My Top 20 Albums of 2013

1. The National-Trouble Will Find Me

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

I Should Live in Salt // Demons // Don’t Swallow the Cap // Sea of Love // This is the Last Time // Hard to Find // Pink Rabbits //

I Need My Girl // Graceless // Slipped

 

2. The Head and The Heart-Let’s Be Still

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Homecoming Hero // Another Story // Gone // Summertime  // Shake // Let’s Be Still // Cruel

 

3. The 1975-The 1975

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Chocolate // Sex // The City // Settle Down // Heart Out // Girls // Robbers // Menswear // She’s Way Out

 

4. Daughter-If You Leave

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Winter // Youth // Still // Lifeforms // Human // Touch // Amsterdam

 

5. Sigur Rós-Kviekur

Noteworthy Tracks:

Isjak // Brenneistein // Kveikur // Rafstraumur 

 

6. Portugal. The Man-Evil Friends

 

Noteworthy Tracks: 

Plastic Soldiers // Creep in a T-Shirt // Modern Jesus // Hip-Hop Kids // Holy Roller (Hallelujah) // Evil Friends // Atomic Man // Purple, Yellow, Red, & Blue // Someday Believers

 

7. All The Bright Lights-The Wind & The Waves

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Steps // People Made of Wind // The Wind & the Waves // Still Beating // Versus the Dark 

 

8. Volcano Choir-Repave

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Bygones // Comrade // Acetate // Alaskan // Tiderays 

 

9. Cold War Kids-Dear Miss Lonely Heart

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Miracle Mile // Lost That Easy // Loner Phase // Fear & Trembling // Bottled Affection // Jailbirds

 

10. Counterparts-The Difference Between Hell & Home

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Lost // Ghost // Outlier // Compass // Cursed // Witness 

 

11. Haim-Days Are Gone

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

The Wire // If I Could Change Your Mind // Days Are Gone // My Song 5 // Falling 

 

12. Local Natives-Hummingbird

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

You & I // Heavy Feet // Breakers // Wooly Mammoth // Bowery 

 

13. Meadows-Of Miles & Mountains 

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Houselight // I’m Only A Man // Drown Me

 

14. Lorde-Pure Heroine

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Tennis Court // 400 Lux // Royals // Ribs // Buzzcut Season // White Teeth Teens // Glory and Gore

 

15. City & Colour-The Hurry and The Harm

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

The Hurry and The Harm // Of Space and Time // The Lonely Life // Two Coins

 

16. CHVRCHES-The Bones of What You Believe

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

The Mother We Share // We Sink // Gun // Lies // Under the Tide

 

17. Dustin Kensrue-The Water & The Blood

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Rock of Ages // God is Good // Grace Alone // It’s Not Enough // It is Finished

 

18. Iron & Wine-Ghost On Ghost 

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Joy // Low Light Buddy of Mine // Grass Widows // New Mexico’s No Breeze // Lovers’ Revolution

 

19. Bastille-Bad Blood

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Pompeii // Things We Lost in the Fire // Laura Palmer // Bad Blood

 

20. Deafheaven-Sunbather

 

Noteworthy Tracks:

Dream House // Irresistible // Vertigo // Violet

A New Year and a trip to Gatlinburg

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, but I figured I would start it up again. This year has had some ups and downs but I’m blessed that God has given another year to walk his beautiful earth and enjoy each and everyday that he gives me. But I’m making this post short. I’m not gonna give a summary of what happened this year. Instead I’m gonna post a few pics of my recent trip to Gatlinburg. But, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years. I’m looking forward to 2014 and I hope you are too.

Stick around and read my best of the year albums if your interested.

Best Albums of 2012…In My Opinion

Alright, so I’m gonna write/blog/rant/whatever about the best albums of 2012 in my opinion cause honestly there is already 10+ blogs about this subject and those 10+ blogs are all read a lot more than mine is. So… Also, I’m gonna try not to come off as snobbish as some of these blogs, even though I can be over music. But anyways, I’m not gonna list these in any particular order. They are just albums that I enjoyed over this past year. So…Here we go.

