Album Review: Native by OneRepublic

OneRepublic has always been one of my favorite bands. The reason is because all of their albums have a different sound to it. Their first one, Dreaming Out Loud, was like piano rock. Number two, Waking Up, was a pop/rock effort, while their latest release, Native, has more of a Gospel Pop sound. Their singer, Ryan Tedder, said this is because he grew up in the church and even though Gospel was the kind of music his church played, since OneRepublic is pop, he wanted to mix the two genres. I have to say, it turned out to be a beautiful masterpiece and once again, this is gonna be in the running for my album of the year for 2013.

The album starts off with "Counting Stars." It is one of my favorites on the album. It is just AMAZING lyrically! Tedder has always been one of my favorite songwriters, and this song proves why. It talks about how one day instead of worrying where the money is gonna come from, we will be one day counting stars in Heaven. Track two, "If I Lose Myself" is the album's second and current single. It starts off with a nice keyboard intro and then Tedder starts singing about if he loses himself, it wants to be in front of the one he loves.

"Feel Again" is one of my favorite songs from the album. Its a song about how you have a bad breakup and then go on a date with a new person and it feels like it was the best night of your life. "What You Wanted" is the fourth track on Native and will be the next single from the album. It's a song talking about how Tedder would do anything to be with his love and will do whatever she pleases.

Track 5 on the album is "I Lived." It is of course another love song. This song is about how after a breakup, it doesn't matter they broke up, he is feeling amazing and alive! "Light It Up" is one of the worst on the album. I really don't like how it sounds. I mean, the lyrics are cool and all, but it is too slow of a track for my taste!

"Can't Stop" is another one of my favorites. It's just another lyrical and instrumental masterpiece from Ryan Tedder. Its one of those songs where you just can't get over a breakup you just had and you can't stop remembering all the memories you made with your significant other. Yet another lyrical masterpiece is "Au Revoir." It's a song that is talking about how you're so in love with someone that you don't feel like yourself and you're just so ready to start a brand new life with that person.

Oh how I love "Burning Bridges!" I love how high Tedder gets his voice in the song! This is likely my second favorite on Native. In it, Tedder refers to a girl that has basically broke all his rules and there is no telling where they are going. It's just such a great feeling and you're in the moment. "Something I Need" I actually don't listen to a lot because it says "damn." I was kind of upset about it because Tedder confesses to be a Christian, yet says that in his song. It's basically a song about a girl who has something he needs and he wants to die.

The last full song on the album is "Preacher." It's a true story Tedder wrote about how his grandfather used to be a preacher. He compares him to a teacher and even quotes something his grandfather said a lot of the time. He says that even though he was really far from rich, don't count his wealth because he is one of the happiest and God-fearing men he knows. The last track, "Don't Look Down," is an almost completely instrumental 90-second with only 4 lines of lyrics. It is a really nice way to end the album.

Well, they have stole my heart once again! The 5 men of OneRepublic never seem to displease me in any way, shape or form. Cursing on only two of their songs of all time is my only complaint about them. But Tedder is just what I want to be if I ever seem to make it in music! I would not at all mind writing and recording a song with him! I would even be pleased with just a handshake! Great job once again boys! Can't wait till number 5!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: Standard Edition: iTunes, Amazon MP3 Deluxe Edition: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "Counting Stars," "Burning Bridges," "Preacher"

For Fans Of: Maroon 5, The Killers, Owl City

Top 3 Albums of 2013 (First Quarter [January - March])

Well, Imma do this! Every 3 months, Imma post what I think the best albums of the quarter of the year are! But first of all, how is it a quarter of 2013 is already over? Idk, but here are my top 3!



3.) Capital Kings by Capital Kings

2.) Release The Panic by RED

1.) Native by OneRepublic

Album Review: Capital Kings by Capital Kings

What's trending right now in music is dubstep DJ's. And I'll have you know, I never liked dubstep until I heard these guys music. Their names are Jon White and Cole Walowac, better known as the Christian Dubstep/Hip-Hop DJ's Capital Kings. Their name comes from the fact that they are from Washington, D.C. and are sons of the King of Kings, which is Jesus. Their self-titled debut that just released this past January. On the album, you can expect dance and club-ready beats that are sure to get anyone off their feet! And like a lot of other DJ's, most of the songs have features of some of Christian rock and pop's biggest hit-makers and rookie newcomers. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to Capital Kings!

