October 03, 2005

THIRD EYE BLIND

So last night after getting back from a trip to the Gunks (that entry will come later when I have pics), I went to the Third Eye Blind concert w/ Katie, Laura, Danelle, Chris, Steven and Amy. I'm not a huge fan of the band, but I thought the concert was done well and we had a fun time. Matt Nathanson, who did the opening, was kind of boring, but that could have been because I didn't know any of his songs and he looked like a John Mayer wanna-be. He also kept on trying to make jokes on stage, but at least where I was we couldn't understand what he was saying...

It was really cool because they premiered some songs that'll be on their new album. They also played their classics and some ones I didn't know, so I thought it made for a good mix. I was a little bumed that we weren't that close to the stage, but I guess it's better to not be trampled.... Also, there was a group of people behind us that were smoking pot, so it made the place kinda stink. But still, it was Third Eye Blind, so I can't complain too much :)

It almost felt like a dream yesterday: bouldering in the Gunks in the morning and going to a rock concert that night... :D

Posted by agutwin at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)

July 04, 2005

"Traffic in the Sky" by Jack Johnson

I really like Jack Johnson's music. I think a lot of it is rather obscure, and you can enjoy it differently depending on what mood you're in. For example, some songs or bands are purely depressing theames, or extreamly up-beat ones. But I think this guy's got a good mix. Anyway, here's one of his songs:

There's traffic in the sky
and it doesn't seem to be getting much better
There's kids playing games on the pavement
Drawing waves on the pavement
mm hm
Shadows of the planes on the pavement
mm hm
It's enough to make me cry
But that don't seem like it would make it feel better
Maybe it's a dream and if I scream
it will burst at the seams and
this whole place will fall into pieces
and then they'd say...

Well how could we have known?
I'll tell them it's not so hard to tell
na na na
if you keep adding stones
soon the water will be lost in the well
mm hm

Puzzle pieces in the ground
but no one ever seems to be digging
Instead they're looking up towards the heavens
with their eyes on the heavens
the shadows on the way to the heavens
mm hm
It's enough to make me cry
but that don't seem like it would make it feel better
The answers could be found
we could learn from digging down
but no one ever seems to be digging
instead they'll say...

Well how could we have known?
I'll tell them it's not so hard to tell
na na na
if you keep adding stones
soon the water will be lost in the well
mm hmmm

Words of wisdom all around
but no one ever seems to listen
They're talkin 'bout their plans on the paper
Building up from the pavement
mm hm
there're shadows from the scrapers on the pavement
mm hm
It's enough to make me sigh
but that don't seem like it would make it feel better
The words are all around
but the words are only sounds
and no one ever seems to listen
Instead they'll say...

Well how could we have known?
I'll tell them it's really not so hard to tell
na na na
If you keep adding stones
soon the water will be lost in the well
lost in the well
mm mm mm

Posted by agutwin at 07:03 PM | Comments (0)

April 18, 2005

CONCERT!

Ok, so this past sunday me and Julie (the girl i'm going to be rooming w/next year) went to the Taking Back Sunday/Jimmy Eat World concert with the Format opening. First off, I'm not a crazy fan of any of the three bands, but if i had to put them in order, i'd say i like Jimmy Eat World, then the Format, then Taking Back Sunday. Anyway, the whole thing was just sooo much fun. The Format's opening was ok, not extreamly good, i think the crowd was not too into them, which i think is a shame. Then Taking Back Sunday came on and played. Oh man, I don't think i can describe the feeling of being in the middle of a concert like that. We were all packed near the front, shoved up against strangers and all jumping and screaming the words. It might sound corney, but it felt like you couldn't tell where your body ended and the next person's began, you could only feel the music. Julie put it well when she said that you took in the sound of the guitar and vocals through your ears, but the bass through your heart. It felt as if the bass was pumping my blood for me. Some of you might remember sticking your ear upto the speakers in middle school dances, well that was only a warm-up to this volume. Let's just say it was wicked loud. Again, I don't think i can fully put into words what a concert is because it is all about the music and how it feels. In the begining we were up near the front-ish, next to some high high schoolers. However, we had shoes that came off easily and when the crowd started moving we had a hard time keeping our shoes, let alone staying upright (imagine being pushed from all sides constantly, yet moving in one direction). At one point I got separated from Julie and it was pretty funny, we were reaching for eachother through the mass, but her hand just slipped out of mine. Eventually we found eachother again (after some forcefull moving of people) and we moved back a little. The actual music was pretty good, it was just what I needed to end that horrible week. I loved belting the song "Kill" on the top of my lungs yet not being able to hear that i'm talking at all. During the intermission between Jimmy and Taking Back Sunday we found some friends to sit and talk with, but lost eachother when it started again. After it was over both Julie and I were on a post-concert high and felt life was just so awesome. I think i might be addicted to the feeling :) there's just no reproducing that feeling in your dorm (even with super cool speakers). Yea, so it was nice and I can't wait for slope day (even though not-so-good bands are playing). Here's some pictures not from this concert, but from some others that kinda look like what it was (parent's try not be alarmed :P )

