Songs For the Lonely Road

The following contains a list of songs for the solo drive, when it's just you, the open road, and the thoughts inside your own head. There has always been a big difference between listening to music alone and with other people. When no one else is around, all that exists is the music you love, whether you prefer singing along or just getting lost in the melody. Here is a list of some songs I have been experiencing recently....

Phoenix - Love for Granted


Of Montreal - 1st Time High (acoustic version of "An Eluardian Instance".


Billy Joel - You're My Home


Vampire Weekend - I Think UR a Contra


Boz Scaggs - Georgia


Eric Clapton - Reptile - also check out "Modern Girl"


Kings of Convenience - Misread


Phoenix - Alphabetical


Thin Lizzy - Fight or Fall


Bruce Springsteen - New York City Serenade


Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now


All of these songs are some of my favorites. I recommend not only feeling the mood of the music, but also paying attention to the beautiful lyrics that weave in and out of the melodies. Just today I listened to both "alphabetical" and "love for granted" by Phoenix on the way to school and will surely listen to a couple more by the end of the day.

At least these songs will come in handy until you go somewhere where "we don't need roads."

Anyway, hope you enjoy and see you next post. Maybe.

Andy Irons: 1978 - 2010

Two days ago, I heard the sad news that Andy Irons, legendary surfer and father-to-be, had been found dead in his hotel room. Irons was a three-time world champion surfer and only 32 years old. A very sad day for the surfing community.

Andy grew up on the fabled North Shore, Hawaii's famous surfing mecca. Him and his brother Bruce grew up in the water, learning the excitement of danger of ocean's reef while competing with each other.





This zeal for competition would shape the boys into two of the world's finest surfers. Andy would go on to win three surfing world titles, forging a stiff rivalry with Kelly Slater, the famous nine-time world champion. Bruce also competes on the tour and is a rising star, despite flirting with quitting and becoming solely a free surfer.

The loss of Andy Irons is heartbreaking news for everyone. Though he may have started surfing because it was the "party", he continued his passion not for the fame, but because he had to. Andy once said that surfing was the only thing that kept him from going over the edge; that kept him sane. Maybe he lost his love somewhere and finally toppled over. I'd like to think that he was on his way back to another spectacular world title, but it was not meant to be. My love goes out to his widowed bride and his unborn child. I wish them the best in this tough time.

Surfing has lost a pioneer and a champion.

Andy, you will be missed.

Aloha

Don't be square, mon cher! Movies is magic!

Since the advent of the talking picture, movies and music have been synonymous. From happy-go-lucky musicals to soaring epics backed by massive orchestras, music has been a crucial influence on the power of motion pictures. Just think about it, would that decisive final battle or that perfect kiss be the same without the right music in the background? I don't think so.

So in remembrance of all those great movie moments, here is a list of some of the best pairings of music and film in history. Enjoy, and don't be afraid to cry. It's okay.

Best Movie Theme:

Star Wars (Main Theme) - John Williams



Well, I went with the obvious choice. But let's be real, this is probably one of the most memorable and classic movie theme of all time. When those horns hit for the first time as you stare into the vacuum of space on your TV screen, you know you are in for an epic adventure. And what a strange and wonderful trip it really was.

Runner Up: Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - Randy Edelman

Decent movie, great soundtrack.





Best musical:

Little Shop of Horrors



Runner up: Singin' In the Rain

The Golden Age of Cinema. Just singin' and laughin'... try to get that one out of your head.



Best Compilation Soundtrack:

The Blues Brothers



Fun, fast, and of course, Bluesy. Everybody needs somebody who listens to this soundtrack.

Runner Up: The Graduate

Oh Mrs. Robinson.




Best Movie + Music moment:

The Elevator Scene - Vanilla Sky



The whole sequence in the movie leading up to the roof scene is absolutely genius. It begins with "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys as David realizes he's living in a dream. As he yells for tech support, an elevator opens. The scene in the elevator was mesmerizing to me. As David hears the heartbreaking truth about his life, we here "Doot Doot" by Freur and then "Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating in Space" by Spiritualized. I'll never forget hearing the lyrics of the "Floating in Space" as I learned of David's actual death: "All I want in life's a little bit of love to take the pain away." It is then that Edmund says: "Consequences, David. It's the little things." All in all a heart-wrenching scene.

Runner Up: Squints kisses Wendy - The Sandlot



Nothing makes me miss those carefree days as a kid more than The Sandlot. The movie captures the essence of those days filled with baseball, fun, and adventure perfectly. And there's no moment better than when Squints kisses the bombshell Wendy Peffercorn, the lifeguard while "This Magic Moment" plays in the background. Ahhh... Wendy, how I loved you.

Well, that wraps up the review of the magic union of movies and music.

Til' next week!

Eric