Jesse

Top 100 Songs of 2008
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1.British Sea Power - No Lucifer
2.The Verve - Love is Noise
3.MGMT - Kids
4.Bloc Party - Ion Square
5.We Are Scientists - After Hours
6.Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
7.Weezer - Pork and Beans
8.The Stills - Being Here
9.Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
10.Matt Mays - Terminal Romance

11.The Gaslight Anthem - the 59 Sound
12.The Killers - Spaceman
13.Senses Fail - Family Tradition
14.Finch - Chinese Organ Thieves
15.Katy Perry - Hot n Cold
16.Love in October - Petrula the Destroyer
17.Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care
18.Bon Iver - Skinny Love
19.Kevin Rudolf - Let It Rock
20.Bloc Party - Signs

21.Does it Offend You Yeah? - Epic Last Song
22.The Helio Sequence - Hallelujah
23.Mobile - The Killer
24.The Enemy - This Song is About You
25.Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
26.Coldplay - Viva La Vida
27.Thrice - A Song for Milly Michaelson
28.Danny Elfman - Little Things
29.Matt Mays - Digital Eyes
30.Goldfinger - War

31. The Matches - Wake the Sun
32.The Academy Is.. - His Girl Friday
33.Mindless Self Indulgence - Never Wanted to Dance
34.Kanye West - Street Lights
35.Flobots - Rise
36.Ben Folds - You Dont Know Me
37.Matt Costa - Mr. Pitiful
38.MGMT - Time to Pretend
39.Nine Inch Nails - Discipline
40.Pink - So What

41.People in Planes - Mayday
42.The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
43.Flo Rida - Elevator
44.The Bronx - Knifeman
45.T.I. - Whatever You Like
46.Sigur Ros - Inni Mer Syngur...
47.Kings of Leon - Use Somebody
48.The Dears - Dram Job
49.Kevin Rudolf - Welcome to the World
50.Tokyo Police Club - In A Cave

51.Cold War Kids - Something is not Right With Me
52.British Sea Power - Waving Flags
53.Weezer - The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived
54.Lupe Fiasco - Superstar
55.M83 - Kim & Jessie
56.Vampire Weekend - A-Punk
57.Sam Roberts - Them Kids
58.Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
59.Cute is What We Aim For - Practice Makes Perfect
60.Bayside - Boy

61.Panic at the Disco - Northern Downpour
62.Gym Class Heroes - Cookie Jar
63.The Gaslight Anthem - The Patient Ferris Wheel
64.Lightspeed Champion - I Could Have Done This Myself
65.City and Colour - The Girl
66.Sebastien Grainger - American Names
67.Glasvegas - S.A.D. Light
68.Shiny Toy Guns - Ricochet!
69.TV on the Radio - DLZ
70.Mllencolin - Vicious Circle

71.TV on the Radio - Shout Me Out
72.She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here
73.Sleepercar - A Broken Promise
74.Keane - The Lovers are Losing
75.Underoath - Too Bright to See Too Loud to Hear
76.Bob Mould - Old Highs New Lows
77.Nada Surf - Beautiful Beat
78.Black Kids - Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)
79.People in Planes - Pretty Buildings
80.Say Hi - Shakes Her Shoulders

81.Crystal Castles - Untrust Us
82.Anti-Flag - The Bright Lights of America
83.Kosmonaut - The Deepest Sea
84.Playradioplay - I'm a Pirate, You're a Princess
85.Reggie and the Full Effect - N
86.Snow Patrol - Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands
87.Louis XIV - Air Traffic Control
88.Alkaline Trio - I Found A Way
89.Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
90.The Loved Ones - The Inquirer

91.Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing!
92.T.I. - Swagga Like Us
93.Guillemots - Kriss Kross
94.Lil Wayne - Lollipop
95.Slipknot - Psychosocial
96.Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer
97.Foals - Big Big Love (Fig.2)
98.Small Towns Burn a Little Slower - Rooftops Won't Come To You
99.3OH!3 - Colorado Sunshine
100.The Lonely Island - Jizz in My Pants

Honorable Mentions (101-110)
101.Why? - Good Friday
102.CSS - Rat is Dead
103.The Futureheads - The Beginning of the Twist
104.Protest the Hero - Sequoia Throne
105.Jack's Mannequin - Spinning
106.The Ting Tings - Shut Up And Let Me Go
107.Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss a Beat
108.Anthony Green - Dear Child
109.Norma Jean - Surrender Your Sons...
110.USS - Hollow Point Sniper Hyperbole

==========================

Hi folks. Quick update on my life before I jump into the meat of this entry.