Posted by agutwin at 10:32 PM | Comments (3)

April 04, 2005

Jazz

I love jazz. In fact, I could listen to it all day long if the professors didn't insist on giving lectures. I think that Dave Brubeck is the only thing pulling me through this chem hw....wait....i'm not doing chem now...i'm writing on my blog....ok, scratch that. Well, at least I'm enjoying myself (and procrastonating at the same time - i am so good at multitasking! I should get a degree in it). I would like to say that after I hit "save" i'll return to chem, but the truth is that it's just that time of day in that time of week, when the pressure is not quite on yet (most of my work due is at the end of the week). Therefore, I would be much happier taking a nap right now. Oooo, a nap and jazz, that's a very good combonation, much better than chemistry ;) hmmmm....decisions, decisions....I know that if I start my homework, i will probably feel good about myself. Yet if i take a nap, i'd feel good at the time. There is no garuntee that I'll actually be productive if i start my work - look at me now, i tried to start two hours ago! Yet again, there is no garuntee that after my nap I'll jump out of bed and start studying....hmmmm. ok, a 20 min nap it is :D
Zzzzzzz

Posted by agutwin at 04:33 PM | Comments (3)

March 08, 2005

"She'll Leave You With A Smile"

I was listening to this song today while walking to chem and these lyrics struck home on a couple notes (no pun intended, honestly). First off, i've had a couple friends who could directly relate to the story, which is unfortunate. I have this part of me that feels sad when my friends are sad, i guess it's much stronger than in most people. Even if what they want goes directly against what I want, I would much rather see them happy.... Which leads me to the second point of why i noticed this song - I think it is true that it all was worth it, in a sort of still-sad way. But that's the way life goes, and I can look past it, but I will never forget it.

She'll Leave You With A Smile - George Strait

At first she's gonna come on strong
Like She'll love you all night long
Like it's going out of style
Then she'll leave you with a smile

Well you can't help but wonder
Why you can't help but love her
But you can't help love her
And all that hurtin' was more than worth it
It's written all over your face

One day you'll pass her on the street
With that guy you used to be
She'll say hello and walk on by
Then she'll leave you with a smile

Well you can't help but wonder
Why you can't help but love her
But you can't help love her
And all that hurtin' was more than worth it
It's written all over your face

At first she's gonna come on strong
Like She'll love you all night long
Like it's going out of style
Then she'll leave you with a smile

Ah, she's gonna love you
She gonna leave you with a smile
Ah, she's gonna love you
She gonna leave you with a smile

Posted by agutwin at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)

March 05, 2005

"The World At Large"

Here's another one of my songs that's quickly making it to the top of my list:

Modest Mouse - The World At Large

Ice-age heat wave, can't complain.
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another plan.
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand.
I move on to another day,
to a whole new town with a whole new way.
Went to the porch to have a thought.
Got to the door and again, I couldn't stop.
You don't know where and you don't know when.
But you still got your words and you got your friends.
Walk along to another day.
Work a little harder, work another way.

