Take a bow and float away, 2008...it's The Top 80 of 2008

Surprise! Surprise! I am back from obscurity to do my annual end-of-year post. As I have done the past few years, I will close 2008 with a countdown of my favorite songs of the year (Yeah yeah, I am a few weeks late :p) The following songs have helped to define the past year for me -- some of them, personal anthems, others as 'hit the club' type of hits, and everything in between. BTW if you find that I did not include an incredibly popular song from the past year, more likely than not I probably hated it (i.e. "I Kissed A Girl" :) What I will apologize for is leaving some of you hanging the last few months. I've been working full time, so my attention has kept me away from updating this site, but I guess my new year's resolution for this site is to update it more. I will make every effort to add a little something from time to time.

Close to making it, but no cigar: Colbie Caillat - "Realize", Metro Station - "Shake It", P!nk - So What, The Click Five - "Flipside", Kevin Rudolf - "Let It Rock". Note: The songs marked with "*" may have not reached their peak yet, so they have the potential of charting in 2009. Enjoy!

The Top 80 of 2008 by Ray V.

80: Rehab - Rihanna feat. Justin Timberlake
79: Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic
78: Lovers In Japan* - Coldplay
77: Light On - David Cook
76: Poker Face* - Lady GaGa
75: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)* - Beyonce
74: Weightless - Nada Surf
73: You Make It Real - James Morrison
72: If I Never See Your Face - Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna
71: The Little Things - Colbie Caillat

70: Somebody's Gonna Miss Us - The Starting Line
69: In Love With A Girl - Gavin DeGraw
68: Mercy - Duffy
67: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
66: Everything I Ask For - The Maine
65: Candle (Sick And Tired)* - The White Tie Affair
64: Stay Away - Josh Hoge
63: Your Call* - Secondhand Serenade
62: Leavin' - Jesse McCartney
61: That's What You Get - Paramore

60: Circus* - Britney Spears
59: Everything - A Cursive Memory
58: Forever - Chris Brown
57: This Is Home - Switchfoot
56: I'm Gone, I'm Going - Lesley Roy
55: Closer - Ne-Yo
54: Paper Planes - M.I.A.
53: Viva La Vida - Coldplay
52: Do You Feel - The Rocket Summer
51: Don't Trust Me* - 3OH!3

50: Northern Downpour* - Panic At The Disco
49: Whoa Oh! (Me Vs. Everyone) - Forever The Sickest Kids
48: Shattered (Turn The Car Around) - O.A.R.
47: Until You - Dave Barnes
46: The Man Who Can't Be Moved* - The Script
45: Thunder - Boys Like Girls
44: Disturbia - Rihanna
43: Jamie All Over - Mayday Parade
42: Into Your Arms - The Maine
41: Hot N' Cold* - Katy Perry

40: Fall For You - Secondhand Serenade
39: T-Shirt - Shontelle
38: Summer Hair = Forever Young - The Academy Is...
37: Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis (#48 in 2007)
36: Always Be - Jimmy Eat World
35: Womanizer - Britney Spears
34: No Air - Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown
33: Check Yes Juliet - We The Kings
32: The Way She Moves- Forever The Sickest Kids
31: So Close - Jon McLaughlin

30: Little Miss Obsessive - Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson
29: If This Room Could Move - I Nine
28: Beating My Heart - Jon McLaughlin
27: Love Me - National Product
26: If I Were A Boy - Beyonce
25: Just Dance* - Lady GaGa feat. Colby O'Donis
24: Beautiful Beat - Nada Surf
23: With Me - Sum 41
22: This Love* - The Veronicas
21: With You - Chris Brown (#55 in 2007)

20: Hero/Heroine - Boys Like Girls
Spending two weeks at the top spot of the Friss Zene countdown in early January, the Massachusetts-based band led by Martin Johnson's video for Hero/Heroine was actually the second version. Originally released as the first single off their eponymous debut, the song was re-released after the success of their hit "The Great Escape".

19: February Air - Lights
When I first heard of this song -- yes on that major national clothing company store's television commercial -- I was immediately entranced by this girl's breathy vocals set against electro-pop beats. I hope to see big things (including her debut) from Lights next year.

