Sermons on the Subtleties of Love and Hate, Track 2: "Change in the Air, Change on the Wing"

An a'cappella track from the EP. Also written in and around Fostoria/Arcadia, Ohio while driving around (as was "On Guard Til the End").

2.) Opening Hymn: Change in the Air, Change on the Wing

You see the time is come. You feel that change is near. Take comfort. Don’t fear.

Sermons on the Subtleties of Love and Hate, Track 3: "Just Like You"

One of my favorite lyrics/songs that I've written without question. It's very simple and to the point, and the music carries the song by and large because the lyrics are short. As I said when I posted "Streetcorner", if there is any song off this EP that you listen to, please listen to this one.

3.) Just Like You

I laughed aloud when you caught on fire and did nothing to put you out because watching you burn is a far better sight than the feeling of being a hero. I felt no fear when I coughed up blood, I only kept on walking because risking my life is a far better venture than giving in to the same fears. I screamed in joy when the buildings crumbled, my head just went blank with the joy I felt because witnessing chaos is far from the horror of living my life just like you.

Sermons on the Subtleties of Love and Hate, Track 4: "First Reading: As in the Void"

My friend Sam, who writes and performs trip-hop music as "The Revisitor", performed this spoken word for me on the EP. He has a style all his own, and while you may not agree with me I have to assert that I'm not kidding when I say that he makes some of the best and most interesting music I think I've ever heard and I've heard so much. Please check him out when you get the chance at www.myspace.com/madvisuals4u ; I can't wait for his album to drop!

4.) First Reading: As in the Void

I sit looking down on myself, observing behavior in ritual. I come to the realization that something massive has escaped me: my soul, my soul. I no longer have one. I’m living in a spiritual void, spiritual void. And everything seems empty all around me: spiritual void. And everyone is singing but it’s hollow, resonating not on tired ears. Everyone is trying to pile together, all into the void. They’re paranoid, paranoid. Into the void, paranoid. I am the void. Irreconcilable.

Sermons on the Subtleties of Love and Hate, Track 5: "Alone on a Streetcorner"

I think the subject matter of this one is open for interpretation. I guess I'll let you decide. This is one of my favorite songs that I've ever written, and the actual process of doing so began when I was about 16. Most of the music was written then, and bits and pieces of the lyrics, but it finally all came together last year while recording the guitar. If you listen to anything on the EP, make it this song or "Just Like You".

5.) Alone on a Streetcorner

Play a song on the corner in the blistering cold. There’s a man all alone now because he’s got nowhere to go. Play a song on the corner, honor what you love. He’s gone away now. They decided where he’d go. I hate everyone because they all hate me, and it’s blocking out the sun and you won’t let me be. Play a song on the corner in the blistering heat. There’s a man at your feet now as you’re walking down the street. Play a song on the corner as the nation dies. Watch the scene unfolding. It burns your weary eyes. I hate everyone because they all hate me, and it’s blocking out the sun and you won’t let me be. He sings a song on the corner while he dies alone. So many walked by him, all going to some home. Play a song on the corner through your blistering hate. You’re all alone now, to this you can relate. Everyone hates me because I all hate them. The sun is blocking out me, and I won’t let it be.

Sermons on the Subtleties of Love and Hate, Track 6: "In Pieces"

Another spoken word from the EP performed by Soda, one of my great friends and the vocalist in Deaf By Arms. He is an inspiring wordsmith, as well as one of the most subtly strong and overtly kind people ever conceived. As a man who has known and overcome struggle, strife, and the often convoluted opinions of the people who "know best", his style of living is an exercise in real, palpable freedom.

6.) 2^nd Reading: In Pieces

As I crumble, I know that I’m stronger than what I’ve become: a shell of a man, not much more than an atom. As I walk and I curse in the night as I search I can taste the remnants of what I’m no longer able to: victory, sweet victory. If only I had not stepped back. But there is always one more game to build my name or bring me shame, the latter not an option. I must rise above through my love and my passion like a dove. I can soar once more to the victory that is my freedom. The time is come, no not to run, but to piece myself back together.

Sermons on the Subtleties of Love and Hate, Track 7: "Cincinnati"

This is a folk song about driving the north/south length of the state of Ohio from Cleveland to Cincinnati. During the course of this drive, you will pass through every major city in the state, and you will also find yourself doing alot of thinking because while there is quite a bit of interesting Americana located off of the exits of I-71, there's hardly anything to look at while driving on the freeway itself. Take a drive sometime for no reason other than discovering something new about yourself and your surroundings. I'm certain that you'll find the experience worthwhile after all is said and done.

7.) Cincinnati

Take 71 South for 250 miles. Take 71 South past the capital of Ohio. It’s a lonely drive, nothing to look at but fields and farms. It’s a lonely drive, nothing to think about but what’s been gone. Cincinnati, I’m coming today. Cincinnati, I’m not coming to stay. Cincinnati, wash my troubles away. In the river, I’ll drown today. Take the highway, roll the windows down. Take the highway, listen to the sounds of the engine humming, the wind rushing through you. Take the highway and drive toward what you’re trying to leave behind. Cincinnati, I don’t think that we’ll ever get over this. Cincinnati, you took something away. Cincinnati, wash my troubles away. Cincinnati, drown me in the river today. Cincinnati, don’t think we can ever get over this. Burning River, I’ll come back to you in a bit. Cincinnati, you took something away from me. Burning River, burn my troubles away.

Sermons on the Subtleties of Love and Hate, Track 8: "Gospel/Homily: Walking Our Path"

This is a spoken word I wrote that is performed on the album by one of my favorite people, my cousin Chris a.k.a. Sleazy C a.k.a. the bassist in Deaf By Arms. He's more like a brother to me than anything, and also one of the most creatively inspiring people I've ever met. This EP is structured similarly to a Catholic mass as it is primarily an exploration of faith and the loss thereof. I believe very strongly in my own capacity to impact the world to a positive degree, and if you do as well, it's possible we could do it together. I have met many amazing people in my life, both religious and non-religious, and it seems like both sides butt heads all too often due to focusing on the differences between them rather than the glaringly obvious similarities like compassion, empathy, understanding, kindness, selflessness, etc. As much as I do not think it is fair to label someone "morally corrupt" because of a lack of faith in a deity, I think it is equally unfair to write someone off as "delusional" or "unrealistic" because of the presence and usage of faith as a guide in their life. With respect to my own faith, it rests within myself and the people I care the most about. Despite his misleading, tongue-in-cheek nickname, my cousin is someone in whom I have immense faith because he possesses the qualities mentioned above and more. His face mirrors mine and I believe we can lead. "Together, together! Defend our yesterdays! Defend our tomorrows! Together, together!" (Thomas Barnett of Strike Anywhere in "Sunset on 32nd Street")

8.) Gospel/Homily: Walking Our Path

They preached, I listened. They pushed, I reacted. Shoved against a wall and presented with a fight, you and I we will not bend, no not tonight. We are not masters of each other, although we counterbalance. At the end of the day, our patience is our strength. Your face is now my faith. It mirrors mine, a face that I believe in. A face that I believe can lead. A face that can reject this world’s greed and hate and self-absorption. A face that will join symbiotic, walk together til the end as we believe in each other. Sister and sister, brother and brother, friend and his other half. The end. Your face, a most beautiful sight. And in your eyes, a triumph. My faith has been affirmed.