Soundtrack to My Life-Part 25

So I think its time for some new music...and I've been listening to a lot of new music lately courtesy of Daniel :)  So lots of happy alt rock bands this week :)

1) Shoreline-Deas Vail-I just discovered this band, and I think they're amazing :)  They're touring with Mae for their (a)fternoon tour, so I decided to listen to them before the concert...very very good :)

2) Fix You-Coldplay-my new favorite Coldplay song :)  Reminds me a lot of Death and All His Friends, musically speaking, but the chorus(es) are very good lyrically too

3) Bad Day-the first time I heard this song was an Alvin and the Chipmunks cover, and I remember thinking...hey this would be a good song if it weren't for the chipmunk voices, so I was excited to find that they weren't the only ones to sing it.  It's a catchy sort of song, so it sticks in your head really easily :P  Try not to get it stuck after listening to it a few times...nearly impossible.

4) Amazing, Because It Is-The Almost-fantastic song, fantastic band (tooth and nail, so of course they're good), fantastic pantomime :)

5) Just Let Go-mae-another good song, from singularity this time, which i don't listen to as much..but it's a really good song.  Their new EP is out now!!!!  on iTunes!!!!  its excellent, go listen to it :)

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 24

So yes it's been a while since I've updated this...sorry :(  I've been busy prepping for our Scotland trip, getting ahead on FooF/Shakespeare papers, writing blog posts for Wheatstone (more about this in a later post), etc...but no longer shall I delay.  Here you go my dear friends!

1) White Winter Hymnal-Fleet Foxes-I haven't listened to much of this band, but I really love their sound-it's sorta a country naturey version of the Beach Boys, to me, and it just has a really fun, laid back acoustic sound with fantastic lyrics, and the song is so whimsical and cute :)

2) Death and All His Friends-Coldplay-I love the lyrics of this song..."I don't wanna battle from beginning to end,/ I don't wanna cycle, recycle revenge,/ I don't wanna follow Death and all his friends."  

3) On the Rise-Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog-if you've never heard of this, look it up on Hulu and watch it...it's so hilariously cute and amazing...it's brilliant yet amusing and tragic and fantastic...:)

4) Rachmaninoff Piano concerto no. 2-1st movement-absolutely brilliant and hauntingly gorgeous, the sort of music that gives you shivers...amazing

5) Music of the Night-Michael Crawford-yes, the legit Phantom...no one can do it like him...his voice gives me chills still...he even beats Raul at his own song in All I Ask of You...a Phantom with his voice and Gerard Butler's looks would be a part of my dream cast...along with Emmy Rossum as Christine, Minnie Driver as Carlotta, and Josh Groban as Raul :P

soundtrack to my life-part 23

After a rather long vacation, I'm back to blogging again :)  If you haven't gotten the point yet, wheatstone is amazing and y'all should go next summer :)  But anyways...more music :)

1) Point of No Return-In Houston I saw Phantom of the Opera for the first time; last night I read the novel; I love this song...'nuff said.

2) Breakdown-Mae-this is now the song that I'm working on for my play...I did finish writing the Ocean.  

3) Viva La Vida-Coldplay-amazing song...the string quartet we heard at Wheatstone Houston even played their own arrangement of it...twas pretty good :)

4) Nessun Dorma-Paul Potts-amazing opera music, amazing voice, you can't get much better than this.

5) A Day Late (acoustic)-Anberlin-love this song, but I've never heard the acoustic...hope it's good :)

Soundtrack to my Life-Part 22

I know this is a day late, but MaryKate said that she enjoys my music, so I'm changing it for her :)  Enjoy!

1) In honour of MaryKate, summertime, and true love, I give you one of the most beautiful songs ever penned...for pop/rock, that is :)  The Ocean, by Mae

2) Jesus Thank You-a fantastic worship song...though I must say, I think we do it better than the recording (we meaning my worship team)

3) Moment Musical No. 5-Rachmaninoff-one of my favorite pieces that I'm learning for my senior recital :)

4) Let It Be-The Beatles-thank you Jessie Nelson for reintroducing me to this song...now I know why everyone learning the piano wants to learn this song :)

5) Hope-We Shot the Moon-I want to learn the piano for this song so badly...it's so gorgeous, plus Hope...my middle name and a very crucial part of me

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 21

I really liked this weeks songs...but it's time to change them again.  So here goes!  Too bad I can't find a couple of our VBS songs to put on here, they're quite...VBSish :P  

1) Hungarian Dance No. 5-Brahms-I actually really really like the first Hungarian Dance better, but they didn't have it online, so I put this one up.  A friend and I are debating between #s 5 and 1 to learn for my senior recital...all musicians out there, what's your take?

