The top 5 of my Top 25 songs. To find out more about the list, start at the beginning.

5. Death Cab For Cutie – Transatlanticism | Album: Transatlanticism
I listened to this constantly when I lived in Tokyo, Japan. It’s one of those songs that got me through a rough period in life. Not because of the words or the meaning or what not, just because it was so good at a time when music was my life.

4. Pearl Jam – Black | Album: Ten
Pearl Jam is another band that could be all over this list if I allowed it, specifically any song off of Ten. Black is my favorite Pearl Jam song, the lyrics and raw emotion in Eddie Vedder’s voice are hard not to like.

3. Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah | Album: Grace
I know this song is a cover – I believe the only one of the list, but it’s the best cover version of the song by Leonard Cohen. It’s way more popular than the original. There are not many songs I would label as “beautiful”, but this song truly is.

2. The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations | Album: Smiley Smile
These last two songs are a toss up. They’re both equal in my eyes. Good Vibrations is a song that just has that sound that gives me goosebumps. The melodies and harmonies of the Beach Boys are the best recorded in my opinion, and this song showcases the group at their best.

1. Led Zeppelin – That’s the Way | Album: Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin is my favorite band and many of their songs could have ended up here. I chose That’s the Way because it was the first song by Led Zeppelin that I fell in love with. The album III isn’t appreciated enough, which is sad because it has some of their best music.

Songs 6-10 of my Top 25 songs. To find out more about the list, start at the beginning.

10. Sugar Ray – Spinning Away | Album: The Beach Soundtrack
I’m embarrassed to put a Sugar Ray song on this list, but they didn’t write it, so it’s ok. They just performed it for the Beach Soundtrack. The movie is one of my favorites, mostly due to an excellent soundtrack, highlighted by this song.

9. Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes | Album: So
This is by far my favorite love song. I don’t remember if I like it because of Say Anything, but I don’t need to. I love it so much I told my wife she should walk down the aisle to it. She looked at me funny, but later agreed…for the end when we walked out together.

8. Moby – My Weakness | Album: Play
In 1999 I worked at UPS from 3am-7am, then went to school at a local community college. When I got off work early I would park in the school parking lot and listen to this album as I napped. At one point this song woke me up…because it was so damn good.

7. Bob Marley – Redemption Song | Album: Uprising
I spent too many years of my life without Bob Marley’s music. I didn’t really listen to a lot of it until earlier this year. I love a lot of his stuff now, but Redemption Song the most. It packs an emotional punch as he had already been diagnosed with cancer when he wrote it.

6. Oasis – Wonderwall | Album: [What's The Story] Morning Glory
I went to Europe around the time Oasis released this album and listened to it the entire two week trip. The music always takes me back to that time, and today Wonderwall is still a favorite. No matter what you think of the band, this song is a classic…in a good way.

Songs 11-15 of my Top 25 songs. To find out more about the list, start at the beginning.

15. Nine Inch Nails – Something I Can Never Have | Album: Pretty Hate Machine
I’m not a very big NIN fan. That being said, I saw them live in 2000 with my brother and it was an amazing show. Afterwards I listened to their music for a little bit. It’s still catchy, but this song is the only one I still like, and I like it a lot.

14. Five Iron Frenzy – Every New Day | Album: Our Newest Album Ever!
Five Iron Frenzy was one of the first Christian bands I followed and because so I became a big ska fan for a while. I’m not into ska music much anymore, but Every New Day gets me fired up every time I hear it. Listen to it, especially the end, and just try not to feel the spirit of the Lord.

13. Coldplay – The Scientist | Album: A Rush Of Blood To The Head
I would think any Coldplay song could end up on this list, but it’s not so. As much as I like their music, too many of their songs are overplayed for them to really get me. The Scientist, however, is the exception. I don’t care how many times I hear it, it will never be enough.

12. Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees | Album: The Bends [Explicit]
When this album came out Radiohead was the band for me. I listened to them over and over again for quite awhile and still feel the same emotion when I hear Fake Plastic Trees. The song has a desperate emotion to it which I like, for some reason.

11. Sigur Ros – Track 4 (untitled) | Album: (Untitled)
Sigur Ros has increased in popularity over the last few years, and rightfully so. Their albums keep getting better in my opinion, but no song of theirs will ever match this one. It came off their untitled album released in 2002. It’s by far my favorite Sigur Ros song.

