13 albums to chill out, max, relax with

It’s time for another edition of 13 albums! The last installment, 13 albums to listen to from start to finish, was pretty popular around here, so I figure it’s time I give it another go. This time we’re talking about albums you use to help you unwind. I used to have a nap playlist in college that was exactly 90 minutes long that I would turn on when I needed a midday snooze. I knew it was over when the rock n roll softly awoke me.

Now that I have a full-time job which is WAY more stressful/exhausting than college classes were, I can fall asleep at a moment’s notice and don’t need music to encourage it. So I have certain albums now that I listen to when I’m writing, reading, thinking — those moments when I’m still. The 13 I have chosen for this list were picked for both their relaxibility and fantasticity, both of which are crucial and made-up traits.

So in the immortal words of Celebrity Deathmatch — Let’s get it on:

Damien Rice, “O” - Ah, angst. What you have done for music. Damien Rice has plenty of it, and his “O” album expresses that angst in a slow, deliberate way that wants you to go through it with him. Luckily for me, I don’t really listen to lyrics that closely, so I can vibe with the guitar and cello and let them take me away.
Relaxing tune: “Delicate”

Tracy Chapman, “Tracy Chapman” - Tracy brings awareness to the table in her albums (she has like eight or something!), but she does it in the chillingnest way possible, with a guitar and a deep voice that sounds a little mannish but soothes nonetheless.
Relaxing tune: “If Not Now…”

Derek Webb, “I See Things Upside Down” – Webb sings some extremely heartfelt music, and his ethereal sound makes you close your eyes and contemplate it. His band does an amazing job filling gaps where necessary, but the music is really carried by Webb’s high range and slow guitar parts.
Relaxing tune: “Nothing Is Ever Enough”

Joss Stone, “Mind Body & Soul” – Easily the most uptempo album on this list, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Joss Stone’s sexy voice that just gives you a warm feeling all over. That rasp makes it sound almost as if she is talking you into a daze, and dazes are relaxing, so…
Relaxing tune: “God Only Knows”

City and Colour – “Bring Me Your Love” – Dallas Green’s airy, almost minstrel-like voice is the most prominent sound on this album, followed by a lightly-picked acoustic guitar and…that’s pretty much it. A harmonica here and there, some strings, soft drums, those are sprinkled around, but this is the kind of music you sing to your children to put them to bed.
Relaxing tune: “Against The Grain”

Alison Krauss – “Lonely Runs Both Ways” - My favorite voice in music (I’m learning that the chill quality has a lot to to with vocals). Alison just has a way about her that sounds like it’s just you and her in a room. It doesn’t hurt that she has two world-class bluegrass guitarists behind her. This album really demonstrates her appeal.
Relaxing tune: “A Living Prayer”

Andy McKee – “Art Of Motion” – Andy McKee is an otherworldly guitarists who specializes in a folk/gypsy/latin style that is a very pleasing sound to listen to. A good fingerpicking guitar is the one of the most relaxing instruments to listen to.
Relaxing tune: “Drifting”

Edgar Meyer – “Edgar Meyer” - This upright player has one of the most pure and easy string bass sounds I’ve ever heard. This album is almost all I play in my headphones when I’m writing, as it’s just an inspiring, uplifting, pleasing sound. I highly recommend you pick up this album for background music.
Relaxing tune: “First Things First” Amazing song

Ray LaMontagne – “Till The Sun Turns Black” - A la Damien Rice, Ray has quite a few problems that he likes to air out in his music, but also like Rice, he does it in a very methodical way that forces you to stop what you’re doing and go through it also. It also helps that the production makes his voice sound like he’s breathing the words.
Relaxing tune: “Can I Stay”

D’Angelo – “Brown Sugar” – Along the Joss Stone lines, this isn’t a typical yawner, but the simple beats and tasteful guitars along with the R&B star allowing plenty of room for the listener to just stop and listen make this album a perfect one for unwinding at the end of a long day.
Relaxing tune: “Lady”

Jars of Clay – “Jars of Clay” - These guys were way ahead of their time, doing the acoustic-driven music of Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat before those kinds of artists ever thought about being famous. Lots of sweeping strings and light drum parts add to the whole laid-back experience.
Relaxing tune: “Worlds Apart”

James Taylor – “Best Of James Taylor” - Ah yes, the father of pleasing mountain music that just makes people want to smile and hug each other. When he’s not breaking out into scat or rocking out with “Steamroller,” Sweet Baby James is singing about how much he loves everybody and how we should love everybody, too. I dare you to listen to it and not say hello with a smile to the next person you see. Go ahead…I dare ya…
Relaxing tune: “You Can Close Your Eyes”

Norah Jones: “Come Away With Me” - I know you all were reading this going, “When is he getting to NORAH???” These lists would lose all validity if I didn’t include this darling and her debut album in the list. I don’t know what Norah Jones looks like, but because of her voice and her music, I imagine her as the most beautiful creature ever created. Her sensual yet innocent way of singing these wonderful jazz/love tunes is soothing and relaxing sound I can think of.

Love ‘em? Hate ‘em? Comment on ‘em.