It's All Good

I have a great life. Everything always works out and it is because of everyone of my friends and family. I could have spent the weekend freaking out about certain things but I knew everything would be fine. The last month has been hectic during school and I got through it and couldn't be happier. I have never had this feeling to end a semester. I could get used to it. Thank you all. With Love, Ian.

The Good Life by Valencia

Top Albums of 2011

Top albums of 2011

I chose to do 15 albums this year because there were not 10 that I could choose from. The top choices have been clear since they have been released but it's the middle of the pack down that was so hard to decide on. So here are my top albums from this great year in music.

15. Born This Way by Lady Gaga

14. Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes

13. When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes by Yellowcard

12. Simple Math by Manchester Orchestra

11. The Reckoning by NEEDTOBREATHE

10. Torches by Foster The People

9. Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay

8. Young The Giant by Young The Giant

7. Ad Astra Per Aspera by Abandon Kansas

6. Neighborhoods by Blink 182

5. 21 by Adele

4. The King Is Dead by The Decemberists

3. Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars

2. Bon Iver by Bon Iver

1. Economy by John Mark McMillan

Here are my runner ups: El Camino by The Black Keys, Ashes and Fire by Ryan Adams, Something Like This by Ben Rector, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care by Explosions In The Sky, Ghosts Upon The Earth by Gungor, Early In The Morning by James Vincent McMorrow, The Great Awakening by Leeland, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming by M83, Odd Soul by MuteMath, Patterns by Run Kid Run, Vice Verses by Switchfoot.

I'm guessing that "El Camino" will jump up this list quickly but it just came out and I have been listening to most of these albums for six months at least. The top 7 albums stood out so much to me and I haven't stopped listening to them all year long. Every artist there has broken the mold on their sound and progressed so much as an artist. It's been nuts to see how an artist like Bon Iver has changed from "For Emma, Forever Ago" to "Bon Iver." Even "Mylo Xyloto" completely blew me away by the direction Coldplay took it. It was honestly one of the best years in music in a long time. It will be hard to beat but next year I will see a new Killers and David Crowder *Band album, along with many others. I am looking forward to it.

What Do You Hide?

I took this from Donald Miller's blog. He's one of my favorite authors and always has insightful things to write about. You can check out his blog here. He wrote this in response to the recent sex scandal at Penn State as well as some other things.

Walking In A Winter Wonderland 2011

Last year I made a playlist that I listen to while I walk around campus in the winter time. It's comprised of songs that must have a specific feel. Most of the songs have an echo or ambient sound to them. Every year it changes and grows so I thought that I would give you a top 10 list of the new songs on this year's Winter Breezes Playlist. Without further adu....

10. All The Bright Lights - Chest of Drawers

9. NEEDTOBREATHE - A Place Only You Can Go

8. James Vincent McMorrow - We Don't Eat

7. John Mark McMillan - Murdered Son

*I couldn't find the album version so here is his acoustic performance

6. All The Bright Lights - Still Beating

5. James Vincint McMorrow - Hear the Noise That Moves So Soft and Low

4. Ryan Adams - I Love You But I Don't Know What to Say

3. Mae - Seasons i, ii, and iii

2. Ryan Adams - Lucky Now

1. Bon Iver - Beth/Rest (Piano Solo)