Well uh-uh baby I ain't got no plan.
We'll float on maybe would you understand?
Gonna float on maybe would you understand?
Well float on maybe would you understand?

The days get shorter and the nights get cold.
I like the autumn but this place is getting old.
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast.
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most.
The days get longer and the nights smell green.
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave.

I like songs about drifters - books about the same.
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane.
Walked on off to another spot.
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want.
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?

The moths beat themselves to death against the lights.
Adding their breeze to the summer nights.
Outside, water like air was great.
I didn't know what I had that day.
Walk a little farther to another plan.
You said that you did, but you didn't understand.

I know that starting over is not what life's about.
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth.
My thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth.
My thoughts were so loud.

I'm not exactly sure why i like this song. It might be his voice, or the lyrics, whatever it is, it's good. I especially like the part about the undertow, because that's what it really feels like some times. Anyway, if you've got a chance, i'd suggest giving this song a shot

Posted by agutwin at 09:06 PM | Comments (0)

March 04, 2005

Speakers

So to all who are wondering (i.e. my family not at cornell) These are the speakers I bought with the christmas money (thanks grandma and grandpa!!). However, I took the black cloth grills off the sattelites, so they're now silver with three circles down the middle. Oh, and i put the subwoofer under my desk behind the bar to put my feet on, so it's fun to rest my toes on the bass. I love them so much! It makes me want to stay at my desk forever! well not quite, there's still a bunch of fun stuff to do. I wish i had a camera to show you what they look like on my desk. Geoff?.... ;P I wish i could post how they sound, but i guess that's not possible....oh well.

Posted by agutwin at 08:14 PM | Comments (0)

March 02, 2005

Guster

I think that some of Guster's stuff is good, mostly the newer stuff. This is a song i just finished listening to, and it's pretty good, especially after a good day:

"I hope tomorrow is like today"

well, i think that's explains itself. Oh, and that's the title of the song too, in case you're not familiar. There's another one I like too by Guster:

"If that's all you will be, you'll be a waste of time
You've dreamed a thousand dreams, none seem to stick in your mind"

which i guess goes with my other post today. I like the idea of being a waste of time, it really makes me want to actually do things with my life, which is a good thing to want. Ok, i'm putting off my work, which is also important.

Posted by agutwin at 11:09 PM | Comments (1)

March 01, 2005

"Underdog"

Since I've gotten my iPod, and have been at college with a virtually limitless music supply, plus really good speakers, i'm wondering how i got along without such good music! I've found that there's some really good, and really bad stuff out there. Mostly, i've come to hate listening to the same thing over and over (unless it's Jack Johnson...he's really good). I feel that music allows me to express myself better than my own words can sometimes - also sometimes i don't have the guts to say what i want, but a choice lyric or two will do the trick. So here it is, my lyric of the day:

"Underdog" by Audio Adrenaline -
I am so weak and I’m so tired
It’s hard for me to
Find enough strength to feed the fires
That fuel my ego
And consequently all my pride has all but died
Which leaves me
Down on my knees
Back to the place i
Should have started from

Chorus:
Been beat up
Been broken down
Nowhere but up
When you’re facedown
On the ground
I’m in last place
If I place at all
But there’s hope for this underdog
That’s the way, uh-huh, we like it!
That’s the way, uh-huh, we like it!
You can call me the underdog

I’m in this race to win a prize
The odds against me
The world has plans for my demise
What they don’t see
Is that a winner is not judged by his small size
But by the substitute he picks to run the race
And mine’s already won

-ok, so this might be the whole song. It's an oldie (i've had it since 11th grade or so) but it's a really nice one to keep coming back to. Mostly it reminds me that i really can't make it on my own, even if i think i can, i will always end up on my face. I feel very blessed to have such an awesome Father to fall against, and who will hold me when i'm tiard and sad. Oh, and this is where my screen name came from too. When i say i like christian music - this is what i mean. This stuff gets me so pumped and sets me back against the whole picture. Good stuff.

Posted by agutwin at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)