Friday, June 29, 2012

Summer Bands: Sanctus Real

Name meaning: "Sanctus" means "Holy," and "Real" means "Real."

Discovered this band six years ago. They are probably one of the most popular Christian bands out there, actually.

Genre: Christian Rock, Pop, Alternative

So... what's so real about Sanctus Real???
"Forgiven." I sang this song in sixth grade, and it was the first one I ever sang in public. I remember my favorite part was the "ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh" because it was so cute and fun.
You know, "We Need Each Other." It's the title track of that album (as you can see in the video). This will always be one of my faves by them. Best song to hear when you're lonely. "I need you! You need me! And that's the way it's got to be!" So encouraging and fun...
You always have to pull out an oldie! "The Face of Love" was probably one of their first hits, actually. You can see their last in the lyric post of the song I'm singing at Nationals this year.

Look up on your own: Matt, their lead vocalist, has a solo project going on. Check out his song "All of Me," written for his son.

//NEXT// Local Natives!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Summer Comedy: Inception Music Changes Everything

Okay, let me say it before you do.

I think some of my blog readers know me better than my friends do sometimes.

I mean, I'm not that hard to decode when my entire life is written out.

And one thing that you guys know about me that some of my friends don't? I am obsessed---and I mean it---OBSESSED with "Inception" music. If you've been reading since June 2011, you are probably sighing right now or moving the cursor to the red X, or switching back to Facebook or Tumblr for "just a minute" because you've heard it all before.

There's even been a post on here with a similar title, Inception Music Makes Everything Intense.

Now, here's what I mean by that...

1. "Inception Music Makes Everything Intense" by Chris and Gary (@BigGuknowme on YouTube).
This is the song "528491" by Hans Zimmer. This demonstrates how simple activities can be more dramatic with a simple change of music. And a change of your outfit, get out a glass of wine (not recommended if you are under the age of twenty-one in the United States), change your facial expressions a little bit, yell "NO! NOT HERE!" when a guy tells you to make a sandwich. And there you go.

2. "Bambi Trailer + Inception Music = Blows Your Mind (Heist)" by @swordsman3003.
This is the song "Mind Heist" by Zack Hemsey. This is just an attempt to scare you out of watching Bambi and make you wanna see it again all at the same time.

3. "Inception Music Makes EVERYTHING Better!!!" by @willeyboy2.
This is also "Mind Heist" by Zack Hemsey. But worse. As much as I love Rebecca Black, this video honestly scares the crap out of me (not literally). Especially at 0:09 (she like, pops up right on time!) and 0:44 (she points you out. Again, right on time!!!). This didn't mkae me laugh at all. It just freaked me out. And to think this is the same girl we fell in love with for her cute songs "My Moment" and "Person of Interest." This is "Friday," a song little to no people liked. I liked it, though.

So, this is what INCEPTION does to a blogger after she's seen it so many times.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Summer Poetry: Eyes Awakened

Awaken me,
That's what I've been asking
Like I can't do this on my own
And I know I can't
I need You to open my eyes for just one second
And let me see
All the plans You have in store for me
Awaken my eyes,
I'm tired of being blind
...This...
             ...Changes...
...Every
            thing...

Monday, June 25, 2012

Summer Music: The Redeemer

The Redeemer

Sometimes I just wanna start over
'Cause everything looks like a wreck
And I need the courage to carry on,
'Cause I can't see what's ahead.
And there are place I've wished I could be,
Battles I've wanted to win,
Dreams that have slipped through my hands
That I may never get back again.

But I'm still a Dreamer,
A Believer!
Oh I've lost my faith in so many things but I still believe in You
'Cause you can make anything
New...

Sometimes I just wish we could say
All the things that are easy to hear,
Ignore the injustice we see,
And explain every unanswered prayer
But I'd rather speak honestly
And wear a tattered heart on my sleeve
'Cause in the middle of my broken dreams,
Redemption is here.

And I'm still a Dreamer,
A Believer!
Oh I've lost my faith in so many things but I still believe in You
'Cause You are the Answer,
The Redeemer!
Oh I've given up on too many things but I'm not giving up on You
'Cause You can mkae anything
New...

