“Ordinary” by The Alternate Routes

Singer/songwriter Tim Warren and guitarist Eric Donnelly formed The Alternate Routes in the early 2000s. You may have heard their single from 2007 called “Time Is A Runaway”, which the band played on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, or their more recent song, “Nothing More”, which received airplay on the popular TV show NCIS. “Nothing More” was inspired by the group Newtown Kindness, which formed following the 2012 school shooting in the band’s home state of Connecticut.

The Alternate Routes first released their debut record, “Good and Reckless and True”, in 2005. It was re-released by Vanguard Records in 2007 with different artwork.

“Ordinary” is the lead-off track from “Good and Reckless and True”, and remains one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. I’m not alone in acknowledging this song's greatness, as it won an Independent Music Award in 2006. 

Warren is at his most earnest singing this song, asking “When you die will you be surrounded by friends?” The song lures you in gently and then builds to a chill-inducing climax – Warren’s vocal performance towards the end will leave you speechless.