Since I am literally and figuratively on the beach this week, I decided I should keep things a little more relaxed and light hearted. Yes, this week we are talking about music.
I know for some people, music and work don’t mix. For those people, this is probably as far as you need to read. I personally started listening to music while studying when I was in college. Ever since, I feel much more productive when I have my headphones on, enjoying some tunes, blocking out my farting co-worker, and not having to listen to that guy who only talks in his “MD voice” on the phone.
I don’t pretend to be any type of music connoisseur, but I thought I would supply my categories of chosen music and let everyone else weigh in with their own suggestions and preferences.
Productivity music – the most listened to category is productivity music. This is the music you put on when you need to get stuff done. For me, this is low on words, but still exciting enough to keep me going.
- Explosions in the Sky –
- Sigur Ros
- RJD2
- Bela Fleck
- Andy McKee
Relaxation music – it’s Friday, Saturday, maybe Sunday. You decide it’s time to get the “Black Eye” from Starbucks. You realize after finishing it in 5 minutes that it was a bad idea. You’re stressed, you’re over-caffeinated. Time to chill out for a minute…
- William Fitzsimmons
- Sufjan Stevens
- M Ward (preferably solo)
- The Magnetic Fields
Pump-up music – it’s 8pm, and while you were feeling reckless and thought the dry-aged sirloin was a good idea, you knew it wasn’t. You still have hours of work to crank out, and if you drink more coffee, you’re going to have a nervous breakdown. Throw on some of this.
- Rob Zombie
- Drowning Pool
- Sunset Rubdown
- Childish Gambino
- Avicii (no, don’t even think about Skrillex, your work will end for the day, maybe your sanity)
Those Important Songs – these are the songs you throw on when you’re to the point where you’re ready to quit your job. They usually have a special place in your heart. I will share some of mine, but you might need to find your own.
- Geto Boys – Mind of a Lunatic
- Limp Bizkit – Break Stuff
- Yes – Roundabout (get lost in the keyboard solo)
- Notorious B.I.G. – Dead Wrong
- Tupac Shakur – Hit ‘Em Up
Hope you enjoy some of these picks. I am excited to hear what other people throw on. I am always looking to add new stuff to the rotation.
For some unknown reason, I've been using the Top Gun songs (Highway to the Danger Zone, Mighty Wings, Playing with the Boys, Lost that loving feeling, take my breath away etc.) as my workout music, with great results.
I row to hard trance for the rhythm and speed but weights there's nothing better for me than the above.
For productivity music I use power metal, or bands like 30 seconds to mars, bullet for my valentine, some of the better lyriced eminem (his motivational stuff not his shout at Kim/parents stuff), and some more modern classical, (check out Future World Music - Ascension).
For relaxing, some chillout trance, or the more popular songs, that bounce around the charts these days.
Careful driving to productivity music, or workout music, you'll get there 10% quicker.
I've actually been on a huge power metal kick lately. Rainbow, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall...aka "happy metal."
http://www.youtube.com/embed/IQVi2azl2kc
Really digging your post man. Look up Nasty Feel on Grooveshark or something. Also, props for Childish Gambino.
http://www.puregrainaudio.com/videos/hollywood-undead-undead-explicit-v…
Hollywood Undead - Undead
Pumps up nicely; for regular spreadsheet work - some liquid fund (B-Complex, London Elektricity, Netsky, etc.). Relax to Mumford & Sons, Bombay Bicycle Club or any other indie / punk
Never thought I'd see Yes follow Limp Bizkit in a list.
Good list.
I'd add God is an Astronaut to the Productive list and Bon Iver to Relaxation.
Kudos on Explosions, hardly anyone I know likes their stuff.
BIG KRIT
For pump up music I usually listen to EDM sets like Alesso, Avicii, Tommy Trash or some dubstep. They're good because they're usually pretty high intensity and last for an hour or more and you don't really have to worry about finding new songs.
For chilling out country music does it for me. I'll basically listen to anything but I'm with OP, I am much more productive with music, I almost never take off my headphones unless I'm on a call.
hypem.com ; beatmyday.com ; exqlusiv.com are some of my more frequented websites.
I've also been thinking about getting a sirius xm internet radio subscription, has anyone used this at work?
meek mill, kid ink, tyga, rick ross, wiz
Do you play this while thinking of your intern?
KENDRICK LAMAR, ODD FUTURE
Turnpike Troubadours. Red dirt country music
Productivity music: turn on country playlist on Pandora Relaxation music: Beirut, Magnetic Fields, Rachel Yamagata Pump-up music: Streetlight Manifesto
Ace, if I had any SBs, would've given to you for Streetlight Manifesto mention. My favourites are Down Down Down to Mephisto's Cafe and We Will Fall Together though.
Ah, they're brilliant. I can't pick a favorite, seeing as how they haven't recorded a song I didn't enjoy on any of their four albums.
Kalnoky is a bag of douche in person, but it doesn't stop the band from sounding like sex to the ears. They're my favorite musical group of all-time.
Rage Against The Machine for pump up
Pump up: Jay Electronica, New Order, Astral Projection Productivity: Burial, Blackfilm and the entire Blade Runner OST Relax: Iron Maiden, Gridlock, Cynic
OP, great call on Bela Fleck. Here's my list
Productivity:
Yonder Mountain String Band Rolling Stones Doc Dailey Lynyrd Skynyrd
Relaxation music
A$AP Rocky Head and the Heart Bob Dylan Buffalo Springfield Bon Iver
Pump-up music:
Bruce Springstein aka the boss My Morning Jacket Lil Boosie Pearl Jam Black Keys (again)
Those Important Songs
Anything by Creedence Clearwater Revival Weak Azz Bitch - Three 6 Mafia Anything by DJ Screw Like a Prayer - Madonna Keg in the Closet - Kenny chesney
enough said
Some of the stuff I have been listening to recently Young the Giant Carlos Santana Outkast Older B.o.b Bruce Springsteen Zac Brown Band (great summer music)
great call on zac brown for the summer
Great thread OP..
For relaxation:
John Lennon New Order/Joy Division Grateful Dead Vampire Weekend Bob Dylan Cat Power Certain Tom Waits albums, love Nighthawks At The Diner Random Hawaiian music, random Reggae
For Productivity:
...Vampire Weekend again Smashing Pumpkins for some reason, I'll put on Siamese Dream or something Jimmy Chamberlin Complex (Related to SP, great album) Sometimes I like drone like Sunn 0))) or Boris, certain black metal albums (Later Burzum, etc.)
"Pump Up Music":
Lately it has mostly been Dubstep Kryptic Minds Youngsta Horsepower Productions Droid Sector Goth-Trad VIVEK Balam Acab
Also a big fan of Black Metal for this purpose: Bathory, especially Sign of the Black Mark Celtic Frost Early Darkthrone Immortal Craft Wolves in the Throne Room for newer American
Listen to some of those and you will be sweating.
Also, I'm pretty sure I need to hear/see the LSO video once a week to keep myself going.
Heavy metal all the way all the time, with classic rock a close second.
THE WHO. That is all.
FLOCK OF SEAGULLS
I've been listening to progressive metal lately. Particularly Cloudkicker, and Animals as Leaders. T.R.A.M. for some good progressive/jazz fusion.
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