Tops Tens of 2013!!!

Happy ending of 2013!!
Naturally, no New Year's post is complete without a few Top Ten lists!!! I've been pondering these for a few days, so here are my Top Tens of 2013!!! Feel free to disagree, as there are all my interpretations of the year!!

Top Ten Albums, EPs, and Singles of 2013

 SO much good music came out this year!! I feel like EPs and Singles always get ignored in lists, but there were so many great ones this year that I had to add them!!

10. Inland by Jars of Clay

Yet another great album from these guys. I only discovered it recently, even though it came out in the summer.

Favorite Track: Fall Asleep

9. Fear Inside Out Bones by The Almost

This is the band's third album, and while it's more rock influenced than the first two, it's still great music!

Favorite Track: I'm Down

8. The Oh Hellos' Family Christmas Album by The Oh Hellos

If you haven't heard of The Oh Hellos, you're missing out on a great band. These Texas siblings and their friends create music that's just fun to listen to.

Favorite Track: Movement 1 Rejoice! Rejoice!

7. Royals by Paper Route

I was introduced to Paper Route's music this summer with their album "Peace of Wild Things", but their cover of Royals is a fresh take on an overplayed yet good song.

Favorite Track: Royals 

6. Ocean and Sky by Jane Marczewski

Another great new artist! Jane is an alumnus of Liberty University, and makes light and fun music with her acoustic guitar!

Favorite Track: I Think I'll Go

5. X Factor Singles from Alex and Sierra

This year's winners of the X Factor broke a trend in reality show winners: they actually deserved to win. They were by far the best vocalists on the finale. The new Civil Wars? Who knows?

Favorite Track: Say Something

BONUS: Honestly, how adorable are they?

4. The Civil Wars by The Civil Wars

I shocked myself when I put this album as number four. It was a greatly anticipated album that didn't disappoint, but the unexplained feuding between this power duo made the album slightly less enjoyable.

Favorite Track: Oh Henry

3. The Inlaws EP by The Inlaws

Steven Curtis Chapman is a huge name in the Christian music world, and with this EP, his two sons and his daughter-in-law begin to make their own mark. The worst part? There are only three tracks!!

Favorite Track: Walls

(no recordings of this online... but you should go buy it on iTunes!!)

2. The Lone Bellow by The Lone Bellow

The amazing duets of the Civil Wars may be in the past, but the music deities blessed us with the trio of The Lone Bellow this year. If amazing harmonies are your thing, then this album should be at the top of your wish list. Be sure to watch for them in the future.

Favorite Track: You Don't Love Me Like You Used To

1. Fading West EP by Switchfoot

Fading West was supposed to come out last January. Then this summer. Then this September. Then this December. Well, now the official release date is January, along with the DVD release of the movie of the same name. But Switchfans' patience was well rewarded, as this EP is everything we dreamed. From an adorable yet quirky moment in "Who We Are" with all the SwitchKids singing to the infectious bass line of "Ba55", this EP makes me even more anxious for the album to come out.

Favorite Track: Love Alone Is Worth The Fight

Top Ten Moments

10. My first time seeing snow!! 

9. My trip to Palm Beach Atlantic with my co DM and Choir Teacher 

8. Girls State 

7. My Last Band Camp :( 

6. My acceptance to Liberty University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, AND Southeastern University

5. Being a Senior 

4. Finishing Senior exams
Halfway done with Senior year!!

3. Seeing Switchfoot at RTU

2. WINNING STATE 

1. MEETING SWITCHFOOT 
Yeah. This happened. Like three days ago.

Story time!!

So there's this nice little outdoor venue downtown called Jannus Live and a local radio station announced that the last show of their free concert series would feature none other than my favorite band ever, Switchfoot. 

I got so excited that I was screaming when I found out - at least until I read the fine print that the show would be 21 and over. Luckily, Jannus is outside, and there happens to be a Starbucks across the way...  Once Switchfoot started, Mom and I went across the street so we could try to see them.

This was our view... Exactly. 

But rules are rules, so some other under 21 fans and I hung out right by the gate.

During the last song, the lead singer, Jon Foreman, noticed us and pointed us out. He was leading the crowd and instructed them to sing for his friends he just noticed outside of the gate!

The show ended at 11, but we were certain that the guys would come and hang out. So finally, at midnight, the band members come down. Their lead guitar player, Drew, came first, followed by Chad, their drummer, and Jerome, their keyboard player. They all shook our hands, and Chad asked what my name was. Then Jon and Tim Foreman came down and also shook our hands and thanked us for coming, even though we couldn't get in. I asked Jon for a picture, and he happily agreed.

Who was the happiest girl alive? That would be me. These guys not only make amazing music, they're genuinely sweet guys.


Anyways, enough fangirling :)



I'm realizing that there are only two Top Ten lists, but I'm also realizing that this post is getting a bit long. So to recap...

2013 was a really great year!!! I experienced lots of loss in life, but everything that happened has helped shape me into a better person. So here's to you 2013!


Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!!!

               -SarahCate:D