Empty Soul

Consciousness
$9.49
This CD is just as good as smile empty soul's previous ones. If you are a fan of the band you will not be disappointed!

Consciousness
$13.98
This CD is just as good as smile empty soul's previous ones. If you are a fan of the band you will not be disappointed!

Smile Empty Soul
$13.98
Smile Empty Soul exploded onto the radio with their big hit, "Bottom Of A Bottle" in 2001. This band wouldn't exist without Kurt Cobain. Sean Danielsen, vocalist and lead guitarist, evokes Cobain in vocals, guitar playing, and his angst filled lyrics. I would describe this music as grunge for the 21st Century. The band also isn't afraid to unplug, as acoustic guitars are often showcased. If you think that grunge was the best genre of music, then this music is for you. Here is my take on "Smile Empty Soul."

1. Bottom Of A Bottle (3:41) 10/10
2. Silhouettes (3:51) 10/10
3. Nowhere Kids (4:17) 10/10
4. This Is War (4:28) 9/10
5. Therapy (3:05) 10/10
6. For You (4:14) 10/10
7. Your Way (3:06) 10/10
8. The Other Side (3:59) 10/10
9. Every Sunday (3:46) 9/10
10. With This Knife (3:44) 10/10
11. Radio In A Hole (3:09) 8.5/10
12. All My Problems (3:18) 10/10
13. I Want My Life (4:15) 8.5/10
14. Eraser (4:14) 10/10

Overall: 14 songs, 53:00 9.5/10

Sean's vocals are polarizing. I absolutely love them. No, he doesn't have the biggest range, or whatever, he just sounds very natural, flowing, and, for lack of better word, grungy. To me he just has this sing along quality, I really enjoy singing along to these tracks. I love how his voice can sound very sad, hopeless, and angry when need be. This album has a good flow and I love how the tracks weave from harder songs to softer, acoustic ones, and the album maintains this pattern throughout.

Lyrically Sean targets the blind faith that we have in governments and religions, and urges you to see things, maybe from a different light in "Every Sunday" and "The Other Side." Sean sings about modern family life on "Silhouettes" and societies ostracizing and hypocritical ways on "Nowhere Kids", "Your Way", and "All My Problems". He does all these things in a simple way, that makes it easy to relate to. Some view that as being poor and shallow lyrics, but being simple doesn't have to mean bad. These are good and simple lyrics, with a lot of meaning.

Musically you won't find crazy metal solos, or Indie pretension, but you will find good, simple, addicting songs with strong choruses and bridges. Not the best produced album of all time, but not bad either, no real qualms with the production. This is one of my favorite CD's, and I proudly say that. I am a fan of super technical music, and "intellectual" and "deep" bands but this band always will hold a place in my heart. "Smile Empty Soul is an awesome record from an awesome band.

For fans of: Nirvana, and 90's hard rock.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Empty Nesters: 101 Stories about Surviving and Thriving When the Kids Leave Home
$14.95
I have had the honor of reviewing many of the 'Chicken Soup,' books and I have never been disappointed; I don't say that lightly. They all have been great reads, funny, encouraging and well worth my time. However, this one definitely stuck a cord within me, and it was perhaps one of the best I have read thus far.
I am one that has been through the empty nest and it is not always a very comfortable place to be. Loneliness and the constant feeling that something (or someone) is missing fills the home, but take heart, this too will pass.
Inside the pages of this delightful book we are treated to story after story of parents that have come upon that page in this lives. The stories are often laugh-out-loud funny, heart-touching, and practical. Just about every emotion is shown in the different tales that are shared. They are short stories, easy to read, and will leave you with the feeling that you are not alone. I liked the shortness of the stories because you will be able to read one or more a day and have a daily dose of encouragement.
It truly is a great help to know that others, from all walks of life, have experienced exactly what you are, and have made it through fine. You will be encouraged by these words and go away with the attitude that life goes on, and perhaps it is your time to shine once again. Well done. Highly recommended.