I don't have every answer in life, but I'm trusting You one day at a time
'Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive
Forever.
And this is where heaven and earth collide.
I lift my hands, give my life.
This is how my weary heart stays alive.

And I'm still a Dreamer! (This is where heaven and earth collide, lift my hands and give my life)
Still a Believer! (This is how my weary heart stays alive. Ooh, ooh...)
And YOU are the Answer! (This is where heaven and earth collide, lift my voice, give my life)
The Redeemer! (This is how my weak heart stays alive. Ooh, ooh...)

'Cause You can make anything
New.
Yeah, You can make anything
New.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Summer Fashion: Try Your Own Style!

I love this style guide by Seventeen magazine's staff. Sure, I may not be that old (which is very frustrating--- at a church I was visiting they give you name tags that also say what year you're graduating in, and the wrong year was listed for me, so now they think I'm a frickin' middle schooler when I'm a freshman! And then I got kicked out of a shoppping place that's popular in my area because it was past nine and I'm under sixteen. Ugh.), but I can still enjoy the extras the staff has to offer!

Why read this book? Because it's not full of "you can't do this" and "you can't do that." It's full of possibilities. Whether you're a girly girl, an inner rock star, bohemian, the classic prep, or in love with all things indie, you will love this book. It has helped me put two outfits together.

What's to love? It doesn't list $200 and $500 things, like you may find in TEEN VOGUE (and seriously, what teenager who is in their sane mind, wants to go to college, and has a minimum wage paying job is going to spend that much?), but it's a whole bunch of stuff that if you have any taste in fashion, you probably already have in your closet. It just shows you how to make it work. Again, unlike TEEN VOGUE, it doesn't make you feel bad becuse you get reduced lunch and can't exactly afford Louis Vuitton right now.

I love this book because it was made for REAL teenage, middle-class girls. Not Malia Obama, Elle and Dakota Fanning, not Victoria Justice, or Miley Cyrus, and DEFINITELY NOT Willow Smith. It'f for girls like me and you who live in the real world, in a reality where you can't be shelling out $1,000 for a purse.

It's being creative with what you already have, and that's why it's such a hit!

So what are you doing? Go to your local library and get it!

Monday, June 18, 2012

He Is We - All About Us ft. Owl City



Can't do a lyric post or any other posts this week, so I decided to link to an indie summer anthem for the week.

Lots of love,
-H

Friday, June 15, 2012

Summer Bands: Fireflight

Name meaning: It is an original word, and it really means nothing. Dawn Michelle (vocalist) suggested the name shortly before a small performance at a church.

I discovered this band almost four years ago. They are signed by Flicker Records, and though they are one of the most underrated bands I've ever heard, they don't have as small of a fan base as Deas Vail, or even smaller, Halocene.

Genre: Christian Rock, soft metal and alternative

If you're looking for some ACTION, then meet Fireflight.
"Unbreakable" has such an amazing message. With its extreme popularity in both the mainstream and Chrstian world, almost everyone in the United States has heard it (no kidding). "God, I want to dream again, take me where I've never been. I wanna go there. This time I'm NOT scared!"
The video that made me buy a violin. "I know I'm not the only one. So we sing a lullaby to the lonely hearts tonight. Let it set your heart on fire. Let it set you free!"
"I know You hear me, would You give me a sign?"
"We're standing on the ashes with a clearer view and a new perspective!"

I love that Fireflight's message is always clear, and even if you're not a Christian you can relate. maybe that's why they're so popular among atheists and Christians alike. You can see it in my "Stay Close" lyric post.

I've never seen Fireflight live, but gosh, now I want to.

Look up on your own: "It's You" and "Core of My Addiction." You may also want to hear "Name" and "All I Need to Be".

