the hottest new acts around are showcased on Melody and Drama.

Daisy Dares you is the stage name of 17 year old Essex girl Daisy Coburn, the latest in a seemingly endless line of solo females tipped for the top. Daisy is a step above most with her spiky vocals and a charming pop rock sound to distinguish her from the electropop masses. Her debut single "Number One Enemy", released February 28th features a somewhat needless rap from rising star Chipmunk, but that aside is a pretty fantastic little tune.

Daisy Dares You - Number One Enemy (featuring Chipmunk) (Demo Version)

Virgin Marys are a three piece classic rock band from Macclesfield, catching the attention of Scotland's Rock Radio, and british rock journeyman Toby Jepson, who have hailed the band as one of the hottest prospects in the UK. Check out the cracking "Portrait of Red" below and see what you think.

Virgin Marys - Portrait of Red

We the Kings are possibly the next big thing in pop-punk. The Florida quartet have toured with the likes of Cobra Starship, You Me At Six, All Time Low and Hey Monday, and this summer will tour the USA on the legendary Warped Tour. Their new single "We'll Be a Dream" features the guest vocals of a certain Miss Demi Lovato, and the self-confessed metalhead brings a brand new quality to the song.

We the Kings - We'll Be a Dream (featuring Demi Lovato)

Another Disney teen star branching into music is "Wizards of Waverly Place" star Selena Gomez, who has spurned the conventions and formed an actual band. The Scene's debut album "Kiss and Tell" is a electropunk smash, and brand new single "Naturally" shows Selena's vocal talents to the max.

Selena Gomez and the Scene - Naturally