Just for the fun of it, a random snapshot of some of the current tunes on my old MP3 player that I'm listening to while running. (iTunes, download, or informational links provided where available.)

Sufjan Stevens, Dear Mr. Supercomputer
I tend to like starting runs with a bright, thoughtful tune with enough solid propulsion to get things off to a good start. Stevens weaves a clicking, beeping, thumping mover with a web of staccato acoustic sounds--drums, horns, layered vocals, vibraphone.

Wolfmother, White Unicorn and Dimension
This raging new young band from Australia wears their classic-rock influences on their sleeves, but boy do they rock. They mix in just enough oddness, pulp-fantasy lyrical whimsy, and prog-rock flourishes to take their straightahead sound up a notch. 'White Unicorn' is all wide-screen drama (you can almost see the smoke machines during its hazy breakdown), good for distractions during the toughest early part of my run, and 'Dimension' is just a pounding, driving rocker that helps me keep pushing.

Michael Moorcock's Deep Fix, Time Centre
This instrumental oddity from a musical project between legendary fantasy author Moorcock and members of Hawkwind is a semi-hypnotic, cyclical build up from early-80s synth and drums to big bass guitar that for some reason, has been a standby of my running tunes. One of those that just works--never the center of my workout, but always a good go-to tune.

Genesis, Watcher of the Skies (live)
Wrapping up this segment of prog-rock is this early classic from Genesis, back when Peter Gabriel was the lead singer, wearing dresses and fox-head costumes on stage. Starting off with airy mellotron full of daybreak yearning and portent, it slips into great, rolling rhythms and terrific bass hooks from Mike Rutherford. A musical short story, with peaks, valleys, and a rousing finale. The version I'm listening to is a rare uncut version left off of their classic Genesis Live album from 1973. And it's long enough that I can run a whole mile to it!

Kasabian, Club Foot
Coming back to the present day with this seething, driving, edgy tune from these British alterna-rockers. Big dancy beat, buzzing guitar, and urgent vocals create a great running vibe.

King's X, Fly
This song has what I love most about this hugely underrated band--massive, propulsive riffs, alternately soulful and soaring vocals filled with harmony, and oodles of energy. A great spark of energy that just seems to make the clouds open up.

Broken Social Scene, 7/4 (Shoreline)
The odd time signature creates movement under a churning bed of restrained tension that breaks out all over the place as the song builds. Great load vocal and harmony by Leslie Feist, terrifically woven instrumentation. Maybe the best indie-pop since The Replacements.

The Rolling Stones, Don't Stop
Just a great, catchy, yearning-with-a-wink, love/lust-sick tune from the Stones. Obviously the chorus is a good message when trying to finish a run!

Nawang Khechog, Leading the Path of Non-Violence
Stark, beautiful Tibetan flute is a great complement to the lush greenery, big skies and rolling hills surrounding the trail, and a soothing balm at the end of a satisfying run.

Labels: Music, Running