This band is for fans of: Evanescence, Skillet, VersaEmerge, WEASHUMAN, Flyleaf

//NEXT// Sanctus Real!!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Summer Comedy: All Above That is Random

Christina Grimmie... learned my first piano song, "Liar Liar," so... thanks for writing it, maybe?
Just look at Sarah's facial expressions at 0:19, 1:33, and 1:53. I love Christina, but Sarah is absolutely hilarious here.
This one actually sounds like a real song... like, one I would actually buy. Mianly I like the choir at 2:44. The girls at 3:05... you can tell they're black (not being racist, guys... remember, I'm black, too) because of the insane sopranos. With black girls, you're either a low alto or a screaming soprano. You always go all the way. So I'm proud to be a black alto. The boys at 3:09 you can tell... aren't black because... I don't know, does that sound black to you? Doesn't to me.
Who do YOU think is the better rapper? As of swag, it's Christina. As in ability, well, you can't really tell because the girls were given two different raps. But going by this, it's Christina.

Well, just a little something to make hump day a little happier.

Happy last day of school, kids form my school!

"Fraggedy wakka a waka"!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Summer Music: Stay Close

Stay Close

I wanna know You, there's so much at stake
Can't face the memories, they bend me 'til I break
Hiding from the past that's eating me alive.
Can't block it out, where it's coming from this time.

Every turn leads me to a new dead end.
I'm lost again.
I'M SCREAMING YOUR NAME!

Come close,
Come close,
And call my name!
How can You turn Your back on me
When You know my pain?
Stay close,
Stay close,
Light up the night!
Save me from the part of me that's begging to die!

Precious denial,
The stone to break my back.
The chains I carry won't cut me any slack.
Imprisoned by fear,
No room for my heart.
My only hope,
Only You can heal the scar.

Every turn leads me to a new dead end.
I'm lost again.
I'M SCREAMING YOUR NAME!

Come close,
Come close,
And call my name!
How can You turn Your back on me
When You know my pain?
Stay close,
Stay close,
Light up the night!
Save me from the part of me that's begging to die!

Stay by my side,
If You leave me, I will die.
Stay by my side,
If You leave me, I will die.
STAY BY MY SIDE!
If You hold me, I will fly
If You hold me, I will fly
Will You hold me???

Come close,
Come close,
And call my name!
How can You turn Your back on me
When You know my pain?
Stay close,
Stay close,
Light up the night!
Save me from the part of me that's begging to die...

Come close,
Come close,
And call my name!
How can You turn Your back on me
When You know my pain?
Stay close,
Stay close,
Light up the night!
Save me from the part of me that's begging to die!!!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Summer Reads: Surprised by Laughter

"No one's laughing at God, we're all laughing with God."
-Regina Spektor

"Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis" by Terry Linovall is a collection of quotes and excerpts by C.S. Lewis, showing pieces in Lewis' writing about his sense of humor and how humor can be found in anything. Yes, even though he didn't ONLY write the Chronicles of Narnia, there ARE some excerpts from it, if you're a Narnia geek, too.

How can we find laughter in the most serious situations? How can we gain a positive outlook on life? How we leave our pessimistic ways behind?

Your questions WILL be answered.

As of accuracy and professionalism, the book met my expectations. However, it was very difficult for me to finish and I often found myself giving up on it and falling asleep while reading it. Not a book even this Narnia geek enjoyed.

I recommend this book to adults, hence the PhD and super long index. If you are thirteen years old, I guarantee you will NOT like this book at all. You will be bored to tears. No other way to put it. I warned you. Not even young adults wanna read it. When I say adult, I mean non-fiction and if you're old enough to be my mom you might like it. Yeah.

If you're a fan of encyclopedias and other things educated retired people like, welcome to the family.... this book is for you.

As for me, I will NEVER read it again. It wasn't that bad, but my attention span is not attracted to 600-page books about C.S. Lewis.

Paperback.
422 pages.
Thomas Nelson publishers.

Nevertheless, still I give thanks to Thomas Nelson for giving me this book for free! Maybe I'll find someone who will enjoy learning about C.S. Lewis as much as Terry.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Summer Bands: Halocene

Name meaning: It is an original word, an improvised version of the word "holocene," which means... some sort of landscape or era or something of that sort. Nothing witchy, scary, cussy, or perverted. Trust me.

