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:)

Musical Tomboys

Here's to the girls who prefer guitar over piano...

Who prefer metal over alternative...

And alternative over pop...

Here's to the girls who sing basslines...

To the girls who can sing lower than most guys...

AND ALL THE GIRLS OUT THERE MAKING MUSIC!

My Winter Playlist

Ah, the goodness music does for mankind. So, I made a seasonal series of what I am listening to right now. So, here is what I'm listening to right now! (In no particular order.)

1. "Old School Love" by Megan and Liz. "Does anybody miss that" old school love? I think so! The music video is really weird and the dancing is really awkward... But I love 1:15 through to 1:41. I've always wanted to hold a guy hostage... as bad as that may have sounded, it was completely innocent, trust me. And the guy on the left is named TJ. I have seen another video he's in (and he talks!) and it will be on Eighth Graders Anonymous very soon. Twinning??? Yes. Megan and Liz are fraternal twin sisters. They look sreepily similar here, especially at that part I just pointed out when they're doing all the same motions... so creepy... so awesome!
2. "Airplanes" by the Local Natives. I love the piano, the bass, the percussion, the really weird lyrics, everything. And the violin, to Pluto and back. I love how it says "I keep those chopsticks you had from when you taught abroad, taught abroad in Japan." I love the song in general. I first heard the song at school. I love my school. I love the Skull Candy headphones I first heard this song with. I love the iPod it was on (Because it has "Move Along" by the All-American Rejects and a song by Peter Bjorn and John on it). I love YouTube. I love the person that posted the unofficial video on YouTube (@BennisHahn). "I love it all... so much I call,  want you back, back, back... You back..."
3. "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars. The song was made for The Hunger Games, and I am more than excited! I never quite finished that series... LoL, didn't have the time to. But the song is just b-e-a-utiful... Even Faith likes, and that is a big deal coming from the Anti-TaylorSwift.
4. "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" parts 1 and 2, by The Flaming Lips. Hate the band name, love the song. Part 1 is very inspiring, about a girl named Yoshimi who battled cancer and... well, she died. Part 2 is the battle... intense. And Yoshimi has a screaming part in it!
5. "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John. Self-explanatory why I love it.
6. "We Found Love" cover by Boyce Avenue. Love them. I hated the song before they covered it. Like, seriously. Cold hate. But Boyce Avenue changed all that. And, in honor of the brothers, my guitar is named Daniel Fabian Alejandro.
7. "Take My Hand" by The Cab. Totally reminds me of middle school drama. So, my advice? "Don't worry, just breathe... Say they wanna change, I hope that you remain the same to show that this is not a game, let's end this tragedy today. Now take my hand and we will run away down to this place that I know... We won't, be apart of, we won't, be apart of this..."
8. "Go to the River" by Yael Naim. Who doesn't love her???
9. "Time" by Hans Zimmer:) for obvious reasons.
10. "Again" by Flyleaf. Everybody hates Flyleaf and everybody loves them. I don't know how I feel. But I know for sure I love this song.
11. "Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture. When I first heard this song, I was in church with the adults an dwas like... "It's not that good a song..." Then I heard the original and was like, "Oh! The adult worship team didn't do this song justice at all..." and I have permission to say that about them because my dad is the worship team's main bassist!
12. "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence. I just love Amy Lee's voice so much...
13. "The Redeemer" by Sanctus Real. I can't get away from this beautiful band...
14. "Battle At Aslan's How" by Harry Gregson-Williams, who composed lots of my gymnastics music way back in the day. He's 2012's Beethoven, Hans Zimmer is our Mozart.
15. "Liar Liar" by Christina Grimmie. Christina... "Tell me why these roads keep leading... leading you right back..."
16. "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne. An old classic I've always loved... and now I can play it on guitar!
17. "Hey Mama" by Mat Kearney. Catchiest song I've ever heard. This is a pop-ish song, but I am making an exception--- Mat, you're amazing!
18. "Sing You Home" by Xenia. I saw the video in a Justin Bieber playlist and was like, "Xenia? Hey, that's a city in my state!" Then I realized the girl's name is Xenia. Yeah, she was a contestant on The Voice last year. I only watched some of it because Adam Levine was on it.
19. "Ships in the Night" by Mat Kearney. Okay, this is definitely pop, no exceptions. But i don't care... this is what pop music was MEANT to be.
20. And, of course, every. Deas. Vail. song. there. is.

That's my music life this season!!

Best Christian Song Category

So, to those that have been reading this blog for awhile now, you know that it is unquestionable that I am a Christian. You also know that I don't listen to a lot of Christian music. But, in spite of that, my "A Hopeful Transmission" (yes, I named it after the Coldplay song) playlist that is constantly changing names, always has ONLY Christian songs, with the exceptions of "Go to the River" by Yael Naim and "Laughing With" by Regina Spektor.

So, here are the best of the best Christian songs, many made in 2011, up for voting!

