3. Beirut “The Flying Club Cup”

Another great find. I got in to this album when I watched some of Beirut’s performances in Vincent Moon’s film project on Lablogotheque. I love the different instruments used, I love the gypsie street music feel to it, I love the fact that it brings be back to the Middle East every time I listen to it. The whole sound of this album is so different than other material I’ve listened to.Azeem!Momtaz! Using the favorite expression of my friend Jawad, this album is “fantastic!”

1. In The Mausoleum
2. St. Apollonia
3. Nantes

4. Coldplay “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” and “Prospects March”
I remember downloading this album the night it came out and listening to the entire album song by song. I remember hearing Life in Technicolor for the first time and just getting pumped for the rest of the album. I then recall listening to this album multiple times through, daily, for the next month. With the addition to “Prospects March” (the EP released after “Viva la Vida”) Coldplay’s 2008 was, well… Brilliant!

1. Lovers In Japan
2. Glass of Water
3. Death and All His Friends

5. Sigur Ros “Takk...”

This is a band that honestly every time I listen to any of their albums I constantly think about the beauty of creation and God and is never ending love…I think about the reward gained after a great risk. The exhilaration of trying something that scares you. To sum it up…for me…listening to Sigur Ros is an emotional overload, and I love it.

1. Glosoli
2. Saeglopur
3. Hoppipolla

6. She & Him “Volume One”

Although I’ve never been one for celebrity crushes…I must admit…I have a celebrity crush on singer/actor Zooey Deschanel. The reason why I ADmire Zooey is due to her beautiful voice which is on full display in her folksie debut album with M.Ward, who, yes, is her boyfriend…I know…I will allow your condolences. The album, which has a mixed folk/doo-wop sound to it, is full of cover songs as well as some songs written by both Zooey and M.Ward. I listen to this album all the way through time and time again and it never fails to put a smile on my face, a leap in my step, and well…it just makes me feel so dog-gone happy…

1. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here
2. This Is Not A Test
3. I Was Made For You

Question of the day: Why is the Arab world the only notable group of people outraged by Israel's attacks on Gaza, which left 225 dead, many civilians? Personally I feel we all should be outraged. I get the argument that their going after terrorist that threaten their nation, but...that does not give them the right to have utter lack of regard for civilian life...and its not like this is the first time this has happened. I get the fact that there has been villains on both side's of the field...but lets face it...Palestinians have gotten BY FAR the worst end of the deal. I'm sick and tired of this act. The UN needs to step up, America needs to step up, people need to step up and hold Israel accountable. I admit that I'm not an expert on the current situation but when a country like Israel did what they did, and fully defends the result...it can't be ignored. I encourage everyone to look into the issue themselves and not just take my rant as fact. That's all.

7. Pearl Jam “Rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991-2003)”

Due to the fact that this is a greatest hits album you honestly can’t go wrong with this 2 disc album by Pearl Jam. It seems every time I pick up the album again after a recent hiatus I find a new song that I fall in love with. Eddie Vedder had “the voice” long before Creed, Nickelback, and a handful of other bands destroyed it. I honestly can’t believe I’m giving Creed or Nickelback the blessing of mentioning their names in this article. Hey, they may be good guys, but their music is so extremely ordinary and knock off (in my opinion)…ugggh..annnnnywaysss….Pearl Jam is one of the few great “rock bands” left. With Vedder’s raspy voice and Gossards incredible guitar prowess…anyone should be sold right off the bat, but for the thick-headed…it might just take a listen through both discs before one throw’s up the white flag. Since this is a 2 disc album, I’m going to give you 2 Top 3’s:

Disc 1

1. Animal
2. Rearviewmirror
3. Not For You

Disc 2

1. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
2. Off He Goes
3. Nothingman

8. Cat Power “The Greatest”

Oh, Chan Marshall…How I love your voice. With her distinct voice and bluesy sound Chan Marshall or “Cat Power” is my remedy of choice when I just need to reeelax. For those of you who have never heard of her…you need to, in my opinion she’s one of those artists that everybody needs to listen to. Get on it!Yalla! Here’s the first 3 songs to listen to:

1. The Greatest
2. Willie
3. Love & Communication

Sleep in heavenly peace...

5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

9. Radiohead “In Rainbows”


I must admit, one of my favorite moments of last fall was a phone call I got from one John David Sachs who announced with much enthusiasm that Radiohead’s new album “In Rainbows” had official came out and…it was…at the price of my choice? What?! I remember listening through the whole album into the wee hours of the night, and just feeling ever so warm inside as crashed my head onto my pillow that night. I remember falling asleep to one of the prettiest songs I had heard to date “Videotape”. If you haven’t already, listen to these:

1. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
2. Reckoner
3. Videotape

10. Bob Dylan "The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan"

Yes, I really do enjoy his voice but for those of you who already enjoy Bob Dylan you already know that its his lyrics that make Dylan’s songs so powerful. I know I could write a massive essay trying to persuade all you Dylan “haters” to Dylan “lovers” but I know its probably not worth my time. “Girl from North Country” is one of only a handful of songs that can make my eyes misty almost every time I listen to it. Listen to it and definitely listen to these:

1. Oxford Town
2. A Hard Rain’s A- Gonna Fall
3. Talkin’ WWIII Blues

Best Sounds of the Year:

A top 10 list from Aaron M.Williams...


Throughout the next 10 days I will be counting down my favorite albums I've listened to this year. The list is not exclusively for albums that were released in the 2008 fiscal year, rather the list will be comprised of any album from any year that I've listened to this year. Enjoy!

...White Christmas (My house+snow Part 2)

View from the top of the barn



The River



The River yet again...




the 'ole blue tractor

I'm dreamin' of a...

Some pictures I recieved from mom & pop's. I miss this...

Before grace I wasn't "worth the blood that runs in my veins."

Speaking of Chan...I had to post this. More great lyrics, and you gotta love her energy!

Chan Marshall is one of my favorite singers. I recently heard this song she covered ,originally written by Bob Dylan, for the first time and it gave me chills. Every time I listen to it I think of all those around the world that actually pay the cost for what they believe in.

"I Believe In You"

They ask me how I feel
And if my love is real
And how I seem
To think that I know
I'm gonna make it through
They looked at me and frowned
They drove me from this town
They don’t want me around
Because I believe
They showed me to the door
They said don't come back no more
We don't like the way
You think you do
So I walked on my own
One thousand miles from my home
But I don't feel alone
'Cause I believe, I do

I believe in you even through all
Tears and laughter
I believe in you, even though
We're apart
I believe in you, even in

The common laughter
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
And when the night is disappearing
This feeling will still
Be here in my heart
In my heart

Please don't let me drift too far
Keep me safe and sound where you are
So I'll always be renewed
And what you've given me here today
Is worth everything I've made
No matter what everyone might say

Because I believe
I believe, I believe
I believe, I believe in you
I believe in you
When we've had no time together
I believe in you
When white turns to black.
I believe in you
Even though we'll all be a number
I'll be oh your earth will be shaken
And friends will be forsaken
Please, we can't go back
I believe in you