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