Music

July 21, 2005 5:11 PM

I feel very sad and empty. Any recommendations for music CD's like Enya to cheer me up?
posted by madmath to Media & Arts (43 answers total)

When I got really depressed in college, I would listen to Roger Waters'Pink Floyd's The Final Cut over and over. Not really Enya-esque, stylistically, but something about its misery and despair was cathartic, and as silly as it sounds, it really got me through some tough times.
posted by Rothko at 5:24 PM on July 21, 2005

How funny, I've always thought of Enya as really dreary. It isn't exactly what you're looking for (in that it's not so stringsy and choral), but I've found that Jorge Drexler's "Eco" album is particularly inspiring and beautiful. He sings beautifully, clearly, and soothingly in Spanish. Desmond Dekker and the Aces' "Action!" always puts me in a pleasant mood as well.

An old instrumental favorite is Mouse on Mars' "Iaora Tahiti"

I really hope you feel better! You know, I'm a pretty cynical and sarcastic guy, but once, I heard a doctor on public television describe a really simple technique for feeling better to a crowd of people. It sounds cheesy, but it really works and has helped me through a wide variety of situations:

Sit down anywhere comfortable, close your eyes and focus on your slow breathing. In, out, in out, and so on. Take your time and imagine that in your chest is a slowly pulsating, warm golden healing light. This golden light is slowly growing outwards and filling you. Feel as it fills you and warms you up as it grows. Along the lengths of your arms, down your legs, and up your neck. When you feel it at the edges of your body, your fingers, your toes, and on your skin, visualize yourself full of this golden light and repeat to yourself: "I have strength, I have strength"

:)
posted by redteam at 5:33 PM on July 21, 2005 [1 favorite]

It is impossible to listen to Hulk Hogan's uplifting and inspiring I Want to Be A Hulkamaniac without a smile springing to one's lips.
posted by designbot at 5:40 PM on July 21, 2005

Like Enya? Delerium would work.
posted by cmonkey at 5:46 PM on July 21, 2005

get in your car, drive up a mountain with your windows down, and listen to "It's Very Stimulating" by MC Paul Barman.

just do it!
posted by mcsweetie at 5:51 PM on July 21, 2005

Response by poster: Actually, now I realize I've probably listened to too much Enya, which is sad / depressing.
posted by madmath at 5:58 PM on July 21, 2005

Pixies. Upbeat, but with dark enough undertones to keep you from vomiting while in your pain cave.
posted by dong_resin at 6:04 PM on July 21, 2005

The soundtrack to the game Katamari Damashii. Can't be sad if you're rolling along to Lonely Rolling Star.
posted by SPrintF at 6:07 PM on July 21, 2005

Does Loreena McKennitt count? I always associate the two together.
posted by state fxn at 6:11 PM on July 21, 2005

The Wrens almost consistently make me energetic and happy.
posted by cyphill at 6:23 PM on July 21, 2005

SPrintF's suggestion might sound ridiculous to those unfamiliar with Katamari Damashii...but let me tell you, it might be the happiest sounding thing ever. Ever.

I might suggest something like Endless Summer by Fennesz...it's slightly abstract electronic music, and not the least bit like borderline "New Age" stuff, like Enya, but I'd find it pretty hard to be sad while listening to it, even if I were trying...
posted by hototogisu at 6:58 PM on July 21, 2005 [1 favorite]

I second the Fennesz. Year in a Minute (a track from Endless Summer) is, well, it's fucking gorgeous and enveloping and all those sorts of things. His record Venice is also powerful. His music is very unique and emotional.
posted by xmutex at 7:37 PM on July 21, 2005

There's a band called Euphoria you might like. It's pretty low-key (well, not as low-key as Enya) and I find it uplifting. Kind of a guitar plus light techno sound.

Trivia: Delerium (mentioned above, also a good one) has a song called "Euphoria". Euphoria has a song called "Delerium."

A few more in that vein:
- Robert Miles
- Moby (his ambient stuff, like the disc "Ambient" and disc 2 of the recent "Hotel")
- Jem's album "Finally Woken" - it's not entirely unlike Enya at times, and one of the most cheery, uplifting albums I've ever heard. (That's Jem Griffiths the welsh singer, not Jem the cartoon rock band, in case anyone is confused)
- The Postal Service - nothing like the others but it sure cheers me up.

Most of all, you should find whatever makes you happy, and listen to more of that... Good luck!
posted by mmoncur at 8:09 PM on July 21, 2005

Oh, and look up Polyphonic Spree. If I had to name one thing I couldn't possibly be sad while hearing, that might be it.
posted by mmoncur at 8:13 PM on July 21, 2005

Milla's The Divine Comedy is a lot like Enya, has the same upbeat but soothing vibe. Might want to try October Project too or Loreena McKennitt.
posted by ifjuly at 8:39 PM on July 21, 2005

Forget everything said by others above and listen to some Brian Eno.

