Hello my nonexistant readers! It's been a while! But I'm back! Lovely! Back to doing this! Lots of musical things have happened. I'll probably discuss them in my proper way as I do. You know... sort of. Anyway. Over the past... what, eleven months... I have acquired more artists, as I do. Regina Spektor, Ian Axel, more Rocket Summer, Mumford & Sons, more Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate, some Brand New, some Augustana, Anna Nalick, Brendan James. Also started my own CD collection, which is really a lovely thing. Also acquired a piano, which is also lovely :) Not really sure what I want to talk about right now, but I'm making a list for my own benefit... -New Coldplay EP -Ian Axel in general -Music in Portal (2) -Piano Rock in general -Those songs that sound familiar but you've never heard them before -Disney Songs -Music's lasting impressions Now... that's not including the rants I'll have about the individual songs that I find lodged in the crevasses of my life, but this should take a while. Good to be back. ~Gallow

Yes, my nonexistant regular readers. Two posts in such a short time is nigh unheard of from someone like me. But this is important. I have gotten myself a last.fm account. If you have one, and wanna make friends or whatever, I'm called NotAPsychopath. Even if you just want to compare music tastes and don't read my mlog (music blog? Or am I just too tired to be doing this?) go ahead. That is all.

Alright, my long-awaited concert was last night. What a night. The venue was small, and maybe a little more than a hundred people showed up. Either way, the music was mind blowing. Ryan Star first, of course. His setlist was gorgeous. The ones that really stuck out were 'Last Train Home,' which is a perfectly beautiful song made better by Ryan's decision to make it completely stripped-down and acoustic. I probably prefer the acoustic version to the album version. Another good one was 'Start a Fire,' which was full of jumping-up-and-down, singing-even-though-you-don't-know-the-words goodness. And yes, I didn't know the words. I just bought his new CD, 11:59, at the concert. And 'Right Now' was amazing. I believe it was the first song, and it was a great warm-up. Ryan Star=WIN. Then Thriving Ivory came out. The first song they played was 'Love Alone,' which, I am very happy to say, does not sound ANYTHING like 'Better than Alone.' (It's on their myspace page right now, if you just HAVE to listen to it. And trust me, you do.) They also played fan favorites, "Twilight," "Light Up Mississippi," "Hey Lady," "Overrated," "For Heaven's Sake," and "Long Hallway With A Broken Light." I was a little saddened that they didn't play "Secret Life" or "Alien," two of my favorites. But they made up for it by playing new songs, "While the Candle Still Burns," "Some Kind of Home," and "Where We Belong." I was very glad I trusted Clayton on "Some Kind of Home." So far, it's my favorite new song :) After the show, we got to hang out with the band. They were all extremely friendly, and it was just amazing to see them in real life. My friend and I ended up hanging out with Ryan Star most of the time, because most of the Ryan Star fans left after his bit, and my friend was, according to Ryan, his new BFF. That show definitely trumped the Coldplay show for a few reasons. 1. My friend and I were in the front row of a small venue with a small turnout, so we took plenty of good pictures and just had the time of our lives rocking out with the band. 2. Ryan Star was just as good as Thriving Ivory. I can't say the same about Elbow for the Coldplay concert, because I'd never heard of them before in my life. At least I was sort of familiar with Ryan's work. 3. Lax security and meeting with the band afterward. I mean, sure, the security wasn't exactly Coldplay's fault, and I definitely didn't want 'my' band (at the time) to get trampled by fangirls. But still, come on. Meeting with the band? You just can't top that. I can't wait until their next concert in Chicago. I definitely won't be missing that one. And who knows, maybe I'll attend a Ryan Star concert as well, once I've listened to the album enough. :-)