The first song on the album is "All The Way." It starts out with a techno-ish dubstep keyboard intro. When it gets into the chorus, you hear the bass beat for the first time on the song. It's a great song to kick off the album. Song number 2 is titled "We Belong As One" and it features vocals and a rapping hook by tobyMac. It's a song that symbolizes all the Christians in the whole world as one body. It even talks about the future and how we will all come together in the end.

"You'll Never Be Alone" is track number 3 and is the album's first single. The song is from God's viewpoint and is assuring the listener that if they are ever scared or insecure, you'll never be alone because He will always be there for you to talk to. "Living For The Other Side" is my favorite on the album. It features vocals  by Christian pop band Royal Taylor. The song is from a non-believer's point of view and calling us Christians crazy for believing in the unseen, but the crazy thing is that is exactly what Christians believe in. Trusting is believing.

"I Feel So Alive" was the first song we ever heard from the guys of Capital Kings, it was also the title track of their 4-song debut EP. It's a song that is saying that, with God, there is no other way to feel more alive and when He's your God, you will always feel alive. "Ready For Home" is song 6 on the album. It's a song where Jon sings about how now that God has completely changed and revived him, he is ready to die any day and go to Heaven.

"Born To Love," the album's 7th track, features backing vocals by Britt Nicole. It's almost like a duet, that is showing how we are all born to love the whole world, no matter what they mean to us. Until the day we die, we are to love everyone in the world. "Be There" is on the same idea of "You'll Never Be Alone." It is from God's point of view again and says that He will be there through all of our trials and tribulations.

In "Tell Me," the narrator ins insecure about his future and doesn't know if God is there. He is asking God to tell him that He is there and he has someone to talk to when he doesn't feel 100% about his future. The album's closing song is "The Paradigm" and it features vocals from Family Force 5's lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Solomon Olds aka Soul Glow Activatur. It is a dubstep track that talks about making the world have a Revolution to suddenly love God.

If you are a fan of techno or dubstep, I highly suggest getting this album! I never thought I'd ever say this, but I love dubstep lol! But seriously, these guys are now like my 3rd favorite band and I wouldn't mind singin on one of their tracks sometime! Like Cole and Jon, if you see this, could you please take it into consideration? Thanks!!!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "The Paradigm," "We Belong As One," "Living For The Other Side"

For Fans Of: Calvin Harris, deadmau5, Skrillex 

Album Review: The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake

It's been 6 long years since Justin Timberlake's last album FutureSex/LoveSounds. During that time, he has acted in the movies The Social Network, Bad Teacher, and Friends With Benefits, wrote songs for Duran Duran and The Loneley Island, and gotten married to actress Jessica Biel. Oh yeah, he was also writing his 3rd and 4th albums, not to mention the least. The will be titled The 20/20 Experience Parts 1 & 2. Each album will have 10 songs, therefore eventually becoming 20 songs. Part 1 released this week, while Part 2 is slated for a November 2013 release. I'm just happy that Timberlake has come SexyBack. (;

The first track on the album is "Pusher Love Girl." Like almost all of his songs, it is about love. When I first heard the song, I thought "What a way to start off an album after hiatus." It starts out with a nice arrangement of strings and then Timberlake starts singing. Like all his songs, it is a song about love. One of my favorite songs on the album is "Suit & Tie." It was Timberlake's first single after hiatus and features rapper Jay-Z. The song is basically saying "What happens in a tux, stays in the tux."

"Don't Hold The Wall" is the album's third track. The track features vocals from Timberlake's producer Timbaland. Its a nice poppy soul song that is very catchy, like most of the album. The song is telling the girl not to just hang on the wall and to dance instead. In "Strawberry Bubblegum," Timberlake is comparing a girl's lips to strawberry bubblegum. I don't know why he made this comparison, but it is a very enjoyable song.

"Tunnel Vision" is track number 5 on the album. I love the lyrics in the song. In the song, Timberlake is "zooming in" so close to a girl, that she is the one person and thing he sees. "Spaceship Coupe" is a very cool song lyrically, once again. It's saying that he wants to alienate him and the girl he is flying into space with. Their coupe only fits the two of them, so their is plenty of room.

"That Girl" is a song in where Timberlake says he in love with a girl, and she says that she is in love with him as well. He doesn't care what people say about them, he loves the girl and will stay together with her forever. "Let The Groove Get In" is my favorite song on the entire album! It is a freakin catchy song that I will keep listening to. If you're gonna buy one song from the album, I HIGHLY suggest this one.

