Archytecture

Smash Mouth - “All Star”

So here it is, the final track on my Defibrillating Beats playlist. Well, the playlist is ever evolving, sometimes getting shorter, other times getting longer, but this is the current state it’s in. I hope you’ve enjoyed it.

“All Star”, how can this not be on a playlist that is meant to inspire? I am an All Star, regardless of what people say. I endeavor to break the mold, pretty much on a weekly basis (if not daily, it depends how I feel). Additionally, every time I hear this song it’s almost impossible not to think about Mystery Men. What a strange yet cool movie.

You’ll never know if you don’t go
You’ll never shine if you don’t glow 

Broken Bells - “The Ghost Inside”

Now this is an interesting track that mostly makes it onto this playlist for it’s head bobbing beat. The lyrics actually tell a somewhat sad story, but its the music video that tells a slightly different one that for some reason brings to mind memories of Metroid Prime. I don’t know why. Regardless, I do take one thing out of this: “don’t turn into one of them”. I’ve always wanted to be my own person, be unique, to be one in 7 billion. I think I’m on my way to achieving that.

Ash - “Orpheus”

Just listening to that starting drum beat flavored with some intense guitar always gets me ready to roll. Whether it be racing the streets, taking down aliens, or just waking up in the morning, this song has got the precise defibrillating beats I need. There’s also the whole “if I look back I’m gonna turn to stone” thing, which people tell me in less poetic ways often. But what I really take away from this song is this:

It hit me without warning
I was left out on my own
The bad times they were forming
I went through them alone

But a new day it is dawning
And I feel the pain is gone
The open road is calling
And I am moving on

It seems now, more than ever those words carry great meaning. It’s about time I let things flow, one beat at a time.

Sex Bob-Omb - “Threshold”

This is the beginning of the song

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (the movie) is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. It’s one of the geekiest movies ever, and I pride myself on being pretty geeky, that’s why one of the songs by the lead group Sex Bob-Omb made it on my playlist. The scene in the movie where they are rocking out and battling to this is quite awesome, and will forever remind me of opening night seeing this movie with my friends.

Sometimes I crank this song and play a bit of air bass as if I was battling to save my own life. When I feel like I’m reaching my threshold, it’s always good to just let it out with some good rock.

Goldfish - “We Come Together”

This one is awesome for two reasons. One, because of the super geeky music video (you can watch it here), and two, it reminds me of my friends and all of the good times we have when “we come together”. Also, there are some great lyrics about stars: “I can show you the way if you gaze at the stars / When the universe leaves all the gates ajar”. That last bit is something I’m working on realizing, metaphorically speaking, that there are plenty of opportunities open, you just have to take them when they come along. And sometimes you have to make them on your own. That’s a bit harder than the first method, but the reward can sometimes be greater.

And to my friends: “I will love you til the end of time. Don’t doubt it, just know it.”

Kaori Aso - “Resistance Line”

I like video games, and when those video games have moving stories, and even more so, moving music, it’s hard for those pieces not to move me in some way. This gem comes from the opening to the second disc of Wild Arms 2, one of my favorite RPGs of all time, and by far a tough contender for the best in the series. I think the video that goes along with the opening definitely helps sell the song, and I won’t go into any spoilers, but while the main character isn’t the focus of the sequence, or the music, I definitely get a feel for his lonesome nature, as well as for all the people he’s fighting for and those fighting with him. Yeah, cheesy I know, and I’m not really a fighter, but I do fight for the things that matter to me. Even if there’s no hope of winning.

The All-American Rejects - “Move Along”

Sometimes in life, things don’t go according to plan. In fact, it seems like more often than not that seems to be the case. That can definitely make one feel down on their luck and out of hope. I know I’ve felt like that a lot over the past few months, and when those feelings creep in, it’s sometimes tough to keep strong. Hence why this song keeps me going. Not only because of the positive message of “keep moving”, even if you don’t think you can, but also because how can you not want to sing along to something that feels so upbeat? It makes me want to grab some drumsticks and pound away.

Also, it was featured in a Lego Bionicle commercial years back, and that scene pops into my head and gives me ideas for using this song for some epic battle sequence of my own.

“When everything is wrong, we move along.”

OK Go - “White Knuckles”

You know that song that just kind of sounds good, and feels like it should be important for some reason? Well, “White Knuckles” is kind of like that. After some time I eventually extrapolated a message from it which recently seems to be something I need to learn. You can’t go back, you need to accept change, and maybe things aren’t so bad after all. Honestly, thing’s aren’t so bad at all.

Switchfoot - “Stars”

“When I look at the stars, I see myself”

This song just speaks a lot a truth about me. Being an Astrophysicist, stars are kind of important. I’ve always looked up at them, and even when I’m feeling my worst I can look into that deep black canvas called space, get lost, and return just a bit more comfortable, and a bit more like myself.