Discovered this band maybe a week or two ago. If I were working for a label, you best believe I would've signed them. And since I'm not, well, they're still unsigned. Yo, Capitol! I found a band that you might wanna sign. Come on... if you can sign Katy Perry, why can't you sign Halocene? She gets enough publicity already.

Genre: Indie rock

Now, let me show you what I mean when I say Halocene!
"Sometimes" is such a great song. Almost grunge-y. "This won't get better..."
"Last Dance" is the title track from the album, "Can You Hear Us Now?". Yes, we can hear you. And it's like music to our ears, no pun intended.
I love "Secret..." they need to turn it into gossip. Many say that this sounds too "Avril Lavigne-ish" and that they need to get their own sound, but this IS their own sound. Sure, one song sounds similar--- so what? I don't think I'd even like the song if it were by Avril. I like that Addie has that Hayley Williams voice about herself, yet still she has her own tone. And I love how the band can be similar to others at times, but still they have their own sound. They also like making fun of themselves and having fun while recording, as you can see in the "Ocean Avenue" video, which is not on here, but you can see the "Ocean Avenue" lyric post.

And I just saw a video of them at the Phoenix Convention Center.... been there, kinda done that! Oh, Fine Arts... Excited for Louisville, but I feel like Phoenix can't be replaced.

Look up on your own: "Love Was Just A Lie" by Halocene. It's a great song.

This band is for fans of: Paramore, Avril Lavigne, Evanescence, Fireflight, Skillet

//NEXT// This summer, Rend Collective Experiment, Landon Austin, Megan and Liz, Mat Kearney, Fireflight, Sanctus Real, Yellowcard, Local Natives, Kiersten Holine, Sara Bareilles, Wesley Blaylock, Troian Bellisario/FAMILY, Ellie Swisher, Christina Grimmie, Hans Zimmer, Coldplay, Relient K, VersaEmerge, The Fray, and more or less will be coming into picture!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Summer Faith: Relentless to Blog

I am sorry I can't provide Thursday's Summer Faith post today. As I've said, I am still in school and will be until Wednesday, so I am busy with end-of-the-year stress, and faith posts take up a lot of time.

I'm sorry, and I was REALLY looking forward to making another faith post. But today I'll just go over what this summer will reveal.

This year's Speed the Light and Fine Arts Festival theme is "Relentless," so I'll be talking about ways to be relentless. I will be fasting, giving ideas, listing verses, and more. I hope it helps you grow in your faith.... else, what's the use of the faith posts?

-H

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Summer Poetry: Glistening

I can see the look on your face tonight
It's brighter than the brightest star in heaven
And your smile is white
But I start to see less of it every day,
How it was glistening.
You were chubby, I was short
Now you're slender, I'm 5'9"
It's funny how much we've changed
It's only been four years
Yet we look back and we're not the same.
If I could have one more day of us
If I could see your face, it would be all I need
You're stolen
You're missing
I'm heartbroken
You're glistening.
There's a spark in you that everyone knows
And I want you to keep it right there
Don't ever fall in love with me,
I'll watch you from afar (not to sound like a stalker... sorry, I got out of character).
But you tried to put your joy in my heart
And when you unveil my face one day
You'll see that you've succeeded.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Simple Art of Plate Tectonics Draft #2

