Album Review: Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

Christian Pop/Rock band Hawk Nelson is back with their second effort following the surprising departure of their beloved lead singer Jason Dunn. After Dunn left, the band was very close to calling it quits. At that point, Bart Millard (lead vocalist for Christian Pop outfit MercyMe) convinced then lead guitarist for the band Jonathan Steingard to take over the lead singer position. He did and surprised the whole HN fan base with their 6th record "Made," which was far from their original Pop Punk roots and was more a worship record. They toured the country for the record until they started writing for the new record titled "Diamonds." Although I did like "Made," Diamonds is an improvement. When Dunn left, they almost had to become a new band. Daniel Biro, the bassist is the only remaining member of the original band. They did that in many ways and maybe for the better. They could easily have several songs sung in church services all over the country. Diamonds is less a Worship effort and has more of a Pop sound to the record. In my opinion, it is their best record since "Smile, It's The End Of The World."

The record kicks off with the title track "Diamonds." Diamonds are the world's most precious stones. That's what the band refers to what God is making us into in the song. God is making everyone into diamonds because we are His most precious creation. Track number 2 is the albums lead single "Drops In The Ocean." God loves us so much. Like the band says, God's love is more than the drops the ocean. He gave us His Son to die. Isn't that pretty loving?

"Just Getting Started" is the third song on the album. The song deals with never stopping for God. We are always just getting started because we will never be done serving Him until the whole world knows His name. "Live Like You're Loved" is dealing with self-worth. God loves you, isn't that enough? I deal with the fact that I have been single all my life, but I don't need a girlfriend to feel loved because I have God.

"Sold Out" is a great song. Its about being God's forever and you will serve for no one else but Him. Song 6 on the album is one of my favorites on the album. "Thank God For Something" is telling people to thank God no matter what happens. You could just as much money as Bill Gates or poverty, isn't there always a reason to thank God? I mean, you are alive aren't you?

Have you ever made plans with someone just to have them fall through? God will never ever do that to you. "Count On You" is about being able to count on God. Whether you need someone to talk to or chat, He will be the only one that is ALWAYS there. "Made To Live" almost reminds me of "She Looks So Perfect by 5 Seconds of Summer. We were made to live. Not kill ourselves, but live for God. We sent His Son to die for us, can' we give a little bit of our time to Him?

"Straight Line" is probably my favorite on the album. The song has a nice indie sound to it, as most of the album is. With God, we never are walking curved, its always straight. As most albums these days, the album ends with the acoustic track "Only You." Its talking about how God is always there for us and the only one that is like that.

Diamonds is great for a second effort away from their original singer. Most of the album has an indie pop sound to it. HN has always been known to keep it fresh and new and its true because no two of their albums sound alike. I suggest picking up this album to anyone who likes the indie pop scene.

Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "Sold Out," "Straight Line," "Thank God For Something"

For Fans Of: Echosmith, 5 Seconds of Summer, One Direction

Album Review: Smoke + Mirrors by Imagine Dragons

In 2012, Imagine Dragons released Night Visions, which became one of Rock music's best selling records of all time and, oh, won a couple GRAMMYs. If it had not for one of my friends telling me to buy their song "It's Time" back in 2012, it could have very well been another year before I even knew who they were. Shortly after, I bought the album and I still enjoy it. How do you follow up to an album like that? For one thing, it won't be easy. Forget all that you knew from Night Visions. Smoke + Mirrors sounds nothing like it. The album is all over the place. It has elements of 80's pop ("Shots"), Rock ("Gold", "I'm So Sorry") and rap ("Friction"). It is extremely hard to give the album a strict genre. It could simply be Experimental Indie. The sophomore album from the Las Vegas quartet is sure to please any fan of the band.

The record starts out with "Shots." It sounds more like it would be from 1985 instead of 2015. It is one of the best songs on the album. In a recent interview with Billboard, singer Dan Reynolds stated that he is "depressed as hell." Most of the album sound like an apology to the friends and family he has lost in the 3 years ID has been a staple in music. "Gold" is the second track on the album and it is once again very different. The song seems to have been written about the depression Reynolds has gone through. He even attempts a scream, which is new for ID.

The title track, "Smoke and Mirrors," could very well be Reynolds speaking as Kurt Cobain, as they were both rock and both depressed at the top of their game. Sometimes life won't be completely clear. "I'm So Sorry" deals with critics coming at you for something they might not 100% agree with. That's how it is with music, there is always going to be that group that doesn't like a song or album.

The album's lead single, "I Bet My Life" is a stadium-ready pop anthem. It is an apology to the band's parents. Every parent of an aspiring musician (I have had first-hand experience myself) has tried to talk their children out of it. I bet all their parents don't wish that now."Polaroid" is one of the few love songs on the album. Assuming since Reynolds is married, it is for his wife. As stated in the song, love always looks better in pictures. I can relate to that as most people can.

If you listened to "Friction" without knowing who the artist is, at first, you would probably think it is the beginning of a rap song. The song is about working your way to the top of the charts, as they did with "Radioactive." Track 7 on the record is "It Comes Back To You." When you become famous, you are likely to lose a lot of friendships in the process. That's what the song is about. If it is a true friendship, they will come back to you and not just for your money.

"Dream" is simply about life. Sometimes life will seem like a dream and other times a nightmare. Other times it will seem like you are living other people's dreams. "Trouble" almost sounds like a prayer to God. He doesn't want trouble and feels like he needs some (who sounds like God) to save his life. In the song it says "Maybe You could save my life." That sure sounds like a cry to God.

I have always wondered why there are so many love songs about Summer but then they break up at the end of the season. It just doesn't make sense lol. The 10th song on the album "Summer" is no exception. Things change in the summer for some reason and we may not know. As mentioned before, the singer went through depression recently. That is what "Hopeless Opus" is about as if you can't tell from the title. The closing track, "The Fall" seems like another cry out to God to help him through depression. The song mentions praying and "You gave it all to me."

The album is all over the place. But that does not at all mean it isn't a good album. Its an excellent album to say the least. I have been waiting 3 years for this album and glad its finally out. If you didn't like their first album, this is a different sound, so I really suggest checking it out.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "It Comes Back To You," "I'm So Sorry," "Friction"

For Fans Of: Fall Out Boy, Coldplay, Switchfoot

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