Back Alleys and Photo Friends

Photo compliments of Dustin Finkelstein (there is a link to his awesome blog to the right).

Top Albums of 2008 (In my opinion anyways)

I have been excitedly thinking of compiling this exclusive list of albums that I have purchased in 2008. Unfortunately some of the albums that I was anticipating being really exceptional were let downs, but this is not that list. These are my reviews of those albums that stirred my soul for all of 2008 and will continue to be my top plays for the coming '09. Merry listening!

So here is the first. I will finish it up later.

1. Time is Fiction
by Edison Glass

After falling head-over-heels for this band after their 2006 release of A Burn or A Shiver, I was insanly excited to receive Time is Fiction. Since day-one of receiving it, the album has literally been played non-stop on my itunes with it reaching my top plays, easily solidifying Edison Glass as one of my favorite bands after only a few months. The album starts off with the catchy-yet brilliantly written first track Let Go accompanied by an equally as entertaining and smart music video (shown below), continues on through some slower thoughtful pieces, a few that hit you in the chest; all laced with tricky guitar parts, brilliant meter changes, a clever play between dual vocalists, and lyrics of poet-laureate quality. The band so eloquently portrays the human condition, our experiences with life, and the intense hope that accompanies Ultimate Love with lyrics such as "Your eyes see farther then mine.. your hands are warmer then mine... I'll wait for your words..." from (The Jig Is Up). My heart rises and falls with this album; It really is a must-have. I promise you will love it.






2. You Are My Sunshine
by Copeland

I might be a bit biased when writing a review for this album seeing as though I have been madly in love with Copeland's music since the wee-high-school-years but I mean, can you blame me? To me, musically, Copeland can do little wrong and their most recent release is proof-positive that they are masters of their art. The album starts out with this amazing ballad called Should You Return, that paints the first warm colors for the epic beauty that is to follow throughout the whole album. The second track, The Grey Man, still bring chills to me. I recommend holding your breath and closing your eyes for the first 15 seconds. There is a familiarity to their music, not because the songs have been heard before, but because they do such a beautiful job of initiating the familiar emotions that are relatable to all people. Even if you are not necessarily a fan of their past albums, I would still give it a try. Aaron's voice is constant, and the brilliant orchestration portrays the mountains and valleys that only good songwriting can recreate. Give it a go, you won't regret it.


3. Lost In The Sound Of Separation
by Underoath

After being thoroughly let down by most of the post-hardcore albums that I received in 2007, I was anxiously awaiting the newest edition to Underoath's legacy with this newest. I have to admit that I was one of those creepsters who watched them tirelessly record this album with the various webcams that they had set up throughout the studio. A little weirded out by myself, I was hoping that this album would not be a disappointment. What a relief it was when I finally received this album and from the first five seconds, it's epic-ness practically oozed out of my speakers, into my ears filling up the hollow places in my brain with nonstop licks, intricate and intense drumming, and insanely insightful lyrics. The raw emotion that they portray (and for which they are revered), is so openly conveyed with this album; I think I have quoted it way too many times in my blog. This album assures us that we are not alone, that we don't have to live in a barren wasteland caused by our own selfishness, and that there is something Bigger guiding our steps. I was blessed to have seen them live this fall and it blew my head out of the water. I really honestly cannot portray how much this band's music has influenced my walk of faith (I sound like such a fan-girl) and to them I owe my thanks. Underoath, please continue to spread light.

This really wasn't as flattering of a review as I wanted it to be.

With all this talk of Underoath, it is only right to mention Aaron's other project, The Almost, which bring us to...

(I honestly couldn't find a better picture).

3. No Gift To Bring EP
by The Almost

So I will try my best to put my adoration for Aaron Gillespie aside and talk about the EP (that is my favorite picture of him of all time). It is a slightly bit different flavor to The Almost then what the full-length release Southern Weather, brings to the table, but its a good flavor. This EP also portrays the raw emotion that Aaron can convey so openly with a few original songs, a finished version of Amazing Becuase It Is from the full-length (I actually like the other version better), as well as a beautiful Aaron-twist on classic Christmas songs, a praise and worship song (!), and an electric version that Tim from Underoath mixed of Dirty and Left Out, which is excellent. How can someone not fall in love with a song that includes these lyrics?

I need you to make, to make, to make me weak.
I have made my world my own, I've made it my own,
And I have never been so alone.

I can't stop my brain from moving
In an awful direction Lord.
I can't stop my hands from doing
What I don't want to do anymore.
I've been wrong,
I've been right,
But tonight
I just wanna be yours.

(From Awful Direction)

Tangent: In my opinion, Aaron is and has been setting an amazing example as someone who is so on-fire for God and for spreading His message of healing to the brokenness of this world, and that he is willing and able to risk looking scene, or risk cred, to spread this message. In my heart, it is pre-curser to what I believe could be a major revolution of sorts in not only the secular music market, but in the Christian music market as well (where there is equally as much judgement, and lots more half-hearted song writing). I am legitimately excited that listening to Christian hardcore is what is big. It makes me positively giddy when I hear of Underoath going on tour with Slipknot, or Relient K going on tour with Simple Plan, Copeland going on tour with Cartel, The Rocket Summer going on tour with The Academy Is.., I could go on and on. These people are bringing Light into dismal dark places. They are risking to bring a message of hope to people who may not even know they are hearing it until further reflection. They are being God's hands to reach into the dark empy areas of people's hearts to fill them with the notes that He gave them to play. I am so excited to be a part of that plan. I am so excited to see how I may fit into this revolution. A new and brighter day is fast approaching on the music horizon and we are going to be the first generation to see it's rays.