Sorry if I'm boring you guys, but again I am still in for like, another nine days:(
~~~~~~~~~~
Why are there volcanoes, you may ask?
Scattered across the land and sea?
Underwater,
Above the surface
With magma chambers
Like a fiery furnace?
And why are there earthquakes,
That shake the earth beneath
And why do they happen
Thousands of feet deep?

It's called plate tectonics.
Somewhere far below they're moving
And they're moving apart,
Together,
Next to
Each other.
They make mountains and trenches
They cause earthquakes and eruptions
And much, much more.

There are many things the plates are responsible for
But let's start with the theory of continental drift.
As fast as your fingernails grow
The plates move
Over a long period of time.
They were together
But it couldn't last forever
And in time they split.
The place called PANGAEASplit into the world today
So now we're left with fossils
In places they normally wouldn't be
Leading us to this conclusion in this way.

So this leads us to the ocean
Where all this evidence can be seen
Where the ranges are new and the trenches are old.
The new crust forms mountains
The old crust subducts
And this is the movement that causes the continents to drift.
They have to keep moving to keep growing
And that's the process of seafloor spreading.

How is this possible and how are they moving?
It takes heat
A convection current
With energy to release.

Igneous rocks: Formed through cooling and solidification of lava.
Metamorphic rocks: Formed from intense pressure and heat.
Sedimentary rocks: Formed under heat and is a combination of many rocks.

So now we're in our final lesson.
What more is there to learn?
You learned on Page 4 that the plates move in different directions.
You learned that the plates make mountains and trenches, earthquakes and islands.

But How?
At a convergent boundary, you may find mountain ranges, maybe even volcanic ones!

At a divergent boundary, you may find trenches.

At a transform boundary, also known as a strike-slip fault, you may find earthquakes.

Earthquakes can happen anywhere, near any plate boundary. Why? Because any time the plates move, it causes earthquakes. And since they are constantly moving, if you live in Japan or Hawaii or somewhere else near a boundary, you will experience a lot of seismic activity.

What is seismic activity?
An earthquake, tremor, or tremblor that is a result of a sudden release of energy in the earth's crust.

Mountain ranges are beautiful and cna be found almost anywhere.
They can even be found underwater, when oceanic plates collide to make mountian ranges.

Trenches happen when plates subduct.
That's why the ocean floor is younger than the continental crust, because it goes down, melts, and forms again.

Summer Music: Ocean Avenue

Ocean Avenue

There's a place off Ocean Avenue
Where I used to sit and talk with you
We were both sixteen, it felt so right
Sleeping all day, staying up all night...
Staying up all night...
There's a place on the corner of Cherry Street
We would walk on the beach on our bare feet
We were both eighteen, it felt so right
Sleeping all day, staying up all night...
Staying up all night...

If I could find you now, things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away, yeah...

There's a piece of you that's here with me
It's everywhere I go, it's everything I see
When I sleep, I dream and it gets me by
I can make believe that you're here tonight...
That you're here Tonight...

If I could find you now, things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
I know somewhere, somehow we'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away, yeah...

I remember the look in your eyes
When I told you that this was goodbye
You were beggin' me not tonight
Not here, not now

We're looking up at the same night sky
And keep pretendin' the sun will not rise
We'll be together for one more night
Somewhere, somehow


If I could find you now, things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
I know somewhere, somehow we'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away, yeah...

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Summer Fashion: Try Floral!

I will try to weekly add a new trend on Sundays, and then a new lyric post on Mondays, a new faith post on Thursdays, poetry on Tuesdays, and a review on a Saturday. Plus, info about a new band at least every other Friday!

I do not own any of these images.

Floral dresses are SO in this summer. Year-round, actually.

I am wearing a floral dress right now that I wore to Nathan (remember the lead guitarist in Christian Band last year? Yeah, he was the lead vocalist this year)'s graduation party. It was great for the occassion, and I curled my hair for it, with a pretty blue flower form Forever 21.

It was that flower in the color of blue. I do not own this image, either.

 Floral rings are pretty, also.

I do not own this image.

That looks like a rose made from fondant, doesn't it? But yeah. I own a few of these rings, as you cna see I have one in my profile picture. I stepped on the ring part of it an dI figured the only thing it was good for was a picture. After all that money I spent...

Floral fragrances are a must, too...


Alright, I'll make this clear: I do not own ANY of these images.

Dark Kiss is one of my favorite perfumes, and this version of it leaves a pretty shimmer. Glitter and perfume in one!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Everything You Need to Listen to This Summer!

It's finally here. So, what should you listen to? You heard about bands that are great to get ready for summer, and now here's an updated list of SONGS you need to hear to get you in the summer-y mood. And don't worry, lyric posts are on the way! During the week of Nationals I'll probably have about five lined up to publish that week. And the week before I have a somewhat-pageant... yes, this girl is running for Greene County Princess! But here are some awesome songs that you might want to put on your iPod, especially if you're due for some new songs. (I know I am!)

Everyone needs motivation for a good workout, especially when jogging in the heat.
The clock-ticking is depressing... it mkaes me think of the music video when the kid is inside of, must I say, a SCHOOL.
The video makes me so excited to go the park and play beach volleyball with some friends...
I'm thinking of Phoenix an dI don't know why... maybe because it randomly pops in my mind and I wanna go back...
Nothing's better than guitar int he summertime. And the song is great "because I know that You love me..."
Again, there's that amzing guitar...
The piano reminds me of a swimming pool. FUN FACT: "Lovers in Japan" was the first song I ever learned on guitar.
The drumming and bass... amazing. Deas Vail wows everyone???
Yes. EVERY. ONE.
Even just Wesley (lead vocals) can wow the world.
Isn't the song sooo happy? Voted #1 best song to listen to during 1st period by... me.
This can also get you in a happy mood *sarcastic*...
Summer: the ultimate party.
Boyce Avenue... really hot.
I love Halocene. Remember when I was all sad because Relient K was in Phoenix the day after my stay for NFAF? Turns out, so was Halocene. Now I'm super depressed--- I could have been a fan way before now!
Summertime... "ain't no sunshine when she's gone, 'cause she's always gone too long any time she goes away."
Halocene again... but this time it's a Yellowcard song. I never say this about any cover, but dang... this is SO much better sounding than the original! Who's ready to hit the beach?
Landon Austin is so freaking hot... sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hot... Combine Chad Sugg and Chris Martin and Mat Kearney and there he is. His beautiful voice, attractive looks, weirdly combed hair, and intense, raw talent. Usually I minimize videos when watching them, but I just have to look at him... it's addictive.
Who wants to play soccer? That sport brings bad memories, but oh well.
I love this girl... Yael is so talented, and this song brings a warm feeling of being around family and friends.
Who's thinking of the 90s when they hear this song? Am I the only one? 90s music is the heart of summe rmusic... I either think this song sounds like it because I was born in the 90s or because the band started in the 90s.
"Ignoble" definitely has a home-y, but very sad feel.
These images show some great summer memories for everyone. The song is "Take My Hand" by The Cab. You can also see some graduation images (0:12, 3:21, 3:29), and if you're a senior, well. CONGRATS!
~~~~
Well, have a nice summer. I will be posting WAY more often during the summer months and will be sure to update you on my discoveries of new bands and new songs to keep you happy this summer:)

