Can I Just Make It Through?

Will summer bring the feeling back to our toes? Until it does, can I just make it through?

- Sherwood

I have heard that winter's cold will give way to summer's warmth...

- The Classic Crime

When I lived in Provo I walked or biked everywhere. Whenever it was snowing people tried to offer me rides to wherever I was going, but I avoided them whenever possible. No thanks, I don't want to be sitting in your death trap of snowy doom. I'd rather walk.

Then I could enjoy the beautiful snow around me and feel Jack Frost nip at my nose. I loved winter, we had a bond.

Now I live in Vermont, where sometimes it is -23 degrees (Fahrenheit) when I leave for school in the morning, and the sun being out does not mean it's going to be warm, and the sun is rarely out. So I do a lot of the thing that I think is a horrible idea: drive in the snow.

It has made this winter seem ENDLESS. All I want to do is go back to Phoenix.

So until May gets here, and a return to Phoenix is realized, I have this. My summer sun songs. These are songs that warm up my insides and evoke images of summer for me. Warm grass, evening walks, outdoor picnics and movies, bike rides, watching Gilmore Girls, lying on a beach, smelling plumerias... So enjoy, may we all get through this winter together!

Brett Detar- Bird in the Tangle

This blog has become inundated with Anberlin. While that isn't a bad thing, there ARE other music artists out there I feel you should know about.

So, lets talk about Brett Detar shall we?

For those of you that have never heard of the band The Juliana Theory, well, I am sad for you, and I suggest you check them out as well. I really can't decide which album is my favorite, but its pretty much a dead heat between Emotion is Dead and Love. I think Emotion is Dead is a little bit ahead right now, but that could change tomorrow.

I've taken the liberty of posting a couple of their songs on the side so you can give them a listen.

Now that you are aware of their awesomeness I have to tell you some sad news, the Juliana Theory is no more.

BUT Brett Detar, the former lead singer just came out with his first solo album- Bird in the Tangle. It is, in a word, AMAZING.

Normally, when someone from a band I love breaks away and does their own solo thing I'm not really such a fan. Even if I kind of like it, it just isn't as good as the band I originally knew them from. (Or, if it's Person L I absolutely detest it...) Not so with Brett.

I was so curious before it came out exactly how it would sound. Similar to TJT? Maybe some acoustic rock? I just really couldn't be certain.

Bird in the Tangle was not on my radar at all! It has this southern bluegrass feel with a punk rock edge. Brett's voice has never sounded better. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's like a rich dark honey, so truly delectable. My favorite song is Coasts, but the entire album is just one excellent track right after another.

Now, here is the BEST PART!! You can get it ABSOLUTELY FREE!!! All you have to do is go here. No cost necessary, Brett is giving away this amazing work of art for absolutely nothing. I would recommend however checking out the packages that are offered, and remember, always tip your talented musicians. (I love that the icon for that is an open guitar case.)

Finally, I'd recommend checking out these photos his wife took here. I love it when people are in love. She sings on his new album too, you can read all about that at the link to her photo blog.

That is all, go get the album, what is stopping you? Its FREE, and completely awesome!

Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday was this past Friday, I turned 25. I am old.

Thursday night Anberlin was playing in Boston so I went as my birthday present to myself. I was SO happy!

It melted my face off.

Do you have "Dark is the Way. Light is a Place" yet? If you don't I'm judging you super hardcore.

Here is a video of some of their awesomeness.

Face. Melted.

Take Me As You Found Me

Blogger won't let me upload another video. >:{

anberlin on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

anberlin on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

Today is the day.

If you haven't checked out Anberlin before...

NOW is the time

Anberlin releases captivating music video for "Impossible" | HollywoodNews.com

Anberlin releases captivating music video for "Impossible" | HollywoodNews.com

Oh my goodness!!! This music video is incredible! This song is definitely already a favorite, I cannot wait for the whole album.

Anberlin.

Never ceases to impress.

Dark is the Way, Light is the Place

Just a taste of what you can expect if you get Anberlin's new album this fall. These guys always rock.

