Smashing my music habits in one fell swoop

I just downloaded the Who You Are (Live) album by the Desperation band, and in doing so broke almost every music listening/buying habit I have.

1. I don't usually buy full albums unless I'm sure that I will enjoy at least 30% of the tracks (ie either I've heard the songs or love the artist.) I only knew 2 songs (14% of the album) on WYA.

2. I don't usually buy/listen to live albums. There's always some annoying person in the crowd screaming at inappropriate times during the song. Or the band stops singing and lets the audience sing a verse, which let's face it, is awesome during the concert, but just not as cool on the album. The one exception to my no-live-album habit is DMB. Odds are every song on a Dave live album is going to sound different than the original--change up the jam in the middle, a little extra Carter or Boyd. You also get the bonus of hearing Dave live without a headache from all the fumes at the concert, but you'll miss seeing him dance around with his guitar--and that's 34% of the charm of Dave Matthews. The two songs I love on WYA (Who You Are and Endlessly) were only available on the live album.

3. I'm really bad at finding new music on my own. I just don't do it; I end up listening to the same stuff until someone says "Here, you have to listen to this." One of my best friends from HS, Nicole, was always my music supplier. It would come in the form of a mix every 6 mths or so. Probably half of the songs on my iTunes could be attributed to her influence. Now, Kendal and Ben typically play the part of music dealer. I didn't technically find Who You Are and Endlessly on my own, but I did download a band I'd never heard of--progress.

So the verdict: After the first listen-through, I'm pretty happy with the album overall. Probably worth overcoming my strange habits. I was a little disappointed with the first three tracks. They're a little too upbeat-pop-y for my current worship music taste. I'm in more of a laid-back, rock kinda mood--which is what the rest of the album is more like, post track 3. If John Mayer made a worship album, that would be awesome... But I should probably be concerned for his salvation for the sake of his soul, not just in hopes of a worship album. :)

Part of me is the prodigal

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:20-24

This is a cheesy, Christian pop song, but I don't even care. The lyrics are just too good.

"Always have, always will"--Avalon
Part of me is the prodigal, part of me is the other brother
But I think the heart of me is really somewhere between them
Some days I'm running wild, Some days I'm reconciled
And I wonder all the while why you put up with me
When I wrestle most days to find ways to do as I please

I was born with a wayward heart, still I live with a restless spirit
My soul is so well worn, you'd think I'd have arrived by now
I'm caught in the trappings of, my search for lasting love
I've made mistakes enough to last me a lifetime
I still slip, I still fall, but I'll always run back to you