2) Tears of the Saints-Leeland-another gorgeous Leeland song :)  I absolutely love their first album, not as much their second but I'll try and give it another listen :)

3) The Prayer-Josh Groban and Charlotte Church-this is such a gorgeous song by such gorgeous voices...I printed off an easy piano version of this song, but it has chords so I can improvise some on it :)

4) A Day Late-Anberlin-this is such a fun song, with fantastic lyrics :)

5) Empty Me-Jeremy Camp-I just love this worship song...plus it's such a simple chord progression-G, D, em, C-it's the only one I can play on guitar :P

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 20

1) Carried to the Table-Leeland-I just re-discovered this band last week, and am really loving them.  They have a refreshing, clear worship sound, but yet also some more fun upbeat stuff as well.  Next to this, Sound of Melodies and Hey are my favorites off their first album...both wonderful songs.

2)Ready and Waiting to Fall-Mae-this'll actually be today's blog topic as well...it's such a great song :)

3) We Beseech Thee-Godspell-although this is a great musical, Biola Youth Theater did so much better of a job with this :)  

4) Summer of '69-Bryan Adams-now I don't usually listen to Bryan Adams...but it is sorta a catchy song, plus I had fun writing a parody of this song about a horrible sunburn I got last summer :P

5) Paperthin Hymn-Anberlin-I still like Cities best, but Anberlin's other albums are starting to grow on me as well...this is such a sad song :(

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 19

Here it is again, the five songs I've been listening to, thinking about, or really enjoy from the past week.  I'm really sad to change it this time, I loved hearing Barber's Adagio every time I went to my blog.  But this weeks should be almost as good, I hope.

1) Upside Down-Jack Johnson-this song was so adorable in the Curious George movie, but I had forgotten how much I liked it until I saw it on a friend's senior slideshow last week.  

2) Haight St.-Anberlin-this is such a fun, bouncy song...I was debating between putting up this and Breaking, but this is just so much fun...though I think I like Breaking better.

3) Pushing Daisies Suite-I just love this show so much!!!!  And now that they're airing new episodes on TV...it makes me happy :)

4) Nothing Without You-Bebo Norman-one of my new favorite worship songs...I remember playing this song in December/January for worship, though we haven't done it recently.  It's so important to remember though, how little we really are and how big Christ is, and how He is the only one who can give us all we truly need.

5) The Ocean-Mae-I'm stuck on this scene of my play right now...I think that it might be coming together but I'm just afraid of making the romance too cheesy...but its just such a gorgeous song :)

Soundtrack to my Life-Part 18

Hey y'all!  I know this is a little late...but better late than never, right?

1) Adagio for Strings-Barber-I just discovered this gorgeously heartrending piece a few days ago and have fallen absolutely in love with it.  There's a youtube video of the BBC orchestra playing it, set to pictures from 9-11...absolutely amazing.  

2) You and Me-Lifehouse-what a wonderfully touching song...more acoustic goodness :)  Though I've always wondered...why do Christian radio stations play this song so much?  I mean, it's good...but it's basically a romantic song...why would the Fish like it so much?

