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[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 144: Take this moment. Ours to own it

So it's been a little over a year since my last post... but i set out to write 365 albums reviews... so here we go again! This last year of my life has been an absolute whirlwind full of travel, amazing opportunities and a lot of great music!!

Today I bring to you the album that made me want to write a review again!! It's been on non-stop for me since the day it dropped and I highly encourage you all to check it out!

Disclaimer: These may not be happening everyday, but am definitely excited to be getting back at it.

Date: May 30, 2013

Artist: The Summer Set

Album: Legendary

Track Listing:

1. Maybe Tonight - "Take this moment. Ours to Own it."

2. Jukebox (Life Goes On) - "She's kinda like a scene in a movie, I can hear music when she speaks"

3. Boomerang - "If you want to, well take the world by storm"

4. Lightning in A Bottle- "And the fake tattoo that you drew on my arm, had an X and an O  Never change who you are"

5. Heart on the Floor - "Said 'I've been hurt before just about enough to know that I can't take it no more'"

6. F**K You Over - "The worst hangover you've ever had"

7. Happy For You - "Giving confession in the back of a taxi cab" 

8. The Way Were - "Every kiss was an adventure"

9. 7 Days - "I love us just the way we are"

10. Someday- "If I fly high enough I'll find it somewhere"

11. Rescue- "Chasing New York minutes from pacific time"

12. Legendary - "I swear that I could be amazing, I just need a little help"

This album is currently my summer jam! I run to it, and I blast it in my headphones all day at work! It's one of those albums where I don't use the skip button and I think that's the reason I listen to it soo much, there's no song that's continually on repeat (although Heart on the Floor, Jukebox and Legendary may get a few more rotations). 

I don't think I can recommend this album highly enough!! The songs are so upbeat and just SO perfect for summer. They could not have picked a better time to release this album!

Brian Logandales voice is so different, but so amazing and I have to say it's just as good live! My advice if you haven't heard of the Summer Set before listen to this album and then listen to their other albums! After you fall in love and find yourself listening to it on repeat be sure to buy a ticket to Warped Tour and check them out live!! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Rating: Legendary (cliche, but true)

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 143: Think About The Love Inside The Strength of The Heart

So my twitter was all a buzz that Yellowcard was releasing a new song and it made me crave their music!! So rewind the clock and travel back to Ocean Avenue with me. 

Date: May 22, 2012

Artist: Yellowcard

Album: Ocean Avenue

Track Listing:

1. Way Away- "No matter what you say I'm not afraid"

2. Breathing

3. Ocean Avenue- "we could leave this town and run forever"

4. Empty Apartment- "you forget where the heart is"

5. Life of A Salesman- "now i'm older I want to be the same as you"

6. Only One- "Here I go scream my lungs out"

7. Miles Apart- "Looking back it all just seems so far"

8. Twenty Three- "I know he didn't have the answers all the time"

9. View From Heaven- "Sometimes I still just can't believe you're gone"

10. Inside Out- "to make you feel alive again"

11. Believe- "Think about the love inside the strength of the heart"

12. One Year, Six Months- "I'm falling into memories of you"

13. Back Home- "before you get a chance to feel it"

I can't believe that amount of nostalgia this makes me feel. I remember belting out ONly One and Ocean Avenue. I remember friends playing View From Heaven at campfires. I remember high school and good times with friends. I love that an album can just stir up all those feelings again. It makes me think of people I've lost contact with and just like the band making new music it makes me want to reconnect with these people. 

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 142: I Am Not What You Anticipated

So I gotta say somedays I wish I lived in the US and the main reason for this is the use of Pandora, Spotify and Hulu. I am always annoyed when one of my American friends tweets or talks about how they found the most incredible artist because of Pandora. I feel like this Pandora thing would be my best friend. So people that make Pandora please share this amazing thing with the rest of North America! Pretty please I promise I will love it forever and ever and ever!

So today 2 of my American friends were going off about the amazing Kate Nash, so of course I have to check her out. British, female singer...they are sort of awesome!! I need to get to the UK ASAP to take in all the talent that it exudes. 