"Mirrors," the album's 9th track, is also the album's second single. In the song, Timberlake compares a girl to a mirror. She is so perfect for him, that whenever he sees her, he feels like is looking in a mirror and sees himself. The final track on the album is "Blue Ocean Floor." In the song, he wants to go to the ocean floor with a girl, so she is safe from everything and nobody can harm her.

This is an amazing album. I know I have said that before, but it is completely true!! It is Soulish-Pop and You need to get this album. I say it is Maroon 5 mixed with Michael Buble. Its crazy cause every song on the album is 4:30 or longer. The whole album turns out to be an hour and 10 minutes. All I have to say is, GET THIS NOW!

Rating: 8 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 3 Songs: "Mirrors," "Suit & Tie," "Let The Groove Get In"

For Fans Of: Maroon 5, Michael Buble, N'Sync

Album Review: Closer EP by Jeff Schneeweis

I don't normally review albums, but this guy is a friend so I thought, "What the heck!? Why not?" You may know him from the band Number One Gun. Well, he decided to release a solo Worship EP while NOG was recording their new album (which is coming soon! I'm excited!!!). I personally like the EP! Think Imagine Dragons mixed with Ellie Goulding and you will most likely like the album. I'm not gonna do this like my traditional reviews, just gonna pinpoint on a couple of the songs and why I like them so much!

All the songs on the ep are amazing as I must say! My favorite though will have to be the title track. It has a nice upbeat tune with an almost dubstep part in the intro! It's like any other worship album, just praising God for all he does, Jeff just does it in an upbeat way!!!

Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Purchase Links: Not Available Until Tuesday!

Top song: "Closer"

For Fans Of: Ellie Goulding, Imagine Dragons, Calvin Harris

Black History Tribute

Well, I know I should've posted this earlier in the month, but i just realized this and it just came to my attention the other day. African-Americans really mean A LOT to me! Like, Michael Buble's jazzy style wouldn't exist without them! Or my personal idol and probably fave artist of all time wouldn't exist (Michael Jackson). I mean, like a lot of the greatest things in life wouldn't exist if it weren't for them! If I lived back in the early 1900's, I would fight hard and I mean HARD for Black Rights. Why would America discriminate them? They went against the Declaration of Independence by not equalizing them to whites! The Declaration of Independence says, "All Men Are Created Equal." It just sickens me to know they were treated so bad! One of my best friends is African-American and she is crazy awesome! We relate so much and I love it! (: I'm just glad America got over their hatred of this race! I really don't have much else to say, I just wanted to get my point out there!

Until Next Time, Alex

God Gave Me Who? (A Comedic Post About Valentines Day)

Well, Valentines Day is in 3 days and I have officially broken my record of Valentines Days being single. It WAS 17 in a row and now it is 18 in a row! At this rate I will be the 40-year-old virgin. Lol I have never seen that movie and have no desire to either! Valentines Day is just another holiday invented by girls to make their boyfriends spend money on them! I mean like really, we have week-a-versaries, two week-a-versaries and so on. What if this "Holiday" didn't exist? This world probably wouldn't go on rampage, probably the worst we could expect is a strike, which America basically is already on with 7.8% of the pop that is able to work not working, now if we could convince the rest of the world to do that, wow would we be great! Everyone in this country is like Doofenshmirtz! We all say something and think its gonna be amazing, but then a small platypus (In this case, laziness) comes and stops us. Wait!? This doesn't relate to V-Day, oops, Valentines Day? Shoot, I'm sorry!!!! This is supposed to be a Valentines Day post and no one told me! That ain't cool bro! Well, for this guy, this very attractive guy, this guy that, aw, never mind. It's considered "Singles Awareness Day!" Wanna know why? Because all these couples get all lovey dovey just to shove it in all us Singles' faces that we don't a significant other. Well guess what!? I do have one and that is God! I COULD end up being the real life 40-year-old virgin and I could careless if no girl likes me ever! He is the only one that will always and forever love me! So, yes, this post may be very funny, but it wouldn't be funny if God didn't give me this ability! You all need to know this, and I fall short all the time! I really don't have much else to say! I guess I will leave you with a few songs for your listening enjoyment. (: Lol Enjoy! (:

Until Next Time, Alex