Top 20 Songs of 2014

2014 was another great year for music. Taylor Swift, Switchfoot, Foo Fighters, and Anberlin all released new albums and with that came a whole smorgasbord of great songs. Which made it easier than ever to choose the best 20 songs of the year. In fact, they were so good that although the songs are numbered, they are in no particular order. I just think you should listen to all of them.

20.) The Fray - Keep On Wanting
19.) Thousand Foot Krutch -  Give It To Me
18.) OneRepublic - Life In Color
17.) Taylor Swift - Style
16.) Anchor and Braille - Detroit Stab
15.) Anchor and Braille - Fatal Flaw
14.) Flyleaf - Thread
13.) Flyleaf - Platonic
12.) Tiffany Alvord - Team (Lorde Cover)
11.) Anberlin - Losing It All
10.) From Indian Lakes - Breathe, Desperately
9.) Foo Fighters - Feast and the Famine
8.) Taylor Swift - New Romantics
7.) Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding - Outside
6.) Echosmith -  Terminal
5.) Switchfoot - When We Come Alive
4.) Anberlin - Armageddon
3.) Angie Miller - This Is the Life
2.) Ed Sheeran - Talking Out Loud
1.) Switchfoot - Skin and Bones

Top 20 Albums & EP's of 2014

Another year and hundreds of more releases. It has been another huge year for music, so hear are my top 20 albums that came out this year :)

20.) Weird Al - Mandatory Fun
19.) For Today - Fight the Silence
18.) Vance Joy - Dream Your Life Away
17.) Lecrae - Anomaly
16.) U2 - Songs of Innocence 
15.) Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways
14.) Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright In the End
13.) Angie Miller - Weathered
12.) Tiffany Alvord - Legacy 
11.) Colton Dixon - Anchor
10.) Colbie Caillat - Gypsy Heart
9.) Coldplay - Ghost Stories 
8.) Neon Trees - Pop Psychology 
7.) American Authors - Oh, What a Life
6.) From Indian Lakes - Absent Sounds
5.) The Fray - Helios
4.) Taylor Swift - 1989  
3.) Anberlin - Lowborn
2.) Switchfoot - The Edge of the Earth
1.) Switchfoot - Fading West

BREAKING NEWS: Music Isn't For The Eyes

Hey everyone! I thought it is time for another opinion post although, this one is kind of true. Its becoming more and more evident these days that people are liking music just because the artist is attractive, according to the world's standard. That is having a pretty face, big butt and showing off your breasts, for females that is. For guys, you have to have a six pack, cute face, and nice hair. And of course you have to be willing to have sex before you're married. In some cases, even on the first date. That is a main reason why so many artists are famous anymore. If you look at a selfie on instagram from Sydney Sierota (from Echosmith) or Danielle Bradbery, for example, you will see disgusting comments. So bad that I don't want to mention them on here. Go ahead and look at the comments yourself if you please.

Sometimes I wonder if Echosmith, Danielle, or Meagan Trainor would be famous if they weren't attractive. The sad thing is that it is probably true. All the artists I just mentioned are talented but teenage guys can't see past their beauty. If they were unattractive, they wouldn't be successful. I have no doubt about it. We can only pray that this world sees past that someday again. When music was invented, most people would listen to the music just to have a good time. Few people, like me, actually go to concerts for the music and the experience. That's how it should be from here on out. I challenge you to listen to the actual music of an artist and not look at their face.

That's all I have to say.

Until Next Time,
Alex

Album Review: Between The Stars by Flyleaf

Its always hard when a band's singer singer leaves. Its even harder when a band like Flyleaf loses their singer. Over the first three albums with Lacey Sturm, the band defined their sound and she was becoming one of the most popular singers in hard rock. Sturm announced her departure from the band just before they released their third studio album, New Horizons, back in 2012. It was heartbreaking for every fan and we couldn't believe the news. After Sturm's departure, we learned that Kristen May would be the new vocalist for the band. Her, the fans, and the band all knew that Lacey's shoes would be big ones to fill. I will say, though, that May did a really good job on her first album with the band. I am excited to hear more from the band as they keep getting more and more popular.

The album starts out with the lead single "Set Me On Fire." May wrote the song after reading the book Divergent. Its a song about fitting in and falling in love and eventually everyone is gonna fit in. The second track starts out with a bass guitar, much like the first song on the album. "Magnetic" is about how we are basically a magnet with God. We are always gonna find Him somehow.

"Traitor" is the third track on the album. Satan is always in disguise and we never know where he is hiding. We will sometimes act like he is our friend but he always will betray us. The fourth song on the album features guest vocals by Bec Hollcraft, lead vocalist of the band Stars In Stereo. "Platonic" is about a couple who fights, but eventually breaks up although one of them is still in love.

When Kristen joined the band, she got a lot of death threats and hate mail. She has also mentioned this is really the first time that she experienced bullying and it hurt her. That is exactly what "Head Underwater" is about. "Sober Serenade" is about someone who has a really bad alcohol addiction. A friend is trying to help them but is getting sick of trying to help so she stops.