To start, school is well, thanks to all of you who have asked me about how I like McMaster, and if I miss Queen's. Definitely loving Mac (Attack!), and I do not miss the big Q in any way, other then a few people who I still adore. But I get to see them on certain weekends, so it's all right.

The work has returned, and this Saturday, I will be writing two essays, hopefully. A combined 2700 words, oh joy. Both are article reviews, so are fairly basic in a lot of ways, which is good, but can really limit creativity and where you can take it, which isn't that great. I'll let you know how it goes. It's nice to have mental work to do, but it sucks, because I can't watch as much television!

Work (in terms of pay work) is decent. I'm getting more shifts then I'd like, so I've been trading off a bit. I need to talk to the boss-man, and get me working two shifts a week, max. It's a pain to do two night courses, and two work night shifts a week. We'll see how that goes too.

Not much else to talk about. I keep extremely busy and in addition to the readings/work, there's a list of chores/errands I need to do. I need to find some sort of hockey team ASAP, but I fear I've left it way too late.

Also, on a different note, I don't like to get too personal about those close to me, but my mother's got her second surgery of the year tomorrow (the two are unrelated, and this is far less serious, and compared to the first one, is laughable). I'm not one for giving someone a prayer, and I don't really believe much in wishing someone luck, but I'd think it was mighty cool, if everyone could tell their Mother how much they love them tomorrow, the world would be just a bit better.

Ah, that got way too real and mushy for me. Gross. I'd love to continue on with the second half being a grand essay about my thoughts, but really, life's pretty simple right now. I'm busy, which keeps me from thinking too much, and not thinking too much keeps me happy. Although it is different and strenuous at times, I wouldn't change things for the world. So here's a whole bunch of crap about the media I love!
( Media Stuff - Cover Songs, Movies, New Music, Deathmatches, More!?! )

In a blatant reference to Meg's entry, "I think I just had a mediagasm, in my mouth!"

Jesse.

PS: Sorry, but that was the best entry to any LJ ever Meg. So brazen, so strong, so perfect.

Soundtrack:

1. Bruce Springsteen w/Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Steven Van Zandt - London Calling (The Clash Cover)
2. My Chemical Romance - Song 2 (Blur Cover)
3. Editors - Orange Crush (REM Cover)
4. Paul Anka - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana Cover)
5. Polyphonic Spree - Lithium (Nirvana Cover)

Words: 1333

I've noticed a certain dry spell of updates lately. Not much to say about my life really. It's become a fairly boring existence, of easy living and preparing for a move. I'd talk about the move, but what's to say? I'm sure there'll be some sort of "End of An Era" post that I am all-to-prone to writing, but that's not for another week, so why bother talking about it now?

Work is fine. Hockey is fine (I play a lot, like 2-3 times a week, which is awesome, but can be troublesome for making plans), and I hang out with friend(s) a lot. Not much to say about my hanging out habits. It's been a fun summer so far; really different then what I expected, but in a lot of ways, much better because of that difference.

Despite a lack of topics, I still have an urge (when I'm not being lazy/tired/stupid) to write, so I've begun to look outwards for material. An easy topic is music, as anyone who knows me, understands how big of a role it has in my life. I'm constantly listening to music, it means a lot to me, and it's something I have a real passion for (talking about/listening, I have no musical ability myself whatsoever), so I came up with a fairly standard idea, and I now present a list of ten songs that I adore for one reason or another.

I'm just going to write about why I find them so appealing, on a purely musical level. I've talked about certain songs, and how they appeal to me on an emotional level. This entry will have nothing to do with anything personal, it's merely description about the song, and why it's awesome. In these, I'm attempting to disconnect the song from the artist, the album, and the memories. Just a song, and what makes it good.



Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance This song is a story, plain and simple. It tells a unique (for songs at least, not for reality) tale about a person's car accident, and their survival because of their own angel - the one who saved their life. It's fairly compact, but no lyric in the song is wasted, as every one is used to give details about the events, the persons point of view, and the description - providing plenty of details about all three. What makes the song fairly miraculous, is how great it sounds and how catchy it is. The standard rock vehicle of a short song is used to convey a story, and its done in a neat and concise way. It's entirely too smart for its own good, as it succeeds on two levels, of being both a great story and an amazingly fun song without being preachy in telling its story. The opening is great, as it sets up the entire thing, and becomes even better when the same lyrics are repeated at the apex of the song, but this time, its joined by the full on rock force of the song. It's very rocking and pretty hard at points, but never loses its focus of telling a horrific yet wonderful story.

