Friday, July 31

In A World Of Lyrics

It is amazing how moments float by in crazy music filled years. It is the fourth year and my fourth blog of this kind. Every year I do this I feel like it goes by faster. I’m really glad I do though; it is like a musical yearbook. I have found some amazing bands and artists. The greatest gift is that I am able to find blessings set to music in even the craziest of years. Even when I am down in the dumps and at the end of my rope, music always gets me back to where I need to be. This is the year of hope and distruction of a scared college girl just learning to survive. A girl trying to find god in her crazy chaotic world. This is the music of 2008/2009 help me reflect on the good times.


August 2008: Death Cab For Cutie
As I swung into my fourth year of music and the year mark of my relationship with Jordan I felt it was only appropriate to begin August with Death Cab. Maybe it is the Seth Cohen in me and my OC watching that added to some of August’s choice? All I know is that it was one of the first artists Jordan and I ever talked about and that our relationship would thrive on the band’s soft, sweet tones. From my favorite “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” to the heart of “Title and Registration” I love them and continued to fall in love to Death Cab’s music. It seemed like the perfect way to start my musical journey this year and Death Cab has kept my relationship alive. In their relaxing tunes I found peace with sad times.


September 2008: Need To Breathe
As the summer days faded and the coolness of September began settling in Jordan and I went to go see Need to Breathe in concert. I had heard them with their song “Washed by the Water” and decided I wanted another Club 3 Degrees moment. Their inspiring and hopeful god-filled lyrics let me ring in my 20th birthday with hope and intense love. It gave me the courage to start and survive my internship. It helped me with the end of September and the beginning of my adulthood. Their song “More Time” began a romantic anthem for me and helped me look towards the future with grace.


October 2008: Duffy
While watch Saturday Night Live I often find some really amazing artists to listen to. This was the case with Amy Duffy. More commonly known has Duffy; this beautiful blonde bombshell Brit has a vintage sound that hooked me. Her soulful voice had me following throughout the days of October. The chilliness of the weather mixed with the sexiness of her persona made songs such as “Stepping Stone” and “Warwick Avenue” more alluring.


November 2008: Run Kid Run
One late night after an intensely long workweek had me listening to one of my favorite radio stations Air 1. Broken and bruised by an evil co-worker it was exactly the kind of song I needed to hear. “Freedom” became my savior song; the amazing soft soothing tones of this Run Kid Run song made me feel slightly closer to god. ‘Cause I’m singing for Freedom, I know I’m not the only one. Praying to the one. Who can bring me this freedom.’ Those beautiful lyrics kept me holding on when I felt like I couldn’t. Run Kid Run also makes me think of Twilight. I read the series and listened to Freedom finally seeing the Premiere with Lauren.


December 2008: Rilo Kiley
I had heard of Rilo Kiley a long time ago when they were on Love Line with Dr. Drew and Adam Corolla. However I had only enjoyed the song “Portions for Foxes”. Taking more of a whimsical winter I felt like I should listen to some of their other songs. I fell in love with sad songs like “Does He Love You” and independent songs like “Go Ahead”. The quirky fun eccentric feeling of their music made life feel fun as I said good bye to 2008 and hello to two former child stars.

January 2009: Thriving Ivory
With the New Year came the restlessness of my heart. One sleepless night I stayed up well past the sleeping world and well into the morning. Sometime around six AM I started watching vh1 music videos, excited about the new David Cook video I felt jolted and awake. Suddenly in the blur of sleeplessness I heard this song come on the TV that changed my whole perspective of what music is. “Angels on the Moon” was a very beautiful song and one that I needed to hear more. In February we decided on a whim to go to their concert at The Varsity and I fell even more in love with them. Meeting Clayton the lead singer and listening to “Hey Lady” they became a constant companion in my ipod. In May I converted Amanda by sharing some of my favorites after Sara gave her the song “Twilight”. They are such a good band.

February 2009: The Veronicas
I had heard of The Veronicas back in 2004 with their hit “4EvEr” Back in my MTV teenager video watching days I enjoyed these Aussie twins. They fell off my radar until one night driving home from Jordan’s. I needed a loud song to keep me awake in the wee hours and turned my radio to KDWB. It was then that I found “Untouched”. The next time I was at the library it was conscience that I found their first album and began to relate to their carefree fun attitude. I learned not to take life too serious with other songs like “Secret”.