Songs 16-20 of my Top 25 songs. To find out more about the list, start at the beginning.

20. Maná – Vivir Sin Aire | Album: Dónde jugarán los niños
Before 2004 I didn’t even know what a latin song sounded like. Then a friend pointed me in the direction of Maná and the rest is history. Now I’m a huge latin music fan, Maná is one of my favorite groups, and Vivir Sin Aire is one of my favorite songs.

19. Cat Stevens – The Wind | Album: Teaser And The Firecat
I first heard this song on the Almost Famous Soundtrack. I love the simplicity of the guitar and his voice. Through Cat Stevens I became of fan of other acoustic artists, but The Wind is that favorite track I could listen to anywhere, anytime.

18. The Shins – New Slang | Album: Oh, Inverted World
I have to admit it. Yes, I first heard this song in the movie Garden State. That doesn’t mean I’m lame. Nor does it depreciate the quality of this song. Like Natalie Portman’s character said in the movie, “It will change your life.” Or something like that.

17. The Doors – The Crystal Ship | Album: The Doors
When I pledged a fraternity I was treated to a large dose of The End by the Doors. I hated the Doors. Then I heard The Crystal Ship and I changed my mind. I’m still not a HUGE Doors fan, but the Crystal Ship is a beautiful song that’s hard to ignore.

16. Slick Shoes – Walk Out | Album: Rusty
If I had to pick a favorite punk band it would easily be Slick Shoes. Their first two albums, Rusty and Burn Out, rocked my world when I was younger. Walk Out is off Rusty. It’s one and half minutes of Slick Shoes perfection. Note: There’s a good chance you’ll hate this song.

Last week I decided to sit down and select my Top 25 songs of all time. Why? I don’t know. I guess I like torture.

It’s not easy to pick your favorite songs. It’s easy to say “Oh, that’s a favorite” – I say that all the time – but to actually take the time to rank them in order from 1-25 is a challenge that’s both dreadful and satisfying. It forces you to see the beauty in each song you choose and brings to them a new level of appreciation. Also, I’ll now be able to mean it when I say, “Oh, that’s a favorite”. Now I can even add, “…it’s number 22 on my list!”

I’ve done this before. Each time the list is different – minus the Top 5, which never change – and each list represents how I feel at that time. I gave myself a rule when I made this list. No artist could be on the list more than once, if so it would be full of Led Zeppelin or Pearl Jam…and that’s no fun. Actually it is, but not as challenging.

I figured I’d share all the songs with you here so each day this week I’ll post five songs, counting down from my 25th favorite song to my favorite of all time. Evidently I feel what I think is important enough to share with you. So…let’s begin.

25. Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight | Album: Slowhand
Most of the songs on this list have a story, at the least a personal reason why I love the song, but with Wonderful Tonight I got nothin’. It’s just a beautiful song that made me feel giddy the first time I heard it. It’s one of my favorite songs to slow dance to, and I’m not a slow dancer.

24. Joshua Radin – Someone Else’s Life | Album: We Were Here
Joshua Radin’s album We Were Here is one of my favorite albums of the last five years. When I first heard it I was afraid I would never put it down. Thankfully, I did. Although I still pick it up quite often. Someone Else’s Life is easily my favorite track on the album.

23. Imogen Heap – Hide and Seek | Album: Speak for Yourself
Embarrassingly enough, I first heard this song while watching The O.C. It took me a while to track down the song, but once I did I became a big fan of Imogen Heap. Unfortunately Jason DeRulo has ruined the best part of the song – albeit in a catchy way.

22. MxPx – Doing Time | Album: Life in General
I was a big MxPx fan in my high school years. They were the first band whose CD I had to have. Life in General is still one of my favorite albums and Doing Time is the track off the album that is still as catchy today as it was the first time I heard it.

21. Ben Folds – The Luckiest | Album: Rockin’ the Suburbs
If I had to pick a favorite love song this would be…number 2 (see later on the list). The Luckiest is one of those songs that makes even the strongest of men feel all gushy. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. Listen for yourself and see if it’s true.

I’ve been to a lot of places. I’ve listened to a lot of songs. Each place I’ve been to has a song to go along.