Sparta - Collapse It starts out fairly plain and simple. Some slight guitars and some quiet yet rhythmic synth in the background (that never truly leaves). The lyrics take over, and are kind of odd (hosts sewing their eyes sewn shut), but fit the tone, as they're quiet and kind of ambient but don't quite fit with the music in an odd way. Then the chorus takes over, and you realize that this song isn't something that impresses right off the bat, it's something that's going to grow into something magnificent. Violins get added, which only adds to the kind of quiet hold it has over the listener, as it bridges the gaps between the lyrics. Continuing its very slow build (the song seems to go on for eternity, but clocks in at just over four minutes which is an amazing feat), the vocals and music build, and finally come together and a roaring "Yeah" let's you know that its approaching it's peak. Before it does however, it breaks itself down only to build itself up again (what a shocker) to an amazing point, with a fine denouement. Once its over, you just want to hear it again, and see what you missed in the beginning. It starts out plain, and turns into something truly epic and amazing, without really changing that much, which is a bizarre thing to say. The song doesn't change at all, but you're impression of it does, which is kind of beautiful.

Note: My livejournal just hit new peaks of arrogance, with the use of the word denouement.

In Flames - The Quiet Place It's a haunting song, almost spooky. Vocally, it jumps from scratchy and nervous whispers describing whats happening, but breaks down into utter chaos and brutality at points as the screaming takes over, yet at points, there's some really nice choral parts, with humming along in the background. It's like a song from a movie and while being so haunting and kind of scary, it still manages to be really catchy and have an awesome rhythm and beat to it. It builds well (something I love in any song), and breaks down into near silence and proceeds to build itself back up via whispers and screams to its peak of catchy intensity. Lyrically, its fairly standard metal stuff (there's not a whole lot of deviation in metal lyrics I find), but it doesn't matter, as the song works on the noises it makes. Vocals and instruments combine to form a creepy yet oddly compelling song that makes you want to sneak around corners and plan heists.

Straylight Run - Existentialism on Prom Night Just a truly beautiful song. There's not much to it, other then its meant to be a beautiful piece of music. It's a love song, lyrically and musically, but a really great one. It's also self-reflexive, as it urges the listener to "sing like no one's listening", right before the song builds in tempo and the sing-a-longness jumps dramatically, almost like a cue for the listener to shout to the world what they're listening to. Which, in a way, is just like love, it's something that is kept to oneself a lot of times, but at other times when it's pure, it simply must be shouted from the mountain tops. To turn a pun, it's a lovely song, and a thing of complete and utter beauty, just the like the object of one's loving affection.

Brand New - Sic Transit Gloria Perhaps the most infectious bass line that I can think of (off the top of my head), this song is a beast of sexuality. The song drips sexuality, lyrically and musically. Lyrically is the obvious one, as its a song about sex and getting in over your head to get laid. However musically, its even more sexual, as the rhythmic bass thumps along while the guitars fluctuate up and down, and get really hypnotic at points, almost making you lose control of your senses, as it all swirls around you. Layered vocals add to this sexual tone, as it feels like the same person is all around you, encompassing your world saying the same thing, but from multiple places. This song is sex. It starts out fairly tame, and builds and builds, until it oozes sensuality, and you get lost in the moment, when the song breaks down and the guitars take over, and you get lost in a moment of a loss of control.

Note: After writing that last part, I appreciate the song a lot more, and it was already one of my own personal favorites.

Andrew WK - I Get Wet This is such an epic party song. Right off the start, you're meant to be pumped up, as the different levels of guitar just build up in a such a great rock and roll kind of way, that you just want to bob along, no matter where you are. Lyrically, its really minimal (the title is all you need to know), but the lyrics are almost pointless in the song. Anything could be said, and combined with the build of the song and non stop momentum, it's a nigh-perfect rock out song. It's almost saying that despite it being a perfect party rock song, it was easy to do. It's basically the same three words said over and over, its too easy, just like it is for a person to listen to the song and get lost in their own body movement. It almost epitomizes good rock and roll in a way, where you might not even realize you're enjoying it, but then you look down and, at the very least, you're foot is moving along to the beat. This song transcends the mind, and you just feel it, and your body reacts. Its a mindless affair, just like rock and roll fun - you just enjoy it, and you don't think about it at all (unless you're me).