Friday, June 1, 2012

Next Time You Point a Finger...

I told you I wanted to be your bestie,
Remember that?
We were the top of the game
Nothing could stop us?
Well, nothing could stop me at least.
So today you decided to call me a little kid
You decided to say you don't like me.
Good to know we still have a few things in common,
Because I was thinking the exact same things about you.
Of course, I would've added more and I wouldn't have been a wimp
Like you
Like the fact that I wouldn't have acted like a stupid panda bear and would have said it to my face.
Why?
Because that's what big girls do, sweetie.
Or are you not caught up... even though you're older?
(This feels sooo good right now...)
We went to camp together
We sat together
We talked together
But we were keeping secrets from each other.
I didn't know you didn't like me
You didn't know I didn't like you
Which is a fact you were obviously blind to.
You called me a little kid today
But you look like a two-year-old wearing her mom's clothes
You hang out with kids who are almost in college,
Remember you're still in middle school
And I'm not the only one who thinks this.
And you bring your problems into everything.
If it's a testimony, alright
But this is everyday.
Sorry sweetie, I can't say it any other way:
GET OVER IT.
No one likes hearing a repetitive story.
Who's the little kid now?
Choice A: The girl who chooses to be happy and not ruin everyone's day
Or
Choice B: The brat who drowns everyone in the ocean of stupid?
Who wins?
So you don't like me, huh?
Well then,
Consider this fair warning.
Don't even bother talking to me---
Ever.
Don't even bother asking me to sit with you---
Ever.
Don't even bother bossing me around again---
Ever.
Don't even bother looking at me---
Ever.
Why do I have to stoop so low?
Why did you?
I will admit neither of us are winning
But I'll do anything to get away from you.
Get away from me,
Don't even say "hi."
Just go.
You wanna ignore me?
I'll show you what you did to me.
I love how you point every last finger at me
But look!
There's a mirror!
Keep your fingers outstretched and look at yourself
Now look who's under fire.

