TRACE ELEMENT I - Aurin

Aurin is the first in a series of Trace Elements.
Trace Element is a way for me to share my appreciation of music with others.
Back in the days, this would be the equivalent of a mix tape.
However, Trace Elements aren't just a series of songs. They are pieces that describe who I am, or who I was.

This is one of the base elements and, as such, it represents the foundation of my being.



Enigma - The Same Parents (Seven Lives Many Faces)

We all have the same parents...many million years ago. Why can't we live in freedom? Without hunger, with out war...I don't, I don't understand...why, so much hate...

This song perfectly illustrates how I feel about the state of the world today. So much anger, so much hate. Why?


Enigma - Boum Boum (Voyageur)

My heart goes boum boum boum, every time I think of you...

If the first song was about Peace, this one is about Love. It's a simple rhythmic song that really make you feel (or remember) the magic that people call Love. If you've ever been in love, you know what I'm talking about. That first time when you talk to "the one" or see that person. That first date...boum! boum! boum!

Nina Deli - Flow (Bricolage)

Happiness...a constant flow. We're searching for, a constant flow...

This song completes the initial trio: Peace, Love, and Happiness. Perfectly smooth, naturally flowing guitars with a hint of Electronica. I discovered this awesome track while looking for an audio editing/effect software called Melodyne. Flow was used in the original demo for the Melodyne plug-in used in a variety of sound editors such as Pro Tools and Sonar.


Our Lady Peace - Not Enough (Gravity)

There's nothing you can say. Nothing you can do. Nothing in between. You know the truth.
There’s nothing left to prove. Nothing I won't do. Nothing like the pain, I feel for you...

To me, this song is about heartbreak. When you've reached the end of your relationship, there's nothing you can do. How you got there? What you did? What went wrong? None of it matter because it hurts like hell. Then, as you begin to recover, you start thinking about what you could've/should've done differently. Well, usually, that devolves into blaming everyone but yourself...and then yourself. But we all recover, eventually. Time heals all.

Here's a song to cheer you up: Our Lady Peace - Sorry
Here's a couple to help you along on your recovery: Our Lady Peace - Bring Back the Sun | Red - Ordinary World
...and while you're in repair (it'll take a while), take this pill: Our Lady Peace - In Repair

But if you still feel despair and hate the world, here's a song about the massive lie that people call love: Neon Crossing.
The Neon Crossing is a border to this magical promise land that is supposed to change your life for the better. Only when you get there that you realize the magic (love) wasn't really meant for you.

By the way, Not Enough is one of my all-time favorite songs. It connected to me on such a deep level that it's become a crucial part of who I am. It's given me the ability to lose all hope yet recover by doing nothing. It takes more than a song to do that, and it does. I have help: time, and a special someone.


Dishwalla - The Bridge Song (And You Think You Know What Life's About)

It's getting so much harder to be one these days. So much harder to believe.

Like many kids in college, I was lost. Not only spiritually but emotionally. The initial college years were a period of discovery and exploration. I didn't know who I was or who I wanted to be. College was this gateway to the future; but what is my future? Where does it lead and how do I get there? Between the pressure to succeed, meeting new friends, learning new materials, concepts, beliefs, religions, politics, work, projects, and relationship, it really was hard to be one; to find your true calling. In the end, believe it or not, I learned a lot from college. I still don't know who I want to be but, looking back, I know who I am.



K's Choice - Everything for Free (Cocoon Crash)

I don't know who you are but you seem very nice so will you talk to me?
Shall I tell you a story? Shall I tell you a dream? They think I'm crazy.
But they don't know that I like it here. It's nice in here, I get everything for freeeee...

After leaving a broken relationship, I began a new one. This time with more experience and with greater insight. After a few years, I finally found my place, my peace, my partner in life; someone who welcomes me in without pre-condition, without expectation, and with total freedom. Someone who is there for better or for worse, for real. For this, I am willing to give up everything. Some people think I'm crazy but they don't know that I really like it here. I get everything (love, trust, respect, freedom, family, honesty, happiness, pain, sadness, joy, etc.) for free.



Enigma - Between Generations (Seven Lives Many Faces)

My current state of mind can best be described as being Between Generations. Having been married for a few years, it's about time for kids but I'm not sure I'm ready. At the same time, my parents are aging. They don't have many years left and time is running out; I need to catch up. On top of that, I can't decide if I'm now an adult or still a kid. But whatever it is, this feeling will always be there. There really isn't a right time or a wrong time; you're always between generations.


That's it for the first Trace Element. Each Trace Element will have a total of 7 sub-elements (songs). These songs make up the first set. There will be more to come.


Next up: Trace Element II - Ryon