3) Who am I-Jessica Andrews-I'm not typically a huge country fan...but this is the theme song for an adoreable tv show...Sue Thomas FBEye...it was on PAX for a few years in the early 2000's. :)

4) Goodbye, Goodnight-Mae-yes, I've got to get my weekly Mae song on here, and this is one that's been stuck in my head for a while...I really did like Destination Beautiful, though not Singularity as much.  Sadly I can't put stuff from their new EP up yet...but when I can, I will :)

5) Sway Your Head-We Shot the Moon-this song starts off with such a great piano intro...the entire album is pretty good...plus, you've just gotta love a band with such an awesome name :)

Soundtrack to my Life-Part 17

Hurrah!!!  Today was the absolutely final positively last day of Foundations of American Thought at Yorba Linda with Mr. Bartel.  It makes me sad...it's been a rewarding year and I shall miss it...but at the same time, summer will be a good rest :)  

1) From the Inside Out-Campaign-I actually like this better than the Hillsong version (not to mention it's another Speechless song...that I had a lead in ;)  I love the idea behind the song though, that God should be consuming all of us, from the innermost part of our being outward to our every movement.

2) Breathe-Anberlin-This is from New Surrender, which I didn't like as much as Cities at first...but I'm growing to like it more and more :)  I do like the acoustic songs more than the harder rock...the more emotional, deeply thinking as opposed to up front in your face hardness.

 3) Just Let Go-Mae-I didn't like most of Singularity at first, but Just Let Go has gradually become a favorite...not to mention Daniel was awesome and photoshopped some artwork for Just Let Go that is now my beautiful desktop background :)

4) The Best in Me-Sherwood-I really like the fun poppy bounciness of this song...it reminds me of a more mature version of Jump5 :)  They're going to be in concert the same time as I'm at Wheatstone :(  So sad, I would have loved to see them...

5) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)-Chris Tomlin-this has always been one of my favorite hymns, and I absolutely love the arrangement Christ Tomlin's done of it...all the changes he's made, from adding a chorus and the original last verse, to changing the time signature to 4/4, fit and flow with the song while retaining the original meaning and beauty.

Soundtrack to my Life-Part 16

Hello again and happy Thursday!  Hope you all have been enjoying yourselves.  I know you've just been dying for this, so here is another edition of soundtrack to my life :)  Comment lots!!!

1) Your Love Is Strong-Jon Foreman-I really hope this plays this time...it's one of my favorites by Jon Foreman, almost at least.  Really fantastic way to interpret scripture, and a gorgeous acoustic guitar.

2) Giving It Away: Acoustic-Mae-a beautiful acoustic version of giving it away, which I now have piano music for, thanks to Daniel :)

3) How to Save A Life-the Fray-I know I've talked about this song before, but I've been randomly thinking about it lately...esp. Tim's fantastic parody :P

4) Breakdown-Jack Johnson-I first started liking Jack Johnson when I heard his soundtrack for the Curious George movie, but lost track of him for a long time before picking him up again this summer...such a nice, laidback yet slightly melancholy feel to it...*sigh*

5) The Unwinding Cable Car-Anberlin-I'm just barely starting to get into Anberlin but this is already one of my favorites, its nice and laidback...you can probably tell im much bigger on acoustic ;)  

Soundtrack to my Life-part 15

Here we go again :)  Does anyone actually listen to this, I'm curious?  And have I inspired anyone to check out any new bands?  ...maybe not, but still, I hope you enjoy the music :)

1) Southbound Train-Jon Foreman-at first, it wasn't one of my favorites on his Limbs and Branches...but I'm growing to love it more and more.  It has such a beautifully melancholy rhythm to it. :)

2) Someone Else's Arms-Mae-one of the most fantastic songs they played at the concert last week, and one of my absolute favorites by Mae, although the new EP is absolutely gorgeous as well...

3) Be Thou Near to Me-Selah-great great hymn, and fantastic arrangement.  

4) 15 Step-Radiohead-another great song that we're using for Speechless...come see us next Friday at Yorba Linda Friends!!!

5) Brink of Disaster-Mae-definitely my favorite off Singularity :)  

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 14

It's been a long time, I know...but I'm back.  Enjoy the music :)

1) Jai H0-Slumdog Millionaire-No, I haven't seen the movie, however the song is really good...not to mention it's being used in this year's production of Speechless (hint hint, come see it ;)

2) Mighty to Save-A fantastic worship song, if I could find the passage it quotes (if it quotes one) I would be eternally happy.  Since I discovered that Everlasting God quotes Isaiah I've been hunting for scripture references in other favorite worship songs...:)

3) Sun-Mae-this song has such a gorgeous piano outro-plus, Mae is in concert next Wednesday and I'm going!!!!!!!   Yes, I'm very excited :)

4) Hands on Deck-Waking Ashland-I'm working on figuring out the piano to this song, it has a fantastically mournful piano intro, so beautiful :)

5) Prelude 2-Bach-another Guild piece...Guild is this Saturday and I just got it mostly memorized...not good ;)  

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 13

Hello all!

