People haven’t forgotten their winless performance last year, and have used this to dismiss this squad as this generation’s version of last generation’s NU. However, the UAAP has a way of turning the tables on unsuspecting individuals.

A simple win is good, a couple of wins is momentous, but getting into the Final Four is nothing but a miracle for the men's basketball team of UP Fighting Maroons. he ya! Mananalo kami! ASA. =)

Too bad ADMU won. T_T Animo LA SALLE!

UP FIGHT!

[matatapang, matatalino, walang takot

kahit kanino, hinding hindi magpapahuli..

ganyan kaming mga taga UP!]

Tomorrow .. it would be a fight between UP and NU; and between LaSalle and Ateneo. It would be in Araneta. Some games are scheduled to be played in Ultra.

[uaap centennial floor]

Games > 2008-2009

]]> http://mercenarylight.wordpress.com/?p=164 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:07:33 +0000 Shadow Luigi http://mercenarylight.wordpress.com/?p=164 Hello. This is my first song review. I got this one before Mercenary of Light. ;) This song is a pretty good song. It is about a certain relationship between a woman he likes. But she rejects him in all the way's possible. But the song has a rather, joyous cheer to it. He always finds out a way to kick things up a notch. Plus towards the ending to the song all the lyrics of together with 2 voices (as allot of other songs do).

He has allot of similar songs but never quite like this. His songs are best if your in a sad, depressed, or plain bored mood. So I suggest you listen to this song some time. The lyrics to this song are

George Thorogood and the Destroyers with Buddy Guy, August 7, 8pm

Hall & Oats, August 15, 8pm

The Black Crowes, September 13, 8pm

Collective Soul, September 5

Smash Mouth, June 27, 9pm

Book Online here.

It was entitled as 1 vs. 50. Dien and me was chosen to represent the-ever-popular-and-famous block 4 of political science. Remember the P-O-Llll-S-C-I-Blk4 cheer? I really had fun hearing those. At first, I thought the game show questions would be relevant to the sponsor (ENCM), and it would be something like Who did the posting of Ten Commandments? I just thought it would be like that. Obviously, I was wrong. It would be something different and something comical to others.

The mob against the 1 was composed of different freshmen from different courses, the mob was actually 52 when it started. I was very nervous that time. I don't want to disappoint my block mates. I told Dien that we really have to reach the second question before getting eliminated. She agreed then laughed. "Nakakahiya kapag una palang tapos na tayo," she told me.  I agreed.

The brave "one" who dare to test his wits against 52 is a professor in UP Manila, also a graduate of Biochemistry in University of the Philippines. He looks like Yao Ming wearing glasses with thick lens. One of the mobs told me that he was a summa cum laude. WTF.

The first question was too easy, no one got eliminated as expected. The next set of questions got tricky and there was this one question that made the 52 mobs into 36. What is Dora the Explorer's nationality? Dien and I argued and agreed that Dora is a Spanish. "Ang itim kaya nya, she can be a mexican, and mexicans do speak spanish," a mob from the back told her co-mob. Dora is so pretentious. LOLS. And as i expected, Dora's nationality is Spanish. Thanks for my sister who insists on watching this gimikera. =)

Dien and I made it to the top 17. We won over the one. He didnt know whether Kitchie Nadal is from UP, DLSU or Ateneo. She was from LaSalle. And Dien and I answered it right. We got a 176 peso prize each. We reached the 3000 pesos money tree. I really had fun with this event specially with Dora the Explorer's nationality confusion. Remember, it is the Iskolar ng Bayan's weakness, Dora the Explorer.

When I got home, it's already 730 pm. My mom got mad at me since my dismissal is only 4pm. We argued. I silently argued with her. And she commented something that piss me off. She told me that I was just malling or nag gagala. I was so tired by that time that I got angry. She reprimanded me and took my allowaces, she told me that I have to bring lunch instead of money.

Moms do consider some laws but not the law of "Innocence Until Proven Guilty."

