Tag: Playlist

Prog For Breakfast

I have always been quite a chronic procrastinator, and I’m sure I must have referred to that here at some point. If not, I just haven’t got round to it yet. Anyway, what that means is that occasionally, I need some kind of cattle prod to get my backside in gear in the morning, and I’ve recently found that music works well. You’ve probably gathered that from my playlist updates earlier in the year, but some of my choices – made on my days off – don’t make it to that list. Let me give you an example.

I’ve found myself returning to the stylings of Pink Floyd of late, and more specifically their lengthier tracks. There’s nothing like 70s prog rock to set you up for the day, I can tell you. It becomes like a challenge – you see if you can get up, get dressed and do all your ablutions before the music finishes. It works, too. Try it yourself if you feel so inclined, with any prog bands or songs of your choice. This week, I’ve used “Dogs” (17 minutes, from Animals, 1977) and the “Atom Heart Mother Suite” (closer to 24, from Atom Heart Mother, 1970). I reckon “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” might have snuck in as well, but at a paltry 13 minutes, that’s small fry – don’t you think?

Mason

Hum It In Your Head, Part 2

Which songs have been seeing me off to work over the last two weeks? I know you’re all dying to find out. Here’s Part 2 of the list (as before, all song titles are also hyperlinks):

Mason

Hum It In Your Head

I don’t need much motivation to start my day, but I still find that a little push can help me get going. Lately, this has come in the form of music – and more specifically, the very last song I listen to before I leave for work. I love a playlist, you see, and I love to turn one into a little pastime too. With that in mind, I recently created one called ‘Songs To Go To Work With’. The criteria for entry to the list each day are simple. The song can’t be especially downbeat, it has to lift my spirits somehow, and it absolutely has to be the last song I listen to before crossing over the threshold. In addition, it’ll earn bonus points if I hum it in my head afterwards. All that means I can’t manipulate anything to make myself look cool (if I do come across that way, it’s entirely natural). What’s made the list so far? Allow me to present Part 1. Here, each song title is also a hyperlink, but you can’t see that without the white box behind the text:

Part 2 will follow soon. It’ll be interesting to see how varied the next list is!

Mason

The Isolation Station

A fortnight ago, as the world became increasingly swamped by the coronavirus pandemic, the university abruptly halted all of its face to face teaching, with two weeks of the semester still to go. I understand why, of course, but I still felt a certain emptiness as a result of not being able to see the term through to its end. Several strange and uncertain months now lie ahead before my third year begins, but I’m entering that period working on some of my current assignments on a rather empty campus. I’ve also chosen all of my modules for next year and written my dissertation proposal – there’ll be more on both of those later, no doubt – but I also have even more free time on my hands, as do a lot of us.

Before I came home from Winchester last Wednesday, I didn’t leave my flat or the campus unless it was absolutely necessary, and that policy has obviously continued back in Somerset too. My total screen time has been even higher than it usually is. I’ve watched, chatted, written and played, and as you may have gathered recently, I’ve listened to a lot of music too. I’m still working my way through the list of albums I mentioned before, but I also got bored enough one day to create an isolation-themed playlist on Spotify. To keep the musical thread going in this blog, I thought I’d include a link. My friends seem to like it, and Lara suggested I share it, if only for what I hope will be your listening pleasure. Click here to get started – alternatively, go to Spotify and search for The Isolation Station. We’re living in strange times, so if this playlist puts even the slightest smile on your face, it will have been a worthwhile use of my time. Dig in – there’s plenty to listen to!

Mason