Its past time to start blogging again. But, given the circumstances of the past few days, I'm going to go insane if I don't do something. So I shall blog to get me through this next month/5 weeks.
The end of the year is coming up, and that means a few things:
1. Most relevant to the blog, the Top 10 list. There was no real contest this year. There were 12 albums that immediately stuck out to me and amazing. Two of them got quickly eliminated when I thought a bit deeper about it. The hardest was choosing some of the top albums, all of which were amazing. I still need to pick my top 10 songs, and then do a section about indie albums, live shows, and the preview for next year (already, there's a few albums shaping up to be amazing).
2. Christmas break. I don't get one, but, being a staff member of a college ministry, that means that all of my best friends are leaving for break. One leaves on Saturday and will be gone for probably around three weeks. The other left yesterday and will gone until 4.5 weeks. So yes, I'll go insane.
3. Working in crazy holiday conditions. Work is what I'm doing to pass the time. Especially now that its holiday season. But work only handles a bit of time. And then I have to fill up a lot of time with nothing to do. So again, I'll blog. The moral here? Expect more posts.
Anyways, on to music. The last post that I was supposed to do was on "The Fisherman's Song" by Mae, off of their (m)orning EP. However, times have changed. They released the mediocre (a)fternoon EP, and then the perfect (e)vening EP, which is the subject of this post.
(e)vening is the final EP in Mae's trilogy of EP's, recorded free of any record label (well, they created their own, Cell Records), but distributed through Tooth and Nail. Being the final piece of recording that Mae will possibly ever release, it needed to be amazing. It doesn't fail at this. Let's put it this way. The Everglow was my favorite Mae album. (m)orning was behind it, and Destination Beautiful behind that. Singularity was a mishap in my opinion. That changed with the FIRST listen of (e)vening. Let's dissect it, shall we?
A Quiet (e)vening kicks the album off, with a short, two minute piano interlude, meant to show that everything was coming to an end. (m)orning brought us in with signs of waking up, and opening the recording studio. (a)fternoon brought us to the airport. (e)vening has us laying the final piano layers down at night, hunched over a piano, in a comfy chair that squeaks. Its short, its simple. It sets the stage. Then the drums kick in.
"Bloom" hearkens back to The Everglow side of Mae. An odd time signature that's long enough to where it still flows fairly evenly, pianos topping off guitar riffs, and drums, all with a rockin' out feeling that still leaves you mellow. They even touch on their faith, before crying out at the climax "I swear this time I'll pour myself out for You 'til there's nothing left", after traversing a song about being lost and wondering around. "We found our faith, and then unwound it." "We lost our way, and walked around it." "But love will find a way to Bloom".
"I Just Needed You to Know" keeps the style of laid back rock going, though a bit more aggressive. This time, telling a story. I won't get into it too much, but I played this song for a friend who probably needed it. It helped at the time, before things went sour. It tells the story of a blossoming relationship between a guy and a girl who live apart. It opens with the man speeding down Highway 95, a NC/VA highway that Dave Elkins (singer, guitarist, and lyricist) traversed frequently during college. He used the time to write lyrics for songs that went on to be Mae songs. Meanwhile, the man's girlfriend is patiently waiting for his return, despite being excited inside. Things continue to go well for the couple, before finally they decide to get married, having survived the distance between them.
"My Favorite Dream" is rocking my world right now. Here, we drop down a level or two in intensity, favoring a more held back, guitar led song. Elkins sings of someone who, quite literally, he loves. The theme of distance again comes into play, as he laments over the fact that she captivates him, but frequently has to leave for unspecified amounts of time. Eventually questioning her existence, he comes to the conclusion of "All I really know is that your hold on me is way too strong to be just a part of my imagination." Its safe to say that I'll be jamming this album all December. May or may not be a good thing.