18: Better In Time - Leona Lewis
Although her other hit became a bigger chart success this past year, "Better In Time" is the type of song that better showcases the vocal prowess of this young lady from England. Catchy drumbeat throughout the song? Check. The chops to pull off somewhat romantic cliches? Check. Hit in 09? We will see...

17: I'm Not Over - Carolina Liar
The only band to make have two songs in the top 20, Chad Wolf leads his band Carolina Liar in this pop-rock head thumper penned by Swedish hit maker Max Martin.

16: Deliverance - Quietdrive
The result of an infusion of techno and alternative punk would sound something like this. Simply one of the best rock songs of 2008 and it wasn't even officially released as a single.

15: Sweet And Low - Augustana
A charming and earnest vocal delivery from frontman Dan Layus, Augustana came back to the fore with "Sweet And Low", a decidedly low-key affair that has the band going for a roots/folk sound for their sophomore album Can't Hurt, Can't Love. I was lucky enough to meet the band after their show in Hawaii this past summer and can say they are nice guys.

14: Change For You - The Midway State
Simplistic and majestic. Keyboardist and lead singer of Nathan Ferraro's haunting wail instantly piqued my interest. They haven't made it big in the states, but dare I say that this band may well be Canada's answer to Coldplay, only less bombastic. This song spent three weeks at the top on the Friss Zene countdown.

13: It Had To Be You - Motion City Soundtrack
12 months ago, Motion City Soundtrack landed at #13 with "Broken Heart" and now the Minneapolis-based band comfortably stays at the same position yet again with the next single "It Had To Be You". And again, MCR doesn't take themselves too seriously in their video, in which the band entertains sock pockets and become musical marionettes.

12: Take A Bow - Rihanna
The reigning queen of the year-end countdown (with last year's #1 "Umbrella") marks her FIFTH song appearance on the countdown with arguably the summer jam of 2008. Penned by Ne-Yo, this piano ballad about a scorned lover seems like a certain other song Ne-Yo happened to pen for a certain famous R&B songstress. Nonetheless, "Take A Bow" is another shining example of Rihanna's entrancing voice set alongside the impressive songwriting from the 'Gentleman'.

11: Beautiful World - Carolina Liar
Without sacrificing sincerity while maintaining a radio-friendly sensibility, the other standout track from Carolina Liar's debut Coming To Terms was this pleasantly unexpected track, a tragic/heartbreaking ballad about a man who has deluded himself after experiencing a particular tragedy: I wanna ask for directions but I don't dare to disturb / I got a thing with affections, yeah, That's why I'm walking alone. The chorus: Sunlight creeps in between the curtains / Lose the sheets, there's no time for sleep / I lie, I pretend 'til I'm almost certain it's a beautiful world

10: Stop And Stare - OneRepublic
Sure, OneRepublic hit it big last year with "Apologize", but I preferred this song, the second single off their Dreaming Out Loud. Ryan Tedder has written and/or produced many hits for other artists, including #37 and Beyonce's future single "Halo", yet his band has not been able to attain the same level of success of "Apologize". Nonetheless, the dude's got a knack for crafting pop tunes.

09: Whatever It Takes - Lifehouse
Lifehouse began 2008 on top of the Friss Zene countdown, landing at #1 for 3 weeks with "Whatever It Takes", a Jason Wade-led power ballad about a man's swoon-worthy attempt to remedy a failing relationship. This marks the second consecutive year a Lifehouse song has made the Top 20 ("First Time" was #11 last year).

08: Crush - David Archuleta
As the debut single for his self-titled album, this year's Idol runner-up had to match --or surpass-- the success of David Cook's debut single (more of that a little later). Thankfully, David Archuleta has the goods to deliver. "Crush" is by all means a classic pop song made for radio airplay and the throngs of tweens with disposable income whom are able to purchase the music. Simplistic yet catchy, its melody and chorus will stick in your head for days. It's a bonafide guilty pleasure.

