2014 In Review

I would just like to thank everyone who has read and contributed to RTTM in 2014 for making this a great first full year on the web. This blog has become much more than I could have ever imagined and it wouldn't have happened without all the help I've had. Thank you again and here's to an even better 2015! ~Kitty

Review: Sir Paul McCartney at The United Center

by: Daly Tongren

After having to postpone a month’s worth of shows, Sir Paul McCartney stopped by the United Center for one of his first performances since being hospitalized last June. The 72-year-old former Beatle/Wing powered through a 39-song set that included a Hendrix snippet, two encores, and plenty of pyrotechnics.

Playlist of the Week: Our Current Jams

To keep our readers updated on the RTTM family here is a collection of some of our writers' current jams. From long time favorites that never leave the circulation to some not-so-guilty pleasures here's an insight into what we're listening to these days.

Playlist of the Week: Rainy Day

by: Daly Tongren

The Midwest has been experiencing especially damp forecasts for the past week. Between the humidity and thunderstorms, it has been the perfect time to curl up at home with the latest copy of Rolling Stone and some weather appropriate tunes.

Review: Elvis Costello at the Copernicus Center

by: Daly Tongren

A solo show doesn’t mean you have to stick to the hits. To Elvis Costello, it means that you can play anything (and everything) that you want.  The 59-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee played an almost three hour set at Chicago’s Copernicus Center last week, including two encores.

Artist Discovery: Hozier

by: Daly Tongren

Andrew Hozier Byrne is tall, Irish, and about to blow up.

Known simply as his middle name, Hozier, in the music world, this 24-year-old singer-songwriter currently has two EPs on the market. His music is a mix of soulful blues and a rock-folk sound. Hozier grew up heavily immersed in American delta blues, and credits among his influences Otis Redding and Nina Simone.

Review: An Evening With Neil Young at the Chicago Theatre

by: Daly Tongren

Last month, fresh out of the recording studio with Jack White, Neil Young held a two-night stint at the Chicago Theatre. 

Playlist of the Week: Summer Pop

by: Daly Tongren

Something about sunshine and warm breezes calls for catchy pop tunes. Whether you’re lying out in the backyard catching some rays or driving with your sunroof open, this playlist with get you psyched for the summertime.

Playlist of the Week: Love is in the Air

by: Daly Tongren

The official start of spring may have been a few weeks ago but it's only starting to feel like it. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth and of course the blossoming of both flowers and love. Here's some sweet tunes for a newly found sweetheart.

Review: High Hopes [Bruce Springsteen]

High Hopes- Bruce Springsteen

by: Daly Tongren

Earlier this year, Bruce Springsteen released his 18^th studio album, High Hopes. It features cover songs, outtakes from past albums, and remakes of previously released tracks. The Boss is backed by his E Street Band on the album, with the exception of one special guest: Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. 

Why The Grammys Still Matter

by: Daly Tongren

I know that for the rock fandom, the Grammys aren’t too popular at the moment. Getting together superstars Lindsey Buckingham and Dave Grohl to perform with Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails was a great idea. However, slating them to play the last set of the night, which is well known for being cutoff prematurely, was not.

Album of the Week: Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.

by: Daly Tongren

In honor of the release of Bruce Springsteen’s new album, High Hopes, I decided to cover one of his best, older works for Album of the Week.

Playlist of the Week: Buddy Buddy

by: Daly Tongren

Friends are the people you love, trust, and support – and in turn, they do the same for you. They’ve got your back, make you laugh, and aren’t afraid to give you an honest answer. Still - as much as we love ‘em, sometimes friends can let us down as well. Here’s a playlist dedicated to those who have stuck by our sides (or maybe haven’t) over the years.

Looking Back at 2013

On behalf of everyone at Rock To The Masses I want to thank you for our first few months on the web. We love sharing our thoughts and love for music with you and all the thoughts you have to share with us. Here's to what was a great year in music and beyond and to an even better year in 2014! Hopefully 2014 will be a fantastic year for us and we'll be able to welcome even more of you to our team. A few of us decided to share some of our reflections on the best things in music in 2013. ~Kitty

Review: Elton John at Allstate Arena

by: Daly Tongren

I witnessed a murder on Saturday: Elton John mercilessly beating the life out his piano.

At age 66, he is still selling out stadiums. The piano man took his stand in the auditorium known as the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL this past weekend.

Playlist of the Week: Winter Wonderland

by: Daly Tongren

Hats, gloves, scarves, and two pairs of socks have become the new dress code. That’s right, it’s winter. Stay snuggled up indoors and commiserate with these seasonally titled tunes. This is a playlist to go along with the slippery sidewalks and freezing temps.

Album of the Week: Consolers of the Lonely

by: Daly Tongren

Playlist of the Week: Chicks, Man

by: Daly Tongren

When people discuss the greats of music, they tend to mention names such as John, Bob, Roger, or Robert. Let us not forget the females (other than Heart) who rock.

Playlist of the Week: This Is Halloween

by: Daly Tongren, Kitty White

It’s the Time of the Season and I’m not just talking about The Zombies’ song. But I am talking about zombies… And vampires, werewolves, spiders, and ghosts. Halloween is only a few days away and it’s time to celebrate with music. From the spooky to the fun there’s plenty of tunes to fit the Halloween mood. Together we’ve created our own essential Halloween Playlist.

Music Is My Religion

by: Daly Tongren

religion (n): an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group; a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

– Merriam Webster online dictionary