Whether it is bands crafting the cold atmospheric climate
often associated with its music or artists that just put winter time into
perspective. This is a list of essential wintertime listening I do almost every
single year. They are all from varied genres of the musical spectrum that I enjoy.
Radiohead – Kid A
I can’t really even begin to express all the different
emotions convey on this album. It is positively my favorite Radiohead release
although any of the other albums they have come out are just as good I feel
this one is more listened to by me during the winter time particularly at night
while I read. I don’t feel like any other Radiohead album quite captures this
season like this one does. Favorite Track: How to Disappear Completely
Joy Division- Closer
Joy Division is tough to decide on first of all because: A) I
like all of their material and B) I always associate them with Ian’s suicide, so
I really tend to listen to this more during the bleak months of like November all
the way into February, and then I put it down until the next winter season. ‘Closer’
is Absolutely killer if you’re into Post-Punk music. Favorite Track: Isolation
Jeff Buckley – Sketches (For My Sweetheart the Drunk)
Truly sad because it never was finished due to Jeff’s
suicide but again almost everything that he came out with was great I thought,
including Grace. Favorite Track: The Sky is a Landfill
Joan Armatrading – Self Titled
I Just really enjoy this almost every year for small periods
of time here and there during the winter months. It is from 1976, and you can definitely
hear that. Reminds me a lot of Tracy Chapman who I grew up listening to with
mom who I also feel should be added to this list but she is more of a summer
time artist to me. Favorite Track: Down to Zero
Lustmord- Heresy, A Place Where the Black Star Hangs, or The
Darkest Places of the Earth
These Albums personified Extremely Dark Ambient Music.
However amazing to listen to when you’re all alone if you’re up to it. Favorite
Track: Fallen
Nurse with Wound- Soliloquy for Lilith (There are Other
Releases Just as Good Though)
^ (See above Description), I would also like to add that
this is quite possibly the hardest album to listen to in terms to keeping
mental integrity. This Album is absolutely stunning though if you make it all
the way thru though I think. Favorite Track: Full Album- 2hrs and 25 min.
DRONE
Ray LaMontagne- Gossip in the Grain
What is wintertime music without a little of this type of music. Really good stuff, it was a toss-up between this guy and City and
Color. Really good music here I think. Favorite Track: I Still Care for You
Lou Reed – Berlin
Positively is the Hands down winner for most depressing
album of all time. Yet I think it still is one of the most essential records to
listen to during the winter time. Excellent behind Measure but his Transformer
Album is equally sufficient for listening to during this period I think.
Favorite Track: Men of Good Fortune
Tom Waits – Small change
One par in my opinion with Berlin by Lou reed. Tom waits is one
of the greatest artists of all time and not become of his several different
styles of music he has been part of during his musical career but from his
honesty and the realness he conveys in his music that makes it special to me at
least. Favorite Track: Tom Traubert’s Blues
Arab Strap – Philophobia
Titled refers to a phobia that translates to “Fear of
Love/Falling in Love”. Think About that when you’re listening to this album.
Another Great Album for this time of year but many sadly dismiss it as a boring
record but they obviously haven’t sat and been able to absorb it for what it is
meant to convey. Favorite Track: New Birds
Red House Painters – Ocean Beach
I really got into this band in 2009 and began listening to
different releases they put out. This one hands down is their best to date in
my opinion. There are others who come as a close second to it but this one is
superb in the slowcore genre. I feel like I have heard his voice before but I don’t
remember where. Favorite Track: Drop
Nick Drake – Pink Moon
This should go without question during the winter time.
There are other albums just as good by him that should also be listened to.
Favorite Track: Harvest Breed
My Dying Bride – The Angel and the Dark River
Gloom and Doom. I don’t know many people who know this band,
and its always funny when im thinking of introducing someone to them and I know
their reaction is automatically like this is terrible. People just don’t take
the time to enjoy different things, check it out if your into Doom Metal.
Favorite Track: The Cry of Mankind
Frank Sinatra – Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely
One of my all-time favorites. Truly exquisite Sinatra, but
at his peak in my opinion. Favorite Track: One for My Baby
Wayne Shorter- Speak No Evil
Excellent Jazz Album. 100% Recommendation. Probobly listened
to this album 100 times or so over the last couple of years. Favorite Track:
Infant Eyes
The Cure- Disintegration or Faith
Another Group is goes without explaining. At some point
during your life you have heard one of their songs whether it be covered by
another band (311) or through MTV (which use to actually put music on television
believe it or not). These albums aren’t for the faint of heart if you take them
seriously. The lyrical content especially Faith is extremely depressing but
still both make for wonderful records to listen to during the Winter Months.
Nick Cave- Murder Ballads
Almost a comedic effort when I came into this album
expecting pure on ballads about death/murder. However over time I’ve come to
appreciate this along with other albums from his catalogue that includes many
other great albums. Great introduction if you don’t know him I would say.
Favorite Track: Stagger Lee
Bohren & Der Club of Gore – Black Earth or Sunset
Mission
This makes me feel like im either at the bottom of the ocean
(Black Earth) and stranded in the city (Sunset Mission). Both Albums are
amazing to really listen to anytime but I prefer them during the winter time
particularly at night with a warm cup of coffee.
Immortal – At the Heart of Winter
Black Metal from Norway. Their Music not just on this album
embodies what the winters feel like in Norway. Favorite Track: At the Heart of
Winter
Godspeed! You Black Emperor – Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like
Antennas to Heaven!
Fantastic Favorite: Storm
Neil Young- On the Beach
Hailed as one of Young’s most depressing albums. I don’t really
feel that way when I listen to it. Great Songs and Great Atmosphere. Favorite
Track: On the Beach
Leonard Cohen- Songs of Love and Hate
One of my favorite artists of all time. This Whole album is
a great listen. Favorite Track: Dress Rehearsal Rag
Shining- III - Angst - Självdestruktivitetens Emissarie
One of the Best Depressive Black Metal Releases in my
opinion. Favorite Track: Field of Faceless
Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral
Almost everyone has heard this album at some point if not
just one song off it. Favorite Track: Heresy
Agalloch – The Mantle or The Marrow
Sets the Atmosphere for Winter, If you know this band you
already know. Favorite Track: Black Lake Nidstang
I know there are tons of others I could list that I enjoy
during this time of year but these are just a couple of the top things I listen
to. Hope you Enjoy them if you have never heard them before now.