Passion Pit-Gossamer 

 

Oh Passion Pit, the band who has the singer that sings higher than any man should but its freakin’ catchy so who can blame him. This album is the followup to Manners which came out in ’09. This album is goes in a directional lyrically than their first. Gossamer lyrically is deeper and more mature where I feel Manners was more about having fun. However, the indie electronic pop element is still there full of 808 hits and synths galore.

Key Tracks to Check Out: Take A Walk, I’ll Be Alright, Constant Conversations, Carried Away, Mirrored Sea, Cry Like A Ghost, & Love is Greed

 

Alabama Shakes-Boys & Girls

Okay, I may catch some flak for this one from my friends. I have a love/hate thing for this band. I love their sound & their songwriting, & Brittany Howard I’m almost sure is Janis Joplin reincarnated. The hate is their sound. It’s Muscle Shoals 1960s. I hate how everyone came out saying that they have a new refreshing sound. To all of those people I have an Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, or anyone else that has recorded in The Shoals to show them it has been done. But anyways, enough ranting. This album is catchy and the songwriting is great. Brittany singing about relationships in a bluesy whiskey drenched voice is nothing short of great. I defiantly would recommend checking them out just for a great Rock ‘N Roll album.

Tracks to Check Out: Hold On, I Found You, Hang Loose, Rise to the Sun, You Ain’t Alone, Be Mine, I Ain’t the Same, On Your Way

 

Ascend the Hill-O Ransomed Son 

If you don’t know who Ascend the Hill is and you enjoy great worship music, stop reading right now and go listen to them. There a great band with a heart of worship. With this album the band returns with their ambient style of worship and skilled songwriting. This album is a little different sounding wise I feel. It’s defiantly heavier. I think that comes from touring with christian metal/hardcore bands from time to time and coming from a metal background. But also, you can get this album for free legally from a website called Come&Live. 

Tracks To Check Out: So Good to Us, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Power in the Name of Jesus, Hear the Sound, Heaven Came Down

 

 

Best Coast-The Only Place

I fell in love Best Coast when they released Crazy for You. I fell in love with the quirkyness and cuteness of their singer, Bethany Cosentino. The songs are simple as well as the music but its what makes the band. Their surf rock sound is addicting and I’m sure anyone who listens to them can find a track that they like. So if your looking for a cool surf sounding indie pop record, check out Best Coast.

Tracks to Check Out: The Only Place, No One Like You, Do You Still Love Me Like You Used To

 

 

 

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band-Wrecking Ball 

I LOVE BRUCE!!! It’s the bossman, how can you not love Bruce. But anyways, this album is great. The album makes you feel like there is still hope for America and Bruce has the answer on how to save it. Though the man is sitting pretty well in life, he still has a heart for the working man. I don’t know what more can I say about this album. Just check it out if your a Bruce fan our enjoy good music.

Tracks to Check Out: Death to My Hometown, Wrecking Ball, This Depression, Land of Hope and Dreams, Rocky Ground, Shackled & Drawn, Easy Money

 

 

Chromatics-Kill for Love

I’m going to be honest. I didn’t hear about this band till about the end of 2012. I’m a little upset that I’m just finding out about them cause they make some really cool music. Also, for the longest time I thought their singer was a guy who just sang really high. Well I guess I’m a sexist cause its a woman and she can sing. The album is dark and atmospheric which I love. Its a cool album and according to iTunes and a few other music providers this album was one of the top albums of the year. Shame its not up for a Grammy.

Tracks to Check Out: Into the Black, Lady, Kill for Love, Candy, Dust to Dust

 

 

Delta Rae-Carry the Fire 

Lets take a walk down memory lane here for a second. It was about a two years ago I was a miserable education major in college. All I wanted to do is listen, make, and play music, and just be around that atmosphere. I was tired of the crap that was being played on the radio and was looking for something new and refreshing. Delta Rae was the band that did that for me. I saw them in a small club in Nashville Tennessee. Lets just say I thought I knew harmonies. But Delta Rae decided to re-educate me on the subject. If you ever have this band come anywhere close to where you live go see them. They will blow you away.

Tracks to Check Out: Holding on to Good, Is There Anyone Out There?, Morning Comes, If I Loved You, Surrounded, Dance in the Graveyards, Bottom of the River

 

The Digital Age-Rehearsals E.P.

