What do you do?

I'm going crazy and I can't listen to anything lately. Everything I put in my CD player is either driving me batty or just not right in some way. I end up pulling out what I've got and frantically searching for something else I might actually want to listen to and resignedly putting in something that might at least be OK but to no avail. Nothing is hitting the spot.

Any recommendations? What do you do when you can't find your groove?
[Edited 8/30/05 9:33am]

for me, it means that i can't slow down my brain to sit back and enjoy anything. there are other times when i am so receptive to music that i wish i could put on every CD i own at the same time and just ABSORB all of it.

when i'm in a rut, i usually listen to a lot of stuff that sounds like musical wallpaper - really repetitive, mostly instrumental, really noodley stuff. high llamas, stereolab, phillip glass, stuff like that. it gets my imagination going and i can listen to it while i'm doing other stuff.

dunno if that helps...

Intrumentals. Elevator music helps.

For bold "new" directions,try some Miles Davis,Hendrix,Led Zep,Bowie,Robert Nesta Marley,Steveland Morris,Marvin,JB,John W Coltrane,Ben Harper,Chocolate Genius,get some old U2,the jay-z blacl album remixes,kraftwerk,radiohead,or get some cool electronic stuff like markus schulz's "miami '05, or armin van buuren's universal religion discs,or tiesto's "parade of athletes","in search of sunrise 3 and 4 ,or nyana. This is all classic stuff and represents a small order of all the cool music that is available.There are some quite bold steps these artists have made,however. And I did n't even mention ladies like, bjork,fiona apple,bebel gilberto,joni mitchell,et al.There is a lot to NOT get bored about.

rockwilder said:

Try some ME!!!

link below

CarrieMpls said:

I know the feeling.

I listen to less and less music these days (which is incredibly ironic, considering I grew-up playing music and even worked in college radio).

So little of it reflects the way I perceive the world now. In the car, I find myself listening to talk radio. At home, my CD player hasn't seen action in months. I would say the total number of artists I listen to has dwindled to about a dozen.

Maybe the music you have doesn't speak to you anymore?

Anxiety said:

Very true. And I can definitely relate to wanting to hear about 7 different albums all at the same time cause I know all of them would be just perfect at this particular moment.

Perhaps I will see if I can dig up some trance compilations or something. That just might do it.

paisleypark4 said:

rockwilder said:

Most of what you mentioned is stuff I've got or already know.

Nice try, and thanks, though.

Ace said:

Truth be told, I haven't listened to much of anything in months either. I've got a few newer CDs still wrapped in plastic that I can't be bothered to check out yet. I have had some moderate to good success listening to mix CDs people have made me, but their time has run out. lol.

I don't know that I'm really outgrowing my music so much as my mood is never consistent enough or something.

Will have to settle on some trancey technoy something while I'm cleaning today. Perhaps that'll do it.

CarrieMpls said:

do you have a copy of "NEWS" lyin' around?

CarrieMpls said:

go to Cheapo STAT and pick up some classic St Etienne...Faoxbase Alpha or So Tough

DO IT NOW!

endorphin74 said:

I think I will when I run out for groceries tonight.
Thanks for the reminder. I have a feeling that will be perfect.

endorphin74 said:

can't argue with that advice (even though 'tiger bay' is my fave st.et, and their latest best-of CD seems to be selling for cheep...just sayin'!) - get some saint etienne into your life!

Listen to some Bob Dylan. Bob will stimulate your mind and give you something meaningful and passionate to reflect on.

Anxiety said:

I may pick them all up. lol. I was remarking to Darin just the other day that I don't know where I've been on the St Etienne thing. Thing is, I probably know every song just from hearing it so often from others. I just don't own it and haven't fully absorbed each one.

kisscamille said:

That'd normally be alright, but I've only got one best of compilation and I played it to death a few years back. But reminds me I should get some more.

CarrieMpls said:

You must get Blood on the Tracks and Blonde on Blonde. Both are masterpieces. I also highly recommend Time out of Mind.

kisscamille said:

Sometimes Bob is meaningful and passionate, sometimes he's just fulla shit.

I'd recommend Time Out of Mind. Lotta moaning on there about someone who will never take him back, but also some deep insight into the human condition. I particularly like "Tryin' to Get to Heaven", "Not Dark Yet" and "Highlands".

Listen to some Bob Marley. The guy is amazing.

Love, spiritual, militant, dance, rebellious, and hypnotic music.

kisscamille said:

Two out of two Orgers agree: get Time Out of Mind.

Ace said:

Not Dark Yet is my favourite song on that cd.

kisscamille said:

WARNING: THIS SONG MAY INDUCE FEELINGS THAT EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IS EMPTY AND LEAD TO SUDDEN BOUTS OF TOTAL DESPAIR. USE WITH CAUTION.
[Edited 8/30/05 12:31pm]

Ace said:

It's not dark yet, but it's gettin there!

I know I hype Bob often on this site, but for me there isn't another lyricists like him. He's pure genius!

Ace said:

Alright. Someday when I'm feeling better about things I'll pick it up. I promise. Now wouldn't be a good time, however.

CarrieMpls said:

If you're feeling down or sad I wouldn't listen to Bob. Bob can break your heart with one line. Do keep it in mind for when you're feeling up and ready for greatness!

Anxiety said:

I would recommend Tiger Bay, but the US issue is just lacking in some vital tracks...and since carrie's just gettin with the St Et party, I didn't think I should puch right to an import

endorphin74 said:

I don't think the U.S. version of 'Tiger Bay' is still in print anyway. The import may be the only one available. Unless you buy a used copy on ebay of course.

While I'm on the subject, it would be remiss of me to not recommend the new Sing Sing album 'Sing Sing And I' to all you St. Etienne heads. Think a more crunchy St. Etienne courtesy of ex-Lush guitarist Emma Anderson.

I was a huge Lush fan back in the 90s and followed Sing Sing after Lush broke up. A friend compared Sing Sing to St. Etienne and that's how I got into St. Etienne. So go to their site, download some tracks and buy their albums already. They are currently without a record deal and are selling their new album themsleves.

sextonseven said:

i think the only version of tiger bay that's in print right now is an import from holland (i think?) that reproduces the original, superior, UK version of the album. it has a picture of a young woman who kinda looks like sophia loren on the cover. also, in every wrecka stow i've been to, it's selling for the same price as any domestic US release, which is really nice.

just to be a collector geek, i'd LOVE to find a copy of the original UK version. meanwhile, i'd like to collect all the copies of the US version and run them over with a steamroller.