(50) Sundays of Music: #18

#18: Coldplay - Parachutes

First off, thank you Sara for noticing there wasn't a post up today. Knowing that people have started to look forward to this, now that we are in the top 20, feels nice.

Second off, I know this may be a shocker, having this cd at #18. But hey, that's just how it worked out. Though some of you *may* get mad when you see the ones that were placed above it...

I'm going to do something a little different for this post, but I want to first give general comments. As I've stated before, I was actually late on the Coldplay train. So I didn't actually give this a listen until after X&Y came out, but it was still a great release, that contains my favorite song of all time. I was at an after-work hangout the other day and one of my co-workers asked about my tattoo which got us talking about Coldplay and she said "that whole Parachutes album is great" and I couldn't agree more.

And now, I'm going to take a page out of Allison's guest post and do this selection track-by-track.

*Don't Panic: I love the short intro track and when my brother finally got into Coldplay, I remember him texting me saying he liked the cd with "Beautiful World" on it. At least he was close.

*Shiver: I actually posted these lyrics on facebook once and Sara caught em and thought they sounded dirty. Good times. But the one word that comes to me when I listen to this track is devotion. We've all been there and I sure as hell have. Plus, this song was on a guitar hero release, so that's cool.

*Spies: This is one of those tracks that sounds really good late at night when it's raining outside. I know, because I've put on this cd on when falling asleep and it rains a lot in the south. I love the guitar work and Martin's vocal work as always.

*Sparks: I have to admit, when I hear this song I think of one thing and one thing only: Wedding Crashers.

*Yellow: What can I say about this song that hasn't already been said? It is absolutely, and forever will be, my favorite song. I wish I could explain it, but instead, I am going to let a friend of mine that recently joined the blogging world do it for me (please click the link and read, it's a very good post).

*Trouble: Sometimes, thought it's rare, the satellite station I listen to will play this track. One time it was playing as I pulled into the parking lot and I sat in my car and listened to it. This is another one of those "i've totally been there" songs and one version of the music video is so simple, yet really good. Also, during a brief period where I was actually trying, I could play the beginning of this song on the piano.

*Parachutes: Short interlude track, but the guitar work still sounds nice and adds to the overall atmosphere of the album.

*High Speed: I have to say, my least favorite track on the album. I mean, it still sounds good, but if I had to make an ultimate Coldplay mixtape, I would have no problem leaving this track off.

*We Never Change: How true is that statement? We don't. But his lyrics in this song just seem so... honest. You can really tell that Coldplay turned up their instrument work on the albums that followed this one, because tracks like this one are just really simple, yet really great.

*Everything's Not Lost: "When I counted up my demons / Saw there was one for every day / With the good ones on my shoulders / I drove the other ones away / So if you ever feel neglected / And if you think that all is lost / I'll be counting up my demons, yeah / Hoping everything's not lost"

*Life is for Living: The hidden track of the cd is the perfect closer. I love how it slowly picks up and goes into this great outro. Perfect ending to a perfect album.

This post was long enough and some are linked in the text, so no videos today :)

(50) Sundays of Music: #19

#19: Minus the Bear - Menos el Oso

Before we get in to today's post, I have to admit something that I'm sure no one is checking up on but I feel I need to discuss. This isn't actually #19, it was originally #18. But upon seeing what was #19 and realizing that band has a cd coming out next month, I'm moving it around to do a week full of posts in anticipation of said new cd. I can do this, because it's my countdown haha. And I'm pretty sure I'm giving away what the artist is (especially if you have seen my posts about September music on facebook) but it should still be fun.

Fun fact: Music Sunday wasn't always a countdown. For a few months before the end of 2009, I was coming up with various themes. And Minus the Bear was the band behind the very first post.

If you don't feel like clicking, I will give you the story in a nutshell. Hedman discovered this band and brought it into the house my freshman year of college. It was actually this cd he brought with him and he and Fricso immediately got into it. For whatever reason, it took me a little longer but when I did, this cd got played out in our apartment.