This is the band that came out of the David Crowder*Band. DC*B was a great bands with great musicians and I’m grateful to see that the members are going off to do great things. Rehearsals is mainly cover tunes from DC*B and All the Sons and Daughters, but they add their little spice to them.

Tracks to Check Out: Buy the entire E.P.

 

 

 

Dylan LeBlanc-Cast the Same Old Shadow

Imagine yourself in a dark grimy bar. Depression all around you along with the other patrons and a sad country song playing throughout the room. Thats the atmosphere that Dylan LeBlanc with his followup to Pauper Field. The album is moody like Pauper Field with great songwriting.

Tracks to Check Out: Part One: The End, Diamonds & Pearls, Where Are You Now, The Ties That Bind, Cast the Same Shadow

 

 

 

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes-Here

I love Edward Sharpe. There a cool band. I look at them like the American version of Arcade Fire. On Here, the band keeps their hippie indie sound. But they also summon their inner Johnny and June sound. On numerous songs they trade male and female vocals.

Tracks to Check Out: Man On Fire, That’s Whats Up, Dear Believer, One Love to Another

 

 

 

 

Escondido-Escondido E.P. 

There is a nice little website where up and coming bands can put their music up for free download called Noisetrade. Thats where I found Escondido. There a band out of Nashville I believe that play an alternative style of country that is fronted by a woman.

Tracks to Check Out: Get the entire E.P. 

 

 

 

 

Gary Clark Jr.- Black and Blu

Gary Clark Jr. is the savior of the blues I just know it. If you don’t know who Gary Clark Jr. is by now, get out from under the rock your living and go listen to his stuff. He can shred on a guitar and can write a song that can back it up. He’s had a couple of E.P.s but this is first full length. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got in the future.

Tracks to Check Out: Ain’t Messin ‘Round, Bright Lights, Travis County, The Life, Please Come Home, Things Are Changin’, Third Stone from the Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say

 

 

The Gaslight Anthem-Handwritten

Alright, I’m gonna try not to come off as a fanboy because this is one of my favorite bands. But anyways, this their first album with a major label and you can defiantly tell. They hired the producer behind The Killers & Pearl Jam and I think he did a great job producing it. The songwriting on this album is a lot deeper and dealing with heavier subject matter. Failed Relationships, Family Issues, and Personal Issues. I’m just going to stop there so if your interested in checking them out you can see for yourself.

Tracks to Check Out: Handwritten, Here Comes My Man, Mullholland Drive, Biloxi Parrish, Desire, Mae, National Anthem

 

 

The Glorious Unseen-Lovesick

The Glorious Unseen are a band that I wish a lot of Christian bands would take notice and try to be like. Also, I wish they would get a lot more recognition than they do. But for this album they did the Kickstarter move to fund the album. The results is an amazing album. A heartfelt album dealing with depression and anxiety, and relying on God to see you through it.

Tracks to Check Out: The Love of God, You Have Ruined Me, Make Me a Child, Harp in My Heart, Brand New, Can a Nation Be Changed? 

 

 

Jack White-Blunderbuss

I had to put him on here. Yes he’s weird but he can write some crazy guitar parts as well as songs. He really shows out on his solo record and jumps all over the board when it comes to genres. Just showing how eclectic he is. So if your looking for a Bluesy, Fuzzy, Semi-Country album. Check out Blunderbuss. 

Tracks to Check Out: Sixteen Saltines, Freedom at 21, Love Interruption, Blunderbuss, Hypocritical Kiss, I’m Shakin’

 

 

 

Japandroids-Celebration Rock

I loved this album. Its such a fun album and it’s so simple. Just two guys rocking out and not caring what people think. But with the fun riffing and grooves, there are some great songwriting skills. Probably my favorite line off the album is this,

 “A Northern Soul In Southern Lands. Will Always Find Its Way to Southern Hands. You Kiss Away Your Gypsy Fears. And Turn Some Restless Night Into Restless Years.”

It’s a shame that this album was not up for a Grammy this year cause I believe it could have won one.

Tracks to Check Out: The Nights of Wine and Roses, Fire’s Highway, Evil’s Sway, The House that Heaven Built, Continuous Thunder

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit-Live From Alabama

This is one of the best live albums of the year. I only listened to two live albums this year I believe and this is one of them. I like Jason Isbell. I grew a love for him when I was living in Florence. He’s an amazing songwriter and great story teller. So if your into great guitar playing and songwriting check out this album.