I know you've been absolutely desperate without the updates to my blog soundtrack, right?  Well...here they are again!  Let all the people rejoice...or at least all those who read this blog ;)

1) Everlasting God-absolutely my favorite worship song of all times barring a few great hymns...I'm still trying to decide whether I like Chris Tomlin's version or Lincoln Brewster's better

2) The Only Song-If you've never listened to Sherwood...do so :)  Especially if you listen to Mae, Waking Ashland, We Shot the Moon, etc. (little tidbit-the lead singer of waking ashland and two other musicians from Sherwood now make up We Shot the Moon)

3) Awake-first, Josh Groban has the most beautiful voice on this earth...second, this is an amazing song about friendship, love, and making the most of every moment we're given.

4) God Is God-Steven Curtis Chapman-an amazing song...Steven Curtis Chapman has an amazing way of writing songs about God's sovereignty amidst our changeable human emotions.  This song is a good reminder that even in the midst of our sorrows, God has a plan for our lives.  Plus, we're using it for an amazing new Speechless pantomime :)

5) Chopin's 15th Nocturne-I'm playing this for Certificate of Merit on Saturday...difficult song but beautiful melody :)

Soundtrack to My Life- Part 12

Well...here we go again...and this is actually on Thursday, hurrah for me!!!

1) So Close-Jon McLaughlin...not only does this song have some meaning for me right now, but it's from one of the sweetest movies ever :)

2) Hosanna-Hillsong-we did this song in worship, but quite a bit heavier than this recording...amazing song, and that e minor chord is absolutely gorgeous :)

3) Hope-We Shot the Moon-love this band...it was started by Jonathan Jones, lead singer of Waking Ashland

4) Under the Sun-The Swift-I'm actually trying to write a Speechless pantomime to this song, about how Christians should be counter-cultural and living oppositely to the world.-this song isn't on the website though so you dont get to hear it unless you look it up :P

5) Fugue 2-JS Bach-amazing fugue although I hate it right now because of CM...*sigh* oh Bach why must you be so difficult and yet so beautiful?

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 11

So yes this is late again...but yesterday was New Years and I was at my grandmas...so here we go.

1) So She Dances-Josh Groban...beautiful, beautiful song :)

2) Dizzy Miss Lizzy-The Beatles-sent to me by a friend because they said it reminded them of me...or at least the name did ;) 

3) Spring-Vivaldi-my absolute favorite violin work ever...even over Bach's double violin concerto

4) Bad Day-Alvin and the Chipmunks-this song is so so so cute...and highly addictive...you can't just here it once...it'll stick in your head forever and you'll hate it but you can't help but love it

5) Giving It Away-Mae-yes I know I continue to put Mae up here...but I love them!  

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 10

I know this is a day late...but c'mon, yesterday was Christmas :)  So I am excused...but here we go!  A good amount of this music will be a compilation of favorite Christmas music and new music that I received...happiness!!!!

1) Someone Else's Arms-yes, Mae again...but really, they write such gorgeously beautiful music...and their theory that music should be engaged with all 5 senses...and the artwork in The Everglow...I just love this line from the song "I've got the feeling it's not the safest place to start.  This heavy breathing, it seems we're better off breaking hearts."....some of their lyrics are just like poetry :)

2)Everything-Michael Buble-I really like this guy, got 3 of his CDs for Christmas...such a sweet song and his music is perfect for Foundations reading since it's fun and light but not too distracting ;)  

3) Joy to the World/For Unto Us A Child Is Born-Amy Grant...For Unto Us is my absolute favorite part of the Messiah...and Amy Grant, as usual, does a splendid version of it

4) I'll Be Home For Christmas-Josh Groban-my absolute favorite non-Christian christmas song of all times...such a touching song...and such a gorgeous voice

5) The Sun and the Mon-Mae :)  Such beautiful lyrics...a lot of really good songs esp. from Waking Ashland seem to use the vocals/lyrics as merely another instrument, to blend with and add to the music but often take back stage...but with Mae, and this song especially, the song is like musical poetry, the words blend with and are surrounded by music but the words speak to you separately, they have their own meaning apart from merely sounding good with the music...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 9

Hurrah for more lovely music

1) a nice snippet from one of my favorite Christmas songs...as soon as I find exactly what I'm looking for there'll be more of that song.