Next, we hit an oddity in Mae. We have three songs, back to back, that really run as one. Its a classical piano piece, piano only I might add, that totals 13:36 long. Music to my ears. Nothing much to analyze, unless I go into the "physics" of the songs. The major/minor chord progressions really get me, and the general technique and flavor of the song do as well. It you're in to amazingly played piano, you'll love it. I recommend that you give it a listen.
Next, we hit track 8, the last with lyrics. "Sleep Well" is the definition of "building". Starting simple, and building up intensity until the end. Lyrically, this song represents both the ending of (e)vening and the end of Mae as we know it, as everything calls us to "Sleep well". We build and we build, encouraging things to be put to rest, and to go to bed happy. Maximum intensity is reached, and we hit the calm before the storm. Then....
"Good (e)vening". A 3:56 instrumental jam, hearkening back again to the older style of Mae, with aggressive guitars, pianos, drums, ect. We get hints of "The Fisherman's Song" from the "(m)orning EP (as did a song off of (a)fternoon). Everything about Mae comes pouring back in as we close out the final song of the final EP and the final tour of Mae. Strings, guitar riffs, bass lines, drums, pianos, everything comes together in an extended climax to "Sleep Well". Mae wants to leave us with some of the best materials that they have written, and it definitely shows.
Laid back stuff has been key to me this year. Less hardcore and heavy rock albums are in the top 10 (though there were some amazing hardcore albums and shows), and more laid back alternative stuff is shining in. A lot of it came in the last part of the year, and maybe they, and the lyrical content are representative of the things I'm going through. I just hope they end positively.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Fisherman's Song
This is something I've been debating on doing. Mostly I've been talking about albums. However, occasionally I'll run across an album that, as a whole, isn't worth a post, but has a song that blows me away. In this case, I'll be talking about The Fisherman's Song, by Mae, off of their EP (M)orning. Its part of a three part project, with the other albums being (A)fternoon, and (E)vening (note that the first letters spell Mae). But first, I realize that it has been quite a while since I updated! Let's review the year so far. Hopefully sometime before Monday, I'll be writing about Mae.
Back in January, I posted a few albums that I thought were going to be great in 2010. Let's review real quick.
Onward to Olympas - This World is Not my Home
I pre-ordered this album back at Christmas, and sure enough, it arrived on time! For the most part, its a good album. Especially the title track and track 6, Sink or Swim. Top 10 of the year quality? Not quite. Solid debut? Definitely. I have high hopes for the next album.
Poema - Sing it Now
A definite improvement over the original EP. For the most part, its only a quality deal, as this album was professionally recorded. Highlights include the two new tracks, both of which are near flawless, and the remake of Echo Off the Sky. On the downside, Boys and Bugs wasn't on this. Borderline Top 10 album.
Sent By Ravens - Graceful Words
Sent by Ravens has the potential to BLOW UP. A solid debut album (aside from the remake of Trailer vs Tornado, which was terrible. Thankfully they do the old version live). New Fire is my newest SbR song. All of the things I loved about the old album are here to stay! I just wish the new live set still included The Best in Me. Possible Top 10 album.
Embracing Goodbye - Rock'n'Roll Ain't Dead
Delayed a lot, from February to, like, last week. Haven't picked it up yet. That being said, the three new tracks have been played live, and one, Shotguns and Silver Dollars, is out. And its epic. High hopes for this.
Owl City - Ocean Eyes Deluxe addition
Admittedly, I had acquired all of songs but two prior to this release. Two of them were on the iTunes version of the first album, and three were singles. Only Butterfly Wings and Rugs From Me to You were new, and both rock. However, if you only bought the original album, then you get 7 brand new tracks with this. Go do it. Not in the top 10 because I consider it an extension of Ocean Eyes, not a new album (but a new album is in the works!)
Living Sacrifice - The Infinite Order
Don't get me wrong. This album is straight up br00tal. I'm just not feeling it that much. Too much like 80's era metal/hardcore. Not bad by any means, but not my cup of tea. Not gonna be in the Top 10.
Toby Mac - Tonight
Haven't given this a listen. But Toby rarely disappoints.
