10 Albums I Want To See Played Live Front To Back

Some albums will stand the test of time and others will become instant classics. In my life of listening to music, there have been a few records that have just been so good that I keep on revisiting time after time. Some of them I would give anything to see performed live front to back, as that's becoming a trend more and more. Here's a list of 10 of them. This list isn't in any particular order.


Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown

Switchfoot has been my favorite band for almost 5 years now. Although I knew of this album and listened to it since its release, I never really listened to the album and its lyrics until I started listening to the band more. Sure enough, the album just kept getting better the more and more I listened to the album (and it still applies today), the more and more I found myself listening to and relating to the lyrics. Now, almost 14 years since release, all I want is for the band to do at least one date in their hometown of San Diego and play this album in full. What a special night that would be.

Anberlin - Cities

How about another one from the golden age of Christian rock? Anberlin's breakout album turns 10 in just under a month, so I'm not ruling out anything just yet. Bands like Underoath and Boys Like Girls have reunited just to play a tour of their biggest album in full, with many more who are together playing 10 year tours and/or festivals. After hearing the live recording of this album, I can't help but hope each of the guys has a spark inside them to do one more tour to celebrate this record. I guess we will see what 2017 holds.

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

Even though My Chemical Romance ruled the mid-2000s, I never truly listened to them until last year. So far, The Black Parade is the only album I have listened to by them and despite how much I love the record, I haven't gone to check out their other material. With that being said, though, I heard none of their albums are anything like this one. And no album I have ever listened to is like this one. It is an amazing album from beginning to end. To me, its like if Elvis made a record in 2006.


Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation

I can already tell you that this will be the only metal in this list, but it's just as deserving as the rest. When Underoath announced their Rebirth tour and that they were going to be playing Self Help Fest 2016, I knew I wasn't going to miss it. I also knew that I needed to refresh my memory on their music. So I listened to all their albums with Spencer front to back, and to me, this one is by far the best. Even they agree. I wouldn't knock them out for doing a 10 year tour for this album next year and if they do, I will be first in line for tickets.

U2 - The Joshua Tree

Now this one is happening for me, but I'm still going to put it on the list. I got blessed with growing up with great music. My dad would always be playing artists like Journey, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughn, among others. But there's one record that he played a lot that still sticks out to me. So much so, that I consider it, in my books, the greatest record of all time. I'm probably going to get tickets for their 30 year anniversary tour for this record and dang it, I can't wait.

Flyleaf - New Horizons

Flyleaf is one of those things that went away way too soon. But it's understandable and as sad as it is, I totally support them. To me, they didn't have a bad record but out of all of them, New Horizons is by far my favorite. I wish they would do one last tour with Lacey and play the 3 albums with her front to back because I just miss them so much.

Skillet - Comatose

Before Switchfoot, Skillet was my favorite band. I still love them, just Switchfoot's music has been there for me through hard times. Anyway, I used to jam this record so much back in the day. Being that its the album that really brought Skillet to mainstream success, I am honestly surprised that they didn't do a 10 year tour for this album last year. But that's besides the point. The second I heard Rebirthing for the first time, I was hooked. I then listened to the album and trust me when I say, its one of my favorites of all time.


Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Coldplay was the hardest band to pick for just one album I want to see live in full. Their entire discography is just amazing and I love the fact that no 2 of their records are the same, musically and lyrically. Chris Martin is one of my biggest inspirations and what he does from album to album just amazes me. They are a phenomenal live band and this album played live front to back would be INSANE.

Thousand Foot Krutch - Welcome To The Masquerade

What an album this was. Thousand Foot Krutch had been playing music for over a decade when this album came out. I don't know what they did to make this such a great record but props to them. To me, this is their best record and that's funny, considering it was their last record before leaving their label. If you've never listened to this record, do it now. It's not too Christian and there is something for everyone

From Indian Lakes - Absent Sounds

Rounding out the list today is Yosemite-based Indie Rock artist Joey Vanucci, better known as From Indian Lakes. Normally, when I go to shows, I'm there for the main artist and to enjoy the opening artists, without buying anything from the opening artist. But, when I saw Relient K on their MMHMM 10th Anniversary tour, this guys (along with his supporting band) impressed me so much that I had to buy their CD. 2 years and a couple of months later, it is truly one of the best albums I have heard ever.

