Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Well hello guys! Haven't done a post like this in awhile. Well Thanksgiving is in just two short days! You know one of the reasons I like it is you can eat as much as you want and no one judges you hahaha. Its hard to work off all those calories, but luckily, I'm going to Disneyland all day the next day, so since I will be walking most of the day, It will be easy to work off. Well, that isn't the only reason I love thanksgiving. The main reason I love it is you are with friends and family and you go around and say what you're thankful for. If I said everything I'm thankful for, I don't think this blog post would ever be done. Some of the biggest things are God, my family, and my friends. I wouldn't be here without God, so that's a given haha. My family are the only people who will love me forever, and my friends (even though I only have a few) I'm thankful for, also. I guess what I'm trying to tell all of you is, if you don't feel like anything anything in your life is positive, cause God is here. He will give you a life like you have never imagined and if you haven't discovered that yet, I suggest doing it soon, cause not even Jesus knows when he is coming back. It might be right now, or it could be in another million years. So just know He is always there if you need someone to talk to. He has gotten me through so much crap in my life. Whether this post touches one or a million life, I want it to be an impact. Share this with a friend who seems like they are down, cuz with my and God's help, you may save a life. I'll leave you with a verse from the Bible:

Give thanks to the LORD for His love endures forever
   - 1 Chronicles 16:34, NLT

God bless you on this Thanksgiving holiday,

Alex

Top 20 Songs of 2013

Normally, I don't do this this early but all the huge award shows are happening so why the heck not? Well, in my opinion, these are the best songs released from November 2012-November 2013. Tell me if I miss any, but these are my faves, what are yours?

20.) Heart of Dixie - Danielle Bradbery
19.) Never Never - Korn
18.) Dead American - Anberlin
17.) Same Disease - RED
16.) That's My Kinda Night - Luke Bryan
15.) This is How We Do - Katy Perry
14.) Something Better - Flyleaf featuring Sonny of P.O.D.
13.) Tennis Court - Lorde
12.) Empty - Love & Death
11.) Bright - Echosmith
10.) Young Volcanoes - Fall Out Boy
9.) Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake
8.) Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus
7.) Ain't It Fun - Paramore
6.) What I Believe - Skillet
5.) Stay the Night - Zedd featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore
4.) Up In The Air - 30 SECONDS TO MARS
3.) Love Alone Is Worth the Fight - Switchfoot
2.) Complicate You - Thousand Foot Krutch
1.) Bonfire - Building 429

5 Honorable Mentions:
5.) I'm Turnt - Lecrae
4.) Boys 'Round Here - Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies & friends
3.) Living For The Other Side - Capital Kings featuring Royal Tailor
2.) Wake Me Up - Avicii
1.) It's You - Duck Sauce

That's the top 20 of 2013, in my opinion. What are you're favorite songs from this year? Leave your answers in the comments :)

Below is a playlist for the songs :) Take a listen. WARNING: Contains Explicit Content

Danielle Bradbery Reveals Debut Self-Titled Album Tracklist+Pre-order To Recieve Autographed Merch!

Well, it is almost November! Time flies considering 2014 is just a mere couple months away! Well when the months of about August to December roll around, that's when you begin to see new music released. Some of them are obviously going to be better than others. Well, Danielle Bradbery (winner of The Voice's 4th season, will be releasing her self titled debut in just over a month (November 25th). I highly suggest getting it if you are a fan of country pop. Not only to mention that, but if you pre-order it, you get the CD autographed plus for a few extra dollars, you also get t-shirt with the CD, lithograph and rubber bracelet. It's basically a win-win because you support her and you don't break your wallet while doing it! All I'm saying is pre-order it or please buy it when it comes out because you will thoroughly enjoy!

  Tracklist:

1. Young In America
2. Wild Boy
3. The Heart of Dixie
4. I Will Never Forget You
5. Endless Summer
6. Talk About Love
7. Never Like This (love this one already)
8. Daughter of a Workin' Man
9. Dance Hall
10. Yellin' From the Rooftops
11. My Day

That is the tracklist :) If you would like to pre-order the album to guarantee it autographed, click here.