--------------

I am excited to the coming orientation of UP Manila Debate Circle. It's the wilingness that I have. It will be on June 30 and July 4. I don't have any plans of joining PoLiS. It's too boring for me. I hope I will be able to join the Debate Circle and the Indayog Dance Varsity.

I'm your recent adaptation
Time to redefine me

Let the word out I've got to get out
Oh I'm feeling better now
Break the news out I've got to get out
Oh I'm feeling better now

Oh I'm happy as Christmas
All wrapped to be seen
I'm your recent acquisition
Time to celebrate me

Let the word out I've got to get out
Oh I'm feeling better now
Break the news out I've got to get out
Oh I'm feeling better now

The world's done shaking
The world's done shaking
The world's done shaking me down

The world's done shaking
The world's done shaking
The world's done shaking me down

My first day of class in UP is very memorable. It's not because of new things, neither about new shirts nor allowances, it's because of the UP environment.  Several instances in my second day is when someone beside you will hand out a paper to you, discussing TOFI (Tuition and Other Fees Increase), and how the president made their life miserable. There are also flyers inviting freshmen to join certain organizations. And some papers regarding the University Rule (Prohibition of Joining Fraternities and Sororities for Freshman). In UP, you get to know the difference between life and fantasy, you get to know what is reality.

UNREALISTIC

I myself in high school enjoys a lot of malling, eating and group outings. These things were the very things that made me blind to the reality. I spend my money for usual luxury stuffs, eating in an expensive resto once a week, buying branded things, and watching movies.  My money is being use in a non-profitable situations. I enjoy life. I really don't bother about the risings of cost of commodities, Its very unrealistic.

REALITY

UP made me realize that there is more to life than material things. Immersion in an environment like UP made me think out-of-the-box.  There's no more luxurious spending because I now know the reality. Is it a good idea to know what is happening? or It is safer to go back to the unrealistic life? But I still can't take myself away from the usual spendings, I am still a teenager, enjoying life but never forgetting that I personally need to formulate solutions from the problems that I see.

----

One day,

mom: "Yung oble sa poster may sablay na pantakip"

cleve: It is because Oble had given up. This sablay that covers the body of Oble signifies sacrifices with limits. Its not like the old time where Oble wear nothing but a fig leaf. And that nothing signifies full sacrifice to the humanity. "I have nothing to offer to the humanity but myself"

See? I've been getting alot of realities.

UP is radical. Radical to make change.

I've been getting a lot of views because of Havaianas. According to wordpress, there are 15 internet users today who use the word Havaianas to get to my blog.

That's good. So, to get more readers, i'd be posting pictures of Havaianas' flip-flops. These are the latest editions or variants of their flip-flops. If you want to read my previous post about the flip-flops, click here.

But I decided not to do it, the havaianas.com site is taking time to load. Every single click needs a two to three minute loading time. Just check the previous post, I ain't got time to waste, summer is over. And UP is getting me overloaded.

--------

Since I am an official "iskolar ng bayan" now, it would be better if i start to write things in our native language. hays.

Ang pagbati para sa mga freshman ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Manila ay naganap sa bulwagang Fleur De Liz (St. Paul) na matatagpuan sa harap ng gusali ng Kolehiyo ng Medisina (not exactly though). It started with the entrance of colors and the entrance of the officials of UP Manila. Present in the welcome assembly for centennial freshman are Hon. Shahana Abdulwahid, the Student Regent, the Chancellor of UP Manila, the Special Assistants to the Chancellor, Director of Institutes, Dean of Colleges, Secretaries of respective colleges, faculty, student assistants and not but not the least, are the freshmen.

The opening remark was entertaining, i was laughing the whole time. It was delivered by the Chancellor of UP Manila whose name is already out of my memory. His "pang aalaska sa diliman made the whole crowd laugh." He emphatically said that Diliman maybe the flagship campus but Manila is the top and premiere of all the seven constituents. He even said that UP Manila is the best of the seven campuses. There are lot of things that made us laugh, the comparison between Manila and Diliman, his side comments about the guest speaker (student regent) and things that are not usually said by Chancellors. The guest speaker isa graduate of UP Diliman kaya palaging nag eexcuse yung Chancellor kapag ina alaska niya yung Diliman. He even told the student regent to be seated and not to walk-out. The Student Regent, Hon. Shahana Abdulwahid was very amused by the opening remarks of the Chancellor.