07: Live Your Life - T.I. feat. Rihanna
I am not a huge fan of hip-hop, so it takes an amazing song like this for me to take notice. Collaborations between rappers and R&B songstresses are usually hit or miss. However, Rihanna, who is arguably the most successful female artist in 2008, has that distinct pop voice that can pull-off a rather unlikely sing-along chorus. Not only does this song have great beats and vocals, it is further enhanced by an overall affirming message through refreshingly thoughtful lyrics by Mr. T.I himself. My favorite lyric: I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished with the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid

06: The Time Of My Life - David Cook
The 2008 American Idol's debut single had all the trappings of a reality television competition coronation song: syrupy-sweet lyrics about "magic rainbows" and cliches about rising from the ashes or finding wings on the road of achieving success. And yet, David Cook's rock delivery of a would-be also-ran, won me over. It debuted at #3 and was the highest debut single for any Idol winner since 2003. By the end of the year, the song has achieved platinum status. Goes to show that with major talent, Cook has the ability to take inspiration and create magic.

5: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - Cute Is What We Aim For
My coming-of-age anthem of 2008. This promising debut single off their sophomore album Rotation is a departure from CIWWAF's previous releases due to the band's overall evolving sound. Lead singer Shaant Hacikyan presides over lyrics that speak of a self-awareness that comes with maturity and life experience, or, perhaps the realization of a lack thereof, and delivers mature sounding pipes through each rousing chorus.

4: ISLAND (FLOAT AWAY) - The Starting Line
The line "Well it seems like we can never catch a break" sounds so heartbreakingly true. The Starting Line began early 2008 announcing that their latest spring tour would be their last...for a long while. After their 2007 disc Direction failed to bring in the sales their label Virgin Records expected them to garner, they were subsequently told that promotion would cease after its brief release to rock stations. Led by the scruffy yet soulful frontman Kenny Vasoli, the Pennsylvanian quartet's "Island" had all the makings a huge hit: soaring choruses, the brilliant utilization of metaphor, ace guitar riffs, and a pop sensibility. One wonders what would have happened if it were released to mainstream radio, as it was originally intended. Island will remain as a personal favorite.

3: I'LL RUN - The Cab (with ZZZZZ and TAKE MY HAND as honorable mentions)
"I'll Run" was the inaugural debut single off Fueled By Ramen's newest signed band The Cab, had a record makeover of sorts from its original cut from the Vegas-based band's indie EP Glitz and Glamour. Now with major studio production touch-ups, a rythmic piano hook and guitar riff that plays throughout the song and soulful vocals from lead singer Alex Deleon, the song has helped develop a fellow fanbase since its debut on their Myspace in late 07. In February, I saw them on the "Really Really Ridiculous Good Looking Tour", in which they opened for Cobra Starship, what surprised me was (1) their youth (all in their teens) since they all seemed like seasoned pros because (2) they sounded great live, which indicated how they would translate as a full record. The result was an amazing collection of polished pop rock hits called Whisper War.

2: UNTOUCHED - The Veronicas
It is quite surprising to me how it is only now that the country is finally discovering how great this song is. Originally released as a spring single off their 2007 album Hook It Up, the Australian twin sis duo of Jess (newly blonde) and Lisa Origliasso may finally get their American chart breakthrough in 2009 with the song's re-release stateside. The song is co-written by Toby Gad, the dude who helped pen hits for Fergie ("Big Girls Don't Cry) and Beyonce (see #26). Undeniably the poppiest venture from the Veronicas, its rush of violin strings and a beat that sticks into your head like molasses contribute to its elegantly frenetic charm. What a fine electro-pop piece of art.

1: THINK OF YOU LATER (EMPTY ROOM) - Every Avenue
From Michigan pop-punkers Every Avenue, "Think Of You Later..." was an instant aural attraction way back in early 2008. In fact, I loved nearly every song off their eponymous debut. The majority of their album is unashamedly catchy -- a big positive in my book -- with anthemic sing-a-long choruses that makes you forget that this song is really a downer. Clocking in under 3 minutes, it is both radio-ready and refreshingly rosy in its faux optimism. Frontman Dave Ryan has, in my opinion, one of the best rock vocals in the scene. I listened to many, many pop, rock, and pop-punk singles this year. Some were more played out than others, but after eight months, I have yet to get tired of this. "Think Of You Later..." was recently released (Nov) as their second official single, so I sure hope it'll be a hit with others as it is with me. Ladies and gentlemen, "Think Of You Later (Empty Room)" is my song of 2008.

So, what do you think?! Do you agree with my choices? Comments are appreciated!

Bring on 2009.

Fresh Music - Top 40 for Saturday, April 12, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 04.12.08
Island still making waves!