HEY! NO FAIR!!!
posted by redteam at 8:52 PM on July 21, 2005

You know what, he gets a bad rap , but Yanni's Live at the Acropolis is some good shit. Uplifting new age, to be sure.

Also try Andreas Vollenweider's Dancing With the Lion.
posted by o2b at 9:49 PM on July 21, 2005 [1 favorite]

Oh, man, go find David Hasselhof's version of "Hooked on a feeling" especially the video. If THAT doesn't cheer you up, nothing on earth will... it's just... so... stupid...

(PS. nifty live preview at the bottom)
posted by socratic at 9:54 PM on July 21, 2005

Another vote for Polyphonic Spree-they have great, uplifting instrumentals and lots of back-up vocals.
posted by slimslowslider at 10:04 PM on July 21, 2005

PPS. By "nifty live preview at the bottom" I mean at the bottom of mefi pages, not at the bottom of David Hasselhoff.. *shudder*
posted by socratic at 10:06 PM on July 21, 2005

I definitely second the recommendations for Delerium (especially the Poem album, especially Innocente), and Loreena McKennit (fun trivia: I'm currently dating her 2nd cousin. Weird).

I'd also suggest Sarah McLachlan. Her voice alone is enough to give me the warm gooshies. Fumbling Towards Ecstacy is probably the most upbeat-sounding album, IMHO. Especially the track Ice Cream, which she wrote as a love song for her husband.

Beyond that I'd really suggest whatever you define as loud, dancing around the house, booty-shaking bouncy music. Get moving, get the endorphins flowing.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:16 PM on July 21, 2005

This (Faure/ Durufle) requiem CD is sad but not empty.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:32 PM on July 21, 2005

Huh. When I'm bummed, I listen to The Smiths or American Music Club. Mark and Morrissey are always more depressed than I'll ever be.
Then I usually gradually work myself out of my funk by switching to music that's kinda slow and "moody" without being sad, then up the energy until I feel pretty good.

Examples:

Smiths - Louder Than Bombs
Clem Snide - The Ghost of Fashion
Elbow - Asleep In The Back
Doves - Lost Souls
Muse - Absolution
Low - The Things We Lost In The Fire

Then top it off with QOTSA, Black Flag or Bad Religion!

YMMV
posted by black8 at 11:33 PM on July 21, 2005 [1 favorite]

I highly reccommend Peter Gabriel's most recent cd "UP". Also, anything in his back catalogue. His music has always been uplifting to me.
posted by Radio7 at 11:49 PM on July 21, 2005

I listen to bluegrass or heavily folk-inspired music when I'm in that mood. Allison Krauss on the downslope. Mindy Smith on the plateau. Fleetwood Mac or Catie Curtis on the upslope, depending.

The suggestion of Gem is a good one.
posted by SpecialK at 1:10 AM on July 22, 2005

Hmn, not used to the live preview & post immediately... Gem = Jem.
posted by SpecialK at 1:10 AM on July 22, 2005

Yukari Fresh - Yukarin Disco

Or any other J-Pop... But I like that one especially.
posted by PenDevil at 1:15 AM on July 22, 2005

Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas, Blue Bell Knoll, Milk and Kisses

I'd also suggest their stablemates Dead Can Dance, but might have the wrong idea about Enya.
posted by Grangousier at 2:29 AM on July 22, 2005

Dead Can Dance has a bit of that essence in them, but they're usually (to me at least) a lot darker, and not very uplifting (though, Aion kind of is maybe...). Lisa Gerrard does just slay Enya, though...
posted by hototogisu at 3:07 AM on July 22, 2005

Flaming Lips.

Yoshime Battles the Pink Robots.
posted by lyam at 6:31 AM on July 22, 2005

You have to check out Laïs, their music is a bit sad, but uplifting at the same time. Their voices sound truly heavenly, especially when the three of them sing in harmony.

A few samples:
"Belle"
"Tria Cantica Eucharistia"
"Dormez Dormez"
"Isabelle"
A cover of Neil Young's "After The Goldrush"

Don't hesitate to send me an email if you want to hear some more samples. Hope you like it!
posted by koenie at 7:06 AM on July 22, 2005

black8, if i listened to american music club to cheer myself up i'd probably end up trying to kill myself.
posted by ifjuly at 8:58 AM on July 22, 2005

I can't believe no one has suggested Sigur Ros yet. Haunting and beautiful. Band is from Iceland, the language made up.

