Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings

Spiderman Of The Rings sounds like a swirling, pulsating NES cartridge on fire, and I mean that in the best way possible. It's absolutely fun and exhilarating minimal electronic music that is really sort of hard to describe. At points it is very beat heavy while other times it is composed of merely a xylophone warped and modulated to the extreme, layering over itself and consttantly glitching out. Some songs contain chant-worthy hooks that just make you want to yell along, which is always a quality I enjoy. This is especially true on the third track, which is almost twelve minutes long and is fun the whole way through.

In a workout sense, this album is just always on. The only downtime you're going to get on it is the fourth track "Big Milk" which is the xylophone track. Otherwise be prepared to get up and move, because it doesn't really stop until its over. I recommend this album for your gym near you.

Calories: 394.0
Distance: 3.03mi

Mouse On Mars - Idiology

My main problem with Idiology was something I never really anticipated could occur with electronic I chose for working out. The album was just too beautiful to be a good workout album. There are about five songs I can recommend for the workout space, but the other five end up being beautiful post-rock and ambient infused electronic ballads that convey a lot of emotion. I would almost compare the five songs to something you would hear off of M83's Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts, but even that's a bit of a stretch.

I should also mention that the song "Catching Butterflies With Hands" was inexplicably absent from my track set. Having listened to the track afterwards, it would definitely fall under the five ballads.

In conclusion, check out the album, but don't try to get physical to it. It's not meant for it in any way. Do check out Mouse On Mars' new album Parastrophics though, as I personally believe that album is a perfect workout candidate and is what actually got me to listen to this album in the first place.

Calories: 336.6
Distance: 2.79mi

Boards Of Canada - In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country

In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country pretty much does what I asked for. Having a busy schedule for today, I still needed to workout. I found this short, relaxing EP to be answer to my problem. Boards Of Canada provide synth-heavy ambient electronic music that is very soothing. This is opposite to what their next full-length album, Geogaddi, does in that Geogaddi is a very dark and claustrophobic record. Do not expect that from this. The first three tracks contain heavy thumping bass and downtempo stylings that are perfect to chill out to. The last track removes the bass from the equation, instead opting for a purely synth venture. While I had hoped for another track like the first three, the last track was still a very pleasant way to end the EP.

If you just want to take a nice short walk, like I did today, this is your EP.

Calories: 183.7
Distance: 1.50

Robyn - Body Talk

Body Talk does what I expected it to. It provides a large amount of accessible electropop tunes that I could hear my sister listening to with her friends at a party in a sea of Ke$ha and Katy Perry. What I didn't expect was for it to do it so well and make me want more. The album is over 60 minutes long and provides a near constant stream of dance floor hits that will easily get stuck in your head. The phat beats and bubblegum aesthetics are there, but never take over any song too much to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

In the physical sense, this album works astonishingly well. Well over forty minutes into the album I found my song that really sent this album over the edge into the perfect zone, "U Should Know Better" which features Snoop Dogg. This song in particular made me want to get up and sprint it out. This album is what all pop albums should strive for. Accessibility mixed flawlessly with strong song writing and attitude that just make you want to get off your feet and dance.

Calories: 533.2

Distance: 4.15mi

The Flaming Lips - Transmissions from the Satellite Heart

Transmissions from the Satellite Heart is definitely indicative of The Flaming Lips' future sound. From it's wildly loud and screaming guitars to it's cheerful upbeat melodies. Of course it still sounds like an artifact of the early 90's, it has aged surprisingly well against it's modern counterparts. Wayne sounds younger and less refined, but it still sounds as fun as ever. Fun is something The Flaming Lips always bring to the table.

My only problem with the album was from a workout sense. It sometimes tends to slow down in to more downtempo acoustic portions. While great on the ears, it isn't too great for the motivation. The album rarely does it though so it's something I'm willing to overlook.

Calories: 354.2
Distance: 2.73mi