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City Walking Soundtrack
December 14th, 2008 | Stephen Bailey
(via Facebook, MySpace, Digg, email and more)
I know I've ranted about people who wander around aimlessly, lost in their headphone-enclosed world. But from time to time, even I feel the need to inject a little music into my commute. This is not escapism for me. I don't want to be one of those self-absorbed lost people I see walking headlong into oncoming traffic.
I prefer to pick music that somehow integrates the sounds of the city into the mix. And below is a brief list of albums (yes, the correct term is still album) that seem to perfectly sync to the grinding noise and pulsing rhythms around me. As if by design, the sounds from the streets mesh with the music in a way that that turns the aggravating into the pleasing.
- Afro Celt Sound System – Sound Magic, Vol. I
- Alvik – Breathing Geometry
- Assembly – Assembly
- David Bowie – Outside
- Pink Floyd – Animals
- Radiohead – In Rainbows
- John Scofield – Uberjam
- Paul Simon – Graceland
- Tom Waits – Alice
- Jah Wobble & Bill Laswell – Radioaxiom: A Dub Transmission
This is of course not a complete list, but it gives an example of what I mean. Test this out for yourself. First, make sure your headphones are not noise canceling. You want the sounds around you to be part of the music. Next, adjust the volume so it is not too loud or too soft (same reasons as stated above). Finally, go for a walk in a crowded, noisy part of town.
You can start out with my list (mostly available on iTunes) or you can make a list of your own. In fact, leave a comment below with your picks.
Related Topics: Music, nyc
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Stephen Bailey | 3 Comments »
City Walking Soundtrack
(via Facebook, MySpace, Digg, email and more)
December 15th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
A couple of my faves are 'remix' albums:
Bjork – Telegram
Bush – Deconstructed
December 18th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Deep Purple, "Machine Head"
December 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I just thought of three to add to my own list…
Soul Coughing – El Oso
Dread Zeppelin – Un-Led-Ed
xbxrx – Love Songs for the Blind