Tracks to Check Out: Decoration Day, Danko/Manuel, In a Razor Town, Cigarettes and Wine, TVA, Dress Blues

Jude Moses-Jude Moses E.P.

This is a cool little E.P. from a cool guy. I had the chance to see these guys open up for John Mark McMillan in Birmingham and they were great. The guy walked out on stage in a sleeveless shirt, handle bar mustache, trucker hat, and a massive longhorn belt buckle. But he sang some beautiful music. The only thing that I hate is that the E.P. is so short.

Tracks to Check Out: Get the Entire E.P.

The Killers-Battle Born

The return of The Killers. It’s been way to long and Brandon Flowers album just wasn’t cutting it. This album shows a more mature side of the band. Their songwriting has gotten better and the musicianship is top notch.

Tracks to Check Out: Flesh and Bone, Runaways, The Way It Was, Here With Me, Miss Atomic Bomb, Battle Born

Melissa Helser & Jonathan David Helser-On The Shores

This was a beautifully written album. If I remember right, they did Kickstarter to fund this album. But Jonathan David Helser is an amazing songwriter. I’ve always wanted to do some of his songs during a worship service but I can never get anyone to ever commit to working on them.

Tracks to Check Out: Love Song, Faith is Rising, Wrecking Ball, Explode My Soul, Abba

mewithoutYou-Ten Stories

I was super excited when I heard that mewithoutYou was going to release a new album. They released Ten Stories, an album mixed between their albums Brother, Sister & Catch  For Us the Foxes. The album is based off a series of short stories about a train crash that was carrying a circus. Its a pretty cool concept album.

Tracks to Check Out: February 1878, Grist for the Malady Mill, Cardiff Giant, Aubergine, Fox’s Dream of the Log Flume, Bear’s Vision of St. Agnes, All Circles

The Modern Post-Grace Alone E.P. 

This is the band that Dustin Kensrue created after Thrice disbanded. The band is based out of the Mars Hill Church. They give a different spin on some great classic hymns. Its defiantly worth taking a look if your a Dustin Kensrue fan, Mars Hill fan, or just a fan of good worship music.

Tracks to Check Out: Get the entire EP

Mumford & Sons-Babel

It’s so cliche that it’s on here but can you blame me? It’s good. Its really good. The music is pretty much the same but the songwriting, The songwriting is fantastic. The band has matured so much and you can tell on this album. But they could lay off the use of the word “heart” so much. It wouldn’t surprise me if they win Artist, album of, or any award of the year at the Grammys this year.

Tracks to Check Out: I Will Wait, Babel, Whispers in the Dark, Holland Road, Ghosts that We Knew, Lover of the Light, Broken Crown

Sigur Ros-Valtari

Post-Rockers from Europe. Whats more to say. They create beautiful music even if the language is made up when they do sing. But if your looking for good music to study to, sleep to, read to, or whatever defiantly check out this album.

Tracks to Check Out: Just get the entire album

Two Door Cinema Club: Beacon

I use to wonder why everyone was crazy about this band. To me they sound like every other indie band. Delay driven guitar, quirky lyrics and a poppy sound. But then I heard This is the Life off of Tourist History and fell in love with the band. Beacon is just as good. Some of the most technical indie guitar playing I’ve ever heard. I really wish I could get some of their tones that they have.

Tracks to Check Out: Next Year, Wake Up, Someday, Sleep Alone, Settle, Beacon

The Wallflowers-Glad All Over

In my time in college I gained an appreciation for this band or anything that Jakob Dylan  puts out. This was their first album in quiet sometime and they came back swinging. I’m upset that no one is really taking notice though. Its a cool album and T. Bone Burnett produced it.

