tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73550382024-03-13T23:16:22.958-04:00Glory RumoursSomething is shining like gold, but better...Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-86290139454490403222014-02-23T03:30:00.001-05:002014-02-23T03:30:11.323-05:00Bye Bye BloggerAfter ten years of using Blogger as my primary source of writing and posting photos on the interwebs, I'm finally launching out on my own (with a little help from Wix) with a brand new website that will feature my blog, a dedicated page for my photography, and who knows what else might make an appearance. Hop on over to http://www.gloryrumours.com to see my shiny new website and don't forget to Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-81938472618191628552014-01-01T07:30:00.000-05:002014-01-01T07:30:00.886-05:00Downloadable Dozen #1: The Lone Bellow - Bleeding Out
The last time a band captured my attention like The Lone Bellow has this year was back in 1983 when I heard U2 for the first time. The remarkable combination of meaningful lyrics, musical excellence, and passionate performance has put The Lone Bellow at the top of my song list for 2013 and is also my #1 pick for album of the year. This song, and really the entire record, is fueled by an Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-88729232889782667202013-12-31T06:30:00.000-05:002013-12-31T06:30:00.035-05:00Downloadable Dozen #2: Civil Wars - The One That Got Away
What can be written that hasn't already been said about the Civil Wars and their acrimonious relationship? This song has so many layers of meaning - are they singing about each other? Do they really wish they'd never formed this incredible musical union? Is there something deeper that has caused them to split up? Or maybe it's just a song about longing and heartache and not being satisfied withBrad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-81983679396000960512013-12-30T06:30:00.000-05:002013-12-30T06:30:00.431-05:00Downloadable Dozen #3: Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go 'Round
I first heard this song late in 2012 and instantly knew it was going to be big. Little did I know Kacey Musgraves would go on to win CMA New Artist of the Year and be nominated for three Grammy awards. As far as I'm concerned, she deserves every accolade she receives after putting out what may be the best country album of 2013 and might possibly be the record that redefines country music for Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-89670992048160058972013-12-29T07:30:00.001-05:002013-12-29T07:30:00.999-05:00Downloadable Dozen #4: David Bowie - The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
David Bowie reappeared this year after a ten-year absence from the music scene with a remarkable new album that sounds as fresh and essential as anything Bowie has ever recorded. I could have picked from any number of tracks on this album but settled on this commentary on celebrity, fame, the media and its power over us. The video is a great piece of Bowie weirdness that I've come to appreciateBrad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-42538577858641917182013-12-29T07:30:00.000-05:002013-12-29T07:30:00.150-05:00Downloadable Dozen #5: All Over Ohio - Over The Rhine
Every time Over the Rhine releases a record, you can be pretty sure they'll have a song make my Downloadable Dozen. In my mind at least, this husband and wife duo is the most underrated band working today and deserve far more attention than they get. Intelligent, sweet, powerful, passionate, and filled with deep faith. An Over the Rhine record is not to be consumed in bits and pieces on a Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-82086000636888926542013-12-27T07:30:00.000-05:002013-12-27T07:30:00.507-05:00Downloadable Dozen #6: Highway Don't Care - Tim McGraw & Taylor Swift
From Arcade Fire to Tim McGraw. That's the kind of year in music it's been for me. This is one of those songs that got stuck in my head and just won't go away. Despite hearing it almost every day throughout the summer, I still haven't grown tired of it. I'm not a big fan of the video, but the song is unforgettable. It's sentimental as all get out, but I get sucked in every time.
