Music Comebacks and First Timers

I haven't been this excited for a music post in quite a while.  The first two bands are on the rebound after years of no new material.  The last three are bands that aren't well known but have potential.  See them live and get the word out!

The Postal Service - A Tattered Line of String

They haven't had a new song in 10 years. 10 YEARS! Their first CD is among my favorite of all time.  Death Cab is great, but I like Ben Gibbard's side project better.



Phoenix - Entertainment

I actually heard this on the radio in LA today.  Their new album drops in a few months.



And here are the bands you might not have heard of...

Family of the Year - What A Surprise

They have a song called Hero that's starting to get some airplay on the radio, but I heard this one about a year ago and like it more.  I listen to it on repeat.



The Last Bison - Switzerland

They were originally just called 'Bison' but changed their name.  Their full length album is due soon.



Chamberlin - A Pleasant Conversation Over Drinks

I first heard of this band's Cabin Covers cover album (check those out, too).  This is one of their originals.



Which is your favorite?  What else are you listening to?

Pursuing Happiness Vs. Living A Meaningful Life

Read this interesting article for the difference between pursuing happiness and living a meaningful life.

A few favorite quotes:

"Happiness without meaning characterizes a relatively shallow, self-absorbed or even selfish life, in which things go well, needs and desire are easily satisfied, and difficult or taxing entanglements are avoided..."

"Meaning is not only about transcending the self, but also about transcending the present moment -- which is perhaps the most important finding of the study, according to the researchers. While happiness is an emotion felt in the here and now, it ultimately fades away, just as all emotions do... Meaning, on the other hand, is enduring. It connects the past to the present to the future. "Thinking beyond the present moment, into the past or future..."

Despite the negative connotations of only trying to live a happy life, this is still one of my favorite cover songs of all time.

Lissie - Pursuit of Happiness (Kid Cudi cover)

2012 In Review

It's been a year of tough changes, ups and downs... 2012 started out with a lot of promise and then took a nose dive.  I officially moved across the country, fell in love with a girl, bought a new car, completing 60 days of Insanity (and sett a record for page views on my blog), UK won the national championship, turned 30 and had my best friends help me celebrate.  And just when things were looking great, I got my world turned upside down and ripped apart.

But the only depressing thing I want to focus on is the fact that I didn't get any stamps on my passport this year (I don't make resolutions on New Year's, but I guess this is one!) but I did get to see Alcatraz at night, Yosemite, Boston, Philadelphia and Upper New England for the first time.

I traveled 179,000 miles on Delta, took more than a month's worth or red eye flights and saw 4 new states.  I'm hoping this year brings me more leisure travel!  I'm targeting Denver, Seattle, Vancouver and anywhere far, far abroad as my travel goals for the year.

I spent New Year's relaxing on my couch with Brandon and Kelly, a couple I know from my time in Atlanta that recently decided leave Houston and move to San Francisco.  Tim drove up and my neighbor Michelle walked over.  We had a nice, quiet and stress free countdown to 2013.

Before I close up, who can forget the music?  My Best Songs of 2012 list defined, motivated and sometimes consoled me during the year.  There are some great new bands in there - let me know what you think of it all.  And Happy New Year, I really hope it's better than the last! 

Best Songs of 2012

In my annual tradition of collection my favorite songs of the year, check out this year's Top 10. Here are the lists from 2009, 2010 and 2011 for a look back in time.

My favorite album of the year is actually a cover album of Fleetwood Mac hits.  But on to the individual songs.

10. The Mountain Goats - This Year

I debated on whether I wanted to put this on the list at all... but I heard it on XM over the holidays in a time when I was down and needed a good laugh. "I'm going to make it through this year if it kills me." Very true.


9. Kanye West ft. Big Sean & Jay-Z - Clique

Kanye and Jay-Z never cease to get my head bopping.


8. Atlas Genius - Trojans

I think this band is on the up and up.


7. Tim McMorris - Overwhelmed

I first heard this song on a Sam Adams commercial.


6. Fun. - Some Nights

This song definitely got overplayed on the radio, but it's still pretty good. They had a really strong first album.


5. Phillip Phillips - Home

I'm not an American Idol fan, but this former contestant is really good. At first I thought it was a Mumford & Sons song.


4. Walk The Moon - Anna Sun

Very interesting music video, but another new band that I hope turns out more music.


3. Of Monsters And Men - Little Talks

This is their debut song and they've had a little radio exposure of a few since then. Little Talks is still my favorite.


2. Imagine Dragons - It's Time

The studio version is great but I like this one even better.


1. The Lumineers - Ho Hey

I used to text my ex some of the lyrics ("I belong with you," etc...) and I really considered it 'our song'... the things that made me happy from it now make me sad, but it's just as powerful. It mentions places in New York that I am near and I still find myself humming it when I am in New York City. I'd really like to see this band live in the coming year.