music for reading

By Josh Weisbrod in Arts and Culture in Worship on 8/30/11

If you are anything like me then you enjoy music more than simply what is on the loud speaker at your local grocery store. I would say that unless I am sleeping I am usually listening to music. Now I don’t want to paint myself as a crazy only two sentences into this blog, so I will also say that I am a fan of silence and quiet. My struggle with silence is normally found in the times when I am reading or studying. While finishing up my final quarter at the UW I found it extraordinarily difficult to focus on Kant and Mill while being surrounded with silence. The counterpoint to that problem is another problem where I can’t handle singing or talking while I am focusing. If you are like me then you have struggled to have music on in the background only to find your mind dwelling the words of some twenty something rocker rather than what you are supposed reading. This is where I began to research new solutions. As a musician I am always seeking out new music, and for this season in my life I required thoughtful, lyric-less, modern music. Thankfully we live in a time when almost all music of some for has been created in mass and you can access it using the fabulous yet dangerous highways of the internet. So for your safety and the sake of me sharing my knowledge, I would like to help you avoid hours of searching so that you can get to studying and reading as soon as you would like. So here are some great bands and albums that I have found to be good music to listen to while reading and studying. These bands will all most likely fall into the “post rock” genre of music. I am going to hold myself to 5 bands even though I can think of maybe 20 that would fit this list.

1. Explosions in the Sky. This band is one of the larger post-rock bands on the scene. If you have ever watched the show Friday Night Lights then you have had your emotions stirred by their music as the team rallies after a horrific tragedy (they did the soundtrack for the show). Their music consists of a four piece band that most of the time is 3 guitarists and a drummer. I would suggest the album “The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place” as a good starting point with this band. Their newest album “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care” Is also very good, as well as the Friday Night Lights Soundtrack. Number one band in my mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVloa9gt7ig&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY8BCgX0dwg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKyrULAfvq8&feature=related

2. Mogwai. This Scottish post rock band was partially responsibly for the popularity of this genre, and they are one of my favorite bands. Their music can be slightly more intense than that of Explosions in the Sky but they both follow a similar style and are amazing musicians. Their live album “Special Moves” and their newest album “Hardcore Will Never Die but You Will” are both incredible new albums with a great sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0V9nrEV1WI&feature=related

3. Saxon Shore. This band was formed in 2001 and has such an awesome sound. I would suggest their album “The Excquisite Death of Saxon Shore” as a must have album. I would label them as the band that goes between Explosions In The Sky and Mogwai. They are quickly becoming on of my top bands in this genre.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27joi4JwilA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIVjXsjGSNY&feature=related

4. Joy Wants Eternity. This band from Seattle follows in the stylistic path of Mogwai. Their 2007 release “You Who Pretend to Sleep” is an incredible album. This album starts off strong so if you are in a chill mood then you might want to watch out for the first two tracks. Overall, this is a great local band and a great album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAsachDIPgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rCP3bSnxLk

5. Sigur Ros. This band enters into slightly different territory than the other bands. This band is fairly unique, and I would warn you not to listen to this band if you are tired because they could be deemed one of the chillest bands of all time. Their music is good, but if you are distracted by some background non-lyrical singing then you might want to stay away. The singing is more of an instrument in this band, so your ear doesn’t recognize it as a pattern to sing along to, so for reading purposes they remain in the category of music I am discussing. “Takk…” is one of my favorite albums by them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeW7TF68AWU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw77ecgjrVM&feature=related

6. This Will Destroy You. I know I said 5 bands but I just couldn’t help myself. Here is another amazing band. Really clean guitar sounds and great tone makes for some amazing music. Their album Young Mountain is incredible and definitely saved me on some long nights of studying and some long drives. I put them on the list because how could i deny a band that has added the soundtrack to so many late night drives and emotional moments in my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqvmCiNMpCU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYsbZbAKnAg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQmK6nN7bBU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htGmTJNsOr0&feature=related

I would also suggest: God is An Astronaut; Red Sparrowes; Godspeed You! Black Emperor!; Mono, Maybeshewill
hope you enjoy these, and happy studying.

Josh Weisbrod

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