"Thread" was one of the songs I was looking most forward to hearing because they played it last year when I saw them. The studio version is one of my favorites on the album. We are always barely hanging by a thread and we need God to help us get through life. Satan will tear our parachute but God is there to catch us. If you are looking for a song that sounds like Lacey, "Marionette" is the one for you. Its another song that is talking about May's bullying.

Everyone sins and everyone lies. Sometimes it get so bad that we can't get out. We fall down a "Well of Lies" and we need God to come rescue us. He will come save us if we agree to trust Him. "City Kids" is probably by favorite on the album. It is about a couple who, years later, walk down the street where they fell in love. Much like the street and their houses, they too have changed and are no longer together.

"Blue Roses" is the eleventh track on the album. The song is about a girl who collects roses from every time that she has been hurt by a guy. Red is the color of pain, but the roses will turn blue eventually. "Home" is the closing track on the standard edition of the album. Everyone is hurt and think that they will amount to nothing. This song encourages those who feel like that.

This album is bittersweet and many of us wish Lacey was still in the band but we do not have to worry, as she has a solo album coming next year. May did a very good job filling Lacey's shoes, as hard as it is. This album is different from anything the band has ever done. We have to be appreciative that the four guys didn't just quit doing music. Although, I would have maybe suggested a name change for the band.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Purchase Links: Standard Edition: iTunes, Amazon MP3; Special Edition: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "Home," "City Kids," "Thread"

For Fans Of: Tonight Alive, Icon For Hire, Hinder

Album Review: Edge of the Earth EP by Swicthfoot

In December 2013, worldly known Rock band Switchfoot released a documentary titled Fading West that documented their last 20 years as a band. It showed concert footage, surfing and interviews, as well as their process in writing songs for the album of the same name. The movie had 7 songs that were not included on the album. Fans were anxiously waiting for the songs to be released and after almost a year, all the unreleased songs are now available on all digital formats. The EP is a must-own for any long-time or new Switchfoot fan. Most of the songs once again don't sound like anything the band has done before, which is why the band has remained one of the world's biggest and most successful Rock bands for ten years since the release of multi-platinum single "Dare You To Move."

The EP starts off with the B-Side title track "Fading West" that was included if you pre-ordered Fading West from either Switchfoot's online store or Family Christian Stores. The song is basically about how they are on tour pretty much all Summer and they are ready to come home. It also describes their past twenty years as a band. Back when the band was first starting out, they were told by several record executives that they saw no talent. (I bet they felt stupid when Dare You To Move was released) That is what the song "Against The Voices" is about. They could have quit, but they didn't and now look at em.

Track number three was my favorite when I watched the movie. The song sounds similar to to the song "BA55" from the original album, with a mainly electronic beat with a bass guitar and not as many vocals. The song is about how sometimes being on tour can make you feel lonely, even when your with you're best friends. "What It Costs" is the first SF song in their 20 year history that we hear Tim Foreman, lead singer Jon's brother, do ALL the vocals on the song. In the movie, the song is playing while Jon gets a call from his wife that their daughter has to have surgery. At the time, he is in Australia. He, of course flies back. He mentions at times like this he mentions that he has faith or doubt and that both are options. Times like these make him question if touring is worth it.

Life goes fast the older you get. That is what "Slow Down My Heartbeat" is about. Everyday is a new day, but it also goes faster. He wants his heartbeat to be slowed down because life is going to fast. "Liberty" is probably the most worshipful Switchfoot song to date. I know I mentioned earlier that Jon questioned if God existed, but he is one of the most faithful men I have met. Everyone questions God in tragedy. God is our Liberty because we can talk to Him anytime and we can totally feel like we are not in the world with Him at times.

The EP ends with the title-track "Edge of the Earth," which is mainly a ukulele throughout the song until about three minutes into the song when all the instruments start playing. It is another song where Jon is talking to God and wants to meet Him at the edge of the earth.

The EP doesn't disappoint. Then again, Switchfoot never seems to disappoint. So many people have been waiting for this to be released and I'm glad they finally were. Once again, they are great songs to roll down the windows and blast at full volume or jam while at the beach. If you don't know the band yet, pick up the EP, you will get to know them well through it.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 2 Songs: "What It Costs," "Skin & Bones"

For Fans Of: Kings of Leon, NEEDTOBREATHE, Anberlin

Album Review: lowborn by Anberlin

"Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighted on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath." - Psalm 62:9. This is the Bible verse that Anberlin based their final album on. They say every good thing must come to an end. As true as that may be, sometimes it hurts. It hurts bad. Anberlin has been one of my favorite bands ever since I heard "The Unwinding Cable Car" back in 2007, I think it was. After I heard that song, I fell in love and got their album Cities. I loved that album so much that my brother, like a year or so later, I got their New Surrender album for Christmas. I still love that album and it is one of my favorites by them. Then I discovered all their other albums (Blueprints For the Black Market, Never Take Friendship Personal, & Lost Songs) and once again fell in love. I saw them for the first time in June at Warped Tour and just recently got my ticket for their final tour. Warped was emotional and the final tour will more than likely be worse. I can be happy, though, that they are leaving because they miss their families and not because of fighting. lowborn is a great way to finish off a career and they dip in just about every genre in the album. I love it, and I guarantee you will as well.