I LOVE "Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture. So much that not only was it nominated to be the best song ever, but it was quoted in my blog description (the "There may be pain in the night..." line) and I have the entire chorus written on my U.S. History binder. It says:

"You stay the same through the ages. Your love never changes. There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. And when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid. Because I know that You love me. Your love never fails."

I find this song SOOO inspiring, because, well, my love does fail. I may love my mom one day and hate her the next (love you, Mommy!). I may feel like helping my dad one day and totally blame him for ending up with Multiple Sclerosis the next. I may claim that me and Faith are twin sisters and one moved up a grade and the other moved down one and we're both supposed to be in ninth grade (she's supposed to be in ninth, but I'm supposedly in seventh) and the next day not want to even acknowledge her presence (believe me, that's happened before). I may think Charity is the awesomest sister one day and then want to throw spears at her the next. You may be my best friend one day and I might hold a grudge against you the next. I may love you one day and not love you the next.

But, God's love never fails. He doesn't stop loving us because we're not worth it (well... we really aren't worth it, but anyways...). He doesn't stop loving us because we keep repeating the same sins. He doesn't stop loving us because He doesn't feel like it. He doesn't stop loving us because we haven't achieved awesome things. He doesn't stop loving us because we don't love Him. His love never fails.

"Live For You Alone" by Interface! You gotta admit, gotta love that crazy guitar guy, especially on the bridge when he screams in the background! I'm working on my screamo... a lot of people think that's not a very Christian thing to do... but, you know what? You understand what he's saying, RIGHT? It has a Christian message, RIGHT? He's not screaming the whole time anyway, RIGHT? So I have no problem with screaming, as long as it's understandable and not full of chaos. Understood? So yeah, I love this song. And I hate it when people compare other bands to Paramore, but the beginning of this song does sound like it could be a Paramore song, in all honesty...

"Desire" by Deas Vail--- almost the best Deas Vail song! And they just came out with another album, the "For Sheperds and Kings" EP. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, look it up anyway. This song is amazing.

When the "Deas Vail" album arrived at my doorstep, the first thing I did was jump, scream, put the autographed poster on my wall, and put the album on my computer. When I was clicking tracks to name them (anyone whose put an album on iTunes that didn't purchase it from the site knows what I'm talking about), I accidentally double-clicked "Desire" and it started playing. I didn't wanna hear it because I didn't know the song yet and I wanted to hear "Sixteen" (which is track 2, this song being track 1) first. But, for some odd reason, I decided to go on and just let it play quietly. Then, I heard... GASP! A FEMALE VOICE! I was like, "no... that can't be Laura..." and then I turned up the volume and realized "Oh my hot diggity gosh, that IS Laura! Why doesn't she sing that often? She has a beautiful voice!"

"I feel I've been turned inside out. I've come so far, I can't turn around. But I don't know the next steps to take. Cuz all You left were me and the growing pains." Who doesn't like "Growing Pains"? Well, first off, who doesn't like Deas Vail? And I love the viola/violin/whatever-that-instrument-was part of the bridge! So, tell me... do you now understand why this band is my dream interview?

"Closer" by Shawn McDonald is like, the very only pop Christian song I like. I'm not a fan of pop. But I really like this song.

"Hosanna" by Hillsong UNITED is the hardest song I can sing. Brooke, your voice is amazing. One day I hope I can sing like you... maybe even better *evil laugh*... Your voice is so powerful coming out of the bridge! And I think you're the one that wrote this song, too... so... really nice poetry. And I think I know what verse in the Bible this song came from...

"The Redeemer" by Sanctus Real is probably my favorite song by them! "This is where Heaven and Earth collide, I lift my hands and give my life..." The harmonies are amazing! The song is also like, the story of my life! No, "Behind the Scenes" by Francesca Battistelli is, and that's why I'm singing that song for Fine Arts. But this song is also my life story, how it says "I've given up on too many things but I'm not giving up on You, 'cause You can make anything NEW!"

I have given up on a lot, a lot, A LOT of things. I have been afraid to place my trust in too many things, basically meaning I don't trust anyone. But there's one person I can't give up on...

"'Cause You can make anything NEW!"

REMEMBER TO VOTE, Y'ALL! EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT A CHRISTIAN, VOTE FOR THE SONG YOU LIKE MOST! AND, "YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS" AND "HOSANNA" WERE NOMINATED FOR BEST SONG EVER! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!

Above is Deas Vail live singing "Talk Show Host" by Radiohead, then moving into "Desire"! And guys, they normally sound better live, believe me. I love how Wes and Laura (they're married, as I keep saying, sorry if it's getting annoying but they're sooo cute... Laura is a lucky girl... Wes is kinda hot...) are looking at each other and standing by each other at 3:35... it's super adorable! That is why my husband is gonna be a musician. And we're gonna be in a band together. And we're gonna be able to look each other in the eyes just like that! And for some reason I wrote 4:34 on my hand... I think it's because I love Justin and Andy and they're playing beside each othe ron that part!

I better quit talking, and you better start voting!