First off- let me say that the last few days have been shit. I woke up on Friday, expecting a nice relaxing day at work and a nice relaxing weekend. I checked my email to find that I had to get on a plane to go to a customer site immediately. That really sucked, but at least I got to come home Saturday. I got home...only to have to jump on another conference call for three hours. Then the other people I do some work for called and they had a catastrophe! I checked it out and told them that I couldn't do anything Saturday night and they would have to wait. I HAD to do something fun because I was about to loose my mind. So I met some friends to play some Rock Band 2, which was even better by the fact that my friend just got the ION drumset for the PS3! This kit is much better than the one that comes with the game, but the bass pedal still sucks.
On to other things...
When I was flying and listening to my mp3 player I was reminded how much music affects me. I am the type of music listener that really believes in the experience of listening music. I really enjoy pieces that invoke some kind of emotional response in my brain. I find that amazing that something recorded years ago and played a hundred times can still flood my brain, triggering all kind of emotional responses.
Also, a side effect of this is that many songs are tied to a particular memory of a particular time in my life. Listening to Modest Mouse's "The Moon and Antarctica" will ALWAYS remind me of working on my "Internet Programming" course's final project, the winter of my junior year. Just as M83's "Run Into Flowers" reminds me of a particularly long day working on my senior project. Not only does music excite/anger/depress me, it also is a mini-trip down memory lane, and thats pretty cool.
So the music I find that evokes the most emotional response is ambient, instrumental, post-rock groups like Sigur Ros and Explosions in the Sky. The songs "The Birth and Death of the Day" or "Memorial" or "Your hand in mine" by Explosions in the sky really paint this picture of their meaning only with instruments--no lyrics. Its pretty amazing.
Does anyone know any other bands like this?
Much Love,
Steve
Happy Thanksgiving!
1 year ago
3 comments:
Hi Steve,
I just started following your blog. I tend to listen to music like you do, and couldn't resist a comment. Listening to music is my only real form of relaxation anymore.
Anyway, check out The Resonance Association (available from burningshed.com). They tend to be pretty experimental, yet remain ambient sounding like Explosions In The Sky. Also try Ozric Tentacles. They have a bit more of an electronic prog feeling, but still conjure some great imagery when you close your eyes and listen. For some real mellow ambient, try Brian Eno's "Ambient" series of records. Or Fripp & Eno "Equitorial Stars". Real mellow ambient listening.
Sorry for rambling! Hope you enjoy the suggestions.
Take Care,
NR
iTunes had The Tough Alliance band in their single of the week, I got it and then got their album it was so good. Kind of like MGMT, but less like electronic shit and more peacefull and happy.
Jake
Thanks for all the suggestions- I will absolutely check all of them out. It all sounds good.
I love electronic influences- like Mum, Ulrich Schnauss, Boards of Canada, All India Radio Ambient, etc. I really like MGMT as well-- so all of the suggestions sound great!
Thanks,
Steve
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