Date: May 21, 2012

Artist: Kate Nash

Album: My Best Friend Is You

Track Listing:

1. Paris- "Pave the way so we can dream dreams"

2. Kiss That Grrrl- "She is thinking before she speaks"

3. Don't You Want To Share The Guilt

4. I Just Love You More- "I just love you more than anything"

5. Doo Wah Doo- "I don't care if we're just friends"

6. Take Me To A Higher Plane- "I try to express how I feel, but it changes everyday"

7. I've Got A Secret

8. Mansion Song

9. Early Christmas Present

10. Later On - "I am not what you anticipated"

11. Pickpocket- "Understand me, take me, fully"

12. You Were So Far Away 

13. I Hate Seagulls- "And my heart skips a beat every time we meet"

So this girl is fierce, she is definitely not someone you would want to mess with. 

This album starts off so fun and upbeat and with adorable lyrics, but I feel like this album is an relationship and by the midway point this relationship has turned bitter. The lyrics change to hurt and jealousy and anger. 

I absolutely love the start of this album and many of the tracks on it, but there are a few that I am little uncertain about. Don't get me wrong artists should totally express their emotions and I think it's awesome that she does so, but just the vibe of some of the songs isn't my favourite. 

But I love that she is taking risks and making her album sound so unique. She is obviously talented. This girl has no fear and it is awesome to see. 

Rating: Fierce

142/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 141: Words Were at a Loss

So after writing about Tyler hilton I ventured into the One Tree Hill albums, where I rediscovered Band of Horses, their song The Funeral has been featured on so many shows and I've always loved it.

So today I delve further into the musical adventures of Band Of Horses. 

Date: May 20, 2012

Artist: Band Of Horses

Album: Everything All The Time

Track Listing:

1. The First Song- "we've suffered enough"

2. Wicked Gils

3. Our Swords- "Count on us all stepping on our own toes"

4. The Funeral- "I'm coming up only to hold you under"

5. Part 1- "and I'll love you always when we leave this place"

6. The Great Salt Lake- "Well I am sure I could steer"

7. The Weed Party- "Words were at a loss"

8. I Go the Barn Because I like the

9. Monsters

10. St Augustine- "I know your best was still your worst"

So my 2 new found love and obsessions this year are British artists and definitely more indie artists.  Band of Horses definitely falls into the latter go these, but needless to say this album is fantastic. 

If you like Arcade Fire or the Shins or Fleet Foxes and similar bands I'm sure you either a) already enjoy Band Of Horses or b) should check them out cause I think you will really like them. 

As much as country is usually my go to country music I think Indie/folk is slowly creeping up and taking over. This album is definitely one that would make for good summer listening. It's one of those bands you want to see at an outdoor venue or at a festival. 

Strong vocals and lyrics and an all around good sound. 

Rating: Summer time jam.

141/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 140: Stay Young & Wild as Long as You Can

So I'm bringing some country back into my life. It's been weird I haven't had much time at all this week to listen to music and it's insane how much I have missed it. Tomorrow I plan to take just engulf myself in as much music as possible. 

Today I go back to the artist that kicked off this blog the incredible Eric Church.

Date: May 19, 2012

Artist: Eric Church

Album: Carolina

Track Listing: 

1. Ain't Killed Me Yet- "when she dances through my mind"

2. Lotta Boot Left To Fill- "get-ups, gimmicks, one hit wonders that don't stick"

3. Young & Wild- "stay young and wild as long as you can"

4. Where She Told Me To Go- "I was looking for freedom"

5. Longer Gone- "chase that sun 'til it runs out of sky"

6. Love Your Love The Most- "honey I love your love the most"

7. Smoke A Little Smoke- "Turn the quiet up, turn the noise down" 

8. Without You Here- "Living in a world that can't hear sound"

9. You Make It Look So Easy- "I put up walls to show the world I'm tough"

10. Carolina- "your memory comes over me like the dark"

11. Hell On The Heart- "but boy she's hell on the heart"

12. Those I've Loved- "if not for those I've loved along the way"

I love this album, it's one of those albums where you hit play and listen to it all the way through and then hit play again. 