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 01 N C 01 11 The Starting Line - Island (2 weeks at #1)
02 04 +02 01 10 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You (2 weeks at #1)
03 07 +04 03 06 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
04 02 -02 01 08 Lights - February Air (1 week at #1)
05 18 +13 05 10 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
06 11 +05 06 13 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
07 03 -04 03 05 Paramore - That's What You Get
08 05 -03 03 06 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
09 31 +22 09 02 Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh!
10 06 -04 04 07 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
11 13 +02 11 08 Phantom Planet - Leader
12 12 N C 12 02 Treaty of Paris - Hello Nurse
13 09 -04 09 04 Jimmy Eat World - Always Be
14 08 -06 08 04 Boys Like Girls - Thunder
15 15 N C 01 11 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
16 17 +01 01 13 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
17 10 -07 01 10 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
18 16 -02 15 04 Tegan and Sara - The Con
19 14 -05 03 12 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
20 DEBUT 20 01 Every Avenue - Think Of You Later (Empty Room)
21 21 N C 21 02 The Spill Canvas - All Over You
22 25 +03 22 03 Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
23 19 -04 19 05 Rihanna - Take A Bow
24 20 -04 20 02 Yellowcard - Fighting
25 22 -03 04 09 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
26 26 N C 03 20 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
27 24 -03 23 06 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
28 23 -05 12 27 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
29 27 -02 19 06 The Feeling - Without You
30 28 -02 07 09 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
31 29 -02 21 05 SafetySuit - Someone Like You
32 - - R E 11 06 Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine
33 32 -01 10 10 Augustana - Sweet And Low
34 30 -04 01 20 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
35 DEBUT 35 01 PlayRadioPlay! - Madi Don't Leave
36 33 -03 11 09 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
37 36 -01 33 04 Sara Bareilles - Bottle It Up
38 35 -03 01 19 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
39 37 -02 32 05 Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
40 41 +01 40 04 Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 40 -01 01 36 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You
42 39 -03 01 13 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
43 42 -01 01 19 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
44 43 -01 01 43 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)
45 DEBUT 45 01 The Hush Sound - Honey

Falling Off
Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music: 37 weeks, peak at #4
Janet Jackson - Feedback: 14 weeks, peak at #4
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead: 11 weeks, peak at #6
Linkin Park - Leave Out All The Rest: 4 weeks, peak at #27

Re-Entry
Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine (at #32, last placed at #35)

Biggest Debut
Every Avenue - Think Of You Later (Empty Room) (debut at #20)

Biggest Jump
Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh! (#9, up 22 spots from #31 last week)

Biggest Decline
The Midway State - Change For You (#17, down 7 spots from #10 last week)

Friss Zene
Phantom Planet - Do The Panic
The Cab - One of THOSE Nights (feat. Patrick Stump & Brendan Urie)

The Starting Line's "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" Tour at Slim's, 04.03.08

On Thursday, April 3, I went to The Starting Line show at Slim's in San Francisco. The headliners of their "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" tour sang to full capacity with support from Steel Train, Four Year Strong, and Bayside. It was an awesome show, and was bittersweet knowing one of the original pop-punk bands of the late 1990s may never play together live soon...or ever again. Therefore, I knew I had to grasp at the opportunity to see the Pennsylvania-native band live. Little did I know this would be one of the best decisions (music-wise) I've ever made. My concert bud for the show was Aiza, who sort of gave me a lesson on concert/scene 101, including why you should hold on to the barricades to survive the crush of the crowd, how ice cream sandwiches can be awesome pre-concert fuel, and the reason why being in front means b.y.o.e.p. (bring your own earplugs) and getting some comp agua.

Aiza and I met at 4 p.m. after her class and took the 5 and 47 buses to Slim's. She happens to work for USFtv and has a key role on a music-related show for the school channel and so because she is technically a member of the press, she is able to meet and interview bands. With a camera (in bag, in hand) she was psyched at the thought of finally getting to meet Kenny Vasoli, the beloved TSL frontman. She also was armed with a list of prepared interview questions, including one that asked about their favorite ice cream flavors.

We finally arrived at the venue at 4:30-ish and Aiza's BF Anthony stood in line so we were only the second group in line. There, I met Anthony's friend Alan who happened to see The AP Tour show in SF a week earlier (featured All Time Low, The Rocket Summer, and Forever The Sickest Kids, among others). I was greeen with envy. This was the earliest I've ever waited in line. It reminded me of my pal Maricel who is truly hardcore in getting there early, as she has waited upwards of six+ hours prior to doors.

