Mars Polaris

Today is a real treat for you. Well, maybe not, but it's something different. Usually I blog about music that I've listened to a number of times and have a strong opinion about, but today that isn't the case. I'm going to blog a little big about some music I'm listening to for the first time. Today's Music That Jason Got At The Library Because All The M83 Was Checked Out, Dammit is Mars Polaris, by Tangerine Dream. I know little or nothing about the band and how this album fits into their discography, so let's talk about the music a little bit.

It's very atmospheric, the kind of thing that probably owes something to Hans Zimmer and his ilk in the late 1980s. This music is ominous, in that just enough happens to keep you on the edge of your seat; it's mostly guitar/synthesizer driven, without any real lyrics or even vocals to speak of. Not much to sing to, anyway, but I feel like it would easily score the tense sections of an action film or a well-presented video game. I have a hard time feeling like this will be one of my favorite albums for years to come, but it's interesting and a nice change of pace from something more singer-driven.

In other news:

I'm really having a hard time not spending money on music today. There's a new Sigur Ros album and concert film out, and a new group called Yeasayer that has an interesting album out as well. I got halfway to my car before I decided that I couldn't go to the record store today.

My office computer's hard drive died last week, and consequently I lost a good 13-14 GB of music. Most of what I was really into was put on my laptop as well, so I'm not really missing anything I was attached to, but it's still lame. I suppose it does give me an opportunity to rebuild without all the unessential music that I wasn't especially fond of, though.