The Best of the Worst

It sounds so appealing, yet who is it about? Perhaps it is about a specific individual; perhaps it is about the savior in all of us. In truth even if our most beloved ideals of love, compassion and true power have never fully manifested in just one person at one time they could still be just as real. Perhaps they have manifested in many individuals. When it really comes down to it no one knows although the desire in all of us to act as a benevolent force in this world is surely righteous. It is more than simply conforming to an archaic set of rules and lamenting the fact that as humans we seem destined to make so many mistakes. After all what is more important; what we've attempted to do or what we've done?

Where do I begin with this song? During the time when this was written I was extremely scatterbrained (rightfully so I might add) and thus was writing many of my songs about many different things at once. Not the most original concept of course; however, I have my own unique way of weaving seemingly unrelated things together and saying something that applies to both. The heart of this song is most definitely my message to everyone who knows me that I don't forget you and I will never turn my back on my friends. It goes a little dark sometimes with my explanations as to why I feel certain positions that other people in my life have taken are wrong, for lack of a better word. But the overall tone of the song was intended to be positive though I obviously have no aversion to being intense and overbearing at times. I have performed this song around many a fire.

 This song was first named crossfire but then renamed after I didn't like the first title. The first verse of this song was written almost a year before I finally finished this version of this song which I had named crossfire. The first verse and the second one which follows both have the same structure but speak of separate yet related matters. The first verse explains how its hard to see the truth through a cloud of lies and that following your own heart to your true way of living is both intelligent and admirable. The chorus explains the pitfall of questioning constantly the morality of ones own actions in the past or even the future. Of course a certain amount of analysis on this level is healthy to grow into a more divine being; however, such lines of thinking can easily lead one astray. The second verse expresses sympathy for those trapped in unfair situations due to circumstances which were beyond their control or even for unjust reasons. I also throw an explanation of where I come from as an artist for kicks.

 This was at one point the newest song that I had written and for better or worse I decided to share it some time ago. I could go with an in-depth analysis about what it means as I typically do but for this song it is highly unnecessary. It is likely that everyone has felt this away at least once before and I didn't go to any great lengths to mask the true meaning of the words this time. I feel that this song isn't really true to my normal style but at the same time it is. It's hard to explain; like an aspect that you are aware of but are unable to find the precise words to describe it. Possibly the right words don't already exist.

 This is an older version of floodgate. This version has been posted for historical preservation =D. The house in which I recorded this has since been torn down. Left behind where it once stood is now an empty lot filled only with rocks and debris. Below is my original interpretation of its meaning.

This song is about several different things... The chorus is commentary on how xenophobic people can be and how we are naturally inclined to dislike things that are new to us. The verses are set in past tense; however, they are closer to prophecies of possibilities that could unfold in the future as opposed to narratives of past events. The first verse warns of how easily love can be betrayed and the second chorus warns of the perils of lamenting what could have been.

 Oh where to begin with this one? In short it is about how life is a gamble and how luck and pure chance often have huge effects on even carefully calculated plans. The chorus laments the fact that we are all bound by the chains of fate though despite this we are not powerless. We do have free will to be able to affect the outcomes of situations. This is one of my darker songs and have thus set the mood with the low lighting and the ominous looking black hood. One of the main aspects of my entire image and personality is the merging of dark and light into one to create something that can be even more powerful than both individually. I think this production truly shows this concept brilliantly. Do enjoy.

 This song, like many of my works has several themes that are all intertwined with each other. The first verse expresses a vow of relentlessness despite unfavorable odds having been experienced previously. It declares that even when telling the truth it is easy to be misunderstood despite all attempts at communicating clearly. The chorus is about not losing that spark of ambition that drives great people to strive for perfection although it is easy to forget when forced to endure a repetitive and mundane job constantly just to survive. The second verse is simply a few lines that I heard in a dream and upon waking still could remember and wrote down. It fits into the song perfectly, otherwise I would have not included it and the song was loosely written around this particular passage.

 This song is called nothing short even though in the beginning of the video I introduce it as Curse of Divinity. Curse of Divinity is actually my newest song (at the time) that I wrote after this one and is a completely different song. In fact if you're reading this a few weeks after I have typed it the real curse of divinity will likely be above this one. What can I say about this song? Its a bit different from my core style but I still like it, I tried to establish kind of a grunge feel almost in the verses and then the choruses are more high energy. Its about a lot of things but one of them is the kind of people I've seen evidence of over the years who are only interested in exploiting the world around them for their own gain. I will never seek involvement with such individuals even if it might further my own career and agenda...

 This is one of my favorite acoustic-vocal songs that I have ever written. In truth like many of these solo songs it was written in response to mistreatment that I received at the hands of some very close friends. Despite the inspiration for it the direction I went with the song ultimately was beyond the scope of that single instance. Suffice to say I have been hurt in this way on more than one occasion. Although the tone of the lyrics can be almost spiteful at times I ultimately try to underlay this with an understanding that I have no deep enmity towards even my friends who have betrayed me in this way. 

 Those of you that are more observant might realize that this song is also the 9th song on Crystalline Dawn though this is an acoustic version. This is in fact the same song; however, it is a different song in the sense that this is the acoustic version. Naturally as I hone my craft I find myself adapting songs that I originally recorded as full band pieces to acoustic and sometimes vice-versa. The way this song sounds and flows made it perfect for attempting on acoustic, plus it can be simplified more easily than some of my other full band pieces and thusly I chose to create this version of it. As you may have already guessed this song is about duality and philosophy on the gray edges between opposing forces.

The song below says its my newest song. It's not anymore, this one is or rather it was years ago now when I posted it originally.Though given that most people who will be reading this text will be reading it days or weeks after I am typing this it is likely that this song will no longer be the newest song that I have written anymore. Anyways with that said I felt like what I say in this song had to be said. Its not the first time people have written songs like this and it won't be the last either. There are certain ways of saying things that will appeal to different people and to me this is the best way of saying what I have said here. Its a test really; I mean, who doesn't want peace on earth? Its basically like asking are you good or are you evil. 

 This song is one of my favorite acoustic-vocals songs to perform. I love the sarcastic tone in it though it is also a heartfelt ballad. This song, much like Jet Black Rose, is a song to many past loves who have broken my heart so to speak. It may sound sad when stated in those terms but this song is definitely not meant to be depressing in any way. If you really pay attention to the lyrics you will see how I set it up with the verse and then the chorus connects it right back to the main point of the chorus which is a side-point of the song. Naturally this then flows into the next chorus and so and and so forth... This is the song I play when I am randomly handed an acoustic guitar in a bar.