The album kicks off with the heavy track "We Are Destroyer." The song is about how these days, we rarely earn things ourselves anymore. We are given so much that we almost expect it. The song is talking to God and asking Him to "give us what we think we need." Yet if He does that, as the song says "We don't wanna learn." The second song on the album, "Armageddon" is a rock song, with a hint of dubstep at the beginning. I relate it to kind of sounding like "Madness" by Muse, just with more guitar. The song is about how we all start our own wars and by that, we are stuck in our own hell.

"Stranger Ways" was the album's lead single. We all just meet someone and think they our are soulmate already. We barely know the person and we wanna marry them and call them our lover, which makes no sense at all and is at times, sad. One of the things Anberlin is known for is weird song titles. "Velvet Covered Brick" is no failure to that. The song is about how most people waste their lives away and when it comes time to die, they aren't ready because they haven't got to experience everything they have "wanted" to experience in life.

"Atonement" is the halfway point in the album at song number five. The song is the band reflecting on their career and explaining why they are breaking up. Its also a message to their fans that they would have never been successful without them. Its assuring the fans that although they have loved places they have seen, their heart is going to a better place. "Birds of Prey" is a breakup song. They miss the relationship, and wish they could change the past. The metaphor in the song is how like birds of prey, the memories circle in their mind and never leave.

"Dissenter is the most un-Anberlin song, if that makes sense. The album was inspired partly by hardcore and heavy metal so they decided to take a crack at a hardcore song themselves. I'm not disappointed by any means. It's about some people claiming they aren't Christians because of some of their lyrical content. "Losing It All" is one of my favorites on the album. Its another song from the band to the fans. They assure the fans that although they are breaking up, Anberlin's music is still there so its not losing everything.

"Hearing Voices" is the second single from the album and is a classic Anberlin song. Guitar, bass, keyboard, drums. Nothing else is in the song. The song is about how we all want to get to Heaven or we all want to know God, but we are not willing to do the work for either. "Harbinger" is the final closing track from Anberlin. They want to go out in a way that fans will remember them, as much as it hurts. And what a way they created to remember them.

In their 12 year career, Anberlin never won a Grammy and was never even nominated. It is a surprising factor to many fans. Although they weren't the most successful band ever, they have over a million dedicated fans, which also means a million broken hearts, and it had to be done sometime. Thankfully they didn't fight to break up.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3 (on sale for $6.99)

Top 3 Songs: "We Are Destroyer," "Hearing Voices," "Dissenter"

For Fans Of: 30 Seconds To Mars, Fall Out Boy, Paramore

Album Review: Pop Psychology by Neon Trees

Neon Trees first came on to the music scene in 2008 with their mega-hit "Animal." Then the hits just kept pouring in. After that came "Everybody Talks" and "Lessons In Love." They are very slowly becoming very popular. The Quartet from Murrieta, CA (20 minutes from where I live) now has come out with another huge single "Sleeping With A Friend." That is off their 3rd studio album "Pop Psychology," which just released on April 22nd. They seem to keep a sound that you don't hear with any other band. They are almost a cross between The Killers and Katy Perry. I love the sound and if you like pop/rock music, I guarantee you will love this album.

The album starts out with the fun song "Love In The 21st Century." Like most of their songs, it is about a relationship. The song talks about how relationships these days have a lot of consequences. It hurts when you go through a break up and that is basically what the song is about. The second song on the album "Text Me In The Morning" is about any college party you will go to. You get drunk, meet someone and you can't remember any of it. (FYI, I have never done this.) That's why the song says "text me in the morning and tell me you still love me" because sadly, a lot of people have one night stands at these parties.

The third song is the album's lead single, "Sleeping With A Friend." I actually like this song because, although it is supposed to be a "sex song," it doesn't really get too sexual with the lyrics. It is basically a song about how you are and aren't in love with someone at the same time. The next song, "Teenager In Love," describes how every teenager's first relationship is, awkward. Once again another fun song and one of my faves.

I love "I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)." The title basically describes what the song is about. Its about a relationship that your significant other's friends don't approve of but you still love each other despite judgements. "Unavoidable" is my favorite is my favorite on the album and if you know me, you will know why. I am a sucker for a good ballad and the guys (and girl) of NT are really good at writing them.

"Voices In the Halls" is another one of my favorites. Its a song about a break up. Everyone goes through a hard break up and you try to remember them in anyway possible. In this particular situation, they are trying to hear the lover's voice in the hallway. I feel like "Foolish Behavior" could be played at the end of a romantic movie. Its about a couple who start out strangers but then they fall in love.