Like I've said in previous posts, I feel like my musical world exploded when I got to college. I was hearing sounds I didn't even know existed and Minus the Bear is definitely one of those sounds. (I say is because they put out a fantastic cd this year called "OMNI")

I really don't know how to describe it. I think I've heard it called "Math" rock before, but I'm not exactly sure what that means. I just know it feels very "jammy" with some chill moments. It's the kind of cd I can put on to fall asleep, to clean my room or put in the background while friends are over.

Later, my brother would even get into them and hands down our favorite track was "Pachuca Sunrise." It's just one of those where as soon as I hit play, I smile.

Like the last selection, I encourage anyone to give this cd a shot. And if you need help obtaining said cd, just hit me up.

For now, please enjoy a little "Pachuca Sunrise" from the awesomely titled "Menos el Oso."

(50) Sundays of Music: #20

#20: Armor for Sleep - What to do When You Are Dead

As we crack the top 20, I have to go back to a very musical time period: high school. This was a time when money was scarce and buying cds weren't at the top of my list so I had to have friends burn me copies of cds they liked. An ex-girlfriend of mine used to burn me a lot of stuff she liked and slide them to me and there were two I liked so much that I asked for actual copies of them when she asked what I wanted for my birthday. I got this one and next week's submission.

I like this cd a lot, but listening to it in later years I realize how "emo" it really was. Lines like:

"In a car underwater with time to kill
Thinking back I forgot to tell you this
I didn’t care that you left and abandoned me
What hurts more is I would still die for you"

play off the emotion of heartbreak - a theme throughout the entire cd.

But what got me was something I didn't realize till a friend of mine mentioned years into listening. The entire cd tells a story. According to wikipedia:

"The album begins with a hidden track in the pregap, a monologue spoken by the album's protagonist discussing his thoughts and feelings before he commits suicide. The track fades into the first track, "Car Underwater", describing how the he plunges his car into an unnamed body of water, as a result of a straining relationship with his significant other (their status was not discussed at any point). The remaining tracks feature moments of personal introspection at the positive and negative aspects of his life, while he quietly stalks around important locations of his past life (such as his girlfriend's home) without disturbing anyone. Analyzing the lyrics of each track, you can see him progress through the Kübler-Ross 5-stage model of grief management as he initially denies his situation, then wishes for a reversal, and finally, accepting his fate. The album ends with the character finally coming to grips with his decision, and his spirit continues on, having completed his business in this life."

That's a lot to digest, but it says it better than I ever could. It exposed me to great song writing. And for the sake of length, I will cut this post short and in tribute to experiencing the album from beginning to end, I will ask you to find it for yourself (or ask me to send it to you) and not post any individual songs.

HOWEVER

their follow-up, "Smile for Them" is not so much of a concept album and deserves to be mentioned. It has a lot of songs that I used to get out so much frustration over a relationship and songs to just rock out to. Plus, they took the social stance and said things that made me go "hmm."

So enjoy a couple tracks from that release below. Especially because, sadly, the band is no more :(

(50) Sundays of Music: #21

#21: Coldplay - X&Y

The other day I looked at my list for this countdown (yes, I made a list) and when I saw that this week's selection was Coldplay, I smiled. After the "putting myself out there" week of posts, it seems fitting to end it with a selection from Chris Martin and company.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first band to make a second appearance on the countdown. Another sign of foreshadowing because in the top 20, two bands make two appearances and you see four more appearances from bands you've already seen. So there's that.

But I have to be honest, this is one of those cds that made the countdown not for the entire cd, but for the songs on the cd. What I mean by that is I didn't have a moment where I put this album in my stereo and felt it. Instead, I got into Coldplay at one big time and figured out where the songs went later.

This release does hold significance because it came out during the time I noticed Coldplay. I remember going to a Circuit City and seeing this being advertised and thinking "oh that's from that band." So now you know my secret... I didn't get in to Coldplay until after X&Y.

