My Music Thoughts

At 100 gigabytes, my MP3 collection is sometimes overwhelming and I lose track of music that I enjoy. Frustration ensues. At those moments, it's good to step back, take stock, and re-engage with my favorite tunes, both new and old.

Songs
Any time I want to get really pumped up, I throw on U2's “Elevation” from their All That You Can't Leave Behind CD. This tune never fails to get me amped up, whether for a dance party or a lap swim. In all their years playing the rock music, Bono and the boys have rarely faltered and that's not only an impressive feat, but also a huge testament to their talent and innovation.

Though I've enjoyed bits of the Smashing Pumpkins' work over the years, I have to credit the Animal Planet series Whale Wars for my addiction to “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.” It's the show's theme song and it absolutely captures the fierceness and urgency of the battle being waged by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as they attempt to shut down illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

I don't often fall in love with radio-friendly songs, but I loved Kings of Leon's “Sex on Fire” from the first listen. Subject matter aside, something about the driving melody and powerhouse vocals gets me going.

Albums
I can't say that I'm a massive Sting fan, but ...Nothing Like the Sun won my heart long ago. From the opening strains of “The Lazarus Heart” through the quiet ruminations of “The Secret Marriage,” this album is practically perfect in every way.

Baduizm was my introduction into the sultry wonderment that is Erykah Badu. I haven't added much more of her to my catalog since, though I probably should. It's just so hard to top this one. Badu is quite the character in real life and her balance of sass and sensuality comes through wrapped in so much soulful glory.

David Gray burst into the mainstream in 2000 with his White Ladder album. However, I'd been a big fan since years prior thanks to his awesome 1994 debut, Flesh. It's about as raw as it gets, in terms of an acoustic folk records. David's grit is in full force, both vocally and lyrically, on tracks like “What Are You?” and “Made up My Mind.” Still, he knows how to soothe a heart and shows that talent to fine effect on “The Light” and “Falling Free,” among others.

Catalogs
Over the past year or so, I've been making an effort to trace back through some of the iconic artists of our time to understand from whence my favorite artists of today draw their inspirations. Though I've never been much of a Bob Dylan or Beatles fan, I've taken quite a liking to Neil Young and, by extension, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, both with and without Young on the end. It's hard to beat songs like “Southern Man,” “Down by the River,” “Ohio,” “Helpless,” and “Heart of Gold.” That's just good stuff right there.