Rock

Sadly, through the cruelty of time and mortality, The Band itself ceased to be many years ago but Robbie Robertson himself is still telling stories and spinning guitar chords through his music.

As for the music of 2016, there was the usual amount of "meh" mixed in with a host of impressive releases. Certainly, there were no game-changers that I heard. (Sorry Kanye and Kendrick.)

Yoshiki has used emotional trauma as the raw material to build the rest of his life and art. It also serves as the centerpiece of his Classical Special show, which, like his concerts with X Japan, has a resonant energy that remains with one long after the program has ended.

'Gem' by the Ruby Friedman Orchestra is a time portal back to the early days of blues but run through a modern-day filter of Friedman’s own experiences. Trust me, you’ve never heard anything like this. It’ll sneak under your skin, and you’ll want to keep it there.

Falling in love is euphoria and terror. There is no other way to achieve its beauty and hope.

Every song is about something. Maybe not always real people or events, but stuffed to capacity with visceral language and imagery on top of Dropkick Murphys' trademark skull-rattling volume and unison shouts.

Much of Jethro Tull's second album still stands up, so to speak. The bright nasality of the hyperactive mandolin on "Fat Man," the blues-rock/progressive fusion of "Nothing is Easy," and the dark psychedelia of "We Used to Know" are all of their time, yet in the new mixes they leap urgently from the speakers. A 1969 Stockholm concert and a booklet packed with reminiscences and commentary help make this new edition something Tull fans will value.

This was a perfect match of group, orchestra, and venue, a magic night superbly captured.

Over the past five years, these guys – Chris Robinson and Neal Casal – have managed to build a sound and a feeling in their music that I wasn’t even aware I’d been craving...

Capital Cities headlined Radio 94.7's 4th annual Electric Christmas concert event at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA on December 8.