Each song is so well crafted and so beautifully delivered. Whether he is talking about love, heartbreak or the loss of a friend. Carolina has the that true country sound that many "new" country artists fail to maintain. He doesn't go for the pop sound or the flash, he sticks to his roots and that's what makes this album a true gem. He's got that grit and that  soul. You can tell he's lived these songs and proud of who he is and where he comes from. 

Personal favourite songs on the album are: Without You Here, Carolina & Hell On The Heart. But honestly each song on this album is great to listen to. Each time I listen to it I am always so excited cause each song i just so amazing. 

Rating: A newer country artist who still knows what country music is.

140/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 139: All It Takes Is Everything We've Got

So my apologies for the choppiness of my blog posts these past couple of days. Today's is also going to be quite short and abrupt. But these past 3 blog posts will be updated and edited because these albums are phenomenal and definitely deserve full reviews. 

Today concludes my Tyler Hilton concert experience, with none other than the fabulous Tyler Hilton or as some of you OTH fans know him as Chris Keller.

Date: May 18, 2012

Artist: Tyler Hilton

Album: Forget The Storm

Track Listing:

1. Kicking My Heels- "I'm not trying to make you change"

2. Prince of Nothing Charming- "And in the dark she's taking shots at my heart"

3. Loaded Gun

4. You'll Ask For Me- "Cause I am what you see I am not what they say"

5. Jenny- "Sometimes I feel like the only thing you see is the worst in me"

6. Can't Stop Now- "All it takes is everything we've got"

7. Ain't No Fooling Me

8. Leave Him

9. I Belong- "It's hard to say the time and the place that I knew"

10. Hey Jesus- "An individual doomed to be the lucky guy I am"

So this album has been a long time in the making and I am so excited that Tyler Hilton finally finished it and released it. :D

If you watched One Tree Hill at all you know Tyler Hilton as the cocky, third person talking Chris Keller. But the best part of Chris Keller, besides the fact that he's a shit disturber is that he can sing like nobody's business. 

I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing this for myself on Tuesday. Just Tyler and his acoustic guitar, but that was all you needed. He fed off the crowd and the crowd fed off him. 

He played and highlighted so many songs from this album including Prince of Nothing Charming, Loaded Gun, You'll Ask For Me and others. 

This song has so many love songs and you can just tell how lucky Tyler considers himself to be with his girlfriend, it's pretty freaking adorable.  It fills me with this hope that one day I will find a guy who is ecstatic to be with me. And sometimes that hope is all we need to be keep persevering and keep looking. 

Tyler sings with such passion, he has that unique grit to his voice, which just adds to the passion and impact his music makes. 

Rating: An album that was worth the wait

139/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 138: Believe That You're Worthy Of More

So part 2 of my Tyler Hilton experience. Opener #2 was the fabulous Dion Roy.

Date: May 17, 2012

Artist: Dion Roy 

Album: Into The Day

Track Listing:

1. Bullets-"I'm keeping calm before the storm"

2. Counting The Days-"Until the stars fall out of the sky"

3. Hey My Love- "I will take away the fear"

4. Thieves Like Us- "I will leave you"

5. I Slept Deeper- "I'll give it an honest try"

6. Everything We Need- "I am not a simple man, but my path is plain to see"

7. Nothing Without You-"I am nothing without you"

8. I Cannot Speak- "The lonesome never win"

9. Daughter- "Believe that you're worthy of more'

10. Angie's Song

11. Say It Loud

12. Today

Dion Roy is incredibly adorable and sings with so much passion. His songs tell a story and takes you on a journey. 

Between the piano and acoustic guitar it is obvious that I am going to enjoy this album. 

