One of my favorite things to do while stoned is listen to albums that are really unique, artful, and/or jam packed with soul and energy, as in that head space music just hits completely differently and it just lends to me finding a deep love and appreciation for the art of music. What’re some of your favorites?
Bear with me: Beiguan music.
It’s traditional Chinese music with tinny horns, drums and symbols. Close your eyes and imagine a temple procession slowly and loudly passing by, puppets, costumes, dancers, musicians, firecrackers, the smell of street food and general din of human enjoyment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iohWrjSVnb4
If you want something less chaotic, a gamelan orchestra is like rain decided to hold a soiree.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEWCCSuHsuQ
And then when you’re ready to feel the waves break over your soul, it’s time for Taiko drumming.
KOAN Sound - Polychrome. Everything these guys do is amazing but I feel like this album in particular has an unmatched vibe.
Dark Side of the Moon
Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime
It’s a bit cliche but Dark Side vinyl, loud af hits perfect.
When you play it louder the silences hit so much harder. What an experience.
Oh, man, so many. There’s the obvious like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon or Rush’s 2112, but Rust in Peace by Megadeth is superb, In Step by Stevie Ray Vaughan as well. Muse, however, has a few albums that are incredible, especially when you’re in the headspace to pick out little details. Their Black Holes and Revelations album is a banger from front to back, Simulation Theory is Velvety and interesting, Drones is jarring in a very good way, and The Resistance is harmony-rich and beautiful.
Also, I’m not familiar with the whole album, but the song White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane has one of the best vocal performances ever.
I love Röyksopp Profound Mysteries. There are several albums. The songs with Susanne Sundfør are amazing.
Oneohtrix Point Never’s R Plus Seven
Anything by the Avalanches or The Books
OK Computer
JPEGMAFIA
How many hours, per day, would you say you spend on RateYourMusic?
Not sure if it fits the assignment, but the first two Human League albums from the 70s (Reproduction and Travelogue) are analogue synth brilliance. If you can find the expanded version of Reproduction with the Dignity of Labour EP & flexidisc conversation added, even better.
The dwarf fortress soundtrack slaps so much harder than it has any right to
Mr Bungle - California and Disco Volante are unique and quite a trip.
Oh man. California is a masterpiece. Musicianship is top notch, with so many different moods and styles, it’s like they had enough ideas to make 3 albums but somehow managed to cram everything into one.
Did not expect disco volante in this thread.
Fantomas - The Director’s Cut is another good one to add on to these.
Egg!
Egg, oh an egg comes out of a chicken
Egg, oh a chick comes out of an egg
Egg, oh an egg comes out of a chicken
Egg, oh a chick comes out of an egg
Egg, oh an egg comes out of a chicken
Egg, oh a chick comes out of an egg
Egg, oh an egg comes out of a chicken
Egg, oh a chick comes out of an egg
Back in grade school we had a teacher who played us 'Stan Freidberg Presents The United States Of America!" It’s an old comedy alboum full of silly songs about the Founding Fathers. Certainly mindblowing, creative, and unique.
I’m not sure about mind-blowingly inventive but check out Mcbaise.
heres my favorite song by them right now:
https://youtu.be/n11j73OYqOY?si=GQp83Zin3QNwAuo7Delton 3030 is a rap opera set in the dystopian future. Amazing album start to finish.
Interstellar 55555 is an animated story for daft punks Discovery album which is a banger on its own. Once you watch the movie you never hear the album differently.
Green Day’s American Idiot is a concept album that was good enough to turn into a real musical.
Yeah, very much the first deltron album, it rocks. Second one has some good inter-track bits and a few good songs, but the first one, phew.
Love me some Del.
Now you got me listening to Mistadobalina
Also for anyone interested check out Hieroglyphics they’re amazing.
Not really a specific album but check out Lorn in general.
Easy Star All Stars - Dub Side of the Moon
Most of these fit into the inventive, otherworldly or both kind of vibe.
As a studio, Ninja Tune is very interesting.
Here’s one of my favorite Lorn tracks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEBIsUsvheA
Weigh me down is awesome! I really like 555-5555
Miles Davis On the Corner
The Velvet Underground & Nico
Boards of Canada Music has the Right to Children