March 2009: Leeland
With the crazy days of March came a fun trip to Canada. When I came back I was filled with discovery and culture. Circuit City was on the final days before closing. With the lowest prices ever I picked up three CDs one of which was Leeland’s new album. I had heard “Sound of Melodies” back in my CCM and Sonshine days. Listening to “Enter This Temple” made me feel for a brief blink closer to god in my tough times. In late April I found “Brighter Days” This was the Christian band I needed to send me slowly down my path back to god. Leeland was my saving grace for the year.


April 2009: Falling For Fallacies
This section is dedicated to up and coming bands. It is also is dedicated to two very special friends of mine. Falling for Fallacies is the amazing magic of Nate Turner and Josh Covey. I have been in love with their music since the first line of “Empty Apartment” a Yellowcard cover they did. I fell deeper into the mix with “Broken” and “Beautiful Surrender” throughout the past three years. Even the newest “Hotels” leaves my heart searching for more. However there is an extraordinary song that has never left my soul. It is called “Her Lovely Melody”. This tragically beautiful song has gone through so many changes and transformation over the years. I have fought so hard to keep it within the lineup because I believe it is a song that can make a difference. The song tells a story of a piano player watching the love of his entire life marry someone else. His best friend has chosen another heart, “She looks like a diamond cut to make a ring and I’ve wanted her so long. But I’m just her piano player and she is just my song.” I hope the boys never get rid of it Another special song to me was actually never meant for anyone to hear. “Last Thing I Remember” is one of those songs that no matter how long my life lasts I will never ever forget the first time I heard. I wonder if the boys know how powerful it is or how it will continue to always be my favorite song Josh has and will ever have written. To capture the intensity and passion in that song is a once in a lifetime occurrence. I hope the boys understand the power of their songs and make it big.

May 2009: Parachute
I was watching an episode of my current obsession for the latest One Tree Hill when I heard “She Is Love” by Parachute. I watch the video and instantly felt the spark the band had on me. I was immediately drawn to their music. The fun and sometimes peppy heartfelt songs made me feel love and wonder. Single of the Week “Under Control’ and listening to “She” on their website made me realize this was a truly phenomenal band. I even convinced Nate to buy it at Best Buy the day of Lauren’s grad party. Since then he has agreed it is one of the best albums he has heard.


June 2009: Kris Allen
With the end of May came the crowning of a new American Idol. Although slightly bittersweet I was happy that David Cook could pass along his glory to such a deserving individual. This is where underdog Kris Allen comes into the picture. The Arkansas artist was not my first choice to be honest. Too quiet and not much in all of the finalists he changed my mind on country night with his version of Make You Feel My Love”. Each week after that I saw his potential and he began to surprise me more and more. With “Heartless” he blew me away. I began spending all my time voting and wishing for him to win. Everyone was against him and in the end he defeated a huge media giant. When he sang his victory song “No Boundaries” I felt like he could touch the world. I can’t wait to hear his album!

July 2009: The White Tie Affair
I had not heard too much about this band. I was cleaning my room one-day and heard “Candle (Sick and Tired)”. I liked the song, but never shocked me as anything to remember. It wasn’t until a late night driving to Baker Square in Sara’s car that I heard “The Letdown” I instantly loved the song and wanted to listen to some other songs by The White Tie Affair. They are an interesting sound and shape of a band.

Well there you have it another year of music down. Whenever I do this I try to think about where my life will be in the next year I do this. I don’t really think my life is where I dreamed last year, but I have faith it will get better. Next year I want to make a big change and I hope that my dreams finally come true. I’ve been going to Bible Study with Nate and feel like this will be a good move for me. I am trying to find out where to put god in my life. He has always been there; I just needed to better organize where. In the next year I hope to find so many new bands and artists I hope to also pair them with remarkable moments in my life. Next year I will be facing three years with Jordan and I hope that we can make it that far. I think by now there is nothing that can stop us now. He may be going away to for college, but I think with music I can handle that. Like Jon Foreman always says; “I Dare You To Move” where will life move me?

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