Here are the first two songs from the album:

Until Next Time, Alex

Album Review: Talking Dreams by Echosmith

What comes to your mind when you hear the name Echosmith? More than likely nothing. YET. For me, it is the band of Sierota siblings that I have fallen in love with over the past year or so. They are indie pop band that has songs about various issues in today's world including love, bullying, etc. They have also gone on tour with some pretty big bands including Owl City, Maroon 5, and the Van's Warped Tour. I have enjoyed watching them grow up (being a fan of them since 2009) and get their slow fame. They all deserve it and they will soon become a household name.


The album's opening track is "Come Together." It is a song that focuses on a group of people reaching toward a similar goal, in their case, fame. Its a great way to open the album and introduces what the album is gonna sound like really well. "Let's Love" is the song that the band's first t-shirt was based off of. Its duet-ish track about a boy and girl falling in love and they don't want to waste it because life is short.

"Cool Kids" is a song that every kid who is bullied needs to listen to. These days, a lot of suicides are caused by bullies. In the song a girl wishes she was like the cool kids because she feels like she is a social reject. The album's 4th track is "March Into The Sun." To me, it has a very similar sound to The Lumineers song "Ho Hey." It's another song about falling in love and you just feel like you will never end.

Another love song is "Come With Me." Its talking about a couple that recently got together and they are showing each other around and all the things they like. My personal favorite song on the album is "Bright." I'm a sucker for a good ballad and goodness, this one is just so amazing. I feel like the band took what I'm looking for in a relationship and put it in a song. Its referring to you love the person so much that you are literally shining bright, like a star.

The album's seventh track, is also the title track of the album ("Talking Dreams"). The song is basically a recap on what the band has been through over the past couple years. It's like all their dreams are coming true. Girls are very sensitive and emotional at times. That is basically what "Tell Her You Love Her" is about. When a girl tells you she loves you, you better say it back. When you're in a relationship, always give her A LOT of compliments.

"Ran Off In The Night" is the album's 8th track and its another love song. I interpret it as a couple being judged on their relationship (which happens a lot these days) so they just run away for awhile. I think "Nothing's Wrong" describes all teenagers these days. All of us are always acting like nothing is wrong and that is the best part of being a teen, in my opinion.

"The Safest Place" is about a relationship falling apart. The couple in the song doesn't feel like they feel for each other anymore so their old story is the safest place they will ever be. The album's final track is "Surround You." It follows is a girl who is fantasizing about a boy she likes. She is dreaming that one day they will be together and their love will surround everyone.

Well all in all, this is just a great album to kick off a career. I'm also proud to call myself one of their first fans. And no matter what ANYONE says, I think the band will agree, that I'm their biggest fan. I will keep supporting them for years to come because they are young and who knows how long they will be together. I just really hope it is at least 50 years. :)

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: Check back on Oct. 8th

Top 3 Songs: "Talking Dreams," "Surround You," "Bright"

For Fans Of: Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons

Summer 2013: Who We Are

1 fair job, 9 concerts, 1 graduation, and 4 months later, its crazy to think Summer 2013 is over. I can say though that it was definitely the best Summer so far. Some of the highlights were seeing my favorite band, Switchfoot, for the second time, GradNite, and getting Skillet's first album in almost 4 years. It was just an awesome Summer. I honestly don't think it could have been any better. There were just so many awesome things that happened. Those things I just listed were just highlights, I really couldn't choose a favorite.

June - Finishing School & Starting my First Job

First off, I graduated High School in June and even though I only knew literally one person there, I GRADUATED FREAKING HIGH SCHOOL, KAY? Literally the day after that, I had to start my Summer job, which definitely had it's up and downs. As would any normal job. Some of the perks were all the concerts I went to this month. I literally only paid for two of them, and the rest were free. All the artists I saw live (in June) were Switchfoot, J. Thoven, Victoria Justice, RED, Train, Bridgit Mendler, Colbie Caillat, and Third Day. Let me say, all the bands put on a good show, but Switchfoot was definitely my favorite! I mean, I was literally like next to the stage! Enough about the concerts though. My favorite part of Summer happened in June. It wasn't graduating, wasn't working, wasn't even the concerts! The best memory of Summer was GradNite at Disneyland. It was cool, actually, cause only like 10 people from my class came and we didn't know each other, so it was cool getting to know them/bond with them at Disneyland of all places! That was pretty much my June, but July wasn't all that eventful (to be honest).

