My Hometown. Part One

I grew up with the Air Force. I've moved around a bit. I consider many places, states, and countries 'home'. I always consider music to be my hometown. Music has been the biggest constant of my life. I may more around, change and grow as a person but music will always be there for me. Sure, there is music that comes and goes. Its not easy to stay the exact same, do and act the same way your whole life. But as often as my music choices change there will always be bands and artist that stand the test of time. They might not be on my top ten favorite of all time list, but it something I know I’ll always be willing to listen to.

Below are a few songs that will always has a place in my heart. Just like how my many hometowns will always be a part of who I am.

Snow Patrol (“You're All That I Have”, “Run”, “Ways and Means)

I loved listening to this band while I would be hauled up in the library studying like a crazy person. They have a nice mix of up-tempo songs as well as tearjerkers. Keeps the brain's wave flowing with out over loading the system.

Jimmy Eat World (“23”, “Kill”, For Me This is Heaven”)

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned J.E.W. Before. This is a special band since not only are the one of the “hometowns” but they are also one of my all time favorites. They're song 23 was my life that year of my life (and maybe still a little bit true today). 23 is perfectly heartbreaking. Funny, most of their songs that I love are kinda painful love songs, but things never seen to work out the way they should. That there is my life in a nut shell.

The Weakerthans (“Aside” “Left and Leaving”)

I first time I heard The Weakerthans was on a mix tape (an actual casset tape) that my friend James had made for me since my little Nissan only had a crappy tape player. I always thought of the tape as my “late night driving with the windows rolled down” soundtrack. I drove around a lot when I was in high school. It was really the only place I had too quite and privacy. I normally drove by myself and late at night and in suburban Colorado there are not many people out late at night. All these songs remind me of the sense of freedom and pure relaxation all my late night driving trips left me with.

*Gas was a lot cheaper when I was 16!

Gotta stay postitive...

I've been in a crap moody lately. I'm trying to be positive and send good vibes out into the universe but its much harder than it sounds. I sat down about a half hour ago all ready to finally update this thing and well, my computer is an asshole. It's a simple as that. I've got my fingers, toes and even legs crossed hoping that I DO get that new MacBook I've been lusting over for my birthday. The Big 27 is coming up in less than a month. Damn, I'm starting to feel old.

Since my laptop is an asshole and my external harddrive is still dead, this will be another one of those youtube video things like last time. Can I stumble off topic a minute and talk about youtube? I'm not really into youtube as a whole. Every so often I've hear about a funny video or since all my music is gone I'll go looking for a song there, but there's like a whole youtube community going on. I just don't get. I think its amazing that youtube personalities are going on to bigger and better things (like Glee) It's all great, but most of it is so over my head. I've never understood the internet fame that happens. Maybe I really am an old fart.

Enough about that here's some songs I've been digging lately.

Neon Trees - Animal

The 1st verse got me hooked ("here we go again, i kinda wanna be more then friends, So take it easy on me, I'm afraid you're never satisfied") and than I play it over and over again. It's a fun song. I listened to it no less than 6 times driving up to Denver with my friend Jeremy. He's pretty picking and was right with me singing at the top of our longs. There's almost the animal like growl to it and than he voice almost breaks during the chores. I think it's sexy.

Mumford and Sons - "Little Lion Man"

So this song might have a little more folk in it than I normally go for, but there's also a bit of thunder going on here. This song has some balls. How often does a guy admit fault? Never I tell you. The chorus is what got me and brought me back for more.

but it was not your fault but mine and it was your heart on the line i really fucked it up this time didn't I, my dear?

Jimmy Eat World - "My Best Theory"

I love Jimmy Eat World. It's as simple as that. Here's their new single which is damn good. It has all the elements that make this band one of my favorites. Starts off slow than works you into a tissy of awesomeness.

30 Seconds to Mars - "This is War"

So Jered Leto, Mister Jordan Catalano himself, has a band. I remember hearing he was in a band years ago but I thought it was one of those actor bands that's more like a hobby. Think Kevin Bacon, Keanu Reeves and Russell Crowe. I guess you could say I was wrong. People seem to actually like 30 seconds to Mars, they even won a VMA, not that that means that much. I like this song, much more than I thought it would like any thing by these eyeliner wearing dudes. It's all very end of the world, big brother, we're going to rebel feel to it and I dig that stuff. 1984 is one of my favorite books ever. I doubt George Orwell would care mush for Jered Leto but that's okay.

Arcade Fire - "Ready to Start"

Arcade Fire is another one of those bands I love and probably always will. This song reminds me of Halloween. I'm really not sure why, it just does. Halloween is my favorite holiday. There's so many good verses and lyrics throughout this whole song its really hard for me to just pick one to quote. Its just plain good that I can't even say much more than that.