Oblation scholars were presented, the ever-popular indayog dance varsity and UP Manila Chorale gave an intermission. Ah, there was also an intermission number from the Kulintang group. Its good to see that there are still students interested in playing Kulintang. The Indayog Dance Varsity was not very prepared as i see it, they made me feel bad .. the blockings, the timing, dancers were not synchronized, but I love the "sandaang taon na tayo step." And I would surely try my best to be in that dance varsity.

The incoming freshmen were introduced to the Chancellors by their respective Deans. Then, the Guest Speaker was introduced.

Hon. Abdulwahid stood up, went into the podium and something happened unexpectedly. (for them, its not!) They made a lightning strike (tama ba?). A simple rally to be able their grievances be heard. I was very amused in that thing. I wonder how it feels to fight what you believe for.  Of course, its still about the Tuition and Other Fee Increase (TOFI), they called it the "Commercialization of Education."

Abdulwahid's speech is very expected though I like the way she became Student Regent.

The UP Naming Mahal was played, several students did something with their hands in the last part of the song, i think, that is how they do it. Kapag kumakanta nun, kailangan mo atang itaas yung right hand mo then, i-momove na parang sa rally. It's amusing in my part.

I was amazed all the time.

My favorite part is when they  played UP Ang Galing Mo, i want to dance when i hear the song. LSS nga eh. It caught me, kaya kabisado ko na ngayon. I'll share a copy of lyrics and a download link of MP3 ng UP ANG GALING MO!

UP Ang Galing Mo!

Narito kami nagpupugay
Sa unibersidad ng aming buhay
Ikaw pa rin ang binabalikan
‘Di pa rin malilimutan
Ikaw ang UP naming mahal

Salamat sa iyong mga guro
Salamat sa inyong pagtuturo
Taglay niyo ang kahusayan
Taglay niyo ang karunungan
Hinubog niyo kami sa kabutihan

Sandaang taon na tayo
Lagi ka pa rin sa aming puso
Kaya’t kami sumasaludo
UP ang galing mo!
UP ang galing mo!

Wala nang iba pang maihahambing
Sa talino mo’t angking galing
Daanin man sa siyensya
Hi-tech man o kahit ano pa
Ikaw UP ang nangunguna
Sa iyong mga dugo ang kasaysayan
Dumaloy sa pag-unlad ng ating bayan
Sagisag ka ng kagitingan
Bandila ka ng kalayaan
Pag-asa ka ng mamamayan

Sandaang taon na tayo
Lagi ka pa rin sa aming puso

Sandaang taon na tayo
UP ang galing mo!
UP ang galing mo!

Sandaang taon na tayo
Dangal ka ng Pilipino
Sentro ka ng pagbabago
UP ang galing mo!

Sandaang taon na tayo
UP ang galing mo!
UP ang galing mo!

UP ANG GALING MO.mp3 [download]

The only way to get an invitation is to add Sneaky Sunday to your profile.

Click on "Become a Fan" Here!

Student No. 2008-00**6 Blk. No. 4

College of Arts and Science     BA Political Science

SUBJECTS                                  TIME

COMM I                                     8:30a-10:00a       Tuesday and Friday

HISTORY I                                  1:00p-2:30p        Monday and Thursday

MATH I                                      11:30a-1:00p       Tuesday and Friday

NATSCI I                                    2:30p-4:00p         Monday and Thursday

SOC SCI I                                   10:00a-11:30a      Tuesday and Friday

PE 2 ARNIS                                 9:00a-11:00a        Thursday

NSTP

[GLORIA STEP DOWN-CAS STUDENT COUNCIL STAMPED]

I saw Collective Soul in February 2008 at a local Casino venue and they were really good – great energy on stage by all the band members, a string of hit songs that were easy to sing along to – but although the crowd was appreciative, they never really got ‘wound up’. It seemed they were more into being entertained in comfort, than they were in participating in a rock show experience (probably due to the venue being all reserved seating and catering to the older crowd).