Demon Hunter - The World is a Thorn
Haven't listened for some reason.... Seems good from what I've heard (which isn't much). Really liking the bit of electronic background percussion in Collapsing.
Sanctus Real - Pieces Of A Real Heart
Ugh. Terrible. Please, can we go back to early Sanctus? Fight the Tide and Face of Love were great.
Switchfoot - Vice Versus
Not out yet. May not be until 2011
The Rocket Summer - Angels and Men
Hit and miss. I feel like Bryce was forced to make more songs. 15 songs for an album is only good if you can get out quality songs. About 10 were amazing. The rest felt forced. Had he cut out some of the lower quality songs, this would have been great. Borderline Top 10.
Family Force 5 - No Title Yet
Pushed back to 2011.
In addition, some albums have come out that are great.
The Classic Crime - Vagabonds
I need this album. Solar Powered Life is amazing.
Fair - Disappearing World
Opening track is epic. Not done listening to the album
Our Last Night - We Will All Evolve
Freakin' epic!! Currently my favorite album this year.
Sky Sailing - An Airplane Carried Me to Bed
A concept album by Adam Young of Owl City. Straight up acoustic guitar and piano. Epic so far. Album drops in a month, and two tracks are out now. So good! Definite Top 10 possibilities.
Write This Down - Write This Down
This year's sleeper album. I picked it up on a whim. Its some kind of crazy blend of pop-punk, alt rock, and post hardcore. Sometimes all in the same song. Its all over the place, musically, but great.
Back in January, I posted a few albums that I thought were going to be great in 2010. Let's review real quick.
Onward to Olympas - This World is Not my Home
I pre-ordered this album back at Christmas, and sure enough, it arrived on time! For the most part, its a good album. Especially the title track and track 6, Sink or Swim. Top 10 of the year quality? Not quite. Solid debut? Definitely. I have high hopes for the next album.
Poema - Sing it Now
A definite improvement over the original EP. For the most part, its only a quality deal, as this album was professionally recorded. Highlights include the two new tracks, both of which are near flawless, and the remake of Echo Off the Sky. On the downside, Boys and Bugs wasn't on this. Borderline Top 10 album.
Sent By Ravens - Graceful Words
Sent by Ravens has the potential to BLOW UP. A solid debut album (aside from the remake of Trailer vs Tornado, which was terrible. Thankfully they do the old version live). New Fire is my newest SbR song. All of the things I loved about the old album are here to stay! I just wish the new live set still included The Best in Me. Possible Top 10 album.
Embracing Goodbye - Rock'n'Roll Ain't Dead
Delayed a lot, from February to, like, last week. Haven't picked it up yet. That being said, the three new tracks have been played live, and one, Shotguns and Silver Dollars, is out. And its epic. High hopes for this.
Owl City - Ocean Eyes Deluxe addition
Admittedly, I had acquired all of songs but two prior to this release. Two of them were on the iTunes version of the first album, and three were singles. Only Butterfly Wings and Rugs From Me to You were new, and both rock. However, if you only bought the original album, then you get 7 brand new tracks with this. Go do it. Not in the top 10 because I consider it an extension of Ocean Eyes, not a new album (but a new album is in the works!)
Living Sacrifice - The Infinite Order
Don't get me wrong. This album is straight up br00tal. I'm just not feeling it that much. Too much like 80's era metal/hardcore. Not bad by any means, but not my cup of tea. Not gonna be in the Top 10.
Toby Mac - Tonight
Haven't given this a listen. But Toby rarely disappoints.
Demon Hunter - The World is a Thorn
Haven't listened for some reason.... Seems good from what I've heard (which isn't much). Really liking the bit of electronic background percussion in Collapsing.
Sanctus Real - Pieces Of A Real Heart
Ugh. Terrible. Please, can we go back to early Sanctus? Fight the Tide and Face of Love were great.