Gold Motel

I think Greta Salpeter is a musical genius. Seriously, she is amazing.
She has lately been working on a new project called Gold Motel. I sincerely hope that this is NOT the end of The Hush Sound, because I adore them, but, Greta never ceases to impress.


I have made one of her songs the song of the week on my other blog this week, and really I'm too lazy/don't have time to add it to the playlist here right now. I will though, soon.


For now, go to the link and listen :)

We All Are Birds

Concert Love.

Deas Vail. They were amazing. Then... my camera died.

Dear Future

It is no secret to anyone that I love music. I mean, I have this blog.
Sometimes I find a new band that I'll think is pretty good. I'll listen to them every once in a while and enjoy them. Some bands become background music when I'm doing other things. Some bands don't make the cut at all because they aren't any good.


Some bands make my heart stop when I listen to them because I am so greatly impressed with them. Tonight, Dear Future is that band. I don't know how I've missed them for so long. Just listen, and love.

Feeling Love Drunk, and In Search of Solid Ground

I know its been awhile since I've blogged on here. I just don't know what I want this blog to be anymore. See, it was one thing, and then I changed it and let other people read it, and now... I just don't know.

This past weekend however, I was jonesing for new music, thankfully, Nate was too.

So, here are my two favorite songs from a few albums that are coming out this week. 

Boys Like Girls- Love Drunk

Saosin- In Search of Solid Ground (I'd also recommend Firefly off of this album.)

Playlist Du Jour

So, on my other blog I do a song of the week. Sometimes I get impatient for the week to be up so I can post a new song. Sort of funny considering the fact that I'm probably the only person that pays attention to that. I am also apparently the only person that pays attention to this blog. However, I am posting a current playlist of songs that have been on "heavy rotation" if you will, for me lately. Music is my catharsis. So here it is. Pay attention to the Robert Plant/Allison Krauss duet, from the album Raising Sand that Trent tuned me into this week, as well as the MGMT that Tyler tuned me into a couple weeks ago. Completely different sounds from these songs, but both are awesome. Also, I wanted to post the Beatles' version of You Really Got a Hold on me, because despite my love for Smokey Robinson, their version is the one I've been feeling lately. However, I decided to post this dang sweet one by She & Him and kill two birds with one stone. Introduce you to a sweet band and post a song I've been listening to a lot. Enjoy!

An Ocean Full of Memories

Last night I was thrown into all of the memories that come with listening to the band mae. Today, I have been washed up in those memories, because sometimes, if you start something, you can't stop it until you've completed the entire ride.
I have been pondering on The Everglow, an album that I have put in a bell jar, crystallized with memories of hopes and wishes I had so long ago. While there is so much there I could say, I am honestly here to talk about the music itself.
I honestly think that The Everglow is an amazing album that everyone should own. Rarely does such a perfect mesh of lyrics and music come around to create such a truly musical experience, a Multisensory Aesthetic Experience, if you will. I can still remember the first time I saw mae live. That concert will forever be in my top ten of best concerts ever, not only because of who I was with (again, the ties of memories are strong with this band and most especially this album) but because it was the first time I recognized how awesome a concert can be when the band gets up, plays their music with passion, and doesn't stop. The music seriously did not stop until their entire set was done. It was incredible.
Its hard to choose which songs to post to show you how incredible this band is. The music and lyrics on every song mean so much to me for millions of reasons I could never begin to describe or enumerate, but here is a small sampling to inspire you to get the album for yourself.
I did include Sun, which is not on The Everglow, but since this is my memory ride, I can include whatever I want.

I'll Never Ask For Anyone But You

So last week I got the All American Rejects new album When the World Comes Down. Overall, its not my favorite. I think the song I Wanna is a complete joke, and Sunshine sounds like Enya wrote it. Which in and of itself isn't necessarily a bad thing, but not something I listen for and expect from the All American Rejects. I think I'd have to give this album low ratings, and I wouldn't suggest getting it, its not worth it. Just keep listening to Move Along, their best album to date. I would however, suggest getting this one song on the new album. Amidst all the letdown on this album , this song resonates with real feeling. Its a duet with Catherine from the band Pierces, a quirky and strange band, that you can check out here, but this combination works.