Collective Soul returned to Vancouver the other night, this time to the Commodore Ballroom; a venue with a bouncing dance floor that was packed to capacity two hours before the band came on stage! We sat (stood) through two opening acts, and the floor only became more jam packed in anticipation and suddenly Collective Soul hit the stage running; three guitar heavy hit songs in a row fired the audience up, boosting the adrenaline rush through the roof.

Singer Ed Roland was on form to perfection – his voice was strong and melodic and he was obviously thrilled by the audience response and repaid our enthusiasm by giving back even more. A few softer songs and when the audience sang a few of the choruses he held out the microphone, all smiles as he listened to us sing. At one point he grabbed his blue acoustic guitar and it didn’t make any sound! Rather than panic as a lesser experienced musician might, he cracked a joke, handed it back to the guitar tech and they ripped into the next song without skipping a beat.

Drummer Ryan Hoyle was a blur – earlier a drum tech deposited 5 weighted sandbags onto the rug that holds the drum kit in place on the slippery floor – without that extra weight, I had visions of Ryan pounding the skins with such precision and fervor that they’d come toppling down! The man is simply amazing to watch. And Joel Kosche – Joel wrote one of the songs the band performs: I Don’t Need Any More Friends. Fabulous voice, excellent song, talented guitar player.

Great song by Collective Soul, it's both rocky and melodic at the same time, and it's called "Shine" from their 1993 debut album, "Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid". The lyrics aren't really introspective or anything, but the singer sings them well. I really love the guitar solo midway through the song. Unfortunately, this song kind of rises above the other songs and is definitely the stand out song - not to say that the other songs on the album are bad, they just don't have the same punch to them.

Another favorite, this one's "World I Know" from their 1995 self-titled sophomore album. I'm sure many people that listened to 90's rock would know this song, "Shine", and the "December". Now this is a thinking man's/woman's song, that's for sure. "So I walk up on high, and I step to the edge, to see my world below. And I laugh at myself, as the tears roll down, cause it's the world I know, yes it's the world I know". That lyric there says it all - the song is talking about a person's revelation that he loves this world and does not want to commit suicide, like he was thinking of. The video makes it even clearer, showing a man that's depressed that then climbs up on a building and stands on the edge, where he decides not to jump because he realizes he loves this world (love the people walking on the sidewalk mimicking the ants scattering about). It's a powerful song for someone who's ever considering suicide. The music does the song justice too, with plenty of strummed acoustic guitar, melodic electric guitar that gives the song a nice edge without being bombastic, and strings. The lyrics are sung with emotion, and the video is also artful in its use of color (blue to reflect the general gloomy atmosphere, and normal colors to reflect a happier atmosphere). All and all, classic ballad of the 90's in my book.

Speaking of "December", here it is, and this one's also full of plenty of acoustic guitar and some more melodic electric guitar, as well as some violin thrown in. The lyrics aren't too happy, such as: "Why follow me to higher ground? Contagious as you think I am". They seem to be about someone who's been betrayed or has a lack of trust (slight cynical sound too), and the anger that comes from that. Overall, another good 90's ballad.

Surprisingly, though Collective Soul is known mostly for their ballads, their self-titled album actually rocks pretty hard. Here's an example of that - "Where the River Flows":

I plan to be posting more often now, as long as I can get in the habit of doing so. Here's some post I plan on making:

• Offspring videos (Dirty Magic, Self Esteem, Gone Away)
• Cracker (Low), Lynyrd Skynyrd (Saturday Night Special or On the Hunt), Porcupine Tree (Up the Downstair or Radioactive Toy), Chevelle (The Red)
• System of a Down (Toxicity, B.Y.O.B., Hypnotize)
• New poem (written last week) and older ones (middle period)

I'm new to Collective Soul, only having heard their 'Disciplined Breakdown' album previously. This new album is just as Ed Roland describes it; it's a love album.