Switchfoot - Vice Versus
Not out yet. May not be until 2011
The Rocket Summer - Angels and Men
Hit and miss. I feel like Bryce was forced to make more songs. 15 songs for an album is only good if you can get out quality songs. About 10 were amazing. The rest felt forced. Had he cut out some of the lower quality songs, this would have been great. Borderline Top 10.
Family Force 5 - No Title Yet
Pushed back to 2011.
In addition, some albums have come out that are great.
The Classic Crime - Vagabonds
I need this album. Solar Powered Life is amazing.
Fair - Disappearing World
Opening track is epic. Not done listening to the album
Our Last Night - We Will All Evolve
Freakin' epic!! Currently my favorite album this year.
Sky Sailing - An Airplane Carried Me to Bed
A concept album by Adam Young of Owl City. Straight up acoustic guitar and piano. Epic so far. Album drops in a month, and two tracks are out now. So good! Definite Top 10 possibilities.
Write This Down - Write This Down
This year's sleeper album. I picked it up on a whim. Its some kind of crazy blend of pop-punk, alt rock, and post hardcore. Sometimes all in the same song. Its all over the place, musically, but great.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Our Vision For This World Will Not Die When We Are Dead
Oh hai! This post has been in the works for a while now, but deciding on only 10 albums and songs for an amazing year isn't easy. But, lo and behold, its done. Let us not waste time, and begin!!
Top 10 Albums of 2009
10. Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings
If this album listing was based solely on technical skills, Dream Theater would win, hands down. Very few bands can pull off what they have done consistently: Write epic tracks (and by epic, I mean 10+ minutes) that seem fluid, and don't drag on and on forever. While only 6 tracks, it doesn't feel short. From the opening thunderstorms of "Nightmare to Remember" to the epic "The Count of Tuscany", nothing feels overdone. Unisons are abundant, and Jordan Ruddess continues his mastery of the Hakken Continuum.
Recommended tracks: Nightmare to Remember, The Count of Tuscany
9. August Burns Red - Constellations
August Burns Red is back with vengeance, and they've discovered guitar solos. Blistering metal, breakdowns, and intense double bass runs are abundant, including new epic guitar solos, all to create a brilliant new metal album. Tracks such as Indonesia, a track written about a missionary who died in a plane crash, explore new lyrical territory. My only issue with this album? The best track, Meddler, sounds kinda like Composure, from the previous album.
Recommended tracks: Meddler, Crusades
8. mewithoutYou - Its All Crazy!! Its All False!! Its All a Dream!! Its Alright.
I initially had mixed feelings about this album. mewithoutYou is known for dashing headlog through tracks, with frontman Aaron Weiss yelling, talking, and doing everything but singing as his fellow band members played. And yet, it worked. Somehow, despite recklessly running, everything felt in control and well thought out. But with this album, we are slowed down and given a more mellow, almost folk-y (read: almost) album that could easily be sung around a camp fire. And hey, songs about vegetables are cool.
Recommended tracks - Allah, Allah, Allah; Every Thought, a Thought of You
7. The Devil Wears Prada - With Roots Above, and Branches Below
The Devil Wears Prada is a take-no-prisoners style of metal, busting out of the door screaming, going track to track with seemingly no breathing room. Nothing has changed here. Its just better. Synth is everywhere, providing epic strings and even a few lead riffs. You can't help but scream along (assuming you're into that) as Mike screams out "I know a ghost" or sing along with Jeremy as he belts out "All of love can be traced to a Maker". And hey, let's not forget the oddly named tracks. And what's this? A piano song with no screaming? Oh snaps.
Recommended tracks - Assistant to the Regional Manager, Ben Has a Kid
6. We Came as Romans - To Plant a Seed
It feels weird putting two synthcore type bands next to each other, but hey, I don't make the music. I just listen. We Came as Romans begs for a new genre though. Not necessarily synthcore, but rather, Orchestralcore. Never before have a listened to a band use such string arrangements in a hardcore song. The growls and screams are brutal. The clean vocals are pristine. The strings are alive. The breakdowns are brutal. And some call it generic. Pfft, whatever. This is one of the most positive albums of the year. So let us restore each other. For an empty cup cannot fill another.