The action in line (in the vein of a stream of consciousness): Anthony and Aiza went across the street to get a snack. I ask Alan what other bands he's into. One of them is Paramore. Nice. Not a big fan of The Rocket Summer though. Bummer. A&A return with an It's It, an ice cream sandwich concoction that is apparently a sweet San Francisco treat. Had a bite and was surprisingly yummy. Something with oatmeal I think. Dropped chocolate on ground. Aiza wipes with napkin and now it looks like shit. Haha. Alan has his alergies acting up and has a huge roll of t.p. in his backpack. I discover Aiza and Anthony are vegetarians. Aiza discovers the progression of our hairstyles. Mine being the first phase, Alan the second, and Anthony the final stage of the scene cut. Surprisingly short line, but prolly cause kids were at The Warfield for the My Chemical Romance show that same night. Crap, their loss is our gain. Alan and Anthony go to Office Max to unload their bladders and I'm follow them about ten minutes later. Huge mistake. Shit! They all met Kenny! Damn you bladder! Why?!? I will never go to the bathroom while waiting ever. Heh.

TSL starts to do their sound check and play "Birds". We all chirp along and "woohooooh". Aiza and classmate Audrey go in to interview TSL while we wait. Yep, I ruined the A-role with my name. Aiza and Audrey return. Apparently they didn't get to speak with Kenny! Aiza said that the press person asked the allowed press members the opportunity to go first. Not really thinking any repercussions from this, Aiza and Audrey go first...and they get Mike and Matt (or was it Tom? my memory is bad). Oh well, they got to take photos with him earlier. Aiza loves Hello Kitty. We all have chew on Hello Kitty gum. Audrey's goal is to get all the members of TSL to sign her liner notes. My goal is to meet Kenny. TSL fans are among the coolest. Someone in back of me says they'd pay for a show just with TSL. I'd agree. Not too fond of Bayside or Four Year Strong. The night before, I gave Steel Train a listen and fell asleep to their Myspace music player.

Okay so one of the security dude comes out to say "no cameras tonight". Booo. Why so strict? Is this not their last tour (for a while, or ever) and they are restricting cameras?! Sharpies are also contraband and any cameras we possessed had to be checked in. Not necessary. Do we not deserve better, since the cool kids need cool pix.

So the doors opened slightly later than expected and the line was divided by gender in prep for body and contraband searches. I am the third male. Anthony's sharpie gets tossed. We toss all our cameras in Alan's backpack. But say what? One of the venue girls gave small cameras the okay. Thank god!

We finally get in and we all bypassed the merch tables in favor of the prized positions in the front on the barricade. I did look back to see the type of merch available. Steel Train had a t-shirt and CD deal for $20. TSL had all sorts of tees on sale. Interestingly this show the audience got to see all the setting and packing between sets, as compared to the Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour show. Alan continued to fight the allergies. Aiza puts in earplugs, saying she has permanent damage from being up front during shows all these years. Yikes. Audrey is super tall, so she separated from the group.

First up was Steel Train and their sound was unique and enjoyable. Lead singer started out with a red sweatshirt with a cow on it. LOL. Holding on to the barricade, I was right in front of the guitarist and was so close to the speakers I was sure to be deaf by the end of the night. Note to self: get some earplugs! I felt bad for the band since some of the kids up front showed little interest but I'm sure it was fun to try to win them over. Kudos for playing a Smashing Pumpkins cover ("1979") which I thought was unexpected/cool.

Next up was Four Year Strong, who I tried listening to some of their songs to get be prepared for their set, but just couldn't really get into it. I think of the four of us in front, Anthony was probably the most excited to see them perform. I have two three things to say about FYS: (1) They remind me of Limp Bizkit. (2) Their songs basically sound the same, no distinct melodies or choruses. (3) Their fans are unnecessarily intense and need to back the fuck off. The third band was Bayside which didn't really fare any better. I focused on two three things during this set: (1) to make sure those rowdy kids in back of us do not try to make their way to the barricade, Alan and I created a wall with our forearms. (2) The lead singer's teeth were janky. Aiza noticed this too. And (3), his microphone was on way too low for anyone to hear any distinguishable lyrics.