On first listen, you'd brush some of the songs off as too simplistic, ballads, or just pure radio edit versions, but if you listen again; to the lyrics, to the thoughts behind the words, and to the depth and overlay of the instruments the band is playing, you begin to realize how good this band really is.

The album starts out strong with 'New Vibration'; a rocking tune that gets the blood pumping and toes tapping.

'What Can I Give You' is a love song from lead singer Ed Roland to his wife and it's solid without being sappy or syprupy.

'Never Here Alone' has Roland singing about his deceased father but although it starts out somewhat sad, it ends with hope; "I'm starting back where love begins, Gonna get me those blue skies, those blue skies again"

'Bearing Witness' has mixes of spiritual and personal elements, and what I get from the song is that he's head over heels in love with his wife, and is bearing witness to that love by keeping his marriage vows pure while he's away on tour. There are other elements in this song, but its a definite love song and a public declaration I think. It's my favorite song on the album.

'All That I Know' and 'Hollywood' are the two most radio friendly tunes on the album. 'All that I know' is hip, pop, and makes you want to sing along. 'Hollywood' is the one song that doesn't seem to fit on this album, especially if you view the entire album as a testiment to love and relationships.

'I Dont Need Anymore Friends' is guitarist Joel Kosche's first foray into lead singer and he has a fantastic voice. It's strong and melodic and he needs to sing more often!

'Good Morning After All' is a bittersweet song. It's a testiment to Ed and brother Dean's mother, and the daily struggles she faced after the death of her spouse. They lost a father, but she lost a husband. It's a hopeful song too though - as you listen to the lyrics it shows how their mother still had/has her faith and the will to carry on. It's also a song of respect - the respect Ed has for his mother, and how he sees her as a person, not just his mom.

'Persuasion of You' is my least favorite song off the album, mainly due to the sound of it, and 'Georgia Girl' is a bluesy sounding tune that you have to listen to more than once to find the message.

The album ends (fittingly I thought) with 'Adored.' It's almost totally accoustic; just the singer and a guitar or two. In it, Ed gives recognition to the fact that he has a good life with people that love him, speaks about not taking anything for granted, and how the love of his life keeps his head screwed on straight by telling him to count his blessings when he feels the world crushing in on him.

This entire album is a glimpse into the heart and mind of Ed, and to a lesser degree the rest of the band. On the surface it's a pop album and people will get some great tunes from it. Look a little deeper and you will come away with a sense of hope and joy and realizing that this band is anything but ordinary.

All that I know - accoustic video

I dont need any more friends - Joel Kosche live video
 

Gin Blossom
Hey Jealousy

Semisonic
Closing Time
DND
Secret Smile

Collectice Soul
The World I Know
Heavy
December
Listen
Smashing Young Man

I've been listening to songs from 90's this week. December was the very first song I played on my guitar which I already sold away.

Earlier in the week I ended up heading down to Baltimore to shoot a music video for Future Islands, also met other Baltimore artists that I'm psyched on. The shoot was pretty awesome and fun I'd say. Also went out to a diner later in the night.

And now I'm here. Back in the suburbs at my workspace. For some reason I rose at 6 in the morning and decided to start my day heading out to buy supplies for the video. Since then I've been tabulating how much water I need to freeze for the minimal ice sculpturing in the video. I also just finished watching "Ravenous" with Guy Pearce.

Now I'm writing in this blog drinking pepsi mixed with coffee out of a giant "Space Jam" mug that reads SLAM DUNK on the brim with every sip. Unfortunatly, I don't own this one . . .

I'll be working on the music video all weekend, sadly missing the free Boyz II Men concert tonight.
Most Importantly . . .

LIVE, Blues Traveler, and Collective Soul are playing Philadelphia August 8th. If anyones interested in going let me know. It's going to be better then when Better then Ezra toured with Jesus Lizard.

End with an old favorite.

