Music for the thinker

[matnatz]

I draw portraits, and I find that I am much better when I am listening to music, a certain kind of music though. It can't have any vocals, unless they go relativly un-noticed (like some of Moby's tracks).

So, I'm looking for music along the lines of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2nNp2gsYzY&feature=channel_page

and this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDC9fEwU3ds&feature=channel_page

this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5r-pBd8fTE&feature=PlayList&p=AE8A1A05AF6FF948&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=11

this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uonJdvnmxvw

and this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ4Pm0N8s78

Can anyone suggest anything similar?

 

[Xrysthos]

I don't know about you, but personally I find listening to classical music or some slow progressive rock helpful when I'm trying to think. Try something from King Crimson's debut album "In the Court of the Crimson King", such as Epitaph. There are vocals, but it's really slow and melodious. King Crimson has been called the "thinking man's Pink Floyd" (I forget who said it, and I won't bother to look it up), so I'd say it's a viable option.

 

[Good morning blues]

I think you're really going to enjoy the Icelandic band Sigur Ros.

 

[Whistler777]

Sigur Ros is definitely going to suit your needs, and also be sure to check out Explosions in the Sky.

[a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzIK5FaC38w"]Explosions in the Sky - "Your Hand in Mine"[/a]...a genuinely beautiful track.

 

[RavingPenguin]

Sigur Rós-Sæglópur [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yjurf5d6X0]
I dont know if its your thing, and it has vocals. However the vocals seem more like an instrument than a voice, as I cant make out what they're saying.

Edit: Damn- Ninja'd twice.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

RJD2...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKJeLG8-M5I

Oh, and this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UtoYntreBs

 

[Banana Phone]

Some Pink Floyd may appeal to you, like some of their huge epic almost-instrumentals. Examples:
Atom Heart Mother
Echoes
Shine On You Crazy Diamond

 

[Berethond]

Chick Corea's Spain. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kATzV5uQNjM]
Wynton Kelley's If You Could See Me Now. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY5DAEOp4kU]
Carlos Santana's Samba Pa Ti [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0uHRl-Q8Fo&feature=related]

 

[Vek]

Eh, I'm not really one for the style of music in your post, Op.

However, I can suggest the songs listed in this mix on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWDvarh6cBY

 

[Weaver]

I like the flashbulb. He bills himself as "drill and bass" which is like a fusion of glitchcore and drum and bass.

http://www.theflashbulb.net/

 

[ProfessorLayton]

Lance Allen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxXlJsWH_Go

He's got some really good music with no lyrics so it's perfect to like relax or think to. It's acoustic stuff but still.

 

[Fumbles]

Try Unkle, Particularly their album Psyence Fiction. I think their song Lonely Soul was on the Assassins Creed trailer. Even try Tool- Lateralus.

 

[zen5887]

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

 

[matnatz]

Thanks guys, some very nice suggestions here, I knew I could count on The Escapist.

 

[MusicalFreedom]

You might like some of Ulver's stuff. Anything after Nattens Madrigal, though, before then they were folk / black metal (which I would also highly recommend).
Ulver - Tomorrow Never Knows, on the album Perdition City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph4cssdkIoo

I think I'll recommend something a little different. You could try an album called Filosofem, by Burzum. I find that the vocals are not that prominent and fit in with the hypnotic black metal wall of noise.
Burzum - Dunkelheit, on the album Filosofem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luFCBdS5PAs

These are both what I consider "thinking music", in that it has ambient qualities that stimulate thought.

 

[TeaBaggin]

Try Unkle, Particularly their album Psyence Fiction. I think their song Lonely Soul was on the Assassins Creed trailer. Even try Tool- Lateralus.

I Agree, also try some later deftones like white pony or minerva

 

[TaborMallory]

The soundtrack to the first Spyro The Dragon game was awesome.
One of my favorites is Dark Hollow.

 

[Brotherofwill]

Incase you didn't link them in your OP (i didn't look at those links) I'd suggest an icelandic band called 'mum', a scottish band called 'Mogwai', a Canadian band called 'Godspeed you black emperor,' or, at a stretch, a Texan band called 'Explosions in the Sky' but, as befitting an American band, their music isn't contemplative so much as attempted inspiration which turns out funny (i haven't listened to them for a while)

That said, I'm a bit of an artist, and I always do best when listening to Bob Dylan, and maybe a bit of David Bowie and Jethro Tull.

But Dylan's the big cheese. Le Grande Fromage. 'cause he gets your thinking; drawing comparisons to your own life and the lives of others, etc...

That said, if you're a portrait painter you might not be looking for creative inspiration so much~ (jk - portrait painters have alot of space for creativity i know)

I think you're really going to enjoy the Icelandic band Sigur Ros.

lots of [lame*] lyrics; he said he didn't dig lyrics.

*i think they're lame, that's not open for counter-argument, neither am i trying to insult you by saying that

PS. Can't forget the Velvet Underground too; Ayyymmm, waitin' fow ma maaaain

Awesome suggestions, couldn't have said it better meself. Good to know Bowie has made some impression on you after all.

I kind of know what music you are talking about so here are some random suggestions:
They are pretty varied but all of them get me calm and ready to think, you might dig one or more Mr.OP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY8WH8qgBLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iu_KDBbKcI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjXro63cPXc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgCJQ2G1Vjw

That said, if you're a portrait painter you might not be looking for creative inspiration so much~

Oh snap!!!

 

[Flying-Emu]

Anything by Bach?

 

[JC175]

Check out any post-rock, maybe some classical.