The wait for TSL was obviously a little more than the others. One of the first things assembled was Tom's drumset. Anyway, TSL played an awesome set which lasted about an hour and a half. Kenny and Co. played a lot of the suggested songs on the PickRSet, which had a few of the older songs from their early days with Drive Thru Records that weren't featured on the major albums. I definitely did my research and listened to Based on A True Story and Direction for hours and days prior and found them to be extremely fantastic material, with the latter as the standout. I also knew a few songs on Say It Like You Mean It, including one of my favorites "A Goodnight's Sleep".

Meet The original foursome of The Starting Line

(1) Frontman and bassist Kenny Vasoli, (2) guitarist Matt Watts, (3) drummer Tom Gryskiewicz, and (4) guitarist Mike Golla. New keyboardist Brian Schmutz joined the band during Direction and can be seen in the photos below.

TSL began the night with "Almost There, Going Nowhere" from SILYMI, followed by the EP classic "Greg's Last Day". Truly this is when the show really started, since the build-up to TSL was, frankly, underwhelming. I was amazed the amount of energy the crowd gave the band and how much they equally gave back. During their performance of the title song of their latest album "Direction", everyone (including myself) was shouting every word.

I am the boy who got carried away, in my new direction, and there's where I stay...

Other highlights include "Are You Alone", "Autography", "Bedroom Talk", "Leaving", personal fave "A Goodnight's Sleep", "Surprise, Surprise", and "Birds".

Then Kenny slowed things down for the next song. He said he doesn't perform this song during the tour but since San Francisco requested it, he sang the sobering "Something Left To Give". I thought the message of the song took on a new meaning when I heard that they may not return. To me, it now means that after 8 years of touring and being in the music industry, they've lived such a crazy life and now they ready to slow things down and take a breather, experience other facets of life, and hopefully, return (in a year, in five or ten) with worthy music for themselves and the fans.

Midway through the set, the crush of the crowd was really getting to us. All our energy and adrenaline was really taxing and fortunately the security dudes passed out comp bottled water to us in the front. No way are we going to leave our spots just to buy a $3 bottle of water!...Oh! The next part was priceless. Prior to getting into the next song, Kenny started egging on Matt and provoked the crowd to start chanting for Matt to flash his chest. The crowd kept chanting "Show your tits". So Matt finally showed his manboobs to everyone for a split second and got really red-faced. Immediately after, Kenny introduced the next song, which everyone knew...And if you don't, get acquainted with "Island":

Now I was afraid that the next song wasn't going to be played because it was selected in the PlayRSet list. But I figure, they had to play the song. Anthony reassured me that they would. "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" began and I was psyched. Say it's premature to make such a statement, but it has got to be one of my all-time favorite TSL songs ever. So much I wanted to capture a video of it, but when I uploaded all my photos and videos and found it was not there, I was crushed that I did not get any of it captured. Bummed to the max about that. Other notable bums: the omissions of "21" or "Way With Words" in the show.

But I was not at all bummed about the encore, which of course had the best TSL ever played at the very end. People attempted to crowd surf (and failed lol) but there was a great energy felt everywhere. It was a bittersweet sight to see the band leave towards the end, as is customary of their shows, with the crowd left to sing out the final chorus. Here's "Best of Me":

Amazing.

Th highly sought after setlists were held hostage by one of the tour guys who wanted specific answers to his questions regarding punk rock. While people fought for that, I was able to get a yellow TSL guitar pick! After the show, Aiza, Anthony, and I went over to merch to get tees (Aiza got a shirt with pandas 'cause she loves pandas, just like my friend Maricel!) while I got the blue Direction shirt.

When we finally got out of Slim's, we waited for TSL to come out. Mike and Matt were the first to come out and we got to meet them.

The wait for Kenny was quite a while. We waited for about 20-30 minutes. Things started looking bleek when one of the roadies came out, looked at us, shook his head, and murmured something negative. Also Matt and Mike (with their napsacks) came out of the tour bus and walked away from the venue.

But at long last, Kenny came through the doors wearing his backpack and everyone (well okay I'll speak for myself) I got excited, I'll admit. Someone asked Kenny if he was going out tonight, but said he had a recent fight with his girlfriend so he probably won't. As is customary to meeting an idol-like figure, I always shake their hands and introduce myself. Mr. Vasoli politely introduced himself even though I knew who he was. Then I said that I am from Hawaii and knew they all played at Pipeline earlier in February, the show Maricel went to, and his face lit up. He said that he enjoyed being in Hawaii.