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I know 10 doesn't seem like a lot, but I'm keeping it at 10 for now so I can keep this post as short as possible. If you have never listened to the albums on this list, you seriously need to. I might do another one like this soon, as well so keep your eyes out.

Until Next Time, Alex

A Broken Heart Is A Beating Heart

Sometimes life can really hurt. It could feel like a semi truck just hit you at 200 miles per hour. And that is totally okay. I've been there and it totally sucks. I know. Although maybe I haven't found love yet, I have learn to be more okay with it, if you will. For some people its even harder.

The simple thing here is to trust in God. That's really the only way you're going to get anywhere in this life. I go to an amazing church and am blessed to have so many married or engaged or dating couples in the church. (Literally I think I'm one of maybe 2 or 3 people that aren't in some kind of relationship. Sure, when I'm in public it hurts when I'm walking behind a couple and they're holding hands, kissing, etc., but I have learned to accept it, if you will. My pastors have told me a couple times that the desire to be in love is from God and nowhere else. And whoever God has planned for you has a very similar, if not identical, love history as you or me.

I know getting love advice from someone who has never actually been in love is a little cliché, but at the same time, it really isn't. Unlike many (not all) couples, I've experienced being lead on, played with, used, you name it, I've more than likely been there. The thing with the world, though, is that it puts far too much pressure on being in love, having sex, etc. But God doesn't put pressure on any of it. You know why? Because He is love. If you have Him, you really don't need anything else. God isn't out to get you. But Satan and the world are. It'll all look up from here. And if you're reading this right now and have a broken heart, that means that you are breathing. If you're breathing, you have a beating heart. I know at least one of my friends needs to hear this tonight. Do you?

Until Next Time, Alex

An Open Letter To Dean Spanos

Dear Dean Spanos,

Yesterday, when I went to eat lunch at the Fuddrucker's here in Orlando, I didn't even think that they would have ESPN on. Well, they did. I went from about to enjoy a good burger to seeing what the TV screens said and feeling absolutely crushed and sad and even a little pissed off. I'm 2435 miles away because I'm on an internship. But when you announced that, it felt like someone close to me had died.

 I was born into a Chargers family. I was born in 1994, the one season we made the Super Bowl. The day of the Super Bowl was January 29th, 1995. I was just over 5 months old, so I don't remember a thing. But there is one thing that I do remember because we have it documented in a picture. It's me on my dad's lap as he cheers on his and my team. Were we finally going to be the first San Diego sports team to bring home a championship trophy? No. In my 17 years of being able to watch the team and actually understand what is going on and who is playing, I remember some of the greatest players this game has ever seen. Junior Seau, LaDanian Tomplinson, Darren Sproles, Malcom Floyd, Antonio Gates, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers are some of my favorites. I used to have a Gates jersey and now I have an LT jersey signed by King Dunlap, Hank Bauer, among others. Now I want you to ask yourself something. It might be emotional but it needs to be asked. "What would Junior say about this if he was still alive?" Junior grew up in San Diego, Played High School and College ball in San Diego. Then in 1990, his dream of playing for his hometown team came true. He was a great guy. Who loves San Diego. Just like me. Just like millions of your other fans. San Diego is the greatest city in the world. Don't you tell me otherwise. Los Angeles isn't bad either, besides the traffic. But the Chargers. Their colors, their legacy belongs in SD and nowhere else. I know the deal is done and there is no turning back now. Just like many of your fans, we can no longer call ourselves fans of the Chargers. It's not the team. It's not the staff. It's you. One selfish and greedy man singlehandedly messed it all up. And that man is you. I don't hate you, Mr. Spanos. I don't hate anyone. But at the moment, you have left a very bad taste in my mouth, as well as other people's mouths.

I will forever remember going to FanFest every year. And for the past 3 years there, I have proudly given blood. I've taken pictures with the beautiful Charger girls. And I've met some awesome people. September 18th, 2016 was my first and last Charger game. I had a fever and almost didn't go. But I went. Just in case you made the decision to leave SD. I'm glad I sat through the misery because it was an awesome game.

Thank you, Mr. Spanos for 22 years of memories that will live on forever in my heart. I wish you nothing but good luck in LA, but January 11th, 2017 was my last day as a Chargers fan.

Thank you for your time, Alex Vanderspek