Recommended Tracks - To Plant a Seed, Intentions
5. The Glorious Unseen - The Hope That Lies in You
Wait, what? Who? I'm not gonna lie, until I saw these guys live, I had only given them a passing listen, and that was just to get a decent idea of what they would be like. I had heard of them, but never listened. HUGE mistake. The Hope That Lies in You is pure emotion in its most raw form. Ben Crist sings about the loss of his beloved life on "We Can Be Renewed" and even through the questioning of life, finds hope and strength in God. If someone wanted to know what emotion was, I'd be tempted to point them this way. Best worship album EVER (though Abel gives them a run for their money with their EP).
Recommended Tracks - The Hope That Lies in You, Falling Into You
4. Relient K - Forget and Not Slow Down
Relient K has consistently put out record after record of pop-punk goodness, and now we come to the 6th full length (although I would argue that last years "The Birds and the Bee-sides/The Nashville TennesseEP was not an EP/B-sides, but a full length). They've mellowed a bit, and they aren't as silly, but let's not forget: Matty-T just got his heart broken. Yep, folks, what we have here is a breakup album. We plow through as Matt reminiscences his past love and finds the strength to move on and be positive, rather than dwell on the past and be bitter with his former lover. As the chorus says, "I'd rather forget and not slow down, than gather regret for the things I can't change now." By the time "This is the End (If You Want It) rolls around, we feel as though we've experienced it all with him. The ups, the downs, and the end.
Recommended tracks - Forget and Not Slow Down, This is the End (If You Want It)
3. Emery - ....In Shallow Seas We Sail
I've technically already written about this album (but then again, I wrote about TDWP as well), but oh well. I mentioned that it was up for album of the year, but had to worry about Owl City's "Ocean Eyes". Well, it did. However, don't get me wrong. Emery is back with biting force. Bitter emotion, heartache, and betrayal, all how they were meant to be expressed. Emery exploits their dual frontmen to the max, giving a stark contrast between screams and cleans, back and forth, as they wrestle with their own inner emotions, before finally realizing, "Just hear me out. This was all my fault."
Recommended tracks - In Shallow Seas We Sail, Dear Death (Pt 1 and 2)
2. Owl City - Ocean Eyes
Wait, what? Anyone who knows me knows that I love Owl City more than any other band. And didn't I just say that Emery only had to look out for Owl City? Hm hm, sneaky sneak!! Anyways.
Owl City is, quite literally, happiness in musical form. From the kick off of "Cave In" we are treated to synth-y beats, a mix of live and more organic percussion, and layers about layers of intricately developed tracks. Everything from love to dental care is covered, and from track to track, we have direct hits. Adam explores his more faithful, God oriented side with "Meteor Shower" and "Tidal Wave" while exploring his fun side (Fireflies, Umbrella Beach) and romantic side (The Salt Water Room, Vanilla Twilight). European electronica influences are everywhere, especially in the percussion, and that makes me happy. Of course, so does Owl City.
Recommended tracks - Meteor Shower, On the Wing (haha, I didn't recommend Fireflies OR Vanilla Twilight, though they are both great.)
1. Deas Vail - Birds and Cages
Deas Vail is CRIMINALLY underrated, and that's a cold hard fact. Wes Baylock's vocals and falsettos are flawless, Laura's keys are haunting and ever present, and the rest of the instruments fill out what is the best album of the year. Haunting tracks are abound, as well as odd time signatures, tempo changes, and time signature changes (normally all reserved for more alt/progressive rock bands). Haunting pianos. Yes. I said it again. Honestly, it took one listen to leave me speechless. For an album that almost never saw the light of day, I was shocked. Goodness.
Recommended Tracks - Atlantis, Birds.
But wait, there's more!! My list of top songs of the year!! These won't get detailed posts, but you'll find some bands that didn't have albums in my top 10. Sometimes bands NAIL it with a track, but the rest of the album just can't compare. Not that the albums are bad. In fact, all songs not on a top 10 album were in the running for the top 10.