Two ringing ears, a hug and a handshake later, it was done and over. I have come to realize that The Starting Line is a really underrated band. They've spent nearly a decade trying to attain some level of success (hence the lyric "Seems like we can never catch a break" in Island) and deal with all sorts of record label drama. It is not so far-fetched that they all needed time away from it all. I hope they come back from this break renewed, because when all is said and done, and nobody's here to play the music we love, we're most definitely going to miss them.

Man I hope they will.

Fresh Music - Top 40 for April 5, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 04.05.08
The Starting Line's Island floats away to the top!

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 06 +05 01 10 The Starting Line - Island (1 week at #1)
02 01 -01 01 07 Lights - February Air (1 week at #1)
03 07 +04 03 04 Paramore - That's What You Get
04 02 -02 01 09 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You (2 weeks at #1)
05 03 -02 03 05 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
06 04 -02 04 06 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
07 08 +01 07 05 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
08 14 +06 08 03 Boys Like Girls - Thunder
09 12 +03 09 03 Jimmy Eat World - Always Be
10 05 -05 01 09 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
11 10 -01 10 12 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
12 DEBUT 12 01 Treaty of Paris - Hello Nurse
13 18 +05 13 07 Phantom Planet - Leader
14 11 -03 03 11 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
15 09 -06 01 10 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
16 16 N C 15 03 Tegan and Sara - The Con
17 15 -02 01 12 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
18 17 -01 17 09 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
19 20 +01 19 04 Rihanna - Take A Bow
20 DEBUT 20 01 Yellowcard - Fighting
21 DEBUT 21 01 The Spill Canvas - All Over You
22 13 -09 04 08 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
23 19 -04 12 26 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
24 27 +03 23 05 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
25 26 +01 25 02 Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
26 25 -01 03 19 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
27 23 -04 19 05 The Feeling - Without You
28 22 -06 07 08 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
29 21 -08 21 04 SafetySuit - Someone Like You
30 29 -01 01 19 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
31 DEBUT 31 01 Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh!
32 34 +02 10 09 Augustana - Sweet And Low
33 24 -09 11 08 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
34 28 -08 27 03 Linkin Park - Leave Out All The Rest
35 32 -03 01 18 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
36 33 -03 33 03 Sara Bareilles - Bottle It Up
37 35 -02 32 04 Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
38 30 -08 04 14 Janet Jackson - Feedback
39 40 +01 01 12 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
40 42 +02 01 35 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 43 +02 43 03 Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher
42 38 -04 01 18 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
43 45 +02 01 42 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)
44 31 -13 11 06 The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
45 41 -04 04 37 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music

Falling Off
36 33 -03 02 13 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
37 34 -03 06 07 Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
39 40 +01 39 02 Five Times August - The Good Life
44 43 -01 14 16 NLT - She Said, I Said

Biggest Debut
Treaty of Paris - Hello Nurse (debut at #12)

Biggest Jump
Boys Like Girls - Thunder (#8, up 6 spots from #14 last week)

Biggest Decline
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (#44, down 13 spots from #41 last week)

Friss Zene
The Veronicas - Untouched
PlayRadioPlay! - Madi Don't Leave

The Starting Line in San Francisco Tonight!

I'm super excited about attending The Starting Line show at Slim's in San Francisco tonight. The Pennsylvanian band is headlining a tour with openers Steel Train, MA band Four Year Strong and Bayside. TSL has been a late college discovery and after listening to their albums, I found their type of rock music to be approachable and resonant. I'll keep you updated on the going-ons soon.

Fresh Song: The Starting Line - Somebody's Gonna Miss Us

The Starting Line - Somebody's Gonna Miss Us

Not officially released as a single, track #10 is one of my favorite songs off of The Starting Line's 2007 album Direction. It takes on an enhanced meaning now that lead singer Kenny Vasoli and the band announced an "indefinite hiatus" from touring and creating music. Very sad. But let's just hope this is not a break-up and that they will be back very soon, unlike *coughs*blink182*coughs*. Give it a listen!

boomp3.com

Meanwhile, GET some Direction!