Tracks to Check Out: Hospital for Sinners, First One in the Car, Reboot the Mission, Love is A Country, Have Mercy on Him Now, The Devil’s Waltz, Constellation Blues

Fall ’11 Aural Visual Music Video

Fall ’11 Aural Visual Music Video
Song: Miles Davis & The Cool
Artist: The Gaslight Anthem
Album: The ’59 Sound

Edited: Final Cut Pro
Camera: Panasonic

*Special Thanks: Jason Cunningham, Andrew England, Keith Leopold, & Tom Radcliffe

Restoring the Romance #2

“Restoring the Romance #2” sermon video for Capshaw Baptist in Harvest, Alabama. The video was used during the series as the church went through the book, Songs of Solomon.

Camera: JVC HM Series
Edited: Adobe Premier Pro & Pro Tools 10
Thanks: Michael Reese for production assistance

Restoring the Romance #1

“Restoring the Romance” Sermon intro video for Capshaw Baptist in Harvest, Alabama. The church was going through the book Songs of Solomon.

Camera: JVC HM Series
Edited: Adobe Premier Pro & Pro Tools 10

Thanks: Michael Reese for Production Assistance

It’s Been a Week and a Few

It’s been a week since I walked across the stage at Flowers Hall in Florence, Alabama at the University of North Alabama and entered the real world. I graduated UNA with a degree in Entertainment Industry with a focus in technology. I also have two minors, One in Digital Media and another in History. I’ve had a hand full of people ask me how it feels to be  a graduate, and honestly  I can never tell them because honestly it hasn’t set in. There is a feeling that I never have to take another test ever if I don’t want to. I never have to turn in another paper. I never have to listen to the drunk frat guys crappy music or the “aspiring” white rapper that lived next door again. I’m looking forward to that. I’m also looking forward to finding a job. I’m currently working part time at my church as a video technician but I’m looking for something that  can be full time and begin my career.

So I guess I need to catch up anyone who reads my ramblings on what has been going on in my life rather than graduation. Well here we go.

I Got A Mac Book 

Finally! I’m so glad I got this. I love this thing. I worked for 4 1/2 long years on a Dell. The Dell was a great computer for the first 3 years but this last year and half has been torture. I worked on iMac’s all day long working with audio and video editing, and then I would come home to the Dell… Needless to say it’s dying. But, my this past Monday my dad came in and said we’re going to the Apple Store and next thing I know we’re walking out with a 15 in. Mac Book Pro with Retina Display. I also put Adobe Premiere on here to work on some videos on the side.

I’m “Writing” an Album 

Ok, I’m big into post-rock, ambient sounding, instrumental music. My friend has been asking me when I was gonna sit down and pen some music down, and I kept saying when I finally got some time. Well I have time now. I’m gonna name the project Weary Saints and it’s going to be all instrumental. I’m thinking about throwing in some MIDI stuff as well. I’m gonna be pulling some influences from Explosions in the Sky, All The Bright Lights, Radiohead, & The Jezabels. I currently have three demo/working songs right now and have a few ideas in the works.

Other than those two things nothing really major has been going on other than looking for a job. I have a couple of leads on some and hoping to hear back from one after the 1st of the year. I won’t go into much detail just yet because nothing is set in stone.

I’m hoping to get back into blogging now that I have a little more time. Props to those who can do this with their busy schedules on a daily basis. (Grace I’m talking about you) Well anyways I’m gonna end this post like I do every post. Here’s what been in my rotation of music.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals-Cold Roses

Two Door Cinema Club-Tourist History

Chromatics-Kill for Love

The Antlers-Burst Apart

The Lumineers-The Lumineers

TV on the Radio-Return to Cookie Mountain

The Wallflowers-Glad All Over

Tom Waits-Frank’s Wild Years

The Glorious Unseen-Lovesick

The Modern Post-Grace Alone E.P.

Beth/Rest

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m literally obsessed with this song. So what do I do, I blog about it and post a live video of Bon Iver playing it.

I’ve only had a few songs ever make me tear up. This is one of them.

Then my buddy Keith sent me this last night. It pretty much sums up my love for them.

Don’t Waste Your Life

“Don’t Waste Your Life” Sermon Intro Video
Camera: JVC HM Series
Edited: Adobe Premier & Pro Tools 10

Cinepoem

Fall ’12 Cinepoem Project
Camera: JVC HM
Edited: Adobe Premier & Pro Tools 10
Special Thanks: Joe, Matt, Zayah, Lauren, Whitney, Nick, Rochelle, Josh, & Phillip