10. Life on Repeat - Southern Girls
9. August Burns Red - Meddler
8. Oh, Sleeper - The Finisher
7. The Glorious Unseen - We Can Be Renewed
6. We Came as Romans - Intentions
5. Mae - The Fisherman's Song
4. Relient K - This is the End (If You Want It)
3. Emery - In Shallow Seas We Sail
2. Owl City - Hot Air Balloon
1. Deas Vail - Atlantis
And let's not forget the special mentions!! These bands are either unsigned and deserve mention, or had a good chance at making the end of year list, but because of time restraints, simply weren't listened to.
The Forever Endeavor - Poppy electronica ala Owl City. Indie. Excellent.
Sent By Ravens - My favorite unsigned band signs to Tooth and Nail? Win.
Poema - Acoustic music is amazing. And I have a mini-crush on their pianist.
Doubting Benefit - Hmmmm, unsigned post-hardcore goodness with a dash of pop.
Life on Repeat - Oh Life on Repeat. If only your EP was more than 4 songs long.
Seabird - See, this is what you get for releasing an album at the end of December.
John Reuben - Ahem, see Seabird.
LIGHTS - Amazing album. Why did I not listen? I don't know.
Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane, as I understand, is amazing. I wouldn't know. Yet.
Between the Buried and Me - Since when has BTBAM let me down? Never. I let them down.
Abel - Sadly, I didn't listen to this until 2010. Rivals The Glorious Unseen.
Lorien - Deas Vail meets Far-Less meets Brand New. Sadly, 2010 again.
And finally! Albums that I'm looking forward to in 2010.
Onward to Olympas - This World is Not my Home. Out now. Runner for best of 2010
Poema - Early Spring, EP. Sing it Now. Front runner for top 10 of 2010.
Sent By Ravens - Spring, 2010, Full Length. Graceful Words. Front runner for top 10 of 2010.
Embracing Goodbye - February? Full length. Possible best of 2010.
Owl City Re-release - Out now. Deluxe addition. New songs!!
Living Sacrifice - Out now. Full length. Hm, metal goodness. The Infinite Order
Toby Mac - February 9. Full length. Tonight
Demon Hunter - Full length. March 9th. The World is a Thorn
Sanctus Real - Full length. March 9th. Pieces Of A Real Heart
Switchfoot - Vice Versus. Full Length
The Rocket Summer - February 23d. Full Length. Front runner for top 10 of 2010. Of
Angels and Men
Family Force 5 - 2010. Full Length.
Top 10 Albums of 2009
10. Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings
If this album listing was based solely on technical skills, Dream Theater would win, hands down. Very few bands can pull off what they have done consistently: Write epic tracks (and by epic, I mean 10+ minutes) that seem fluid, and don't drag on and on forever. While only 6 tracks, it doesn't feel short. From the opening thunderstorms of "Nightmare to Remember" to the epic "The Count of Tuscany", nothing feels overdone. Unisons are abundant, and Jordan Ruddess continues his mastery of the Hakken Continuum.
Recommended tracks: Nightmare to Remember, The Count of Tuscany
9. August Burns Red - Constellations
August Burns Red is back with vengeance, and they've discovered guitar solos. Blistering metal, breakdowns, and intense double bass runs are abundant, including new epic guitar solos, all to create a brilliant new metal album. Tracks such as Indonesia, a track written about a missionary who died in a plane crash, explore new lyrical territory. My only issue with this album? The best track, Meddler, sounds kinda like Composure, from the previous album.
Recommended tracks: Meddler, Crusades
8. mewithoutYou - Its All Crazy!! Its All False!! Its All a Dream!! Its Alright.
