Swans - My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky

I sort of went in knowing this would not be the type of album that is good for workouts. Honestly, though, I came out of it with a more positive feeling about its possible use as such. I can't say I'd recommend the whole album, because there are just too many times where it slows to a crawl. When it does pack some punch, it does it in a way that can easily motivate someone to run. Songs like "Jim" and "Eden Prison" really pull out all the stops and jam pretty hard.

Sonically, the My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky is impressive in a way I'm not entirely qualified to elaborate on. If you like Embryonic or Godspeed You! Black Emperor, definitely give this album a try.

Calories: 335.0
Distance: 2.72

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