Favourite Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-75764940501376823712013-12-26T07:30:00.000-05:002013-12-26T07:30:00.045-05:00Downloadable Dozen #7: Reflektor - Arcade Fire
I'm not sure that the latest Arcade Fire album stands up as well as their previous material (which still makes it better than 98% of everything else out there), but Reflektor is one heck of a good song and as lyrically enigmatic as anything else they've written. The beauty of a song like Reflektor is that it is open to interpretation. I would guess Arcade Fire likes it this way. I take it as a Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-80302431003547851292013-12-25T07:30:00.000-05:002013-12-25T07:30:00.990-05:00Downloadable Dozen #8: I Will - Andy Gullahorn
I first heard Andy Gullahorn when Jason Gray shared a file of Andy's latest album Beyond The Frame with me on a flight from Calgary to Vancouver. There are not many records that can bring a tear to my eye, but this one did...on the plane. Jason said Andy was his favourite songwriter and now I know why. Every song on the album is beautiful, deep, and meaningful. This track in particular speaks Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-58198673627413999692013-12-24T07:55:00.000-05:002013-12-24T08:31:44.836-05:00Downloadable Dozen #9: Counting Stars - OneRepublic
As you've probably guessed by now, I'm not a big fan of top 40 pop music, but every once in a while a real gem comes along that deserves to be recognized. This infectious song by OneRepublic is just catchy enough and lyrically interesting enough to keep me singing along every time I hear it. Katy Perry's Roar came in a close second to this track, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to hate that song Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-14876371569678698112013-12-23T07:30:00.000-05:002013-12-23T21:43:54.201-05:00Downloadable Dozen #10: Come Unto Me - The Mavericks
This is the first of several country songs that made the list this year. With a few notable exceptions, overall I found this a disappointing year in rock/pop music. Thankfully there were some incredible albums released by country artists, including The Mavericks who put out their first record in ten years. There are a handful of great tracks on the album, but this is my favourite. The lyrics Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-26183049907381797502013-12-22T22:27:00.001-05:002013-12-23T06:42:55.084-05:00Downloadable Dozen #11: Silver - The Gray Havens
Admittedly, this is a pretty obscure choice for my top twelve list, but from the moment I first heard The Gray Havens on Under the Radar, I was hooked on their unique sound and intelligent lyrics. This song was one of three that I had a hard time choosing between. They're using Kickstarter to raise funds for a full-length album, hopefully in April 2014. If you like their sound, click here to Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-17276272675334119022013-12-21T07:28:00.003-05:002013-12-23T21:44:23.668-05:00Downloadable Dozen #12: Fam Jam - Shad
A great new album dropped this year from one of my favourite hip-hop artists, Shad. This track in particular about the immigrant experience is the highlight for me. I love spending time with people from other cultures and hearing their stories - both the good and the bad - about their move to Canada. The lyrics pretty much nail the experience as I understand it.
Favourite Lyric
Now when you'reBrad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-54253327652116550002013-05-14T22:21:00.001-04:002013-05-14T22:21:51.869-04:00Canadian RacismCanadians have long looked down on our American cousins as being in the dark over the question of racism and racial equality. "That would never happen in Canada!" we like to proclaim as we self-righteously look back on our history and don't see the obvious signs of racism that we see in the United States. Slavery, violence, and separate lunch counters for "whites" and "coloureds" were not nearly Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-37371854513244711022013-04-26T17:54:00.003-04:002013-04-26T17:54:40.073-04:00Shopping in BangladeshSince I first became aware of the problem, I've had a general concern about sweatshop labour and unsafe working conditions in developing countries, but to be quite honest, it hasn't made a tremendous difference in my shopping habits. While I've tried to take some practical steps to change my ways when it comes to food products like coffee and chocolate, clothing has been a "shop first ask Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-83095152392644281302013-01-01T09:37:00.001-05:002013-01-01T09:37:46.084-05:00Searching for a KingdomIn addition to all of the Christmas specials and New Year's Eve festivities on television at this time of year, I find it fascinating that there are so many shows on about the British Royal family and the history of the monarchy. It seems like an odd time of year for such a focus, but when you think about the coming of the King of Kings that we celebrate at this time of year, perhaps it's not so Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-17676531961009849092012-01-01T07:14:00.000-05:002013-04-27T07:15:41.841-04:00Going on HiatusI've not been a consistent blogger at the best of times, but I know for now it's time to take a break. I'm not sure when this blog will pick up again. It might take on a new purpose or a new format. We'll just have to see what and when I'm inspired to start writing again. For now, Happy New Year!Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-79655061997973041452011-12-31T07:51:00.000-05:002013-04-27T07:11:49.027-04:00Love, Props and the T.DotIn the early 80's, I was the only white guy I knew that was into hip-hop. Heck, I was the only guy I knew who was into it period.