On this album I am most moved by the song Daughter. I'm sure this is partially due to the fact that I saw him perform it live. I often find that a live performance can make you fall even further in love with a song, you get to see that raw emotion and passion that the artist can not convey on a recording. Daughter is a song Dion wrote to his daughter to show his love for her. He never wants her to question that he loves her more than anything. He also never wants her to forget him! Cue the collective "awwwwww". Just listen to this song and the lyrics and listen to these life messages!

I think songwriters are super lucky in that they convey their thoughts and emotions through song. They get to be so raw and honest. Instead of just having a conversation saying I love you, they get the chance to express this thought through their passion, which I think is amazing. 

Dion's album includes numerous love songs and you learn how important it is to love and respect this other person that you are so blessed to have in your life. I'm happy he's found that person and now is a proud Papa. 

Excited to see his songwriting evolve as his family does. 

Rating: Shows the beauty of love. 

138/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 137: I'd Say Yes

So tonight I had the pleasure of seeing Tyler Hilton perform with a couple of his friends. There was so much talent in the room tonight! It was awesome. So the next few days are going to recap these artists. 

Up first the lovely Spencer Simmons.

Date: May 16, 2012

Artist: Spencer Simmons

Album: Draw Me Closer

Track Listing:

1. Draw Me Closer

2. Hello

3. I'd Say Yes

4. The Only One

5. Young

So this girl is so adorable. Her banter with the audience was so funny and her drawl/accent are so cute. 

I am a huge suck for love songs and Spencer has quite the array of these, which she delivers with her acoustic guitar and her unique voice.

My favourite song I think is I'd Say Yes. It's a super cute song and something I can definitely relate to. That moment where you wish the guy would just make the next move. Message to all guy readers step up the game. Be Brave! Ask that girl out, she is probably dying for you to do so. 

I'm excited to see what is next from Ms. Spencer. She's only going to continue to get better.

Rating: Say Yes!

137/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 136: There's Nothing Wrong With Who You Are!

So guess what's back some British invasion-ness!!! I think I've caught UK fever and I'm totally ok with it! It's kind of refreshing in a way!

1 word: Domino... and from that word I guarantee you that 90% of you just went she's doing Jessie J today and you are totally right. 

Date: May 15, 2012

Artist: Jessie J

Album: Who You Are

Track Listing:

1. Price Tag- 'We just wanna make the world dance"

2. Nobody's Perfect- "Treat the people I love like I want to be loved"

3. Abracadabra

4. Big White Room- "Close my eyes to see in the dark"

5. Casualty of Love- "I will go down to the last round"

6. Rainbow- "What I'm saying is we're all alike"

7. Who's Laughing Now?- "Let the haters hate"

8. Do It Like A Dude

9. Mama Knows Best

10. L.O.V.E- "it's destiny, so nothing stops me"

11. Stand Up- "You don't set an example for the youth of our humanity"

12. I Need This- "Please don't give up on me now'

13. Who You Are- "There's nothing wrong with who you are!"

14. Domino- "Make this the best dream I've ever known"

Honestly, I was a little hesitant going into this album, I was like her radio songs are awesome, but I didn't know if the whole album would live up to it. 

I am impressed, a) this girl can sang b) the message of lyrics is so relevant and refreshing

Jessie J songs don't just have a good beat they have a message about loving who you are and loving the world around you. She preaches unity and embracing what is different. Jessie J is the artist young girls around the world should be taking lessons from. She knows what's up. 

I'm quite happy I finally gave this album a listen so worth it! So many songs that will constantly pump me up and fill me with hope for this world. 

I really hope her songs like Stand Up and Who You Are get some radio air time!! If not listen to them now!! So good!!! 

Rating: You Go Jessie J! Change the world and love yourself

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 135: Love, Love is a Verb

So today was big step in my life I started my first full-time job, which is pretty crazy and scary, but pretty exciting. Not going to lie I am pretty exhausted right now, but I refuse to take the night off. But in advance I apologize for all spelling errors, rambling and the incoherent mess I am sure this review is going to be. 

I made the mistake of picking a sleepy-time album tonight, which is not helping my already closing eyes.