Concert Review: Anberlin

Last night was my fifth time seeing Anberlin live. I am fully ready to admit I have an unhealthy obsession with this band and their ability to burn their music into my very heart and soul, but some things just can't be helped.
So here, in my musical venue, I just need to do a little Anberlin word spreading. They are an incredible asset to the current music scene, and to the future music scene. My favorite part of Anberlin in general is that they don't stick with any one mold in their music or their albums. Each album has its own feel and flavor to it, each one brings its own experience.
So, lets get into the nitty gritty of Anberlin live. My favorite thing about Anberlin is their innate capability to get the crowd moving. They know how to get people into a concert. The meshing of their sound creates the perfect concert atmosphere. Last night, The Brobecks were on just before Anberlin came out. They had some good songs, some with a pretty good beat, but they just couldn't really get the crowd going. It made it a little difficult to get to the front (which is the only way to watch Anberlin) but we were finally able to do that. That changes with the instant Anberlin arrives on the stage. With Anberlin, you make friends, you move in close, you talk about all the other times you've seen them, you know who their roadies are.
You sing along with all of their songs, and it changes your entire perspective on music. They have the capability of bringing out emotions that you thought you had a good handle on. When you're in the crowd, hearing, singing, and feeling, " I am the patron saint of lost causes, a fraction of who I once believed. (Change) only a matter of time. Opinions I would try and rewrite. If life had background music playing your song... I've gotta be honest, I tried to escape you but the orchestra plays on..." its hard not to lose control a little.
Seeing Anberlin live in concert is an experience unto itself. Each time they get better and better. If there is any band I would suggest you see at least once in your life, it would be Anberlin. Even if you aren't a rock concert goer. Just do it, at least once. You won't regret it, I can promise you that. Anberlin never lets you down.

Songs You Want to Listen to Twice

You know the songs I'm talking about. The ones that when they come up on a playlist you think, "oh yes, this song is so perfect right now." Then it seems it ends much too soon, and so you have to skip back to listen to it at least one more time. This is a small sampling of some songs that inevitably cause me to push repeat whenever they come up. Go ahead, listen to them twice, you know you want to.

Wherein We Discuss the Under Appreciated

When it comes to bands that I feel don't receive the recognition they deserve, Cartel is at the forefront. They have been marginalized into the genre of pop punk, and the song "Honestly," which I know to have gotten a lot of air time, does not fully express their musical capability.
Their self titled album came out last year, and while there are several songs off of that album I could talk about in terms of lyrical and musical genius, I thought it would be most fitting to talk about the song "If I Were to Write the Song." Most of the time, I feel like the words that spill from my mind will never be able to fully express all that I want them to. I have often felt that the best songs are never written, the greatest music will always stay stuck in your head; but if I could, if you could... just that once, write the song that would express everything you've ever wanted to show and feel at any one moment, what would that one song do?
More than that, I can't think of any other word to describe the guitar in this song other than sensual. Just listen to it, its full of everything you could ever wish a guitar could do in a song.
This song is so under appreciated that it isn't even on playlist.com So here it is from my music site. You should probably get this whole album, its completely worth it.

Hurricane

I created this blog as a venue for my musical musings. I don't know if I will ever tell the world about it, I may just let it be a place for my thoughts to spill out in the form of whatever song is in my head at the time. These songs are my journey, this blog is to help me figure out where it is I'm going.

From the moment I first began listening to The Hush Sound's album Goodbye Blues I was in love with it. It is an astounding masterpiece. Its only been in the past week however, that I've truly fallen in love with the song Hurricane. It started with last Sunday when I had one line of it stuck in my head, the one line that got me moving through Sunday when I didn't think I'd survive. First thing Monday morning I had to turn it on and I haven't been able to stop listening to it since.
There is a beautiful vulnerability to the song, a sweet honesty to her lyrics and music. The piano, of course, is masterful, the quiet way the guitar comes in, as the steady murmur that quietly sneaks into your mind, and the drums, as if it is the gentle beating of her heart, that moves her from city to city, hoping for calm and quiet.
This song breathes with the reality of her emotion, I absolutely cannot stop listening to it.