"Living In Another World" almost has a punk-pop feel to it. The lead singer of NT, Tyler Glenn, recently came out of the closet and this is what this song is about. He always denied because he was afraid that "the world wasn't ready for an actual gay pop star instead of straight people being gay spokespeople" (Quote from Rolling Stone Interview with Tyler Glenn). The closing track on the album, "First Things First," (ironic name for a closing track, eh?) is about the band's journey. Every band starts out playing small coffee shops and only like 25% make it. They started out small and look at them now. One of the world's biggest bands.

Overall, the album is a good Wake-Me-Up album. You could probably even listen to is when you are at the gym or having a run. I suggest this for fans of pop or rock or even a little funk.

Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes (has a bonus track), Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)," "Living In Another World," "Unavoidable"

For Fans Of: The Killers, Katy Perry, Michael Jackson

Album Review: Rivers in the Wasteland by NEEDTOBREATHE

It is crazy to think it has been 2 1/2 years since I did a review for NEEDTOBREATHE's 2012 release The Reckoning. For the record, that is still one of my favorite albums of all time. But forget about the NTB you knew from the first 4 records. The band has taken an almost indie sound on their latest release, Rivers in the Wasteland. It is yet another excellent release from the band. After lineup changes and struggling to finish the album, the guys are back and I'm very glad they are. But like I said previously, forget the old NTB, they have matured both with sound and lyrically. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you NEEDTOBREATHE's latest release, Rivers in the Wasteland.

The album starts out with the title track, "Wasteland." That is also what their current World Tour is called. The song deals with the struggle the band has had. It seems as if everyone is against them but they find light, "If God is on my side/Who can be against me?" The second track, "State I'm In," is my favorite song on the album. Once again, it is another personal song and the band doesn't know about the state they are in and that they have a long way to go yet.

NEEDTOBREATHE started when the band was finishing up high school. This song is about their journey from then to now. The band almost ended during the absence (despite various amounts of success) and they are asking that they aren't done just quite yet after all the success that they have had (ie touring with Taylor Swift or how big "Keep Your Eyes Open" got). The band is originally from North Carolina. Which is more than likely why the next song is called "Oh, Carolina." When you are a fairly big band, you spend 200-250 days of the year on the road. That's what the song is about. Once they get back home, they have quite a few stories to tell.

One of the album's lead single's is "Difference Maker." This song is a story of Bear (lead singer's) past life. In the song, he talks about how he used to be a broken man and now God has taken him and made him a difference maker. With this record, the band almost had to start over. The album is 11 tracks, just like their debut. "Rise Again" is a song about how the band, although with struggles, they will rise again.

"The Heart" is another one of my favorites on the album. Its just a simple and happy love song. I have a feeling Bear wrote it for his wife. When your heart knows what it wants, there is a reason to celebrate, right? Tune in to the Ellen DeGeneres Show this Friday to see it performed on her show. A lot of the time, bands play and make music more for the fun of it because they don't make as much money as you think (75% of music is stolen for free). That's what "Where the Money Is" is about. They don't want to know where the money is because they don't make a lot of it, as most bands.

"Multiplied" is a beautiful love song to God. Its worshiping all that he is. It is one of their most beautiful worship songs to date ("Garden"is easily at the top). In the song, they want all the hallelujahs to God to keep on Multiplying until everyone knows who He is. When you are in a band, your band-mates become almost like family. Which is what "Brother" is about. In the song, they vow to never leave each other and they will be each other's shelter through the storm.

The last song on the album is "More Heart, Less Attack." Once again, it is a personal song for the band. Its basically a song that says to leave the past in the past. Never dwell on what has happened in the past.


The album is really good and may even be better than The Reckoning. On the album, the band combines Rock, Country , and Indie and they fit the three together perfectly. Although not as much Rock as the past records, they come through amazing once again. Whether you are a new fan or a fan since the beginning, you will enjoy this album and will have it on repeat.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "Multiplied," "The Heart," "State I'm In"

For Fans Of: Mumford & Sons, Taylor Swift, Rend Collective

Why Taco Bell Should Make the Beefy Crunch Burrito a Permanent Item

I know that this post will probably get little or even no attention but I just thought I needed to write this. First of all, I am really missing the Beefy Crunch Burrito. In fact, if someone walked up to me and said "If Taco Bell makes the Beefy Crunch a permanent item, you will never find your true love," I would accept in a heartbeat. I love the food at Taco Bell, but when this was an item, it was the only thing I ate. I have probably consumed about 50 of these since its first appearance in 2010. That year, my family took a trip to Texas and this was one of the only things we ate (I'm from California and its a long trip). The hotel we were staying at for my uncle's wedding in Texas had a Taco Bell right across the street, so I bet you can guess how I celebrated the New Year that year. With about 2 or 3 of these bad boys. I never have understood why Taco Bell has this a temporary item. It was the best seller both times they have had it and they can't seem to keep it on the menu. This could be because they aren't making enough money off of it. Here is a genius idea: Why don't you raise the item $.50 which it would only $1.49, like some of the most popular items on the menu. Raising it at such a small margin would make customers still want it because it still wouldn't break the bank. No offense to Taco Bell, but it is really dumb that you have this for a month or so and then remove it from the menu. You make a crap load off this burrito. People will go crazy over it and get it every day. I recommend bringing this back, Taco Bell, because many fans don't go to your restaurant just because of this. 