DateL May 14, 2012

Artist: Jose Gonzalez

Album: In Our Nature

Track Listing:

1. How Low- "you're feeding a monster"

2. Down The Line- "its not about compromising"

3. Killing For Love- "You've got a heart filled with passion"

4. In Our Nature

5. Teardrop- "Love, love is a verb"

6. Abram

7. Time To Send Someone Away- "Just to witness something new"

8. The Nest- "Building frantically without any rest"

9. Fold

10. Cycling Trivialities- "Hurrying through the forks without regrets"

I'm sure many of you know Jose's cover of the song Heartbeats, it's pretty much the most beautiful thing you will hear in the world and one of those songs I don't think that I will ever get sick of. 

Because of this song I just had to delve further into the musical history of Mr Jose. 

This album is beautiful, Jose just has such a unique voice and the finger picking on the guitar is awesome. Honestly, amazing voice & acoustic guitar, 9 out of 10 I am going to love it more than anything in the world. 

I also love the themes and lyrics of these songs, the nature theme is awesome. The song the Nest is great. As a busy society we often tend to overlook the simple and beautiful things in life. We always want big and expensive and flashy. Just a reminder to step back and smell the roses or watch a spider spin it's web. It is truly a miracle and truly beautiful. 

Rating: Simply stunning

135/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 134: Be More Constructive With Your Feedback

So today is so many things it's Sunday, it's Sunny, it's Mother's Day and it also the last day before I start a full time job tomorrow. 

Today I am not only spending time with my Mom, but also trying to take in the last of childhood, as I feel like I am taking a huge step into adulthood tomorrow. 

Tomorrow is the start of "Business Time", so what's more fitting than listening to some Flight of The Conchords. No one knows more about Business time than these two.

Date: May 13, 2012

Artist: Flight of The Conchords aka Bret and Jermaine

Album: Flight of The Conchords

Track Listing:

1. Foux Du Fafa- "Bonjour mon petit bureau du change"

2. Inner City Pressure- "Looks like you'll never be a concert flutist"

3. Hiphopopatotamus vs Rhymenoceros- "Be more constructive with your feedback"

4. Think About It- "But what's the real cost, the sneakers don't seem that much cheaper?"

5. Ladies of The World- "We're talking about brunettes, not fighter jets"

6. Muth'ackas

7. The Prince of Parties- "I'm the funky monkey junky"

8. Leggy Blonde- "You're hair down to your legs and your legs down to the floor"

9. Robots- "We longer say 'yes', instead we say 'affirmative'"

10. Boom

11. A Kiss Is Not A Contract- "I can't go around loving everyone"

12. The Most Beautiful Girl- "You could be a part-time model"

13. Business Time- "You haven't had your after work social sport team practice"

14. Bowie

15. Au Revoir

Flight of The Conchords thank you for being hilariously awesome! I am a big fan of puns and plays on words and these guys are the master of that. 

They're songs are catchy and have a great beat, but also such well-crafted witty masterpieces. Listening to their music always makes me chuckle to myself and puts the biggest smile on my face. 

These guys can tackle any genre and always create something that is hilarious,whether it is the rap battle between the Hiphopotatmus & the Rhymenoceros or the clever Leggy Blonde. The best lyrics are those that are true and that's exactly what these lyrics are. The speak the truth and that's why people love it because they can relate to it. 

Although FOTC no longer has their show or isn't releasing new albums both Bret & Jermaine both still have flourishing careers. Bret recently one an Oscar for his work on the Muppets soundtrack and Jermaine has been in a wide array of movies. Hopefully, one day we may see the reunion of FOTC.

Rating: All smiles after listening to this album. 

134/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 133: Music Makes You Complete

So today has been a bit of a musical and soundtrack day today. As weird as it sounds when I bake or do the dishes I am a big fan of belting out songs from musicals. 

This past February I was fortunate enough to go to NYC and see so much broadway, my favourite of these shows was Godspell. I was just in love with everything about it, the songs the actors, the story just everything. 

A lot of the actors from Godspell have side projects and today I dive into the musical stylings of Nick Blaemire and the Hustle. 