P.S. Do you wanna avoid your name being included? Consider this Strike Two. One more strike and I'm coding your name into another poem. You're lucky I'm being nice right now.

-H

MY SUMMER PLAYLIST!

It's June! I still have eight days of school left, talking school days. June 13th. I know, I'm dying. So, I've been doing these things for a year now. Just to let you know, I've bene OBSESSING over quite a few songs lately. You had fiar warning.
  1. "Echo" by Jason Walker. The song is just absolutely beautiful. The piano is absolutely beautiful, like seriously. I love songs that start out with only one instrument and then the entire band joins in, which is exactly what Jason did here. "I don't wanna be down and I just wanna feel alive and get to see your face again, but 'til then... just my echo. My shadow, you're the only friend that I have... I'm out on the edge and I'm SCREAMING my name like a fool at the top of my lungs. Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright, but it's never enough..."
  2. "Cubism Dream" by the Local Natives. I love the guitar, and their voices all perfectly harmonize.
  3. "Chances" by Athlete. I first heard it on a Doctor Who episode, specifically "Vincent and the Doctor." Why do you think Vincent van Gogh is my favorite artist? They placed this song at the perfect time at the end of the episode, when the eleventh Doctor decides to show Gogh (he committed suicide at 37) how amazing of an artist he will become. In his day, or at least how DW shows it, he was not recognized for his talent at all. Just a mad man with a canvas. But this song at the end in the background voiceovered with these words: "He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty.Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world… no one had ever done it before. Perhaps, no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world’s greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived." Just perfect. Athlete has a new fan!
  4. "The Other Half of Me" by Ellie Swisher. The song screams everything I want in my future hubby. "You say life is sweeter 'cause I'm in it. But trust in me, I'm the one that's winning!"
  5. "Eyes Wide" by Aristotle (warning: profanity involved in the rap--- I only listen to the chorus) featuring the Local Natives (it's my text alarm--- the "ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh..." part) and "Wide Eyes" by the Local Natives, which is the original version of the song. I like the music video for "Wide Eyes"... it ruins my love for the song every time I see it--- a shark stalks this guy so he kills it, he fights it and kills it during the best part of the song, it's rather graphic actually. Then he puts it in a bodybag. It'd be hilarious if he got caught. And then the next day he is free of his anxiety... and then it ends with an evil koala climbing down a tree with red eyes. "Not again!!!" It makes you wanna yell. I guess that goes along with "Oh some evil spirit, oh some evil this way comes. They told me how they fear it now they're placing it on their tongues. Oh oh, to see it with my... oh oh oh own eyes..."
  6. "Starbucks Smile" by Maria K. "I'm so in love with your" song, Maria. This song is "as perfect as a Jolly Rancher seems. I'm more than a girl, I'm your biggest fan." You're a pop artist and you can get me to love you. Takes talent. Sometimes I wonder why I listen to this song, but "you give me a million reasons" why. Am I "in love with your" music? "Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah, baby!"
  7. "Abraham's Daughter" by Arcade Fire. The song is rather biblically incorrect (just take a listen and if you're familiar with the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac, you'll get it) but since it's Hunger Games based, I think they only wanted to use it as a metaphor. Besides--- check out that killer percussion! It made walking out of the theater feel pretty darn awesome.
  8. "The Ruler and the Killer" by Kid Cudi. I posted this on my gymnastics blog. Check it out here!
  9. "It's Not Easy (Superman)" by Five For Fighting. So depressing, and speaking of, I have recently discovered my love for slow and sad songs. The majority of the songs I write are slow and sad. "I'm not crazy... or anything."
  10. "Gifts and Curses" by Yellowcard. I love the simple guitar lead at the beginning on the "Mary belongs to the words of a song" part. "(She is the one) but I have a purpose, (she is the one) and I have to fight this... (she is the one) the villain I cannot down... What if I fall then where would I go? Would she know (she is the one), all that I've wanted? (She is the one) and I will be haunted. (She is the one), this gift is my curse for now."