Those were the albums that I really gave most of my attention. The following list are the albums that deserve a nod, are really awesome, but that I don't have enough info on to write about.
1. Avalon by Anthony Green
I honestly think that Green is one of the most talented musical minds of our generation. Its like an ocean of creativity can come pouring our of him and he makes everything sound good. Everything.

2. The Rennasance by Q-tip
I fell in love upon first listening. Good hip-hop everyone. Solid-gold hip-hop. Best track by far is Johnny is Dead.

3. Oracular Spectacular by MGMT
I mean, cmon. Who doesn't like the song Kids? It's addictive. It's not a hipster dance party without it.

4. Feed the Animals by Girl Talk
Such a talent. Check this out.


5. Limbs and Branches by Jon Foreman
This album is really a treat. Jon's voice is a lasting powerhouse and this album (compiled mostly of favorites from the four seasonal EP's that he released this year) shows an incredible delicate complexity. His creativity and the diversity of the songwriting and instrumentation is heartwarming and I highly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys acoustic/folk/indi/awesomeness. I have a soft spot in my heart for the track House of God Forever (singing it at church with a friend was fun) but the whole thing is a treat, start to finish. He is another one added to the list of those such as Aaron Gillespie, bringing a hopeful and peaceful message to the more mainstream side of music. I am grateful for the earthly success that Jon is receiving for this and his work with Switchfoot because it means that more and more ears are tuned to this realness and wonder that can only come from the One who made us and eternally loves us.

I know that there are more, so this is probably going to be a running list for a while. So please keep checking back in.

Interesting~

"Ultimately, here’s what I don’t understand: Proponents of gay marriage say, “Accept our opinion … Or else!” Opponents of gay marriage, essentially, say the same thing, “Accept our opinion … Or else!” Each side attempts to intelligently argue their rationale for holding their respective position (i.e. “it’s not a choice to be gay, I was born like this” and “the Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman.”) But when push comes to shove, each end of the argument breaks down to a grown-up version of “I’m taking my ball and going home.” In a word: Whining.

God bless Barack Obama for reaching out to Rick Warren. God bless Rick Warren for reaching out to Obama. I like what openly gay columnist Bob Ostertag said in the Huffington Post, “I am delighted that there is a new generation of evangelicals that thinks the biggest issue isn’t homosexuality but global climate change, AIDS, and poverty [...] I am so ready to make common cause with them. I couldn’t care less about what they think of gay marriage.” Amen.

When did disagreeing with someone start to mean the same thing as hating them?"

-Justin Wise
BeDeviant

"Another Day"

I gave in a did one of these cheesy itunes things...

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
"Get Low" - Ying Tang Twins

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"A Room, A Canvas" - The Depreciation Guild

3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Getting Into You" - Relient K

4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"You Won't Know" - Brand New

5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
"Trippin" - The Thrifters
(Hahaha.. yep, that perfectly describes my purpose! hahh, that's hilarious)

6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Stuck In The Morning" -Motion City Soundtrack

7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Indescribable" -Chris Tomlin
(Aww, thanks guys!)

8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"Need No One" -Isaac Marion's Moon Colony
(Hmm, I don't know about that...)

9) WHAT IS 2+2?
"Samson" -Regina Spektor

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Do The Whirlwind" -Architecture in Helsinki

11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Take It On The Run" -REO Speedwagon

12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Spanish Tongue" -Chase Pagan

13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Winter Wonderland" -Radiohead

14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"You Were Meant For Me" -Jewel
(That's so true! ha)

15) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"Deliver Me" -David Crowder Band
(Haha, get it, my mom delivered me... ha)

16) WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"Never Ending Math Equation" -Modest Mouse

17) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Glory" -Lupe Fiasco

18) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"Running Out Of Time" -Hot Hot Heat

19) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"I Write Sins Not Tragedies" -Panic! At The Disco

20) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"Be My Escape" -Relient K

21) HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"All We Know" -Paramore

22) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"Silent Night" -Relient K

23) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"If We Never Go Inside" -Alkaline Trio

24) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"Tira Me A Las Aranas" -The Mars Volta (Transalted: It throws me to the spiders)

25) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
"Gold Dust vs. State of Illinois" -Spitalfield

26) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
"Salka" -Sigur Ros

27) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"There Could Be Nothing After This" -Underoath

28) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"Edinboro" -The Audition

29) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"Hopeless Love" -Daphne Loves Derby
(So emo...)

30) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
"Another Day" -Mest

Magic....

Make your own here...
http://www.flash-gear.com/stereo/
(It wouldn't let me link it.)

"Good God..."

Good God, if your song leaves our lips,
If your work leaves our hands,
Then we will be wanderers and vagabonds,
They will stare and say how empty we are;
How the freedon we had turned us up as dead men.

Let us be cold, make us weak.
Let us, becuase we all have ears.
Lee us beacuse we all have eyes.
Good God.

How they knew that this would happen, they knew that this would...
We're so run down. We're so run down.
Good God, can you still get us home?

How can we still get home?
I'm not dreaming.
We're forgetting our forgiveness.

~

You said there was nothing left down here,
Well I roamed around the wasteland
And I swear I found something.
I found hope.
I found God.
I found the dreams of the believers... the dreams of the believers.
Oh God, save us all.


They are both Underoath. The first from the track "Too Bright To See To Loud To Hear" and the second is from "Desolate Earth :: The End Is Here"

As I was running today, these words hit the deep of my chest like the thump of a bass.
There is nothing more that I want then always have His song on my lips and His work for my hands. I pray that me seeking after my own freedom does not turn me up as dead; that I only seek freedom through Him because that is where the hope is.
I pray that I never forget my forgiveness.

It's Christmas tomorrow.
Jesus was born so that we don't turn up as dead men.
It's so clear and here for us.
We don't want to live in the wasteland forever.
And we don't have to.

I miss..

... summer.






















The snow is pretty but I miss being outside.