Innocence and Instinct

After their debut album "End of Silence", Red came out with a new album, that I only recently listened to, called "Innocence and Instinct". At the same time I also discovered that they are a Christian band (I didn't look into their autobiography, just their music). You wouldn't be able to tell just by listening to their music because it doesn't have that preachy undertone and their lyrics could easily be sung about a lover or friend, not God (even though it is). The lyrics don't preach because these songs are mainly about their struggles and confusion in the real world and only subtly, their relationship with God. As a Christian (which I am not), to realize that these songs are related to God, does give it another, perhaps more spiritual meaning. For me they were just beautiful.

Like their last album, the melodies were mesmerizing (I do have a soft spot for piano and strings), which they used really well to give their harder, edgier songs a more ethereal feel. If melody is the form and lyrics the soul, Innocence and Instinct definitely maintained that form, but unlike their last album, has more soul. They also do a wonderful cover of Duran Duran's Ordinary World, which complements the overall theme of the album. Some of my favourites on this album:

Death of me
Mystery of you
Never be the same
Shadows
Take it all away

Another great album and I recommend it whether you're Christian/Religious or not.

Leona Lewis: Yesterday

Another song that I'm totally feeling...

"Yesterday"

I just can't believe you're gone
Still waiting for morning to come
Wanna see if the sun will rise
Even without you by my side (ooh yeah)

When we had so much in store
Tell me what is it i'm reaching for
When we're through building memories
I'll hold yesterday in my heart, in my heart

Chorus:
They can take tomorrow and the plans we made (plans we made)
They can take the music that we'll never play
All the broken dreams
Take everything
Just take it away, but they can never have yesterday
They can take the future that we'll never know (no no)
They can take the places that we said we would go
All the broken dreams
Take everything
Just take it away (oh oh), but they can never have yesterday

You always used to stay
I should be thankful for everyday
Heaven knows what the future holds
Or at least how the story goes (but I never believed them 'til now)
I know i'll see you again i'm sure
No, it's not selfish to ask for more
One more night, one more day
One more smile on you face
But they can't take yesterday

Chorus:

I thought our days would last forever (but it wasn't our destiny)
'Cause in my mind, we had so much time
But i was so wrong
Now I can, believe that I can still find the strength in the moments we made
I'm looking back on yesterday

Leona Lewis: Better in Time

I'm totally feeling this song at the moment...*sigh*

"Better In Time"
It's been the longest winter without you
I didn't know where to turn to
See somehow I can't forget you
After all that we've been through

Going coming thought I heard a knock
Who's there no one
Thinking that I deserve it
Now I realize that I really didn't know
If you didn't notice you mean everything
Quickly I'm learning to love again
All I know is I'm gonna be OK

[Chorus:]
Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time
And even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to
It'll all get better in time

I couldn't turn on the TV
Without something there to remind me
Was it all that easy
To just put aside your feelings
If I'm dreaming don't wanna laugh
Hurt my feelings but that's the path I believe in
And I know that time will heal it
If you didn't notice boy you meant everything
Quickly I'm learning to love again
All I know is I'm gonna be OK

[Chorus:]

Since there's no more you and me
It's time I let you goSo I can be free
And live my life how it should be
No matter how hard it is I'll be fine without you
Yes I will

[Chorus: X2]

A broken heart...that's still beating

Love the new Lifehouse album - Who We Are. Will be seeing them on tour at First Avenue in Minneapolis, can't wait!! Here's one of my favourite songs from the Album...

Lifehouse - Broken

The Broken clock is a comfort
It helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow
From stealing all my time
And I am here still waiting
Though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best
Like you've already figured out

Chorus:
I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I'm holding on (I'm holdin on)(I'm holdin on)
I'm barely holding on to you

The broken locks were a warning
You got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded
I'm an open book instead
And I still see your reflection
Inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose
They're still looking for life

Repeat Chorus

I'm hanging on another day
Just to see what, you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on, to the words you say
You said that I will, will be okay
The broken light on the freeway
Left me here alone
I may have lost my way now
But I haven't forgotten my way home

Repeat Chorus

Storm is great too!

Summit Ave

Saw them for the first time last night at Bunkers located on Washington Ave. They were pretty good! You can check them out on www.myspace.com/summitave. Although I must say that they sound much better live than they do on their recordings.

Ben, the lead singer, sounds like Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20, or perhaps Live (when he sings Simple - awesome song btw). He also kinda looks like the lead singer from Duran Duran with a hint of Leonardo DiCaprio. They're playing again at Bunkers in a few weeks, will probably check them out again!

~Ci

End of Silence

There are very few albums where I like almost all of the songs - Metallica's Black album was one. I recently discovered Red's End of Silence (2003) ... "Breathe Into Me" got me hooked. I then downloaded "Lost"... then finally the whole album. I am going to go buy the album if I can find it, not exactly the most popular band.

Some of the lyrics aren't exactly "deep", but I am so addicted to the melody...

Already Over
Let Go
Lost
Pieces
Break Me Down
Gave It All Away
Breathe Into Me
Hide
Wasting Time
Already Over Pt.2

Yes, it is 4:30am and I am listening to this album. I can't seem to sleep - lately I have been having trouble sleeping, I always seem to wake up at 4am. 4 is a significant number in Chinese, similar to the meaning of 13, except instead of "unlucky", the number 4 is a little more extreme...it means "death". Now I am not a superstitious person at all...but having studied psych in University, the mind is a powerful thing and I am just stressed...and it is all just a cosmic coincidence ;). Now there is a good heading for a poem...Cosmic Coincidence - maybe I'll share...I am ending this posting at 4:44am. Night!