It all started on a grade eight class trip to Quebec City, where we were all shuttled off to a roller skating rink, more than likely to give our teachers a break from 30 hyperactive adolescents. It was in that rink that I heard Rapper's Delight by the Sugarhill Gang Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-81843621895702850292011-09-24T08:48:00.000-04:002013-04-27T07:28:35.028-04:00Favorite Lyrics #5: Until The End Of The World"The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at the center of the jaunt." - Bono
Haven't seen you in quite a while
I was down the hold just passing time
Last time we met was a low-lit room
We were as close together as a bride and groom
We ate the food, we drank the wine
Everybody having a good time
Except you Y
ouBrad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-78658958850375056452011-09-24T00:33:00.000-04:002011-09-24T00:42:29.311-04:00One ChurchOver the course of the past several weeks I've been catching up on the weekly video podcast from The Meeting House in Oakville, Ontario. Their summer series, entitled One Church, has looked at the similarities and differences among a variety of Christian denominations. The great thing about the series is that they didn't just talk about the other traditions behind their backs so to speak, but Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-90774146247362224742011-09-16T11:06:00.000-04:002011-09-16T11:12:55.530-04:00I Can't Stand Hypocrites...I can't stand hypocrites...and by the way...I am one.
As a matter of fact, I think we are all hypocrites to some degree. We all say things with our mouths that we don't follow up on with our lives. This truth has been brought home to me this week as I've been considering my response to the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. Yes, my wife and I did make a donation to help with famine Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-59097486563654047082011-09-11T23:47:00.001-04:002011-09-11T23:47:51.918-04:00"There's been a plane crash in New York..."Those were the first words I heard in relation to the attacks on the United States ten years ago today. At the time I worked for a small company with only seven or eight employees. The owner's father would often drop by the shop to say hi or bring in some treats from a local German bakery. On the morning of September 11, 2001 he had just heard a report on the car radio that a small plane had Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-17951556763528971592011-09-07T06:51:00.000-04:002011-09-11T23:49:41.398-04:00Kids or Commodities?I watched the story of Amanda Lindhout on CBC a few nights ago (you can see the story here). In case you are unaware of Lindhout's ordeal, she was a freelance
journalist working in Somalia in 2008 when she was kidnapped, beaten, and tortured by her captors for 15 months. She was only freed when her family paid an undisclosed amount as a ransom. She recently returned, CBC cameras in tow, to the Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-30981173401573225362011-08-20T06:47:00.007-04:002011-08-20T07:58:15.969-04:00On Beelzebub & BoilsI've been thinking a lot about the Old Testament of late, and just how does the version of faith and faithfulness we see there coincide with the faith that is presented in the New Testament by Jesus. I've been faced with this on a personal basis recently which has caused me to examine my own theology (never a bad thing to do) and has reaffirmed what I believe to be true about sickness and Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355038.post-49352539886049955922011-08-11T18:43:00.009-04:002013-04-27T07:27:50.573-04:00Favourite Lyrics #4: All My Favorite People Are BrokenI just can't get enough of this song by Over The Rhine right now. There's such truth and such beauty in the recognition that we are all broken. There's so much freedom to be found in admitting that you don't have it all together. That you are filled with anxiety, doubt, and fear...and so is everyone else you meet. Despite all of the junk, we are all loved by the Father, whether we choose to turn Brad Saundershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094108506381199866noreply@blogger.com0