Ryan Harrington's Top 5 Albums to Work/Study to

When I was first propositioned to make a list of albums to “work/study to” I was little dumbfounded. This is because I interpreted the “work” part of the question to be chores, like cleaning your car, tidying your room, washing dishes etc. Whereas studying is pour over textbooks and notes, reviewing concepts and formulas, writing out equations and solving problems. These are two different things, one very physical and one very mental.

After some deliberation, I went with the more clearly defined idea studying music, and sent off a quick list on my deadline, promising to get a full article in later (I’ve been neglecting blog duties on all fronts, sorry folks). As I worked on fleshing out this list, I realized that I shouldn’t just ignore my duties to you, gentle readers, just because I have “homework,” no, I should get serious about this. And ignore my homework. So, lucky ducks, you’re getting a big two for one deal here.

Now, many of you have read my earlier post (all three of you, perhaps) where I explained a little of my history with music. It happened to include a top 5 list of my favorite bands. Now, in general, what drew me to these bands can easily be identified by pop hooks, evocative lyrics, and an assortment of melancholy ballads and energetic singles amongst their repertoires. It’s easily accessible, yet can still be complex. This all very general because none of this applies to the music in this post at all.

Part of it is that music and mood go hand in hand in such a give and take relationship that it’s hard for music not to influence your mood and vice versa. So, I try and set strict parameters in discussions and avoid absolutes. Or maybe I’m just too scared to jump the fence and pick a side. Either way, you guys get two posts here: the first for gentle, solitary, and perhaps pedantic times, the other for visceral, energetic, and possibly sweaty situations.

The Top 5 Albums I study to:
5. Our Endless Numbered Days – Iron and Wine
There is a quiet, understated beauty in this album. The music has this sort of rustic, folksy charm that evokes images of log cabins and tall pine forests. I saw him live, and though it is not well reflected in his music, he is a very fun loving and endearing individual which always helps the music appeal to me. If I had to use a word to describe this, it would be tranquility.
Tracks to check out: Sodom South Georgia, Sunset Soon Forgotten

4. Mare Vitalis – The Appleseed Cast
Arguably the most upbeat of the albums on this list, which may make it seem a little out of place. Its draw is that its energy and rhythm are driven forward without being vocal centric. Typically, I love to sing along to songs and will get so caught up in what I am doing that I keep reading without actually paying any attention to the text at hand. Yet, I find that the varying intensity in this album perks my oft drooping eyelids without these distractions.
Tracks to check out: Fishing the Sky, Forever Longing the Golden Sun

3. Designing a Nervous Breakdown – The Anniversary
The keyboards are reminiscent of the classic video games of my youth. The vocals remind me of the cool, indie crowd I am still jealous of. The album itself brings back all sorts of memories from high school. Maybe I just listened to it a lot at home while dominating AP classes and feel like maybe, just maybe, the good student in me will poke through again. Maybe it’s just that the repetitive beats are a wonderful background filler that is not too obtuse. Who knows.
Tracks to check out: All Things Ordinary, The D in Detroit

2. Cease to Begin – Band of Horses
I was very hesitant to put this album on this list, especially so high; mostly because it’s still so new. It has over 50 spins though, on this computer alone, so hopefully the novelty has run its course and its sheer sticking power is what keeps drawing me back to it. There is a haunting quality about Ben Bridwell’s lyrics and voice that lingers in my mind and seems so empty. It reminds me of walking in cold, clear winter nights, the winds just howling.
Tracks to check out: No One’s Gonna Love You, Lamb On the Lam (in the City)

1. American Football – American Football
American Football is possibly one of my favorite albums of all time. If this band had a larger catalog, they may have climbed higher in my own ranks. While sounding eerily melancholy and slightly distant or isolating, I feel only a calming serenity wash over me and my mood strangely brightens. Emo lyrics are lost in the soft sounds and varying time signatures. It is this peace of mind that helps me focus rather than distract me, as I am prone to do.
Tracks to check out: Never Meant, For Sure.

The Top 5 albums to Work to:
5. Bleed American (or Self titled) – Jimmy Eat World
I have an unexplainable attraction to this saccharine album that just makes me want to get up and move. I scream along, jump around, and just get enthused. Though I am super awkward and shy, sometimes just cutting loose and having a good time wins out. And my absolute favorite thing is to crank this album and wash my car in the summer sun. It’s so simple, it’s beautiful.
Tracks to check out: The Authority Song, A Praise Chorus

4. Sorry About Tomorrow – Hot Rod Circuit
These are some really good sing along songs. For reals. They are named after a Simpsons quote. For reals. Okay, so I feel a little guilt because they’re kinda…well lame. It’s kinda lame, sure, but it’s a lot more fun. Draw your own comparisons because I don’t want to taint you with mine (which are kinda wrong).
Tracks to listen to: Cool For One Night, Let’s Go Home

3. The Body, The Blood The Machine – The Thermals
I think everyone reads those dystopian themed novels in school, either out of deliberate choice or part of a class. And I think it always makes a small portion of them, secretly, want to be revolutionaries. Rise up and lead a new era. And all that passion is conjured in this dystopian themed album.
Tracks to check out: St Rosa and the Swallows, A Pillar of Salt

2. Kill Them With Kindness – The Jealous Sound
I think the draw to this album is just how infectious it is. The riffs get in my head and I just want to move. Though all these albums have the occasional breather song, the one where you don’t have to be jumping and screaming the entire time, this is probably the tamest on the list. It’s just so goddamn catchy. Maybe I just can’t explain it properly.
Tracks to check out: Naïve, Does That Make Sense

1. Something To Write Home About – The Get Up Kids
I first got this album from my friend Dan, who has music tastes that are beyond impeccable, as a holiday gift along with a copy of, I believe, The Foo Fighters’ There is Nothing Left to Lose. Because The Color and the Shape is so amazing, I was really excited to get this other FF album but didn’t know what to make of this new band. Finally, I was doing homework one day and just put it into my cd drive. Ever since, I’ve been in love. This is so much of who I am: kinda loud and fast, a little emo, a bit childish. It reminds me of high school and that it’s okay to be young and stupid.
Tracks to check out: Ten Minutes, Close to Home