A Trip Through My iTunes Library

I’m not really sure at what point my iTunes library became the memoirs of my life.  For as far back as I can remember I’ve loved music, and specifically collecting music.  It all began when my parents bought me a CD player when I was in fifth grade, along with my first CD (Billy Joel’s Storm Front).  As I grew older my musical tastes changed, as did the common media for music.  I went from tapes, to CDs, to burning my own mixtapes via my dad’s CD burner, and finally digital media.  By that point my collection exploded and I was hopelessly hooked to collecting music.

Each album in my iTunes library tells a story.  Whether it be a CD found while scouring my local Hastings on my weekly visit, or an album I downloaded on the recommendation by a friend.  They all remind me of specific times in my life.  Some bad, but mostly good.  Music though has been the foundation that has held it all together, and simply hearing a song while scrolling through my library can take me back to whatever exactly moment and emotion that I have related to it.

I recently have been going back through my library as I moved all my music and subsequently lost a good majority of my album artwork.  My musical OCD will not allow me to put the music on my iPod without having artwork, so I’ve been hard at working going through all 24,756 songs.  This has led to me being reminded of some gems that have been hidden on my iPod for years, so here they are…

Japandroids – The House That Heaven Built

May just might be one of my favorite months.  As a teacher, it means that summer break is so close that I can taste it.  Teachers need a break too!

May also means that it’s warm enough to drive around with the windows down, and not so hot that you feel like you’re melting into your seats.  Now if you’re going to be driving around with your windows down you have to have some perfect loud warm weather music to blast through your speakers.  Who better than those crazy Canadians the Japandroids.  All of theirs songs are meant to be played as loud as possible with no regards to your ear drums.

Enjoy, your inner-teenager will greatly appreciate it!

Atlas Genius – “Trojans”

I know I am totally behind the boat on Atlas Genius.  I finally picked up their debut album When It Was Now, and dang is it good.  It has been on heavy repeat on my iPod, and I’m pretty sure I found one of my go-to albums for the summer.

Wildlife Control – “Ages Places”

The bi-coastal indie rock partnership that is Wildlife Control just released their brand new track today called “Ages Places,” as they get ready to make an appearance at SXSW.

The track is filled with booming bass and enough indie synth pop to definitely get you moving.  I think one of the coolest things about the song though is the lyrics, especially if you’re a literary nerd.  The lyrics are made up of various modified haiku stanzas.  Pretty genius if you ask me, especially since the lyrics can still be coherent despite this ambitious, poetic lyrical styling.

Their new album doesn’t drop until this summer, but keep your eyes out for these guys.

Postal Service – “A Tattered Line of String”

As promised, there will be two new songs on the reissue of Postal Service’s classic album Give Up.  One of those tracks was released today via SubPop’s Youtube channel.  Check it out below.

My Bloody Valentine – “Soon (Christian Strobe Remix)

With all the twitter and web clatter of the brilliant new My Bloody Valentine release m b v, I thought I’d share a little remix I found of the track “Soon,” off of the iconic album Loveless.  It’s from German producer Christian Strobe, and it takes the original shoegaze track and puts a little dance into it.

You can definitely still hear the bones of the original track, but fleshed out with some dance synths and kick drum.  I especially like the lead out at the very end.  Not a bad way to celebrate the return of one of indie rocks most influential bands.

David Bazan – “1976”

Came across this acoustic track from David Bazan of Pedro the Lion fame.

It’s called “1976,” and is nothing more than Bazan strumming an acoustic guitar and singing his heart out.  What more do you need???

Ascend the Hill – “The Fall”

The last few days I have rediscovered how the great Ascend the Hill’s self-titled album is.  I also have a new favorite track off the album.

It’s this beautiful acoustic track entitled, “The Fall.”  You can just really hear the passion and plea in how the lyrics are sung, as the lead singer finds himself at Jesus’ feet.  Simply unable to continue on their own, and desperate for an encounter for God.

How often we find ourselves at the end of our ropes, unable to go through life on our own.  Thankfully, we don’t need to do it on our own.  In fact, we are supposed to do it relying upon God.

Thanks for reminding me of this ever important truth Ascend the Hill.

Top 5 Albums of 2012

Now that Christmas is over I thought I’d finally get around to putting together a Best of 2012 list.  This is my top 5 albums, in no particular order.  I also picked one of my favorite tracks from each respective album.  These five have been on heavy rotation for me much of the year, in a year filled with some great releases.  Hope you enjoy!

Tanlines – Mixed Emotions

Japandroids – Celebration Rock

Loud Harp – Self Titled

Teen Daze – The Inner Mansions

Beach House – Bloom

25 Days of Christmas, Day 22

We are in the home stretch to Christmas, with only three days left.

Today’s tune is is the Shin’s covering Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.”  The original is definitely one of my favorites, and the Shins really do it justice.  Making sure to still keep the song fun as James Mercer put’s that folky/poppy Shin’s spin on the song, and it really works.