I remember Frisco was actually into them first. I was sitting in his room just before we were set to move up to Auburn to start college and he played a song that started off "When you try your best but you don't succeed/ when you get what you want but not what you need / When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep / stuck in reverse." I was blown away. I know it sounds corny because "Fix You" has gotten immensely popular since then, but it just hit me. Not to spoil anything, but I would go on about Coldplay's lyrics, but that's for another selection.

I hate to overdo it, but "Fix You" is obviously a stand out track. I remember one time on campus I was listening to it in my headphones and I was sitting down during the beginning and when the song picked up I started walking like I was in a music video. Lame, I know. But I enjoyed it.

My other favorite is "Talk." I remember going to California one summer, trying desperately to get my brother to give Coldplay a chance and they had the "Talk" music video on demand. It was kinda weird, but I love it. For how slow and sentimental the band can be, this was one where they showed how instrumentally talented they are. It also helps that the beginning lines "Oh brother I can't, I can't get through / I've been trying hard to reach you, cause I don't know what to do / Oh brother I can't believe it's true / I'm so scared about the future and I wanna talk to you" make me think of Shedrick.

After the Haiti earthquake, the guys got together and did an acoustic performance of "The Message" that I felt was excellent; "What If" was overplayed during an emotional time for one of my relationships; "Swallowed in the Sea" is a staple for my friends and I; and the hidden track "Til Kingdom Come" is... sweet.

So "X&Y" will always hold a special place in my heart. It introduced me to one of my favorite bands of all time.

Backspace

I really don't know where this post is going to end up. I had something planned out, but decided against it.

Sidenote: I lost a follower. I don't know why we take it personally, but I know it affects all of us haha.

I just don't know what I'm doing anymore. I criticize a person in my life for not being able to let go of her past... yet I can't let go of her.

And what's crazy is the person that used to have this hold on me? We talked. Came out of nowhere, but we chatted one night last week. She actually apologized for all the shitty things she did at the end of our time together. It was unnecessary but I have to admit, it felt good to hear. It's nice to know we can check in on each other every now and then if we need and not have anything else come of it.

But back to her. I wish I could release whatever hold she has. In terms of affectiveness, she is nowhere near the one who came before. Maybe it's just that it's so recent? Or maybe, as cocky as this sounds, I KNOW I am a good guy and I honestly feel like she is going to regret this later.

I feel like I was rented from a movie store and I was the kind of purchase that was good to watch, but nothing you would want to buy. I think that's what hurts the most. I know I'm young, but I am honestly at the point that I would love to have that one on one with somebody. Where that other person just gets everything about you. And if they don't, they are curious. And I want to be that for someone else.

That's why, as much as it sucks to say, I don't think we are right together. I want us to be, I feel there is something there, but she doesn't.

I was talking to a blogger friend of mine (which, ironically you guys are becoming some of my best friends -- thanks) and I told her that me and said girl could still be together if I wanted to make it happen. I could have convinced her to stay with me, but that's when I realized we shouldn't be together. If I have to convince you, then what are we doing? My friend's response: "You are a good guy and you deserve someone who wants to be with you." So to this someone, where are you at? Let's hang out sometime, maybe we can go to a movie.

Like I said, I don't know where this post is going. Well, that's not entirely true. I know how I'm going to end it, but I don't know how I'm going to get there. Please don't take this as I am sad in life right now. In fact, this coming weekend is set to be one of the greatest in my life. Which I will probably do a post tomorrow that will show up on Sunday for the (50) Sundays of Music countdown and then you probably won't see me post until Tuesday - after I officially am a graduate of the journalism program at Auburn University :)

But I guess I just need to get this off my chest. Sometimes, I hate myself when I'm around her. I hate that I willingly put myself in this situation. That I get so excited to hear from her, to be with her, then all we do is talk about all of her problems. Problems that are 85% from her own doing. All the while she is talking of how there is nothing good in her life and all I am thinking is "you are talking to the one good thing you HAD in your life and YOU let go."