Coldplay’s Fix You – I’m on the Rialto Bridge in Venice
Transatlanticism by Death Cab – I’m on a train in Tokyo, growing up. Slowly.
Wonderwall by Oasis – I’m 16, taking in England for the very first time.

It seems nearly every song I love is a place I can visit again. Metaphorically. Of course.

So I have to ask: Which songs take you places?

I know by now this is considered old news, but I still feel the urge to post it here along with my two cents.

This video is a reminder that today’s recording industry has really diluted our minds. Unfortunately, we tend to think a beautiful voice can only exist in the pipes of a beautiful person; that can’t be further from the truth. There are many beautiful people who can’t carry a tune, just as there are people who – by society’s standards – aren’t beautiful, but could knock the socks off of an audience with their voice.

Susan Boyle is a great example of this. She’ s a great reminder that the old cliche is very true, even if we rarely follow it. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

If you haven’t seen this video, give it a look. If you have, look again. I watched at least five times just this past weekend.

I saw the movie Slumdog Millionaire over the weekend…twice. I think it might just be the best movie I’ve seen in a while and easily earns a place in my favorite five. It combines everything I like in movies: good cinematography, quick edits, awesome music, tension, culture, love… I wanted to leave a post about it because it’s not very well known, yet I would highly recommend to anybody who hasn’t seen it. I’ve included a trailer for anyone who wants to see what it’s about. I’m sure I’m overselling it and need to shut up about it, but it really was great. It might not be your favorite of the year, but it’s definitely mine and I can assuredly say you’ll at least enjoy it.

I apologize for not updating this site very often. I am hoping to redesign it soon and haven’t felt motivated to add anything until I finish. Plus, (besides work, school, and studying for promotion) I’ve been busy working on my other project Paperback Frenzy. Check it out and tell your friends.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season and remembers the true reason to celebrate this time of year: the birth of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas to everyone…and yeah, a Happy New Year.

You can check out a trailer for Slumdog Millionaire on the Videos Page

Stephanie directed me to the site the other day and I finally decided to give it a try this afternoon. The concept is very simple, and nearly perfect. Just enter one of your favorite bands and the website will create a radio station for you based off that band’s music style. If you’re like me and are into discovering new bands, this is a great way of doing so. I entered Rogue Wave and have listened to about six songs so far. I knew three of the bands, the other were new to me, and good.

Another tool is the ability to mix all or selected radio stations as a “Quick Mix”. I’m into latin stuff so I created a station of Bachata, Salsa, Reggaeton, etc and mixed them to create a pretty sweet mix. I don’t know a lot of latin artists, so this is good for me to discover more.

You can also rename your stations. The default name is (bands name) Radio. You can change it to a certain genre, etc. And for Mac users you can download a Dashboard widget here, which allows you have to have it open in the background instead of relying on an open browser window. They also have it for the Iphone, which I don’t have.

Anyways. All this to say: Make sure you check the site out, if you haven’t already…

No related posts.

Last night I stood in a line for an hour or so and ended up sitting in a perfect seat to watch the new Batman movie. I’m not really a big fan of comic books, or even comic book movies, but the last Batman took me by surprise and after seeing the previews I kind of had to see this one…

The movie is good, actually excellent. But this is nothing new or surprising. If you want to read about how good the movie is you can visit any movie review site. Try Rotten Tomatoes, where the movie got a 94% approval rating…

Heath Ledger Made the Movie What it is

The only down thing about the movie was that Heath Ledger was maybe a little too good. Yes, too good. He made everybody else look average. Whenever the Joker wasn’t in the scene, I was impatiently waiting for the next time he’d show up. Even Christian Bale – who was awesome in Batman Begins, and is still good in this Batman – pales in comparison.

I think it’s safe to say that Heath Ledger will go down as a cult icon now, especially after this performance and the type of following his role would garner even if he didn’t pass away. It is probably one of the best villian performances I’ve ever seen. The best I can compare it to is Alex from A Clockwork Orange, who was quite possibly an influence for Heath Ledger’s Joker. The Joker is just as creepy, and just as psychotic.

Anyways, that’s enough drooling over his performance. I’m glad I stood in line last night to watch the movie. It was entirely worth it. If you’re interested in seeing a very good superhero movie (now there is such a thing), then go see this movie. And while you’re there you’ll witness one of the better performances on film that I, personally, have ever seen…