We spent the weekend at the Tenth Annual Taos Solar Music Festival. It's a three-day, multi-band, two-stage event held in Kit Carson Park. Dee and Em's first concert, not counting local gigs where no one would even think of lighting up a joint. No, Taos caused me pause -- Do I even mention what that smell is?


I didn't. Instead, I danced to the fabulous band who in the mid-1990s gave us "December," the song I swear I wanted to record so I could play it on continuous loop during labor.

Soulful. That's a good way to describe lead singer Ed Gould's voice. He hails from Stockbridge, GA, son of a Southern Baptist minister. And I couldn't believe I finally got to hear him in person. Twelve years I've been carrying around those lyrics, buying up CDs, and belting tunes in my car.

Define bliss: (outside-of-ten-years-if-they're-lucky) middle-aged singers reaming strings and throwing microphone stands, wearing tight jeans and blowing kisses to their (assuming-we're-all-destined-to-be-centenarian) middle-aged fans.

I danced my socks off, shook like I was possessed, rattled my arms in the air, whooped, hollered, whistled myself and everyone around me temporarily deaf, and caused my children to wonder, Is this what they mean when they say someone is speaking in tongues?

My one saving grace? I wasn't wearing a leather halter top.



Sweet Nectar

It was only natural that Jim, the Hummingbird Whisperer, would be mesmerized two bands earlier by the liquid flute of native son Robert Mirabal, who hails from Taos Pueblo. A man with a message, Mirabal thanked us for bringing our children. Not me and Jim directly, but all of us Glad-Bag-for-raincoats parents and grandparents.

Kids need music. "They hold the future in their hands," he said. I shivered, stared up at the sky and wondered if the rest of the bands would get rained out.

Then he sang a Circle Song and laughed away the wind, bringing us a still night.


  
Circle Song, Robert Mirabal at the Tenth Annual Taos Solar Music Festival, June 28, 2008, photos © 2008 by Jim. All rights reserved.



Neither Jim nor I (nor anyone in the audience) could keep our eyes off of Silvana Kane, the Peruvian-born singer of Canadian band Pacifika. This woman was pure beauty, inside and out.

"Qué linda las mujeres de Taos," she cooed. "How beautiful the women of Taos are, dancing in their skirts."

We chanted back: "Qué linda!"

    
Beautiful Spirit, Pacifika at the Tenth Annual Taos Solar Music Festival, June 28, 2008, photos © 2008 by Jim. All rights reserved.



Swimming Down Morada Lane

We stayed at Casa Benavides -- the Mabel Dodge Luhan House was full -- and what a delight! Homemade granola, yogurt, and fruit as first course at breakfast, along with coffee so strong that even half-and-half couldn't tame it. Baked goods, French toast, waffles, an egg quiche smothered in red or green.

And another round of baked anything-you-crave from 3-6 pm. Afternoon tea, Taos-style.

From our patio we could hear the music almost as well as if we were at the concert, so we took many walks down Morada Lane, from the park to the inn and back again.

The girls rested, played cards, watched cable, ate lemon bars and pecan pie. Jim and I walked, rested, rocked, rested. Besides the bands mentioned here, we saw or heard Latino sounds, reggae, hip hop, and more.

If you asked my daughters what they loved the most, they might not mention the music. They might say, instead, that they liked shopping the best. Window shopping during our many rounds back and forth, but even better were the Fair Trade vendors at the festival. Tye-dye and sterling silver earrings and beads. Girls love beads.

So in between ice cream and burritos and roasted corn -- festival food -- not to mention tea, my daughters visited all the vendors many times. Each round, Dee and Em would return bearing bracelets or rings, bought with their own money. I helped Dee pick out her first two single earrings, which is to say, earrings worn without a partner. As in a third piercing, perhaps. Hmmm.



                



I loved being with my family doing something we all enjoyed, together and individually. Jim danced his Grateful-Dead-inspired shuffle and it was as if our pre-children lives suddenly merged with our post-children lives. Why hadn't we thought of this before?