Album Review: Supermodel by Foster The People

Well, Foster The People is finally back. And boy am I glad. The only song you heard on the radio by them for the past four years is "Pumped Up Kicks." Not saying that its a bad song, just it gets old after awhile. Earlier this year, the band released "Coming of Age," and it was an instant hit among fans who have been waiting too long for a new album from these guys. I, for one, am glad to see them back in the music scene and am enjoying the new album very much. I have seen several negative reviews on the album, but I personally think that is because not that many people actually like indie. If you are a fan of indie music, this album is a must-get.

The album starts off with the Alternative (which is what indie is, in a sense) "Are You What You Want To Be?" The song even has a little bit of a reggae sound, in my opinion. The song talks about how people these days are almost forced to do things they don't want to do. The second track is a nice ballad. "Ask Yourself" opens eyes to a lot of people. A lot of the time, people will dream and when they get what they dreamed of, they are not satisfied and just want more, aka greed.

"Coming of Age" is the band's first single in 3 years and first successful single in nearly 4 years. I love the song, a nice alternative tune with a lot of keyboard. It is about how things (like the band did) will change over time. "Nevermind" starts out with a nice finger picking of an acoustic guitar. The song suggests to forget what you are looking for because sometimes, it could be standing right in front of you.

"Pseudologia Fantastica" is probably my favorite song on the album. From the lyrics, it sounds like it is about the band's journey over the past three or four years. With the new album they almost had to start over since they were gone so long. "Best Friend" is technically the 6th song on the album, but there is an interlude ("The Angelic Welcome of Mr. Jones") between that and "Pseudologia Fantastica." It is probably my second favorite on the album. The title says it all. It is a song about best friends.

The album's 7th track, "A Beginner's Guide To Destroying The Moon," starts out with synths and that is pretty much what leads the entire song. The song has an almost sarcastic tone toward people who have "too much power." Indie can have some of the weirdest songs/lyrics ever, which might be why the album doesn't have as many good reviews as bad ones. That's exactly what "Goats in Trees" is. I kind of feel like its a nice acoustical love song but you never know sometimes. What do you think its about? Every song has a story.

"The Truth" has an almost Dubstep beat throughout the song. Fame can be a tough thing. You are always gonna get people criticizing you and they tell you what too be (which is what has happened to America's sweetheart, Taylor Swift). As most albums do, "Supermodel" ends with a slow song. "Fire Escape" is the only song on the album without keyboard being the main instrument. This world is becoming a scary place to live and you never know what's going to happen, so you have to save yourself.

The album is a little on the long side. The shortest non-interlude song on the album clocks in at 4:22. It could be a little better for working on it for four years, to be completely honest. Other than that, I am glad that these guys are finally back with new music. Now "Pumped Up Kicks" will (hopefully) stop playing so much.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "Coming of Age," "Best Friend," "Pseudologia Fantastica"

For Fans of: Echosmith, Of Monsters and Men, Switchfoot

My Thoughts On Gay Marriage...

Good afternoon everybody! I have been thinking about how to word this post for awhile now and I think I finally have the perfect wording and everything to make my opinions (based on truth) easy to understand. I would like to start this off by saying I am neutral on the whole gay marriage thing. I don't want anyone to start commenting stuff on this post and getting on me. If you didn't want to know my opinions, you shouldn't have read it. Simple as that.

1.) I do not think it is right to bully or make fun of them. That is wrong. I have been bullied and it hurts like hell. You cry and everything. Just think, if someone was bullying you, would you like it?

2.) Why is the media focused basically only on gay marriage? People are going to be gay so please get over it. There are other things in the news that could be covered that actually affect the wellbeing of America.

3.) I'm a Christian and am frankly pissed off on how the culture I represent treats gays. It is purely sick. The Bible says keep your bodies pure, yet 13, 14, 15+ year olds are having sex out of wedlock. The Bible says to not tattoo yourself or mark up your bodies. I have a tattoo, so I cant really say anything here. The Bible says "Help those in need." There are millions of people in America alone that need help. Why not focus news on that and help them? Most of all the Bible says "love one another."

All in all, people are going to be gay. We all need to get over it and deal with it.

Until Next Time,
Alex

5 Bands/Artists to Watch in 2014

Well, as you all know, I am a music junkie. Love every bit of it. So now, here is a new annual segment I am going to start on this blog. These are bands or artists that I think you need to watch this year. I think these bands will be big, either this year, or just a little bit longer than that. So watch out to bands like OneRepublic, Maroon 5 or Owl City. These bands/artists may just beat your album on the charts one day.

5. The Royal Concept

Who is The Royal Concept? Yeah, that was my question a few weeks back when my favorite band, Switchfoot, announced that these guys would be opening for them on the Spring Leg of the Fading West Tour. So of course, I go and look them up. Well not exactly. I was listening to iTunes radio for my other favorite band, Echosmith, when TRC's song "On Our Way" came on. "Hot dang they are good," I thought. So I listened to the entire Royal EP from them. Once again, I was not disappointed. Although I can't make it out to the Fading West Tour, I envy you if you can, because these guys seem like they would put on a good show.

