I got a bunch of gift cards for iTunes within the past several months (Christmas & Birthday) and finally got around to spending all of them.
The Planets – Gustav Holst (London Symphony)
- This sounds so epic and amazing. It is the classical version of an intense stadium rock concert with a fireworks show. Am I comparing Holst to The Rolling Stones and Pink FLoyd? Maybe.
Complete Beethoven Symphonies – Leonard Bernstein & Wiener Philharmoniker
- Beautiful stuff. I’ve always thought Beethoven helped the creative process regardless of medium. I tend to write and design much better with a little classical music on in the background. Maybe Beethoven, unbeknownst to us, is rewiring our neurons as we listen; injecting a bit more of that insanely creative spirit.
itunes Collection – Complete High Classical period
- I got on a roll with the classical music genre and grabbed a nice iTunes compilation that includes Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Haydn, etc.
Something Else – Cannonball Adderly
- Genius jazz. Nuff said. Cannonball Adderly, Art Blakely, Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank – Modest Mouse
- VERY different than Modest Mouse’s last album. It’s much more like their older albums (The Moon Over Antarctica, Lonesome & Crowded West) which means it’s much less radio-friendly, but I’m ok with that. I like the energy and the signature periodic insane yawling from Isaac Brock. If you don’t tap your feet to “Dashboard” then you should probably check your pulse.
Siamese Dream – Smashing Pumpkins
- Classic Pumpkins album that I had on cassette tape (yeah, those little square things that you had to rewind in your “boombox”. Ask your grandfather about them someday.) Say what you want about Billy Corgan, but the guy could write great songs.
Carry on, Gravity – The High Violets
- I found the High Violets a few years ago. They embody everything I like about the shoe-gazing movement in rock-n-roll. I hope they make many more albums.
You can listen to Modest Mouse’s “Dashboard” here. Give it a listen…it may be the most fun 4 minutes you spend at the computer today. It helps if you turn up your speakers up really loud, tap your feet, bob your head and clap.
-Dave