2) Banana Pancakes-first heard this song in the DR...so fun :)

3) White Horse-while Taylor Swift has behaved like too much of a drama queen with this song, I can really relate sometimes

4) Dare You To Move-great switchfoot song, great lyrics, amazing band :)

5) Grown Up Christmas List-one of my favorite Amy Grant songs, so sweet and so true

Soundtrack to My Life-Part 8

Yes today is Thursday, and Thursday means more music...perhaps some day I should switch it to Monday so that I get to use alliteration more :)  But for now...it's Thursday.

1) All I Want For Christmas- yes it's Mariah Carey...but its such a fun christmas song!  :)  It's so catchy and easy to get in your head...and whatever you may say, it's a million times better than I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas ;)

2) Elgar's Cello Concerto-and I know I already listed this several weeks ago...but you didn't get to hear it...so if you've never heard it, listen to it now and tell me if that melody isn't just the most haunting painfully beautiful music you've ever heard.

3) The Ocean-another beautiful Mae song with gorgeous lyrics...I wish I could write poetry like that..."I need you here tonight just like the ocean needs the waves"  mmm beautiful

4) Chopin Ballade #1-beautiful Chopin...Chopin's good...but Chopin ballades are amazing...this is spectacular compared to his nocturnes, which are good but not fantastic.

5)  O Holy Night-Josh Groban-favorite christmas carol, favorite artist, what more could you ask for?

Merry Christmas!!!

Soundtrack to my Life-Part 7

Hello all...sorry this is late...I was out at a gloriously amazing lecture on poetic form through Shakespeare's formal poetry last night by the amazingly brilliant Mr. Bartel (or Timothy Evan Bartel for those of you who were there ;)

So here we go...and no Tim I still haven't put them online for you to listen to yet...I have fun describing the songs and making you look them up yourselves ;)  Or maybe I'm just lazy...

1) Sing Me To Sleep-Waking Ashland...one of my new favorite groups...they remind me a lot of Mae, except not quite as light and fantasy like, a bit darker and more realistic...but they have the most beautiful piano sound...there are so many songs that I love so I'll show restraint by only listing two of my favorites.

2) All Hands on Deck-also by Waking Ashland...I've actually started picking out the piano part to this one :)

3) Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring-the Amy Grant version...such a beautiful Scottish sound to it :)  

4) Carol of the Bells-Manheim Steamroller (I know I spelled Manheim wrong...deal with it)

5)That's How You Know-Enchanted soundtrack...love this movie, especially after the Dominican ;)  Is good.

and this week I'm doing something different and also giving you one song that I have heard far too many times this week and now hate...I want a hippopatamus for Christmas...i am so sick of that song...and it gets stuck in your head so easily...now i'll go listen to waking ashland to get it out of my head...

*edit-I have now put songs on my blog...and I actually figured it out all by myself :)

Soundtrack to my Life-Part 6

Hello all!

I know you've missed these, haven't you?  How in the world did you survive two whole Thursdays without an update to this playlist?  Haha I hope you managed alright.  I shan't keep you in suspense any longer, so without further ado...

1) Breakdown-Jack Johnson...thank you and happy smiles to Cree for introducing me to this song...very fun sounding, makes me sorta happy meloncholyish to listen to.

2) Bueno Es Alabar-we sang this song more than anything else when we were in the Dominican Republic

3) Lovebug-Speechless...every time our missions group looked at our team t-shirts, the girls would all start singing ;)

4) Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #2-another song introduced to me by a friend...beautiful beautiful beautiful.  Need I say more?

5) Feelin Groovy-Simon and Garfunkle...reminds me of Miss Romero :)