If you like Enya, you may love Secret Garden, a mostly instrumental band from Norway. I walked down the aisle to one of their tracks. Absolutely beautiful.

I love Bel Canto, another Norwegian band - very funky. Shimmering, Warm & Bright is my favorite album of theirs.

You probably already know about Enigma, a mix of beautiful/eclectic/dance stuff. Their greatest hits came out last year.

Second/third Loreena McKennitt and Sarah McLachlan.

Kirtana is a bit new agey, but beautiful.

If you're in the mood for chants from India, try Deva Premal.
posted by widdershins at 9:11 AM on July 22, 2005 [1 favorite]

Go find yourself a copy of something by Adiemus, or even just the self-titled song (easiest to find on the Pure Moods compliaton). Second Adiemus album is probably the most uplifting overall, but the best songs are on Songs of Sanctuary. Should be right up your alley.

Actually, now that I think about it... just skip the above and go locate the Pure Moods and Pure Moods II albums. They're packed with new-agey uplifiting type songs, one or two of the best from each artist, including folks mentioned in this thread. Delerium's "Euphoria" appears on one, Loreena's "Mummer's Dance" also does, the aforementioned Adieums, good stuff from Enigma, Dream Academy, Deep Forest, a fantastic remix of a Sacred Spirits track, even Enya herself...
posted by Pufferish at 9:18 AM on July 22, 2005

ifjuly, the first time I saw Eitzel perform "The Hula Maiden", he really hammed it up. It was my first time hearing it, so I thought it was totally tongue in cheek send up of a country song. It wasn't until much later that I found out that he'd written it after his father died.
I figured he saw that song as a sort of therapy for that time...but after he'd processed and dealt with it, he'd moved on but the song remained as a marker of sorts, but maybe without so much feeling attached to it. I kind of do the same, I guess...although there's a few songs that will choke me up, they don't quite have the same effect over time.
Anyway, sorry about the derail...
posted by black8 at 9:58 AM on July 22, 2005

Lately I find classic reggae to be quite uplifting...

Jimmy Cliff & friends: The Harder They Come Soundtrack
Peter Tosh -- Legalize It
Steel Pulse -- True Democracy
Bob Marley -- Legend (Greatest Hits)
etc.

But if you want "new age," how about Enigma?
posted by ZenMasterThis at 10:41 AM on July 22, 2005

Just thought of another, can't believe I didn't think of this before:
Spellewauerynscherde, by Akira Rabelais. It's more or less an ambient album, composed of looped and manipulated recordings of a cappella Icelandic singing...

Sigur Rós's old albums are in Icelandic; the new ones are in the made up language.
posted by hototogisu at 11:49 AM on July 22, 2005

I couldn't help but think of Delerium as well. Also, in much the same vein as the Cocteau Twins, I really like Love Spirals Downwards (now known as just LoveSpirals).
posted by malocchio at 12:36 PM on July 22, 2005

Pufferish, I can't believe I forgot the Pure Moods albums. I have all 4 and I think they're great. Plus, as you pointed out, they're a wonderful way of sampling many of the artists mentioned in this thread: Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Delerium, Yanni, Enigma, Secret Garden, Moby, Dream Academy, Adiemus, Sarah McLachlan, Peter Gabriel - plus quite a few I can't believe I forgot to mention:

Deep Forest, pygmy chants set to techno/dance beat

Clannad, featuring many of Enya's family members and where Enya got her start

Eva Cassidy, who is absolutely amazing and has been mentioned many times on MeFi/AskMe

You can't really go wrong with any of them. If you like Enya, you'll find lots of great stuff on the Pure Moods discs - including much that is quite cheerful as well as being ambient/beautiful.
posted by widdershins at 12:49 PM on July 22, 2005

I'd say check out the Stars of the Lid. Very sad but not empty. There's some legal free mp3s at Epitonic. Or for a taste, here's a 60 second sample of one of my faves, a song called Anchor States, from their Per Aspera Ad Astra record. Their catalog is flush with sleepy, mopey, lovely ambient stuff.
posted by verysleeping at 3:11 PM on July 22, 2005

I third the Katamari Damashi soundtrack. Not only will it bring a smile to your face, when you think you'll never smile again, but you will end up humming along. I recommend Katamari On the Rock--Main Theme.

I had to put my dog to sleep today, and listening to this song is helping me cope.
posted by luneray at 5:04 PM on July 22, 2005

(I'm sorry to hear it, luneray. That's brutal.)
posted by small_ruminant at 11:27 PM on July 22, 2005

Gorecki 3rd Symphony. I listened to it like 10 times when I put my cat to sleep.
posted by matildaben at 3:35 PM on July 31, 2005