My favorite moment? Me in the mosh pit (well, Taos-style) swaying and shaking with friends and strangers; Jim and the girls a safe distance, watching and doing bopping of their own.



        
Folk Mandala, yarn laid into intricate pattern, seen at the Tenth Annual Taos Solar Music Festival, June 28, 2008, photo © 2008 by Jim. All rights reserved.



"I love Collective Soul, Mom," Dee tells me as we make our way back to our room.

"You dance like this, Mom," Em giggles and wiggles her little body as she navigates the sidewalk, throwing her arms this way and that.

I can tell the girls see me anew. For once I'm not just Mom. I'm one with the music, one night in Taos.

That and shin splints.

On first listen, you'd brush some of the songs off as too simplistic, ballads, or just pure radio edit versions, but if you listen again; to the lyrics, to the thoughts behind the words, and to the depth and overlay of the instruments the band is playing, you begin to realize how good this band really is.

The album starts out strong with 'New Vibration'; a rocking tune that gets the blood pumping and toes tapping.

'What Can I Give You' is a love song from lead singer Ed Roland to his wife and it's solid without being sappy or syprupy.

'Never Here Alone' has Roland singing about his deceased father but although it starts out somewhat sad, it ends with hope; "I'm starting back where love begins, Gonna get me those blue skies, those blue skies again"

'Bearing Witness' has mixes of spiritual and personal elements, and what I get from the song is that he's head over heels in love with his wife, and is bearing witness to that love by keeping his marriage vows pure while he's away on tour. There are other elements in this song, but its a definite love song and a public declaration I think. It's my favorite song on the album.

'All That I Know' and 'Hollywood' are the two most radio friendly tunes on the album. 'All that I know' is hip, pop, and makes you want to sing along. 'Hollywood' is the one song that doesn't seem to fit on this album, especially if you view the entire album as a testiment to love and relationships.

'I Dont Need Anymore Friends' is guitarist Joel Kosche's first foray into lead singer and he has a fantastic voice. It's strong and melodic and he needs to sing more often!

'Good Morning After All' is a bittersweet song. It's a testiment to Ed and brother Dean's mother, and the daily struggles she faced after the death of her spouse. They lost a father, but she lost a husband. It's a hopeful song too though - as you listen to the lyrics it shows how their mother still had/has her faith and the will to carry on. It's also a song of respect - the respect Ed has for his mother, and how he sees her as a person, not just his mom.

'Persuasion of You' is my least favorite song off the album, mainly due to the sound of it, and 'Georgia Girl' is a bluesy sounding tune that you have to listen to more than once to find the message.

The album ends (fittingly I thought) with 'Adored.' It's almost totally accoustic; just the singer and a guitar or two. In it, Ed gives recognition to the fact that he has a good life with people that love him, speaks about not taking anything for granted, and how the love of his life keeps his head screwed on straight by telling him to count his blessings when he feels the world crushing in on him.

This entire album is a glimpse into the heart and mind of Ed, and to a lesser degree the rest of the band. On the surface it's a pop album and people will get some great tunes from it. Look a little deeper and you will come away with a sense of hope and joy and realizing that this band is anything but ordinary.

Collective Soul

Click Here to see Collective Soul's "The World I Know" video!  

Click Here to see Collective Soul's "Shine" video!

This is the best I can come up with. I was set up to make a top 30 but then I realized I don’t know a lot of Hail Marx songs or at least I thought there are songs I know that could be in this list but don’t really qualify. Some are forced like Nirvana's Serve the Servant which is really about divorce and angst. It would be great if I can embed the songs here. Talking about a revolution, Wordpress. :D

Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog)

Redemption Song (Bob Marley) / Get up stand up (Marley/Tosh)

Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve)

Run (Collective Soul)

Daysleeper (REM)

This Place is a Prison (The Postal Service)

Taxman (Beatles)/ I am the Walrus (Beatles)/ Revolution (Beatles)

A working class hero (John Lennon)

After the Gold Rush (Neil Young)

Karma Police (Radiohead)/Gagging Order (Radiohead)/ No Surprises (Radiohead)

Desolation Raw (Bob Dylan) / It’s alright ma’ (I’m only bleeding) (Bob Dylan)

Won’t Get Fooled Again (Pete Townsend, The Who)

Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)

Something to Point to (Soundtrack "Working" musical)

Megalomaniac (Incubus)

Gimme Shelter (Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones)

Serve the Servants (Nirvana)

Of Walking Abortion (Manic Street Preachers)

What Kind of World (The Cables)

Weak and powerless (Maynard James Keenan)

Top 30 Euphoria Songs

Temporary high in no particular order.