Date: May 12, 2012

Artist: Nick Blaemire & The Hustle

Album: Nick Blaemire & The Hustle

Track Listing:

1. Headturner- "She's a headturner and she's going to be mine tonight"

2. I Like It More

3. Complete- "Music makes you complete"

4. Trouble

5. City of Angels- "Cause I know the fire in my head is going to burn me alive"

6. It Was You - "you don't believe anymore"

So I was hooked on this album from the first time I heard Headturner. What I love is that this album doesn't sound like anything else I listen to, it doesn't sound like something that is made in 2012. It's bringing back the classic old style, it's like bluesy, soul, little jazz, it's just fabulous. There's horns and saxophones which are just fabulous and add such a unique aspect to each song. It gives it that dance vibe, which is amazing. 

Nick Blaemire's vocals are killer. I fell in love with his voice at Godspell and was so excited when this album released as it meant more of his singing. I also love the this is so different than his Godspell sound, you get to see such a different side of him.

I could not agree more with the lyrics: "Music makes you complete". This statement could not be more true for me. Music bring that extra element in my life, it fills that space that nothing else can. It is absolutely one thing I can not imagine my life without. 

This album makes me want to groove, but also there's a few slow jams that just make me wish I had someone to get my dance on with. They've got that sexy vibe, to know what I am talking about listen to Trouble and you'll get what I'm saying. 

Rating: Thank you for bringing back smooth soul, I love it. 

133/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 132: I Like The Way You're Not Afraid

So my fascination with Ron Pope and Ed Sheeran seem to be growing everyday. So today I reached to try and find an artist similar to them. 

My search brought me to Joshua Radin. So today I am exploring his Simple Times album.

Date: May 11, 2012

Artist: Joshua Radin

Album; Simple Times

Track Listing: 

1. One Of Those Days- "And so right here I stay"

2. I'd Rather Be With You- "Need to jump in colder water"

3. Sky- "All that I dreamt had been untrue"

4. Friend Like You- "I like the way you're not afraid"

5. Brand New Day- "You make your past your past"

6. They Bring Me To You

7. Vegetable Car

8. Free of Me-"My life's come off it's track"

9. You Got Growin' Up To Do-"You got growing up to do"

10. We Are Okay- "Lost our world of make believe"

11. No Envy No Fear

So I got to say I'm a little disappointed with today's album choice, but maybe I was just too excited. Joshua Radin has a great voice and is quite talented, but this album didn't grab my attention. 

There was nothing that makes this album special, I wasn't captivated by the lyrics.

For me the high point of this album was the duet with Patty Griffin, I absolutely love her voice, she is so incredibly talented. 

Rating: Overall, just not excited about this album.

132/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 131: Gotta Get Groovin', Just Can't Wait

Do you ever find it weird that when someone is talking about something that happened a decade ago, that it happened in 2002? Weird, right?

When I think a decade ago I think like 1995. 

So today I give you a bit of a throw-back Thursday. I'm rewinding that clock all the way back to 1999, when the cool thing to do was have an S Club Party, cause you know there ain't no party like an S Club Party!

Date: May 10, 2012

Artist: S Club 7

Album: S Club

Track Listing:

1. Bring It All Back - "You only have to answer to yourself"

2. You're My Number 1- "Even hold back the tide for you"

3. Two In A Million- "It's a crazy world where everything's changin' "

4. S Club Party- "Gotta get grooving, just can't wait"

5. Everybody Wants Ya

6.Viva La Fiesta- "I just wanna party forever"

7. Gonna Change The World - "Gonna start to change the world today"

8. I Really Miss You - "And I wish you were here with me"

9. Friday Night 

10. It's A Feel Good Thing - "Just let yourself go and you'll be on the right track"

11. Hope For The Future- "You're my hope for the future"

So this album reminds me of grade 6. I remember there were kids who choreographed a dance to it for the school talent show. I also remember making up my own dance routines to this album in my bedroom. (Yeah, I know I was the coolest 6th grader ever). I also remember watching their TV show on Much Music and being fascinated with their accents. 

