Relax and unwind with Nate's top ten chill-out albums

By Nate Seltenrich

The time-honored practice of chilling out to music comes in a variety of forms. There's the stress-relieving chill, the gloomy chill, the chillin' with your friends chill, the exhausted chill, the driving music chill and many others that match specific moods and defy classification.

Here's a rundown of my ten favorite chill-out albums that I own. Some are sad and some are happy; some folk, some techno, some pop; some new and some old. What connects them is entirely intangible â€" nothing more than a feeling, perhaps evident to only my ear.

But this list is just my own, and it is by no means comprehensive. May it serve as a starting point for your chill endeavors.

10. Robert Miles: "Dreamland" - Mostly traditional house and trance with some progressive elements. This album can indeed sweep you away to dreamland with its repetitive, ethereal qualities, but can also move you on the dancefloor. Perfect for leaving your worries behind.

9. Sparklehorse: "It's a Wonderful Life" â€" Strangely beautiful, downbeat, indie rock in the vein of Mercury Rev and the Flaming Lips. The record ambles slowly along, often by way of weird lyrical themes and hauntingly sparse instrumentation. If you let it, this album will slow you down and help you examine just how wonderful life can be.

8. Leonard Cohen: "The Best of Leonard Cohen" â€" Somber and melancholy, Cohen's songs combine storytelling, poetry and folk music in much the same way that Bob Dylan does. But Cohen is generally barer and darker than Dylan, making him a good choice for those days your mom warned you about.

7. Solomon Burke: "Don't Give Up On Me" â€" A sweet soul album that will leave you feeling down and loving it. Burke has been playing and recording for over 40 years, and this is one of his best recordings. His deeply moving vocals and the accompanying music linger long after the record is over.

6. Bob Marley: "Legend" â€" This one can't be overlooked â€" an unparalleled collection in terms of good times, chill-out reggae with a message. Marley's songs are timeless and universal, and seem to be just beggin' you to relax. Listen to calm yourself down or revel in your chillness.

5. The Decemberists: "Castaways and Cutouts" â€" Acoustic guitar-driven indie pop that occasionally goes upbeat: a perfect soundtrack for those more morose moments. Somewhat subdued and wistful, but not without hope.

4. James Iha: "Let it Come Down" - A gentle, brightly melodic, acoustic rock record made up of beautiful and consistently high-quality songs about love and life. James Iha was the second guitarist for the Smashing Pumpkins. This album was released in 1998 and unfortunately is thus far his only solo album.

3. The Postal Service: "Give up" â€" The Postal Service's esteemed debut is a warm, comforting synth-pop album that captures an intensely romantic and contentedly forlorn feeling. It puts me in an altered state every darn time I listen to it.

2. The Slip: "Angels Come on Time" â€" To me, the very definition of chill â€" playful, laidback music that dabbles in jazz, reggae, jam, world and folk. Listening to this album may not psyche you up, but it will put you in an amazing mood.

1. Chicane: "Behind the Sun" â€" The best chill-out techno album I've heard. Chicane's progressive house and trance sound is smooth, stylish, hypnotic and catchy. One listen to this 70-minute record will ease your nerves for days.

Runners-up: Mason Jennings: "Century Spring;" Marcy Playground: Self-Titled; Radiohead: "Kid A;" Cat Stevens: "Tea for the Tillerman;" Paul Simon: "Rhythm of the Saints;" Counting Crows: "August and Everything After;" Rod Deal and the Ideals: "Truth and Rights;" Brian Eno: "Another Green World;" National Skyline: "This=Everything."

û Contact Nate Seltenrich at (408) 554-4546 or nseltenrich@scu.edu.