Island in the Sun (Weezer)

Where Are You Going (Dave Matthews Band)/ Everyday (Dave Matthews Band)/ Satellite (Dave Matthews Band)

Shiny Happy People (REM)

Dancing in the Moonlight (Toploader)

Lithium (Nirvana)

Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)

Old Pair of Jeans (Fatboy Slim)

Collide (Howie Day)

Wonderful (Everclear)

Lion Sleeps Tonight (The Tokens)

Soul to Squeeze (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

It's Oh So Quiet (Bjork)

Lullaby (Shawn Mullins)

Sunscreen (Baz Lurmann)

Orinoco Flow (Enya)

Cherry Lips (Garbage)

Song 2 (Blur)

Porcelain (Moby)

Out of my Head (Fastball)

Time After Time (Cindy Lauper feat. Sarah Mclachlan)

Here comes the Sun (Beatles)

No Rain (Blind Melon)

Cornflake Girl (Tori Amos)

Take a Picture (Filter)

Beautiful World (Kenny Rogers)

Its All Been Done (Barenaked Ladies)

Not too Late (Norah Jones)

Shine (Collective Soul)

Jump (Van Halen)

Beautiful Ones (Suede)

TOP 50 Background Songs while Moping in no particular order

All Apologies (Nirvana)

Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead)

Creep (Radiohead)

Sour Times (Portishead)

The drugs don’t work (The Verve)

Creep (Stone Temple Pilots)

Skip Divided (Thom Yorke)

Why Does It Always Rain on Me (Travis)

Pipe Dreams (Travis)

The end (Jim Morrison)

Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley)

Lightning Crashes (Live)

Midlife Crisis (Mike Patton – I’m not sure if this is with Faith No More or Mr. Bungle)

How to Disappear Completely (Radiohead)

Staring at the Sun (U2)

Across the Universe (Beatles)

Everybody Hurts (REM)

Subterranean homesick aliens (Radiohead)

Nowhere Man (Beatles)

Broken Arrow (Neil Young)

Let Her Cry (Hootie and the Blowfish)

Wild World (Cat Stevens)

Am I Wrong (Love Spit Love)

Under the Bridge (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Something in the Way (Nirvana)

Losing My Religion (REM)

Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

Last Kiss (Pearl Jam)

Crucify (Tori Amos)

It’s been a While (Staind)

Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton)

Famous Last Words (Jars of Clay)

Faust Arp (Radiohead)

Trouble (Coldplay)

People are People (D’sound)

Misery (Soul Asylum)

Angel (Sarah Mclachlan)

Archives of Pain (Manic Street Preachers)

Sound of Silence (Simon and Garfunkel)

Vincent (Don McLean)

In the Darkest Place (Elvis Costello)

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (The Postal Service)

Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana)

Say Hello To Heaven (Temple of the Dog)

Baba O’Riley (The Who)

Jealous Guy (John Lennon)

Teardrop (Massive Attack and Portishead)

I Will Remember You (Sarah Mclachlan)

Milk (Garbage)

Heroes (The Wallflowers)

Straight to Hell (Joe Strummer)

TOP 10 Guilty Pleasures

Here are some of the songs from highschool and elementary (aka the boyband and girl power craze) that are still in my player. WTF! hehehe…

Quit Playing Games (with my heart) – Backstreet Boys

Who Do You Think You Are – Spice Girls

I’ll be There For You – The Moffats

MmmBop – Hanson

Let the Music Heal your Soul – Bravo All Stars

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