Andy Osenga is a genius.

Several other people have already talked about this, so you probably already know. But Andy Osenga made an EP in his basement with all kinds of stipulations that you can read about when you download the music for free HERE. To support my claim, I'm posting the lyrics from my favorite song from the EP below. I had to write these by hand to get them to you (think 7th grade, and me with a purple radio and a tape at the ready, waiting for the Top 8 at 8 to come on Y102. How many hours did I devote to recording music from the radio and then writing down the lyrics? And why did I DO that?). Enjoy.


I caught myself
looking in the mirror
wishing I was someone else
cause I was born
with a bleeding heart
and veins of loneliness

and I know it, I've seen it,
I've held it in my arms
but love can't seem to break me down

and I've pleaded, I've begged
and I've bloodied my eyes
just to feel it
to believe it will stick around

swing wide the glimmering gates

I told myself
the habits and secrets
were just to get me through
to get me through the nights
but I got lost
in a world of angles
in a city of grays and lies

and I feel it, I taste it
this longing to be free
oh the joy of believing like a child

so you, you there listening
will you send up a prayer for me
to help me find the light

swing wide the glimmering gates
leave your pride and pain
swing wide the glimmering gates
and be innocent again

one day I believe
I will open up my eyes
to see the good work that was begun
and I'll be the only things
I've ever wanted to be
and I know that I'll belong

swing wide the glimmering gates