"Intro" - The XX

I'm going instrumental tonight, Khim. I just downloaded this song, and it's getting to me in so many different ways. If I had to try and pinpoint something particular, I'd have to say the drums really make me get very excited about this song. Right around 23 seconds, when they first start, because the beginning is my favorite part. Everything just seems to work together so beautifully. This is one of those songs that has you kind of silently jamming with your eyes closed. Does that make sense to you? And then when the voices chime in, I get goosebumps. I love a song that can do that to me.

It makes me feel inspired to be creative. We all need a little more of that in our lives, don't we?

Listen HERE.

Until next week, dear!

"Walking By" - Something Corporate

So I thought I would try blogging about music again, only things will be a little different this time because I'm going to be talking specifically to my friend, Khim. She's a music lover like me and she's going through a rough time right now, so these songs will hopefully lift her spirits.

Andrew McMahon is one of my favorite musicians, Khim. He's overcome so much that life has thrown at him and his music really reflects that. I've seen the man five times now, and I'm never bored or disappointed.

"Walking By" is one of my favorites. It's one of those beautiful songs that tugs at your heartstrings. The piano combined with the violin and his soft, sweet singing just hits all the right spots. The lyrics have that longing feel, that sad yet beautiful yearning to them, and it always makes me feel so content to listen to it. It's one of the first songs I owned by Something Corporate, and it will always be one I hold close. I hope it makes you feel something, too.

Come back next week and I'll have a new song for you. Feel better, sweet girl.

Walking By

<3

The Wrote & The Writ - Johnny Flynn

I'll start out saying that I love folk music. My friend Lexie recommended The Wrote & The Writ to me a while back and I instantly fell in love. Great voice, great lyrics, great guitar; there's so much to love about this song. Johnny Flynn's voice is reminiscent of Johnny Cash; deep and emotional.

I like how it's so soothing. The lyrics are nice, the music is nice, and it's perfect to listen to when you need something calm. Also, the guitar playing is phenomenal. Listen at 2:40 in and you'll hear it. I could cry, it's so beautiful.

There are other versions of this song, but they don't stand up to this in my opinion.

You can listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI-R730VJik

Silversun Pickups "The Royal We"

You've probably heard of Silversun Pickups. They've been around for a few years, but they're just now gaining recognition and popularity on mainstream stations. Pretty amazing band. Rock meets new wave. Decent sounding voice, too. I'm growing very fond of it the more I listen.

The song I want to talk about is The Royal We. It has the coolest sound to it, music and lyrics. Kind of has this suspense/thriller feel to it. I heard the music start and I got goosebumps all over.

The music is upbeat and it gives me a real rush. And there are some strings being played in there somewhere, which is fantastic. Though the guitars are my favorite.

Lyrics wise, this song is completely creepy. But they're thrilling, and they tell a pretty freaky story. Songs that do this are extremely fun to listen to because you can find so much inspiration in them.

Favorite part -- 1:48-1:54; the music gives me the good chills.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvCiyGz4mO8

More than music

I've been listening to a lot of music lately; a lot of different genres, and I've been struck by everything so much more than usual. It's a rough time right now, for a lot of people, and I can relate to that. I'm going through it, too.

Music is more than an escape. I don't really know how to describe it, to be honest. My discussions as of late tend to fizzle down to incoherent "guh" sounds. It's like I can't make the other person truly understand how incredible that song is we're listening to. "Don't you get it?! Can't you hear what I'm hearing right now?!"

I'm very passionate about things I love. I probably get on a lot of people's nerves when I go all "MUSIC, DO YOU HEAR IT? MUSIC!". I don't want to apologize for that, because music deserves to be flailed over.

Lately, songs are getting me so high that I feel like I'll never come down. So many of them, they just go so deep it's like they're seeping into my bones. I can feel a song pulsing through my veins, pumping through my heart, flowing through. Music is more than sound; it's something I feel I can't describe properly. It makes me hurt inside, like I'm just ready to burst when I hear a song start.

I wish everyone felt this way.

Jeffrey Foucault - "Wild Waste and Welter"

I am completely and utterly in love with this song. It's the epitome of Blues: the lyrics, the guitar, just the whole feel of it. I love Blues, but it's hard to find really good Blues.

This song does something incredible to my ears, and I'm not sure if there is a right word for it. It makes me want to sing and dance and learn how to play the guitar. And the lyrics are truly haunting; a perfect pair to the incredible beat of this song.

And can we talk about his voice for a moment? Because damn. Foucault sings this song with his soul. He makes it sound a bit lazy, but still with an intensity that makes me take a step back while trying to remember to breathe.

This is a song I can listen to over and over without getting sick of it.

You can listen here: http://new.music.yahoo.com/jeffrey-foucault/tracks/wild-waste-and-welter--31793316

But I highly recommend the acoustic version, if you can find it. Because it's a completely different listening experience.

Ryan Levine - "Don't Walk Away"

I'm not exactly sure how long this link will last, but click it and listen to "Don't Walk Away" by Ryan Levine:

Don't Walk Away

The song is beautiful, and the singer has this kind of haunting loneliness in his voice, in the way he sings it.

I never knew exactly what I'd find
Looking down the road of another life
And I never really meant to leave your side
Looking down the road of another life

There is such an intense longing in the lyrics.

No, don't walk away
Tell me all the steps I need to take
No, don't walk away
I know what a fool I've been, and I'll clean the mess I've made

Desperation, and sadness. But the music is soft and beautiful, like his voice.

I heard this song on Numb3rs, my new love affair, and I'm thrilled I heard it. It has made me cry more than once today.

But I'm OK with that.