I initially had mixed feelings about this album. mewithoutYou is known for dashing headlog through tracks, with frontman Aaron Weiss yelling, talking, and doing everything but singing as his fellow band members played. And yet, it worked. Somehow, despite recklessly running, everything felt in control and well thought out. But with this album, we are slowed down and given a more mellow, almost folk-y (read: almost) album that could easily be sung around a camp fire. And hey, songs about vegetables are cool.
Recommended tracks - Allah, Allah, Allah; Every Thought, a Thought of You
7. The Devil Wears Prada - With Roots Above, and Branches Below
The Devil Wears Prada is a take-no-prisoners style of metal, busting out of the door screaming, going track to track with seemingly no breathing room. Nothing has changed here. Its just better. Synth is everywhere, providing epic strings and even a few lead riffs. You can't help but scream along (assuming you're into that) as Mike screams out "I know a ghost" or sing along with Jeremy as he belts out "All of love can be traced to a Maker". And hey, let's not forget the oddly named tracks. And what's this? A piano song with no screaming? Oh snaps.
Recommended tracks - Assistant to the Regional Manager, Ben Has a Kid
6. We Came as Romans - To Plant a Seed
It feels weird putting two synthcore type bands next to each other, but hey, I don't make the music. I just listen. We Came as Romans begs for a new genre though. Not necessarily synthcore, but rather, Orchestralcore. Never before have a listened to a band use such string arrangements in a hardcore song. The growls and screams are brutal. The clean vocals are pristine. The strings are alive. The breakdowns are brutal. And some call it generic. Pfft, whatever. This is one of the most positive albums of the year. So let us restore each other. For an empty cup cannot fill another.
Recommended Tracks - To Plant a Seed, Intentions
5. The Glorious Unseen - The Hope That Lies in You
Wait, what? Who? I'm not gonna lie, until I saw these guys live, I had only given them a passing listen, and that was just to get a decent idea of what they would be like. I had heard of them, but never listened. HUGE mistake. The Hope That Lies in You is pure emotion in its most raw form. Ben Crist sings about the loss of his beloved life on "We Can Be Renewed" and even through the questioning of life, finds hope and strength in God. If someone wanted to know what emotion was, I'd be tempted to point them this way. Best worship album EVER (though Abel gives them a run for their money with their EP).
Recommended Tracks - The Hope That Lies in You, Falling Into You
4. Relient K - Forget and Not Slow Down
Relient K has consistently put out record after record of pop-punk goodness, and now we come to the 6th full length (although I would argue that last years "The Birds and the Bee-sides/The Nashville TennesseEP was not an EP/B-sides, but a full length). They've mellowed a bit, and they aren't as silly, but let's not forget: Matty-T just got his heart broken. Yep, folks, what we have here is a breakup album. We plow through as Matt reminiscences his past love and finds the strength to move on and be positive, rather than dwell on the past and be bitter with his former lover. As the chorus says, "I'd rather forget and not slow down, than gather regret for the things I can't change now." By the time "This is the End (If You Want It) rolls around, we feel as though we've experienced it all with him. The ups, the downs, and the end.
Recommended tracks - Forget and Not Slow Down, This is the End (If You Want It)
3. Emery - ....In Shallow Seas We Sail
I've technically already written about this album (but then again, I wrote about TDWP as well), but oh well. I mentioned that it was up for album of the year, but had to worry about Owl City's "Ocean Eyes". Well, it did. However, don't get me wrong. Emery is back with biting force. Bitter emotion, heartache, and betrayal, all how they were meant to be expressed. Emery exploits their dual frontmen to the max, giving a stark contrast between screams and cleans, back and forth, as they wrestle with their own inner emotions, before finally realizing, "Just hear me out. This was all my fault."
Recommended tracks - In Shallow Seas We Sail, Dear Death (Pt 1 and 2)
2. Owl City - Ocean Eyes
Wait, what? Anyone who knows me knows that I love Owl City more than any other band. And didn't I just say that Emery only had to look out for Owl City? Hm hm, sneaky sneak!! Anyways.