4. J. Thoven

Let's keep up with the theme of bands that open for Switchfoot, why don't we? Well I saw these guys when they opened for Switchfoot back in June of 2013. I actually got their EP for free from their site before the show because I found out they were the opening act. The EP was enough sweetness to go around, but these guys put on one helluva live show. They blew everyone away. Including me. I think I was the only one who knew the words to their songs though haha. The sound like they are back in the studio, so if that is true I cannot wait to hear their new music because I guarantee it will be amazing.

3. Bridgit Mendler

Most known for her work on Good Luck Charlie and Lemonade Mouth, Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler really hasn't hit the big time music scene yet. The only people who really know about her is Radio Disney listeners (I don't listen though). I first found out about her album in mid-2012 when iTunes had her song "Hurricane" as the free single of the week. So, of course, loving indie, I buy the album and the whole album is phenomenal. Most Disney Channel stars-turned-singers either twerk or date Bieber. Not her. I don't see any reason why she would want to. Her music is mature for her age (21) yet still appropriate for her young audience. Its hard to believe Miley is the same age and does the stuff she does. I saw her live last June and she was amazing. Now that her contract with Disney Channel is ending, hopefully she can get to recording a second album. If its half as good as her debut album, Hello My Name Is..., Then she will definitely breakout.

2. Tiffany Alvord

What to say about Miss Alvord? Well she is young, beautiful and I think I am forgetting something... OH YEAH! She can sing. And most of the world doesn't actually know it. She has been putting covers of current top 40 hits on YouTube for going of 5 years now. And not to mention has 2 full-length original albums with music videos to about half those songs. I have been watching her for a good 3 or 4 years at this point and have just wanted her to breakout so bad, but that just hasn't happened yet and I don't know why. She writes songs in a similar way as Taylor Swift. So why is it that Taylor is the biggest popstar in the world and Tiffany isn't? That is a question I, sadly, cannot answer. She is currently in the writing stage for her third original album, and I hope for her sake, it kicks major ass on iTunes, Billboard, all that lovely stuff. If not by itself, I will make sure that she gets huge.

1. Echosmith

If you follow me on Twitter (@Alex_Vanderspek if you don't), you see me tweet about these guys and girl all the time. I don't know how they aren't huge yet, considering they were on Warped Tour last year. They gained a few fans at every show, but not like other bands. But there is a reason why. Because they are Indie. Indie is slowly becoming popular, but definitely isn't favored by most parties. They are definitely at the top of my list for most played bands on my iPod. The band of four siblings, Sydney (lead vocals, keys), Jaime (guitar, vocals), Noah (bass, vocals), and Graham Sierota (drums), released their debut album Talking Dreams back in October. It is definitely, in my opinion, up there with my favorite albums of 2013. The best part about them? They are all 20 or under. In fact, I'm older than 3/4 of the band. Just trust me, go to Warped 2014, see these guys, buy a shirt and a CD and watch them become a household name in the near future. Oh and give them hugs and get an autograph too. 

What bands/artists do you think will be big this year? I think I'm pretty accurate with my predictions. If you're reading this, comment with your guess.

Until Next Time,

Alex  

insert depressing Valentine's Day post title here

Hey Guys!! Sorry I haven't posted in nearly a month, just been really busy with school starting back up and all. I hope you all have been doing well. Considering it is still one of the most viewed posts on this blog, I decided to do a second annual post about Valentine's Day. Before you start reading, though, I do want to let you know that my views toward this "holiday" have changed in the past year. I want this one to come off more with a message. Don't get me wrong, I will still be funny as I usually am in my posts, just I want people's view of this day to change.

Let me start the official part of this post by saying Happy Valentine's Day or Single's Awareness Day, you choose which one relates to you. Mine leans more to the side of SAD. Let me say this, for the first time in a while, I actually don't mind being "single." There are many plus sides to it. for example, I don't have to buy a girl all this stuff. Trust me, when God shows me the future "Mrs. Alex Vanderspek," I will, but for now, my money is mine haha. And when I look at it, what would it do for me in the long run? Honestly, having a girlfriend would be fun, but I'm only 19. You are supposed to start dating when you're ready to get married and I'm far from even taking marriage into consideration. Right now, I'm in college working toward getting a Bachelor's Degree in Music Production. I don't need a soul to hold either.

Now to everyone celebrating this day, you suck because you have someone on this day. Lol kidding, but this is a day to celebrate love. So, let me get this straight, girls, is this the only day you want your boyfriend to "love" you? Like really! Shouldn't you love each other every freakin day that you're together? Yeah, I think so.