S Club Party is one of those songs that everyone knows the words to it. So simple and so fun. We also all know the dance where you draw the "S" in the sky. 

The best part of the show is that each episode they sung another song from the album so you ended up knowing the whole album and you had to buy it. Or maybe that was just me. There were the awesome dance songs, but then they also tackled the ballads with I Really Miss you And Change the World. Both songs I still know all the words too. I may know all the lyrics to this entire album still.  

Like most acts from the 90's there are rumours of a reunion. Not saying I would totally object to it. I think we all crave that nostalgia. 

Rating: Relive your childhood, get your S Club Party on. 

131/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 130: We Are Anything But Lost

So I'm finding I keep finding new musicians either a) based on who bands/singers I like are touring with or b) through bands @ mentioning their friends and fellow performers on twitter.

Thanks to the 2 phenomena I have stumbled upon the musical stylings of Ron Pope and I am floored! I know, I know I'm late to the game, but damn am I happy I found him.

Date: May 9, 2012

Artist: Ron Pope

Album: Daylight

Track Listing:

1. Seven English Girls- "Now I'm searching for salvation as the winter closes in"

2. Virginia- "I don't know if this is where were meant to be"

3. Shoot Out The Lights- "We are anything but love"

4. Heartfelt Lies- "now years seem to pass as we blink our eyes"

5. Daylight- "but the daylight seems so far away"

6. Come To California- "I am drowning in this change"

7. Fireflies- "Innocence doesn't meant were immune to these things"

8. The Right Way

9. Cinnamon- "Loves to fly, but she's scared to fall"

10. Headlights on The Highway- "Whatever it is you need I pray I am"

11. A Drop In The Ocean- "Misplaced trust and old friends"

12. You're The Reason I Come Home

So my huge frustration of life is finding out about artists so late in their career. But I'm happy that by writing this reviews that I have stumbled upon so many phenomenal musicians. I also love being able to explore a musician's back catalogue. 

Today I selected Ron's album from 2008, yes he has released numerous albums since than, but for some reason I was drawn to delving into this one. Got to say it was probably the best decision I have made all day.  This album is amazing.

Yes it combines 2 of my favourite things a) acoustic guitar and b) piano.  Also 2 sure signs that I am going to be in love with an album.  But this album is so much more than just guitar and piano, it's honest lyrics and that honesty and passion is truly evoked in this album. 

I am just captivated listening to this entire album. There are songs about the one that got away, happy love songs and songs of struggle and fighting and battling. These are so often my favourite. I feel like battling and struggling is an emotion experienced by so many people, but that are so few avenues that are seen as "appropriate" to show this emotion. We are taught to be strong, but to be strong there is a battle and that is often the most beautiful part of the story. 

So one song that I was particularly drawn to and am now continuing to press the replay button on is Shoot Out The Lights.  

I am in love with the lyrics: "We will not survive on misery, We will fill ourselves with love, We are searching, We are hopeful, We are anything but lost”.

Just love this... pretty sure they represent the definition of battle. I love it, these are definitely lyrics that will stick with me, new life motto!

Love Ron Pope and can't wait to explore all that his music has to offer! Way too excited that Ron Pope's music is now in my life. Thanks Jesse Ruben for touring with and tweeting about this guy, sorry it took me so long to catch on!

Rating: Listen to this album, it's the best decision I have made all day. 

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 129: I Will Be Rising From The Ground

Over the past decade the music industry has changed dramatically as we have seen the emergence of the digital era, whether through I-tunes, Grooveshark or Spotify or Youtube music is available in many different avenues and often for free. What bothers me about this era is how people no longer feel the need to pay for their music.

But the thing I love about this era is the emergence of so many new artists. Through Youtube we have seen the development of so many acts such as: Boyce Avenue, Jake Coco and one my favourites Tyler Ward. 

Through his youtube videos and sale of songs on i-tunes Tyler has been able to make music a full time career for himself and has even toured North America and Europe.