Finch - What It Is To Burn Beauty meeting brutality, it's like a Disney movie, but with more screaming! What It Is To Burn is creepy and harsh at points, yet oddly soft and pretty throughout the course of the song. The guitars are fairly repetitive throughout the entire thing, but manage to pull the song together from its jagged and weird beginnings, to the ending, which is the high of all highs, in which the song has gotten so powerful, that normal singing just doesn't do the trick anymore - it has to be screamed, full bore, and in your face. It's not an up and down ride, it's more of a slow build to a low, then an extreme jump to the peak of musical and vocal power, as we're incessantly reminded that "She Burns", while the guitars manage to sound like violins and be shockingly beautiful. To end, the song fades out in a similar way to it's fade-in at the start, with short bursts of higher toned guitars. I love to throw about the term epic in this (epic, pretty, and fun are my three favourite words to describe music), and this song probably isn't epic, but it's peak is tremendously high, and it drags the listener along with it, to always remind them about the burning, whether it be in a heart, the sun, or otherwise.

Queen Featuring David Bowie - Under Pressure Another song that starts out really small and simple, but builds into an inspiring and beautiful epic tune. Using duel vocals (Bowie and Mercury) to play off each other works well, as at the start, they rarely combine, and almost seem to be dueling with each other. At points they combine, to give a glimpse at the ending, in which they truly come together (in harmony at least) to give a full force assault on the ears of the listener, urging the reminder that its the "last dance...". Vocally, its easy to notice how great the song is, and how well the pair play off each other to build an epic, but musically, its brilliant too. The opening clip is great (or at least, in Vanilla Ice's mind), and lingers in the background at points, while the song builds up in crescendo to match up with the vocals. It's chilling at points, inspiring at others, but by the end, its a complete and utter epic in song form. The song has tremendous highs, but they are made to seem even higher, because of how low it gets at points, with just some light vocals and snap. It's a series of valleys and mountain peaks, and it's really amazing.

Yellowcard - Believe To start, lyrically the songs really powerful. Blatantly dealing with the 911 tragedy, this song is an oddball, as songs with such an upbeat tempo and tone, generally don't deal with such harsh and serious subject matter. It's a fairly simple powerful pop punk song complete with the kind of obligatory feel good lyric "everything is gonna be alright" times three, and simple punk guitars and drums. What makes the song so special, is how uplifting it really is. It's about a very real tragedy, and it doesn't pander like a lot of stuff, and its actually kind of subtle (it takes you a few listens to realize what its about), and its completely free of standard musical angst, which makes it something truly special for a pop punk song. Even the sound bite fits in well (something, that if done wrong, can kill a song), as it continues the theme of the song during the build up to the big finale, which brings this song to its epic and hopeful glory.

Matthew Good - While We Were Hunting Rabbits To put it simply, this song is grand. It's huge. It's a beast of powerful rock and roll, while still being soft and relaxing. Perhaps my favourite song, it swirls into existence with guitars spinning in a way that makes you think that perhaps you've already missed something, and the song's already started. Then the drums hit, and the song truly starts, with powerful vocals that seem slightly random, but by the end, they make sense. It's kind of ambient in a lot of ways as there's not always a lot of noise to digest, just some heavy drums, the vocals, and slight guitars which fade in and out of the background. It goes through a series of ups and downs, with numerous building points, as it drops to a low whisper, before methodically returning to great heights. The song is a journey, which matches the lyrics of the piece, such as "I'm just a boat on the ocean, and I'm just a ship lost at sea." It's a song about traveling, and the journey one takes to achieve our own heights, but it never forgets that in order to get to those heights, one must always experience the lows. The song ends with an instrumental outro, that lasts a minute and a half, and continues the previous five or so minutes of winding roads to glory, as well as shame. Truly, an amazing song.



Well, that took entirely too long, but it's something I really like. It's definitely a hefty read, but I think it's worth it. At the very least, it was a good undertaking to write, and I feel the results make it worth the effort I put in. I'd love some feedback on this one, so if you have any sort of intelligent comments about this, take a shot. If it's stupid jokes, please don't bother, as I'll be really unimpressed and probably delete them.

Jesse.

PS: I really like this entry, as I took a concept, and fought my guy instincts on a lot of it. It forced me to think outside the box in a way, and describe stuff in a way that might be more general, but is less common to myself.

Soundtrack:
See above.
My Last.FM

Words: 2610