Now back to ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (and guys, I just wanted to throw a little Beyonce in there for you). Guess what!? You no longer have to feel all depressed because you are single! There is someone who loves you and I mean LOVES, bro. He even sent His one and only child to die. For you. Well let me say this, if someone told me I would have to die for every dang person in this world, I would say, "HAIL NO! ARE YA CRAZY IN THE HEAD!?" Lol well Jesus didn't say that, When He easily could have. God loves you more than any boy or girl EVER could. I'm being serious. It may suck majorly when someone just cuts your relationship off, (I go back to December 2013 lol) but God is there. Guess what!? No matter what you do, God will never love you less. He will never "break-up" with you. He may get a little disappointed when you sin, but God is love. You are a beautiful creation of His. Love is one of the most mentioned things in the Bible. Embrace it man

Now this last paragraph relates to EVERYONE, whether you are single or un-single. Instead of planning a really nice date. Instead of eating Ice Cream and watching movies. Instead of giving up your V-Card (Valentine's Day movie reference). I say, go feed some homeless people and tell them about Jesus. You know what the cool thing is? If you are in a relationship, you are still together on Valentine's Day AND you are spreading love. You can even do this if you are single. It's actually pretty cool. Valentine's Day is just another commercialized "holiday" about love. So lets all un-commercialize it by helping others! Isn't that a great idea?

If you read this, thank you so much! I love you. And I mean it!

Until Next Time,
Alex

Anberlin. The End.

I really can't believe this news that was announced yesterday. Anberlin is breaking up after 12 years of being a band. Just 2 weeks after their announcement that they will be on the world's biggest tour this Summer, Warped Tour, they say they will be releasing one final album and going on one final headlining tour as a band. I honestly didn't see this coming and am actually kind of shocked. I was kind of wondering after they released their THIRD career greatest hits album. I never thought it would be the end of them though. In their 12-year run as a band, they have sold millions of albums and have easily become one of America's most popular alternative bands. They toured with bands like Switchfoot, The Maine, Stars In Stereo and Paper Route. All their albums (six total) debuted in the top 20 of Billboard.com's Hot 200 chart. I'm sure their last album will be the same. I'm completely positive. And don't be surprised, either, if it reaches number one.

I first became a fan of their music when "The Unwinding Cable Car" was a single and I heard it on the radio. That song was so amazing, so I decided to buy the entire "Cities" album. That is still one of my favorite albums. Then, I got a compilation with their song "Glass To the Arson" which is one of my favorite rock songs of all time, if not my favorite. Those two songs began my obsession, so I ended up getting every album of theirs. If you haven't discovered them yet, I think you are out of your mind. 7 albums (with the 8th coming this Summer) all of them being phenomenal both lyrically and instrumentally. I think Stephen has one of the most unique voices I have ever heard. I love how no two albums of theirs sound the same. I'm gonna miss this band like hell. And I mean it. They will forever be in my hearts as one of my favorite bands. God bless Anberlin because I know they are breaking up for a good reason. Although we may not know what yet.

Until Next Time, Alex

What I Learned During My Social and Texting Fast

Well let me start this off by saying that this was a lot easier than I thought it would be. At the beginning, it was tough, but God got me through. What I did is did not go on any social sites and didn't text for a week as part of my new year's resolution. I'm addicted to it at an unhealthy level. I never realized that until the end of the fast. I also am not a Christian. I'm not afraid to admit that. I USED TO, before the fast, listen to mainly mainstream music. There is nothing wrong with mainstream music, just when you listen to it more than Christian music, there is. I also never read the Bible, unless I was in Church. Which is 30 minutes on a Sunday morning. That is not enough. In fact, you should spend at least 30 minutes a day reading it. I feel like this fast changed my life for the better. I am gonna look at life a whole lot different now. I will be texting less and reading the Bible/praying more. If it wasn't for God "making" me do this, I was pretty sure I was headed for hell at the end of my life. Now, I can work on getting to heaven.

Until Next Time,
Alex

Album Review: Fading West by Switchfoot

BREAKING NEWS: The best album of 2014 has released. And only two weeks into the new year! Well, that is actually just my humble opinion and it isn't only because they are my favorite band and I have been waiting for this album for over 2 years. In their 8th studio project, Switchfoot once again reaches new heights and has songs that you will hear everyone at the concert singing along to. I describe their music as "Surfer Indie Rock," which is exactly what it is. I found out about this movie/cd combination in June of 2012 when I went to their concert and there were cameras and Jon said "Tonight we are recording a movie called 'Fading West.'" About a year and a half after it, the soundtrack that accompanies the movie is released. Coming off the best 2 albums of their career ("Hello Hurricane and "Vice Verses"), they had a lot to hold up to. They didn't want to just write "another 3-minute pop song." They wanted to reach new heights and I believe they did that and then some. The 11 songs on the album not only reflect their journey as a band, but their memories of being one of America's most popular bands that travel the world for a living. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you "Fading West."