Let's see... yes. I was at the library (like I always am) and I stumbled upon James Blunt's first album, "Back to Bedlam." I cannot help but review it. So, let's get on with it! DISCLAIMER: I was not paid to do this, I did not get permission to do this. None of this music belongs to me. Once again, this is completely MY opinion, and if you disagree, I can't help you there. Track 1: High - 4:04 - 6/10 Definitely not the best song on the album. The opening reminds me a bit of "Yellow" by Coldplay (shocked me outta my skin the first time I heard it), but it's not one of James's best. All in all, an average song. The choruses are pretty good, but other than that, unremarkable. Track 2: You're Beautiful - 3:33 - 8/10 I am not going to argue with this song. This is the song that I heard on the radio, long ago, that made me fall in love with Mr. Blunt. Compared to the rest of the album, though, this song is just a warm-up. I love the story, and I also love how it doesn't have a strictly happy ending. Track 3: Wisemen - 3:43 - 8.5/10 Wisemen, now, is an excellent song. It's a lot rockier than some other tracks, and I love both the verses and the chorus, the verses slightly better. And the lyrics are beautiful, if a little perplexing. But hey, this is songmeanings, right? That's our job, decoding songs like these. Track 4: Goodbye My Lover - 4:18 - 8/10 And back we go to quiet. This song is probably one of the saddest songs in my library, but it's simply gorgeous. The piano is excellent, the second verse is my favorite. It's the kind of song you listen to when you're feeling quiet and a little sad. Track 5: Tears and Rain - 4:04 - 8.5/10 Now the opening of this one reminds me of "Carry You Home" off Mr. Blunt's second album. But anyway, this song's a bit like tracks 1 and 2 put together. And that's a great mix. Two thumbs up for this one, and I'm actually reading "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde because of this. Great song, great book. Track 6: Out of My Mind - 3:33 - 9/10 Now, THIS song. This song is definitely one of my favorites. I love the lyrics, the beat, everything. Points only deducted from the sort of plain chorus. But still, the verses are absolutely fantastic. This one of the songs I just want to sing along to every time it comes on. :) Track 7: So Long, Jimmy - 4:25 - 9.5/10 This is my favorite track off the album. I was surprised, I didn't think I'd like this song, just glancing over the lyrics. But the impossibly catchy guitar in the background and the fact that "Out of My Mind" gets you in just the right mood for this song makes it irresistable. Two thumbs up for Jimmy Blunt and Jimmy Hogarth! Track 8: Billy - 3:37 - 7/10 This song is also sort of plain, but it's quite hard to follow up a song like "Jimmy." It keeps the rock-y beat, but something about this just doesn't work. Perhaps the "Tears and Rain"-esque verses? Anyway, Sort of unremarkable, but I still can't help loving: "Tomorrow comes, sorrow becomes his SOUL-mate!" Track 9: Cry - 4:06 - 5.5/10 I wanted to like this song, I really did. I loved the lyrics, glancing over them, but after 4 awesome, rock-y, catchy songs, this one just doesn't cut it. Another rather boring, average song. But maybe put it in the slow playlist with track 4--it might not be overpowered by catchier songs. Track 10: No Bravery - 4:02 - 9/10 Yes, "Cry" did serve a purpose. It was slower, preparing you for THIS song. This song is... impossible to describe. Ugly. Disgusting. So utterly beautiful. This IS the saddest track on the album. It just reminds us of how horrible war really is. I can't help but love it. Overall score: 8/10 A very, very good album. Overlooking shortcomings, this definitely one of my top 5 favorite albums.

I am happy. Thriving Ivory + New Album = Happy Gallow. It's called "Through Yourself and Back Again." Ten Tracks. Hopefully, ten three-and-a-half to four minute pieces of musical perfection, each with the capability to send all the little fanboys and fangirls (such as myself) into a swoon. Hopefully, better than the last album. Or at least on the same level of the last album. Here's the tracklisting, for the lazy people: 1. Love Alone 2. On Your Side 3. Some Kind of Home 4. Where We Belong 5. While the Candle Still Burns 6. Moonlight 7. Cobwebs 8. Run 9. Motorcade (So Long, So Long) 10. Come November And here are my thoughts. 1. "Love Alone", for some reason, makes me think of "Better Than Alone." And if it's a rehashing of that song, I've got no problem. But I was expecting a NEW new song, not an OLD new song that-most-of-the-fans-haven't-heard-but-nevermind. 2. "On Your Side," "Run," and "Motorcade" are the only songs I know absolutely nothing about. So, hey, they might surprise us. 3. Clayton likes "Some Kind of Home." Therefore, I'll trust Clayton and say that I am going to like it as well. 4. "While the Candle Still Burns," is, in fact, on Youtube. A live video, it was recorded in 2007. Before the first album came out. Almost an entire year before the first album came out. Perhaps an old-style song? 5. "Moonlight" is a slow, acoustic song. 6. "Cobwebs" contains this line: "I'm clearing all the cobwebs/There's nothing here but dust." 7. Why do, when I think "Come November," the words "Sleepless in November" come to mind? I seriously can't remember where I remember those words from... Aaaaand... that's it. Wow. New tagline: "I STALK, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO."

Hey, All!!! Well, let's see. Has anything happened over this month or so? I acquired the Missy Higgins CD, "On a Clear Night". Also, the Fray's "How to Save a Life". And Five for Fighting's "Slice". "On a Clear Night" turned out to be the best, but I'm not arguing with the Fray's "Trust Me." Very good song. Very. Slice was... well, Slice. I'm not gonna complain, but nothing stuck out, really. In other music-related news, I'm finally gettin' to go to a THRIVING IVORY CONCERT in August!~ YAY!!! Lessee, they're playing with Ryan Star (who's not bad, not bad at all) and DEAR GOD I JUST CAN'T WAIT. ~Gallow

Sooo... I visited my local library recently. And of course, I rented out a few CD's, 'cos that's what I always do. Two Lights, by Five for Fighting All the Lost Souls, by James Blunt, And Coldplay Live 2003. First thing: Two Lights wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be. I love Mr. Ondrasik, but... eh. "Freedom Never Cries" and "California Justice" were good, as was "The Riddle" (but who doesn't love that song?). Just... eh. Disappointed in the acoustic "100 Years" too. Next: I'll admit, I ABSOLUTELY ADORE the album All the Lost Souls, and I think I'll write another song-by-song review, just because I have nothing better to do over the summer. Either way, love that album, love Mr. Blunt, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (if you're a Blunt fan, you'll get that). Finally: Coldplay Live 2003. I bought "See You Soon" off that ablum in... what, January? Yeah. This album is just like LeftRightLeftRightLeft (in all its greatness) just with older songs. And I'm impressed. The DVD is pretty awesome too. My favorite one is the almost-9-minute-long "Everything's Not Lost." I was very tempted to sing along when Chris was telling the audience to. But I'm not a very good singer. Anyway, cheers! ~Gallow

So, last night, I was flipping through the iTunes free songs. I like those things. I've gotten quite a few good songs from there: "Kings and Queens" by 30 Seconds to Mars, "This is a New Year" by Ian Axel, "Castaway" by Chasen, "Take Everything" by Greg Laswell... the list goes on. But this week... wow. This week's song was "You Will Leave a Mark" by A Silent Film. Literally, this song HURTS to turn off. Like I told a friend, it's the Killers x Coldplay x 13 Senses / the Beatles. Just... just a great song. My favorite lyrics have to be: "I am of the west I am fair skinned, I deserve a bullet in my chest. If I have no religion I have no reason to be scared, If I am going to hell, then I just don't care." *DIES OF LOVE* ~Gallow

YES! I finally got around to this review! Ahem, let's see... DISCLAIMER: I own none of this music, and this album was reviewed without permission. I was not paid to do this. This is all my own opinion, and if you don't agree with it, I'm sorry. Well... enjoy my song-by-song review of "Of Men and Angels" by The Rocket Summer! Track 1: Roses - 3:46 - 7.5/10 Not a bad opening, but it didn't grab me the first time I listened to it. Very solid opening instrumentals, but the quick tempo changes set me off, but they started to work once I got used to them. The verses aren't bad, but the choruses are excellent. Track 2: You Gotta Believe - 3:15 - 7/10 I didn't mind this song, but it definitely wasn't one of my favorites. The first verse is my favorite part. A good song to just rock out to, and once again, very good instrumentals. Track 3: Hills and Valleys - 3:45 - 8.5/10 I truly love this song. It's one of my favorite songs on the whole album. It's not too loud, not too soft, and the clapping during the chorus is just awesome. The instrumentals were good, but they could've been better. Track 4: I Want Something To Live For - 3:59 - 6.5/10 I don't know what doesn't click about this song. It's not a bad song, by any means, but there's just something missing. The best bit is the bridge. Track 5: Walls - 4:46 - 9/10 I love this song as well. It's such a hopeful song. Definitely one of the best on the album. The lyrics are great, and the instrumentals are just as good. Just a great song all around. Track 6: Pull Myself Together (Don't Hate Me) - 3:34 - 8/10 This one was a sort of unexpected favorite. I HATED this song the first time I listened to it. Then I listened to it again. And again. And now it's one of my favorite tracks. Great chorus, verses are so-so. Track 7: Of Men and Angels - 3:44 - 9/10 I have to admit, I liked this song. The lyrics are very religious, and I wouldn't really call myself a religious person, but I still enjoyed the song overall. The opening piano is fantastic. Track 8: I Need a Break... But I'd Rather Have a Breakthrough - 3:27 - 7.5/10 Once again, not the best song on the album, but it has a good message. The chorus is very good, and the lyrics are quite good. Unremarkable, though, as TRS goes. Track 9: Nothing Matters - 3:23 - 8/10 This song is also pretty good, the first verse is very ordinary, while the chorus and second verse are actually pretty good. My absolute favorite part are the lyrics at the end. (Once again, not a very religious person, but I like the message.) Track 10: Japanese Exchange Student - 3:35 - 8.5/10 I love this song, too. I can really relate to it; and I bet a lot of other people can, too. I love the bridge, and the piano. The instrumentals could probably have been better, though... Track 11: Tara, I'm Terrible - 2:59 - 5.5/10 This song... eh. It's ok. A little boring. I can see that it's a cute love song, but it just doesn't work for me. Still; not the worst acoustic love song I've ever heard. Track 12: Hey! - 2:43 - 9.5/10 This song is an EXPLOSION compared to the last song. "Tara, I'm Terrible" gets you in a chill state, and then... WHABAM. Mr. Avary whacks you over the head with one of the best and loudest songs on the album. Two thumbs way up for that combo. Track 13: Let You Go - 4:26 - 8.5/10 This song is another really great one. I can't think of anything really wrong with it, but there isn't really anything special about it except for how catchy it is. The chorus is really great. :) Track 14: This is a Refuge - 3:49 - 9/10 I LOVE THE INSTRUMENTALS ON THIS TRACK. I just had to make that clear. The lyrics aren't really special (for TRS) but the ending has my favorite lyrics on the album. Really, really, really great song. Track 15: Light - 4:02 - 7.5/10 This song works for an ending. It really does. It's not the best song on the album, but the last song usually isn't. The chorus is good, but overall it reminds me of the 8th track. Overall Score: 7/10 It's a good album. Not the best I've ever heard, but a good album. The good way outnumber the bad, and if worst comes to worst, skip the bad ones :)

Of course, for us in the know, today was the Twitter release of Thriving Ivory's new single, "Where We Belong." I'm getting mixed signals about this song. I've been looking forward to this realease for... weeks. If we want to get technical, I've been waiting for a new Thriving Ivory single for two years, since their last album. And yet... It's definitely Clayton's vocals. Definitely Scott's lyrics. Sweeping violins. Piano. Everything Thriving Ivory is, everything I love about them. But there's something distinctly... different about it. Which is good, great, actually, for them, but I'm not quite sure if I love it yet. It's not like "Angels on the Moon" or "Secret Life" or "Hey Lady." But hey, a new TI song is a new TI song. And it's good. Of course it's good. It's just a change I'm going to have to ajust myself to. And maybe enjoy myself on the way. ~Gallow