The Outsiders.

I first came across needtobreathe when they released their debut album "Daylight" in 2006. Since then, their music has continued to only get better and better. On August 25, they blew me away once again with their most recent album, "The Outsiders". Even from the first track (and title track) The Outsiders, you can't help but smile at the clever lyrics ("just cause i'm wrong, it don't make you right. no, you ain't right"), catchy banjo riffs (no really, all I can hear in my head right now is banjo), and well placed group vocals (WE ARE THE OUTSIDERSSSS...). Seriously, I'm blown back by this album, track after track. When you're giving it at listen, be sure to check out the tune Stones Under Rushing Water. (*I will warn you not to be in a public place when you do listen to it, for it is sure to make you weep like a little child.)

Anyway, go buy the album. listen. and be blown away.

Do you have a gnome?

I do...

american poverty...

I came across these shots awhile back.

Each one is incredible.

Not only are the pictures incredible,

but the stories beneath each picture is equally as powerful.

Take time to have a look and read through the stories of such beautiful people.

American Poverty

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stoneth/sets/1562065/

Happy In A Melancholy Way

It takes a lot for an indie project to impress me,

but Emily's music is so great that I felt I must share it...

go give it a listen. love it. then buy it.

http://emilyriddle.bandcamp.com/

There ain't no reason things are this way, we do it every day.

watch. listen. learn.

There ain't no reason things are this way.
Its how they always been and they intend to stay.
I can't explain why we live this way, we do it everyday.

Preachers on the podium speakin' of saints,
Prophets on the sidewalk beggin' for change,
Old ladies laughing from the fire escape, cursing my name.

I got a basket full of lemons and they all taste the same,
A window and a pigeon with a broken wing,
You can spend your whole life workin' for something
Just to have it taken away.

People walk around pushing back their debts,
Wearing pay checks like necklaces and bracelets,
Talking 'bout nothing, not thinking 'bout death,
Every little heartbeat, every little breath.

People walk a tight rope on a razors edge
Carrying their hurt and hatred and weapons.
It could be a bomb or a bullet or a pen
Or a thought or a word or a sentence.

There Ain't no reason things are this way.
It's how they always been and they intend to stay
I don't know why I say the things I say, but I say them anyway.

But love will come set me free
Love will come set me free, I do believe
Love will come set me free, I know it will
Love will come set me free, yes.

Prison walls still standing tall,
Some things never change at all.
Keep on buildin' prisons, gonna fill them all,
Keep on buildin' bombs, gonna drop them all.

Working your fingers bear to the bone,
Breaking your back, make you sell your soul.
Like a lung that's filled with coal, suffocatin' slow.

The wind blows wild and I may move,
The politicians lie and I am not fooled.
You don't need no reason or a three piece suit to argue the truth.

The air on my skin and the world under my toes,
Slavery stitched into the fabric of my clothes,
Chaos and commotion wherever I go, love I try to follow.

Love will come set me free
Love will come set me free, I do believe
Love will come set me free, I know it will
Love will come set me free, yes.

There ain't no reason things are this way
It's how they always been and they intend to stay
I can't explain why we live this way, we do it everyday.