July/August - First Experiences of Adulthood

July, like I mentioned, wasn't all that full of anything. It was August that was all fun and everything. At the beginning of August, it was less than 2 weeks till I had my first day of college, which I was overly pumped for. (Fun fact: by the time this is published, I've been in it for over a month.) The week before I started, my family decided to go two SeaWorld twice and take a trip to Los Angeles once. I also got to see Flyleaf and P.O.D. (and sing a little for P.O.D.) on the 9th of August My second favorite part of Summer actually happened the second yime we went to SeaWorld that week. I was just casually in line for a ride, when there is a girl who look A LOT like The Voice's Season 4 winner, Danielle Bradbery. So I'm all freaking out trying to decide whether I should ask her or not. Well, I get over my shyness lol and she says its her and takes a picture with me (above). Like, I wanted to go to The Voice just to see her perform, but I never expected to meet her at SeaWorld, of all places. Literally 8 days after that, I get to go to a Taylor Swift concert (don't judge). Even though I was only 4 rows from being at the very top, I still got to see her in concert, so I am totally fine with that. :) The day after that, I turned 19, which yeah, I'm getting old considering as of right now, I'm only a teenager for 11 months more. :( I forgot to mention, I started college on the 19th of August.

That was pretty much my Summer. I still believe it was the best of my life. God put everything in place at the right moment and I love the way he moves! Fall 2013 is here and now we can hopefully get a relief from all this hellish weather lol. Thanks for reading! :)

Until Next Time, Alex

Echosmith: The Band That Will Be

Echosmith in early 2013

Many bands will make it big. For Echosmith, that just hasn't happened yet. Well, it actually has a little. Having their songs played on ESPN, or having their song "Tonight We're Making History" the theme song for the 2012 Olymipic Ads may make a band big. Sure, and maybe opening up for Owl City or some of the world's biggest Punk and Post-Hardcore will do it. And it seems like the name "Echosmith" is getting around more. 10,619 followers on Twitter and 12,300 "likes" on Facebook may also do the trick. Their debut album Talking Dreams releases in just three weeks (October 1st, 2013) and don't be surprised if you hear this band of siblings on your local pop or indie-rock station. Their name is getting more popular by the minute.

I first discovered the beautiful people of Echosmith when I was at the annual Fishfest in Irvine, CA, when they were a Christian Alternative Rock band. There were Grammy winners/nominees there, but then there was also the very first band to play that day. Their name at the time was Ready, Set, Go! The singer, Sydney Sierota was only a mere 12 years old at the time, while the drummer, Graham was only 10. I thought they were pretty cool, so I go on my computer the next day and find out they have a free song (which made me happy lol). Not only that, but they also had a song on iTunes. I was thinking in my mind, "HEY1 I'll tweet and share this link and maybe it'll get some ground for them. It didn't do anything really. Then about three years later I see a bunch of posts from this band Echosmith. I'm all like "Who are these guys? I never remember liking them on FB. I then clicked on their profile pic and then I recognized who they were. I then saw they had a new song on iTunes (That was also featured in the Olympic commercials) and I almost instantly bought it. Then came the year of 2013.

2013 is when they really blew up. They started the year opening for THREE GRAMMY winning bands that go by the names of Owl City, Maroon 5, and Neon Trees. They were probably freaking out, as would anyone. They decided they need some music released so when they played for those bands, they could have some music out for the fans on the tour to hear. After that tour was a short little break until they got invited to go on the ENTIRE U.S. Warped Tour. They then released a free three-song EP, so they could get even bigger (God-willing). They did and Owl City invited them to go on his Mid-Summer tour, which started just a few weeks after Warped. They most likely couldn't believe it again! That's been their band up until now. But when October 1st rolls around, some people won't buy just one of their albums, but 2 or 3, so their friends will know about this band. With only about 12,000 people knowing them now, I'm guessing they will have 100,000 in about a year! Keep going guys! I love y'all :)

ANOTHER NEW SKILLET SONG! :D

Well, its always nice when you can wake up to a new song by your favorite band! So, when someone who preordered Skillet's album and posted the title track to their new album RISE on YouTube, I freaked out! In my opinion, it is the best song they have ever recorded! Okay! Enough talking! Now shut up and rock to RISE! (: