Best of 2010 - Gregory Alan Isakov to Jason Aldean

I'm sharing my favorite songs discovered in 2010 - 6 songs a day - I'll post the entire set in a YouTube playlist on December 31.

Gregory Alan Isakov - Unwritable Girl
"Wanna write one for you
The unwritable girl."

I've always wanted someone to write a song for me, it sounds like the most romantic thing in the world.  But being unwritable sounds intriguing too.

Griffin House - Waiting for the Rain to Come Down
"I wonder every day
Am I still on your mind?"

A prayer of forgiveness in the form of a song.  Pure beauty.

The Head and the Heart - Down in the Valley
"I am on my way back to where I started."

A band out of Seattle I discovered thanks to blogging friends.  One of those songs I want to listen to with the lights out, the way I listened to music as a teenager.  It gets richer with each listen.

Jakob Dylan - Nothing But the Whole Wide World
"I'm here for adventure whichever way it comes"

The voice of a Dylan - but not so raw you can't understand the lyrics.  I love the concept behind this song - focus on what you have to gain not what you have to lose.

Jamey Johnson - That's Why I Write Songs
"I remember all the times I felt
Like somebody knows me all too well
'Cause it was my life's story I was listening to"

If I were ranking my top songs, this one would make the top 10 and maybe the top 5.  I have a reverence for songwriters, I can't imagine having the kind of talent it takes to put thoughts, hopes and dreams to music.  Through their work, songwriters give us the songs we use to deal with emotions, songs we use to celebrate and songs we use to mourn.  Jamey Johnson's tribute to some of the best is simply beautiful.

Jason Aldean - The Truth
"Have some mercy on me."

Gotta be honest, I love a good heartbreak song every once in a while, and mostly I love that this one comes from the guys point of view.

Halfway through!  And to think, I thought this would be less stressful than writing normal blog posts.

I hope you have an amazing Christmas! Pin It

Best of 2010 - Eastern Conference Champions to Grace Potter

I'm sharing my favorite songs discovered in 2010 - 6 songs a day - I'll post the entire set in a YouTube playlist on December 31.

Eastern Conference Champions - A Million Miles an Hour
"It starts as a battle of luck."

This one came off the Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack which made up a big part of my summer road trip music.  The soundtrack was my introduction to some great new groups this year, including Florence and the Machine.  The bass line on this one is amazing.

Eminem - Not Afraid
"I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just to let you know that, you're not alone
Hollar if you feel that you've been down the same road.

Yeah, it's been a ride
I Guess I had to go to that place to get to this one
Now some of you might still be in that place
If you're trying to get out, just follow me
I'll get you there."

I'm not usually big on rap - but every once in a while I find one that grabs my attention.  Eminem's comeback song this year was one that made me stand up and listen.

Eric Church - Smoke a Little Smoke
"And put some feel good in my soul"

I fell in love with this song when I heard it during my summer road trip to Asheville, NC.  I was driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway in a blissful state.  A long weekend with no work, no stress and just time to breathe.  This song came on, and even though I'm not a drinker or a smoker, it just felt like the perfect theme song for the trip.  A song about chilling out and just being.

First Aid Kit - Ghost Town
"I swear I can be better"

A song about looking back, with a simple haunting melody and sparse arrangement.

Florence and the Machine - Dog Days are Over
"Happiness hit her like a bullet to the head"

How can I not love this song, it starts all girl singer soft and turns into something that keeps me dancing around the house.

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Things I Never Needed
"I don't want to be the one who lets you down."

Another artist I discovered this year, lovely voice, great song.

What new artists did you discover this year? Pin It

Best of 2010 - Dan Auerbach to Dierks Bentley

I'm sharing my favorite songs discovered in 2010 - 6 songs a day - I'll post the entire set in a YouTube playlist on December 31.

Dan Auerbach - When the Night Comes
"You don't have to be afraid
Of any choice you made
When the night comes"

I wasn't half-way through the first listen of this song before I downloaded the entire album.  Dan Auerbach is 1/2 of The Black Keys that made the list yesterday.  His voice is amazing and so full of emotion.  The lyrics to this one are so simple and profound, listening to this each night might actually be a very good idea.

Dan Mangan - The Indie Queens are Waiting
"Buy something to make you like me more"

Not completely sure why I like this song so much, I think it is the simple arrangement that lets the voices shine through.

Darrell Scott - A Crooked Road
"And a lonesome song will be my true companion
When all else has abandon me for singing of their own."

What a beautiful voice and song.  From the opening riff I can't wait to hear what is next.  The song is beautifully written and performed.

David Nail - Red Light
"This is what 'I don't love you' feels like"

I love that the songwriter of this one took a single moment - stopping at a red light, something we all do multiple times a day, and turned it into an incredible life changing moment.

Dawes - Peace in the Valley
"I want you to know why you hold me close."

The steady beat that runs through this one keeps me typing, but the lyrics keep pulling my attention way from work and I end up letting my mind wander into the song.  This one is stripped down, raw and powerful.

Dierks Bentley - Draw Me a Map
"Searching for answers to questions I can't find."

Dierks Bentley went against the grain this year and made an album of bluegrass music - for him it was a labor of love.  I know it didn't sell as well as his mainstream music, but the entire album was full of amazing songs and musicians.  I loved several of the songs, but this sweet one was the one that will stick with me for years.  Don't we all wish the person we loved would draw us a map and explain exactly what we need to do to show them how much we love them? Pin It

Best of 2010 - Beach House to Court Yard Hounds

I'm sharing my favorite songs discovered in 2010 - 6 songs a day - I'll post the entire set in a YouTube playlist on December 31.

Beach House - Zebra
"Anyway you run, you run with poise."

This song makes me want to hit the road for a summer road trip.  The opening riff sucks me right in.  Their voices are gorgeous together, the entire song feels as if it is made of layers that are beautiful alone but magical together.

Belle & Sebastian - I Want the World to Stop
"Let me step out of my shell."

Admit it, you've had those times when you've wanted the world to stop so you could catch up - I have at least one of those moments every day.  Aside from loving the concept behind this song, I love the way it feels like a conversation.

The Black Keys - Tighten Up
"Living just to keep going, going just to be sane."

Another bearded singer who rocked my world this year, his voice is raw and powerful, anytime I hear it I have to stop what I'm doing and just listen.  As a bonus this is an adorable video.  There is a reason this album is showing up on Best of lists across the web and in print.

Brandi Carlile - Before it Breaks
"Let it bend before it breaks"

I just love her, she's got a powerful that can break my heart.

Broken Social Scene - All to All
"You'll always find the lonely ray."

There are so many layers in this song I feel like I could listen for days and still hear something new.

Court Yard Hounds - Fear of Wasted Time
"I watch every frame of this life I've made
Take a picture but I miss the moment now."

Oh, how I've missed the Dixie Chicks.  When 2/3s of the group released an album this year I couldn't wait to hear it - and I wasn't disappointed.  While I missed the power of Natalie Maine's voice, the quality of the songs on this album more than made up for it.  I fell in love with this song before I heard it - the title alone speaks to me, but I fell head over heals at first listen.

Did any of these make your favorites list this year? Pin It

Best of 2010 - Adele to Band of Horses

I sat down last week with my iTunes account to put together my Best of 2010 list.  I kept it simple.  Anything added in 2010, regardless of when it was actually released, was eligible.  If the song moved me, made me want to dance or was just something I kept going back to it made the list.  I've already promised to give a copy of the list away to anyone who emails me with their Guerilla Holiday acts, but I'm also going to share it here over the next couple of weeks (yes, there are THAT many songs.)  Some are radio hits you'll recognize, some a random cuts that will never in a million years be released as singles.

Picking favorites of favorites seems impossible, so I'm just going to alphabetize by artist, no counting down here.  Rather than embed the videos, I'm just going to give you links, to keep the post size down.  I'm also planning to post an entire YouTube playlist on the last day.  Please tell me what you think about my choices - and share the songs I may have missed.

Adele - Rolling in the Deep
"Don't underestimate the things I will do"

This is a brand new song from Adele.  I've been waiting for new music from her for what seems like forever.  She's got an incredible voice and the driving beat on this one makes me want to stand up and dance around the room.  I've never had a breakup that made me wish this passionately for my ex to learn a lesson, but if I ever do, this will be on heavy rotation.  For now, I'll just play it when I'm working on building a little attitude.

Arcade Fire - Ready to Start
"I would rather be wrong
Than stand in the shadow of your song
My mind is wide open
Now I'm ready to start."

Another song with a great, driving beat.  This one makes me want to push forward, to keep reach for those goals.  Arcade Fire is hit or miss with me, but this is one of those time when the song was exactly right - lyrics, melody and beat, it's the full package.

Atherton - Sing You a Song
"If I could be the light
The shines on the house tonight"

This album was recorded in 2008 just down the road from me in Provo, UT.  I discovered it digging through the music collection at the Public Library - what a GREAT find.  Gorgeous music, reminds me of Ryan Adams and Wilco.  This is the kind of album I like to listen to at the end of a long day when I just want to kick back and breathe in life.

The Avett Brothers - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
"Decide what to be and go be it."

I could (and have) gone on for days about my love of The Avett Brothers, their songs are raw, powerful and insightful.  If I can't convince you to give them a listen, try reading this article and see if you aren't converted.  Their songs make up my walking music, I know that at least one song will click with something in my mind and will turn my walk into both physical and mental exercise.  This song rocked my world from the second I heard it.

Band of Annuals - Thought I'd Have Learned
"And if I wake tomorrow, honey, well, I'll be surprised."

Fair warning, this one is dark and moody, but I'm of the opinion that we all need some moody music in our collection, if for no other reason that to take us back to those days as teenagers as we laid in a dark room and listened to dark music thinking we'd never survive high school.    Depressing or not, the haunting melodies pull me right in and make me ever so glad I'm no longer that teenager.

Band of Horses - Laredo
"Oh, I'm at a cross roads with myself"

I love the entire Infinite Arms album, so picking a favorite was very, very difficult, I ended up choosing the first song I heard off the album, Laredo.  At first listen I thought it was a song about travel, which I loved.  Only through repeat listens did I really understand the song.  And I LOVE songs that get deeper and richer with multiple listens.

Did any of these acts make your best of list? Pin It

The Sunday Creative - Thaw

Here's the thing - melting snow is rarely beautiful.  Snow is beautiful when it first falls and is untouched.  But start adding in sand and salt so it will quickly melt off the road, then add in dirt and pollution and you end up with a muddy slush, not something I usually consider beautiful.  But add in a little PW Vintage Action and it looks a bit better.

We had a warm spell at my house for a few days and the snow was quickly melting - this is what I found near my driveway.  If you look closely you can see the blades of grass sticking their heads up.

Since winter isn't going away anytime soon, I'm choosing to try and enjoy it, with the help of some of my favorite winter songs - including this one by The Head and the Heart:
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Cooking 101 - Holiday Treats

This week I turned my cooking experiments to holiday treats and tackled a recipe I'd seen online at One Charming Party - Chocolate Carmel Marshmallows.  While mine didn't turn out nearly as beautiful as the pictures online, they are pretty tasty.

What are you doing for neighbor gifts this year?  Or do you do neighbor gifts where you live?  I know I didn't when I lived in Texas, Washington or Kentucky - of course they could have been because I lived in places where you didn't get to know your neighbors well.

While I made my treats this year I listened the the Holiday Mix we put together at I-Studio last week.  It's been on heavy repeat at my house.
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A little frost

I went out to shovel the walks early.  It was so quiet and peaceful.  After the walks were cleared I ran back in and grabbed the camera, knowing I just had a few minutes left before things started warming up and the beautiful frost would melt away.

I'm not a huge fan of snow and winter, but even I have to admit it can make the world beautiful.

This song, "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers, made me happy last week when I heard it on one of my favorite blogs: I am Fuel, You Are Friends and just can't help but share.

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Bird on a Pine

I've never really thought of myself as a bird watcher, but when a group spent part of the day hanging out in the trees outside my window they gave me an excuse to ignore work for a while.  Not surprisingly, when I finally got up to grab my camera they all disappeared, leaving me just one shot of this little one before he deserted me too.

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Watching the Clouds Roll In

I've been remodeling a room off my garage to serve as a home office.  While I've still got a way to go before it is complete, last week it was far enough along I started working from there (working from there is a great way to keep me away from the kitchen and the associated calories during the day.)


The biggest benefit of the office is an enormous window that I put my desk in front of.  The view from this window is incredible - in fact the view from the back of this house is probably the reason I bought the house in the first place.


One day last week I found myself fascinated all morning watching the clouds roll in and swirl around the mountains.  At times the clouds sat below the mountain peaks, but over time they swirled up to meet the sky.  It was beautiful and distracting.  I feel so blessed to live in such an amazing place.

I heard this song on NPR last week.  Isn't it just moody and perfect for watching the clouds roll in?
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