Date: May 8, 2012

Artist: Tyler Ward

Album: What They Wrote

Track Listing:

1. We Found Love- "Love and life I will divide"

2. Set Fire To The Rain- "When we fell, something died"

3. I Won't Give Up- "I'll be here patiently waiting"

4. Paradise- "Life goes on it gets so heavy"

5. Pumped Up Kicks

6. Someone Like You- "I wish nothing but the best for you too"

7. Moves Like Jagger- "Just shoot for the stars if it feels right'

8. Super Bass

9. Skyscraper- "I will be rising from the ground"

10. Gravity - "Oh twice as much, ain't twice as good"

11. You Da One- "I won't lie, I'm falling hard"

So Tyler Ward has this awesome ability to change up a song and more often than not I like his version better than the original.

I think this is probably because he just takes a song and strips it down, he gives you that raw acoustic version which I am always a huge suck for. With We Found Love and SuperBass particularly he has taken these crazy over the top pop songs and stripped them down and coupled them with a guitar to create a beautiful interpretation of these songs.

Tyler is also surrounded by so many incredible artists, which he collaborates with, whether it is Jess Moskaluke, Alex G, Eppic or so many others each artist adds a unique dimension to the song. He takes songs that are typically sung by a single artists and makes them sound like they are natural duets. 

Although this album only features covers Tyler also has so many originals that are just as strong as his covers. I highly recommend checking out Paper Heart and The Rescue. Both of these songs are incredible and The Rescue always gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye, which is a true testament of how powerful the song is. 

Type in Tyler Ward into Youtube and be prepared to lose hours and hours of your time and after listening to all the songs go and by your favourites on Youtube because he deserves the support.

Rating: Huge star on the rise.

129/365

[365daysofnewalbums]

Day 128: And The First Thing We Look For Is The Beauty Within

So I've done so many country reviews, but I feel like I have been focused too much on new country and what is on the radio today that I have been overlooking some of the greatest country artists of all time.

Today I am going to change that, today I give you my thoughts on Garth Brooks. He is one of those artists' music that I can't remember not being in my life, I was raised of it. 

Date: May 7, 2012

Artist: Garth Brooks

Album: Double Live- Disc 1

Track Listing:

1. Callin' Baton Rouge -"And it won't be long until I'm with you all the time"

2. Two Of A Kind, Workin' on a Full House- "And her favourite dress is her faded blue jeans"

3. Shameless- "Swore I'd never compromise"

4. Papa Loved Mama

5. The Thunder Rolls- "Deep in her heart the thunder rolls"

6. We Shall Be Free- "And the first thing we look for is the beauty within"

7. Unanswered Prayers- "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"

8. Standing Outside The Fire- "We call them strong those who can face this world alone"

9. Longneck Bottle

10. It's Your Song- "It's your voice that gives me wings"

11. Much Too Young

12. The River- '"I'll never reach my destination if I never try"

14. Tearin' It Up- "We came to come unwound"

So Garth Brooks is one of those artists that was huge when I was child, like I'm talk ages 4 to 8. I remember singing along to his songs with my parents, with one of my favourite being The Thunder Rolls - looking back I'm not sure that song was so appropriate for a kid to be singing. 

What I love about this live album as you can catch a glimpse of the energy his live stage must of had. I have always heard about how Garth's shows captivated audiences and had this energy like no other. It breaks my heart that I have not had the chance to see him live. 

This track listing just shows a) how many hits he had and b) how diverse his songs truly are.  He kicks the show off with the crazy high energy Baton Rouge, which is just amazing. It's that song that always gets me dancing at the bar and just sets a high energy vibe. 

On Disc 1 here my 2 favourite songs are The River and Standing Outside The Fire. Both of these songs encouraging dreaming and fighting and battling and working to achieve something bigger than yourself. They have a message of perseverance and taking risks, which for me is something I absolutely love hearing about. 

Garth Brooks has done so much for the country music industry and I can not wait until the days of him touring again. I'm sure he is going to comeback bigger than ever some day soon.

Rating: Country perfection

128/365