I've told a few people that I really like the new Anberlin song. It's the truth, I really do. Made even more so at the fact that when I read the lyrics, they made me think of her. So, I lied tonight. Sometimes, when I post lyrics, they are how I'm feeling. Sometimes, they are about you.

"you make my teeth clinch and my hands shake
do you ever see what you do to me?
you're wearing me out, just wearing me out
but i'm wearing you down

you're impossible but lovely
so impossible to win or please
i'm wearing you out, just wearing you out
but i'm wearing you down

take what you want from me, it means nothing now
take everything from me, it means nothing now
not so easy to forget, harder to forget
take what you want

i made your lips slip and your moans quake
try to think through what i can do to you
it's wearing me thin, can i begin
to wear you out?

take what you want from me, it means nothing now
take everything from me, it means nothing now
not so easy to forget, harder to forget
take what you want

i'm impossible to figure out
so impossible, you had your doubts"

How Can I Miss You If You Don't Leave?

The biggest news in music recently (at least the main sites I follow) is about the reunion, or comeback, or whatever of Yellowcard.

But I have to be honest, I didn't even know they went on hiatus. I just kinda forgot about em. Whoops.

In other news, I am officially moved out of Auburn and am now at my extended stay in Montgomery. I will probably take some pics tomorrow to share with you all the depressiveness of staying here. I need a new place. And friends that are in the same city. This is going to sound really lame, but does anyone have any tips on meeting people in a new city?

And it's only been a couple hours, but it is really hitting me that this isn't a stay where I will be going back to Auburn soon, that this is legit. And even though I just got out of a relationship that I wish wouldn't have ended (and now that it did, we are kind of in the awkward stage... and I fucking hate it) it's actually my roommate that I am already missing.

Frisco was my best friend in high school and my constant roommate in college (we had a revolving door of other roommates). There were numerous days where we would plan our dinners around each other to be able to watch whatever show we were obsessed with at the time. (For those curious, shows that we completed, from first season to last: Scrubs, The Office, Arrested Development and Heroes).

Also, it was great having a friend not only down the street, but mere feet away. There were a ton of times that I would see something funny and just bust in his room to share it with him and go back to mine and repeat.

And now all those times are going to be shortened. I know we will still hang out, as we already have plans to "close out this chapter" by hanging out the day after we graduate.

But it's not going to be the same. Going from 5 times a night to *maybe* 5 times a month (on a good month) is going to suck.

And I don't like it.

And now I have to be prepared for jme to tell me I'm sounding like a girl...

(50) Sundays of Music: #22

#22: Saosin - Translating The Name

(Editor's Note: The CD cover has a white background, but it does look kinda cool with the white background of this blog layout. But I digress...)

If I'm not mistaken, this may be the only EP to appear on this countdown. Clocking in at 21 minutes, it gets in and gets the job done.

A job, I might add, that is no longer accessible. This EP is actually out of print and is not even available on iTunes. My brother actually has a physical copy, but admittedly I acquired mine in not-so legal ways.

The band's tune have also changed since then. This is the only release to feature Anthony Green on vocals, before he would part ways with the band and go on to form Circa Survive and release solo material. The band would later go with Cove Reber and release another EP and two full lengths. (Not so fun fact: the band just parted ways with Reber as well).

I liked Cove, as he was the leader when I got into Saosin (I must say here, yet another band I got into because of my brothers. To this day, it is still one of my brothers favorite bands). But when I got a hold of this early release, I have to admit I was blown away. Green just brought a totally different element to the band, even showing signs of screaming that wouldn't resurface until some of Saosin's recent releases.

I rarely use this word, but this release is just so raw and full of energy. It makes me wish this band would have stayed in this direction. Makes me wish I would have seen them with Green as the frontman. It just amazes me how they can rock out with the best of them and then slow it down with the two acoustic tracks at the end.

I hate to say this, but I'm sure the majority of readers may not know of this release. I still hoped you enjoyed reading about it and I hope you click on the songs and give it a listen.