The album's lead-off track is one of the best I have ever heard. "Love Alone Is Worth the Fight" is about how love is such a touchy subject these days. The title says it all. Love is one of the few things that is truly worth fighting for. That's what the band has always focused on. Jon Foreman, rhythm guitarist, lead singer and main songwriter for the band, has always written about probably every kind of love that their is. The band is so successful because they are full of love. "Who We Are," the album's lead single and is the most personal song about the band's journey on the record. At the beginning of their career, they were told a lot that they would never make it far, which is what made them so popular. They even state that the band has came farther than they ever expected.

"When We Come Alive" is basically Jon reflecting on how surprised and excited he is that Switchfoot became so popular. He even states in the film that he never in a million years thought they would release eight full-length studio albums. When they come alive, they light the sky. Being a musician is one of the hardest careers out there, since you are away from your family for most of the year. The fourth track on the album, "Say It Like You Mean It," is my favorite. I love the beginning bass riff. This is the song about people criticizing the band and saying that they would never make it. They didn't believe those words, even if the person saying it said it like they meant it. They took those words and never gave up. In fact, they turned it into eight full length albums.

"The World You Want" features a little snippet of them singing in Bali. The song has very similar lyrics as their 2004 hit "This Is Your Life." Everyday that you live, you make the world that you are living in. Your choices, your actions make the world around you. Who you choose as friends, what you do, etc. For Switchfoot, their music makes their world and if I were them, I would enjoy every minute of it. "Slipping Away" is another reflection of Jon's of how all of Switchfoot's success feels like a dream. He never quit and he and Switchfoot deserves every bit of success they have gotten. They have gone through hell, but survived because of their perseverance.

"BA55" is the longest song on the album, yet has the least lyrics. It's almost like a worship song. In the song, Jon writes on how he wants and believes that God is the fire that can burn him clean of all his mistakes. He is telling God to take his soul in the song because, without God, they would be nowhere near where they are today. "Let It Out" is another one of my favorites on the album. When Switchfoot first started out, all their members were in high school. They were really scared to sing in front of everyone and were scared that they would never be successful. They then realized that life is short and sometimes you got to step out of your comfort zone if you want to be a successful person in life.

"All Or Nothing At All" is basically Jon's song to Switchfoot's fans. They are the reason they kept fighting. It is probably what he told himself even in Switchfoot's darkest times. He wants to have it all or nothing. If you have nothing, then whatever are you going to ever make of yourself? Being from a city that is an ocean city and spending most of their off time in the ocean, there was no doubt you would hear one or two songs that relate to water. "Saltwater Heart" is just that. This is Swichfoot's song to their home city and state of San Diego (where I was also born and lived in for a total of about 10 years of my life). It is the city where all their career started and it will most likely be the place of their final concert (God forbid that ever happens though). "Back To the Beginning" is the perfect way to end the album. First of all, because i will go back to the beginning of the album several times over. But it reflects on, again, how successful they have become. Sometimes Jon wants to just go back to the beginning of the band's career and trying to remember how it felt.

Well, this album makes me completely speechless. It is so good and is perfect in so many ways. I mean, it's Switchfoot for Pete's sake. Like most of Switchfoot's albums, "Fading West" has such a summery sound. That being said, even though I listen to them year-round, Switchfoot is always perfect in the middle of July on the way to the beach. That is very true, considering all of the band members are just about on the professional level of surfing. I can say one thing to you, if you like indie or Switchfoot, you will not be disappointed. They just keep getting better with every release. Cheers to the best album of 2014.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "When We Come Alive," "Let It Go," "Say It Like You Mean It"

For Fans Of: They are Switchfoot. If you are reading this, you probably know who they are. If you don't, go listen and fall in love.

My 5 Favorite Tiffany Alvord Covers

Well hello y'all! Two posts in one week? I absolutely had to. So, I have been listening to Tiffany Alvord for about four years now. She is one of my favorite artists because I love how she puts her own spin on popular songs. She has become a big reason why I started writing songs. I also think she is one of the prettiest girls alive, but that doesn't relate to this lol. Let me say, though, I do love a good cover so its awesome that she does it all herself. She isn't signed to any record label, so she does most of it herself. If you can work hard like her, I promise you will achieve your dreams. So here, I'm honoring her with my five favorite covers of all time. And why I like them so much.

5. Blurred Lines
I LOVE her remake of the original song. I honestly think she did it A LOT better than #THICKE. #TIFFANY for life.




4. Kissed You (Goodnight)
Tiffany is actually the reason I found this song in the first place. Its one of my favorite country ballads of all time and I love her pop version of it.



3. Both of Us
Okay. I like girls that can sing. But if you can rap AND sing. That is so awesome. Its called talent because not many girls can do both.



2. Sweeter Than Fiction
Want me to be honest here? She did better than Taylor. I love Taylor and I love this song, but Tiffany just remade it in a way that was just pure perfection



1. It's A Small World
I thought this song was corny by itself. But holy crap, Tiffany. MAD props to her for making a corny song sound cool. Which has honestly never ever been done till this.

Runner-Up: Kiss You
I DID not plan on a runner up, but I forgot how amazing this one was. Better than 1D for sure.





So there you have it! My 5 fave Tiffany covers. What are yours? Comment below :)

Until Next Time, Alex