Albums to Escape Quarantine
photo courtesy of @varun_kumar5 Instagram
We’re all stuck inside, there’s no avoiding it. You’re probably bored out of your mind, learning Tik Tok dances and certainly overeating. Sure, you can’t physically flee the confines of your cul de sac, but there are other ways to escape mundanity.
The art of storytelling has been at the heart of music since its origins. Before written words, stories and legends were told in the form of song. Many artists, past and present, have chosen to create cohesive projects of music in order to convey certain messages. While you can’t escape with your body, you can escape with your ears. Here are seven music projects to help you mentally escape quarantine.
Pink Floyd - The Wall
Pink Floyd’s famous rock opera is probably what most people think of when they hear musical storytelling. Modeled loosly after the life of Syd Barrett, former lead singer of the band, “The Wall” brings you on an absurd adventure through war, politics, sex, drugs, and rock & roll. It’s truly a masterpiece and the companion movie is quite the experience. Drugs are 100% recommended if you choose to watch the movie.
Tyler, the Creator - Wolf
This is the album that marked Tyler’s rise to fame….And rightfully so! The storyline of Wolf going to summer camp and falling in love with a girl named Salem who is dating a murderous camper named Samuel is both interesting and inventive. Tyler even teased that he was going to make a movie based on the album, which never came out (but we’re still waiting). Nevertheless, we got an amazing album full of beautiful melodies and violent screaming that early Tyler albums are infamous for.
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
This is one of our favorite albums of all time. Stevie Wonder just may be the most incredible musician to ever walk the earth. “Songs in the Key of Life” is about appreciating your existence and the world you live in. It’s an inspirational message in the times of COVID-19, especially, and every single song on this record is incredible. It will lift your spirits right out of quarantine.
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
This album will take you back all the way to 1993, where clothes were baggy, “Jurassic Park” was the number one movie, and hardcore hip hop was just starting to gain traction in mainstream music. Old kung fu movies are the inspiration for the musical motifs of this album, which helps the project maintain a cohesiveness. Additionally, bingeing Hulu’s original series “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” while you listen will further add to the story, highlighting why this album holds so much significance in music history.
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Come on, who doesn’t love the beatles? This album was born right in the psychedelic age and reflects the musicians’ acid trips in its insane storylines and bizarre references. As confusing as the album is, each song fits together so nicely that you can’t help but to hit play again after you’re done listening.
Snakadaktal - Sleep in the Water
Snakadaktal was a band that never really got much recognition. They were an Australian dream pop band that broke up almost as soon as they formed. They did however, bless us with an album called “Sleep in the water”. This album literally makes me feel like I am floating in the ocean. The dreamy synth background and angelic voice of lead singer Phoebe Cockburn creates a feeling inside you like no other. This is a great album
MF DOOM - Operation: Doomsday
To those who are unfamiliar, MF DOOM is rapper, Daniel Dumile. MF DOOM is one of the greatest underground rappers of all time, with incredible flows and genius beats (often produced by madlib). In 1999, he released his album “Operation: Doomsday”. This was the first album where he used the supervillian persona of DOOM, or “Viktor Vaughn” whose desire is to destroy metropolis through his rhymes. This album is hilarious at times and a great world to jump into if you’re feeling a little ~evil~.