The Music of My Youth

Songs Sunday

Whether it’s stepping on the treadmill or re-finishing a wood table, the right kind of music gets me going.

Nickelback is good for those times. Adam Lambert, Finger Eleven, and Shinedown are fine choices also.

For writing, ES Posthumus or the soundtrack from Harry Potter.

But today I am talking retro, the music from my youth.

Beach Boys.

This fabulous band has a new (Yes. I. Said. NEW) album out called That’s Why God Made the Radio.

The soft sounds and interwoven melodies that Brian Wilson and Mike Love put together in this album remind me of why they owned the sixties.

Now, fifty years later, they rule the radio waves again. Or, in this case, my mp3.

Maybe you didn’t listen to Surfer Girl on the loudspeakers at the swimming pool. Or hear Good Vibrations for the first time on a transistor radio.

But if intricate melodies and smooth voices that flow like warm honey are what you love, check out the Beach Boys.

Songs Sunday

I break music into two categories. 

One, the kind that gets moves me like Lady Gaga, Shinedown, Nickelback, and Daughtry. Treadmill music actually.

Two, a playlist I named, My Writing Music

For writing, I need instrumental in various tempos according to what my characters are doing at the time.

In the gentle scenes, the oddly contrasting soundtracks from True Blood or Pride and Prejudice help me see the MC weep. Or imagine the kiss.

For combat/fight scenes, high drama or experiencing great fear, I go with 30 Seconds to Mars.

Their album, This is War, helps me envision the hall where swordplay breaks out. When the wizard raises his arms and calls down Hellfire. Or as my MC dies by the hand of her foe.

Plus it drowns out the TV when the hubby is watching ESPN.

Sometimes I Feel like a Slinky

But doesn't everyone from time to time?

For the Rocker-Inclined such as myself, check out The Veer Union. I was a teeny bit startled by their pics so I'm happy I *heard* them before I saw them.