  11. "Take the Heartland" by Glen Hansard. It's very violent, but it makes my day. Yeah. Being the happy girl I am, it's amazing that I am obsessed with sad and angry songs. I mean, come on--- who listens to songs that say, "Should I kill you with my sword, yeah or should I kill you with this word?" How about you just don't kill me at all?
  12. "One Engine" by The Decemberists. Even better than "Down by the Water." I love the electric guitar. But clearly, this band doesn't understand the meaning of the word "hiatus." Weird. "The line of right, it will barely make you feel... make you feel... barely make you feel..."
  13. "American Baby" by the Dave Matthews Band. I mentioned this last time, but sorry, this song is pure genius.
  14. I still like "Hellfire", too.
  15. And I still like "Mombasa" by Hans Zimmer. The only song that makes me rush through my homework like crazy, yet STILL I get a good grade for it.
  16. "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" parts 1 and 2. Part 1 is inspiring and about a girl with cancer. Part 2 is just something you'd play to torture the people in your car.
  17. "Professor Layton's Theme" from some video game. My friend Evan showed it to me in STEM Foundations class one day because he was disappointed that I had good artists on my iPod (specifically referring to Newsboys and TobyMac) but none of their good songs. Come on... I love "Born Again!" but I like this one. Accordion + percussion + piano = Professor Layton and Professor Layton ONLY.
  18. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" by Donny Osmond. I used this song to motivate the only guy on my May Madness team in youth... yup, that's what you get to do when you're the team leader. "Stop sipping like a lady and drink like a man! Chug it! You are on a team full of girls! Don't act like us! Be a man! Mister, I'll make a man out of you!"
  19. "I Am (Creation)" by Overture. Sounds a lot like "Time" by Hans Zimmer. It's form the same album as "Alive (Mary Magdalene)" by Natalie Grant, another song I love.
  20. I might as well mention "Alive (Mary Magdalene)" now:). I love the guitar. "I am His because He is ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE, yeah! ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!" That girl can hit crazy notes.
  21. "This is War" by 30 Seocnds to Mars. If you've heard the song, you probably like it. "OH! To the leader, the pariah, the victor, the messiah! This! Is! Wa-a-ar, YEAH!"
  22. "I Can't Make You Love Me" covered by Kiersten Holine. This song has such a powerful message, and I think anyone who has had a crush on someone who didn't like them back or was in a relationship with someone who didn't feel the same way about them can understand this and relate. "I can't make you love me if you don't. You can't make your heart feel something it won't. Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart and I will feel the power but you won't. No you won't."
  23. "Ignoble" by Kiersten Holine. "I am sorry time was wasted on a heart you didn't love."
  24. "Stay Close" by Fireflight. Fireflight's new song from their new album! Gah! This song gives me the same feeling "For Those Who Wait" does.
  25. "Sometimes" by Halocene. It's got a pretty awesome feel to it. Another band I really like.
  26. "Safe" by Britt Nicole. It's such a pretty song--- Christian, and it's another one of those starts-with-piano-and-ends-with-a-whole-band-behind songs. I would love to sing it in a lower key for Fine Arts next year. I've liked that girl's music since third grade.
  27. "Last Dance" by Halocene. The song plays piano in a lower octave, which I love sooooo much. And then guess what? The whole band comes in!
  28. "You Are My Vision" by Rend Collective Experiment. I can't wait to sing this hymn in church. Maybe I can suggest that we do when I join the worship team.
  29. "Meeting in Doorways" by Deas Vail. It's happy and sad. Of course, I adore its sad vibe more than the happy vibe.
  30. "Asleep at the Wheel" by Wesley Blaylock, a solo project of his aside form Deas Vail. Can't wait to interview him...
  31. Lastly, "Who Knows Who Cares" by the Local natives. Makes me feel like I'm in a jazz club. Has a sad vibe, but makes me feel confident.
Yup. Those are the songs I am in love with right now. There's probably more but... oh well.