Rand Rambles

This song makes me happy.

Click here if you can’t see the video.

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and lived there until 4 years ago when I moved to Dallas. Puerto Rico is a beautiful place, with beauty that surpasses its many troubles. It is a common thing for Puerto Ricans who leave the island to experience nostalgic feelings and remember Puerto Rico; its sights, sounds, smells and flavors. 

This song is dedicated for my fellow Puerto Ricans. For the ones that are still there to never forget the true beauty of their homeland. For the ones that are far, to never forget that little island full of warmth, beauty and passion.

May God bless Puerto Rico, may its beauty and its love always be stronger and more prevalent than crime. May Puerto Ricans raise up and see what awesome treasure Puerto Rico truly is.

Thanks to my friend Wil, quien me revolcó el alma enseñandome esta canción, interpretada por Kany Garcia.

Click here if you can’t see the video!

I stumble and fall a lot, and even through all my years “knowing” the Truth I am still susceptible to lies. I still struggle trying to live the way I know I’m supposed to live. The great thing is that after the darkest hour, the dawn starts shining in the horizon letting us know, there’s one more day, one more chance.

This song expresses some of the things I often feel. Through my years as a christian, I have come to the realization that I am a wreck, basically a disaster. That’s what makes God so good, that even though I am a wreck, he still showers me with his love. I have seen so many people with their act together, in public, when I know that in private, their life is a mess. I just got tired of it, tired of performing like a good christian, one whose life is all that and a bit more. To all those nicely dressed, TBN Christians: Sorry, I don’t fit your perfection mold, I think I never will. I prefer living everyday knowing that my heart needs Jesus a bit more, than thinking I’ve conquered everything and I am a king. I prefer to be a servant at the feet of the teacher than a prince at his right hand.

I am a wreck and that’s what makes me need my Savior so much more.

Stained Glass Masquerade
Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Well if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

Some people are surprised with Kris Allen being on American Idol’s top 2. I’m not. I think Kris has played the game better than most of the contestants throughout all eight seasons of American Idol. It all comes down to a term which is abused by the judges: Song Choice.

Week after week Kris just chose great songs, most of them songs that people could remember or hits that people already know. Not only that, he did something that helped David Cook win last season, he took those songs and brought his own spin to them, he was original.

That was my main reason for not liking Danny Gokey, he has a good voice but he streamlined through the whole season just singing good and nothing else. That is clearly not enough. A performer needs to be memorable, there has to be something about their performance that prompts people to go and buy their music, I didn’t get that with Danny. For example, the first time I saw Adele on SNL, right after the show ended I went and downloaded her album from iTunes. I don’t see that “it” factor with Danny.

Kris? Well, I am not the biggest fan of Kris but I have liked most of his performances, specially Falling Slowly, Ain’t No Sunshine and Heartless. I am pretty sure that with good management they can make him a good, marketable singer.

With Adam it’s a different story. You either love him or hate him. After each idol show his name keeps trending on Twitter for 12+ hours with a pretty even amount of people hating and loving him. I personally think that he has also played the game really well, when people would’ve expected an extravagant song he switched it up, he chose songs that people could feel emotionally connected too and some others that were… just plain craziness. But it works, he is an amazing performer and even though some people get freaked out by him, his screaming and his tongue, he sure is a great vocalist.

Next week will be interesting, two American Idol contestants that have played the game extremely well will go against each other. Will the already crowned by the judges extravagant singer win? Or will the dark horse underdog with a soft melodic voice take the crown?

We’ll have to wait. I for one am glad that Danny Gokey will not be in the finale.

iTunes link for Heartless by Kris Allen

iTunes link for One by Adam Lambert