Owl City is, quite literally, happiness in musical form. From the kick off of "Cave In" we are treated to synth-y beats, a mix of live and more organic percussion, and layers about layers of intricately developed tracks. Everything from love to dental care is covered, and from track to track, we have direct hits. Adam explores his more faithful, God oriented side with "Meteor Shower" and "Tidal Wave" while exploring his fun side (Fireflies, Umbrella Beach) and romantic side (The Salt Water Room, Vanilla Twilight). European electronica influences are everywhere, especially in the percussion, and that makes me happy. Of course, so does Owl City.
Recommended tracks - Meteor Shower, On the Wing (haha, I didn't recommend Fireflies OR Vanilla Twilight, though they are both great.)
1. Deas Vail - Birds and Cages
Deas Vail is CRIMINALLY underrated, and that's a cold hard fact. Wes Baylock's vocals and falsettos are flawless, Laura's keys are haunting and ever present, and the rest of the instruments fill out what is the best album of the year. Haunting tracks are abound, as well as odd time signatures, tempo changes, and time signature changes (normally all reserved for more alt/progressive rock bands). Haunting pianos. Yes. I said it again. Honestly, it took one listen to leave me speechless. For an album that almost never saw the light of day, I was shocked. Goodness.
Recommended Tracks - Atlantis, Birds.
But wait, there's more!! My list of top songs of the year!! These won't get detailed posts, but you'll find some bands that didn't have albums in my top 10. Sometimes bands NAIL it with a track, but the rest of the album just can't compare. Not that the albums are bad. In fact, all songs not on a top 10 album were in the running for the top 10.
10. Life on Repeat - Southern Girls
9. August Burns Red - Meddler
8. Oh, Sleeper - The Finisher
7. The Glorious Unseen - We Can Be Renewed
6. We Came as Romans - Intentions
5. Mae - The Fisherman's Song
4. Relient K - This is the End (If You Want It)
3. Emery - In Shallow Seas We Sail
2. Owl City - Hot Air Balloon
1. Deas Vail - Atlantis
And let's not forget the special mentions!! These bands are either unsigned and deserve mention, or had a good chance at making the end of year list, but because of time restraints, simply weren't listened to.
The Forever Endeavor - Poppy electronica ala Owl City. Indie. Excellent.
Sent By Ravens - My favorite unsigned band signs to Tooth and Nail? Win.
Poema - Acoustic music is amazing. And I have a mini-crush on their pianist.
Doubting Benefit - Hmmmm, unsigned post-hardcore goodness with a dash of pop.
Life on Repeat - Oh Life on Repeat. If only your EP was more than 4 songs long.
Seabird - See, this is what you get for releasing an album at the end of December.
John Reuben - Ahem, see Seabird.
LIGHTS - Amazing album. Why did I not listen? I don't know.
Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane, as I understand, is amazing. I wouldn't know. Yet.
Between the Buried and Me - Since when has BTBAM let me down? Never. I let them down.
Abel - Sadly, I didn't listen to this until 2010. Rivals The Glorious Unseen.
Lorien - Deas Vail meets Far-Less meets Brand New. Sadly, 2010 again.
And finally! Albums that I'm looking forward to in 2010.
Onward to Olympas - This World is Not my Home. Out now. Runner for best of 2010
Poema - Early Spring, EP. Sing it Now. Front runner for top 10 of 2010.
Sent By Ravens - Spring, 2010, Full Length. Graceful Words. Front runner for top 10 of 2010.
Embracing Goodbye - February? Full length. Possible best of 2010.
Owl City Re-release - Out now. Deluxe addition. New songs!!
Living Sacrifice - Out now. Full length. Hm, metal goodness. The Infinite Order
Toby Mac - February 9. Full length. Tonight
Demon Hunter - Full length. March 9th. The World is a Thorn
Sanctus Real - Full length. March 9th. Pieces Of A Real Heart
Switchfoot - Vice Versus. Full Length
The Rocket Summer - February 23d. Full Length. Front runner for top 10 of 2010. Of
Angels and Men
Family Force 5 - 2010. Full Length.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
