28 December 2010



Sitting at the edge of the decade seems an appropriate time to look back on 2001-2010 and answer that burning question that has plagued philosophers through the ages: What music not only sounds absolutely incredible, but is capable of taking you on one hell of a trip when you're high?



In this case, the substance in question is marijuana. Really good marijuana. Marijuana that has you doubting whether or not somebody slipped you some acid. A large number of people have come to the conclusion that marijuana, whether consumed through smoking, vaporization, or in the making of delicious confections, when one is in the right frame of mind, greatly enhances one's sensitivity to pleasurable stimuli and opens up new ways of viewing and feeling sensations, creating an experience so unique and intense that the sober mind might think it impossible to perceive things on such a level.



In plain language, for many people marijuana makes sex feel better, food taste better, and, perhaps most importantly, makes music even more amazing than it already is.



I like different styles of music, but the one that resonates most deeply with me when I have partaken of certain cannabinoids is the genre chill, downbeat, and the ambient that verges enough into the psychedelic to be called psybient. This is music that can take you on a fantastic journey no matter what your state of mind. When your state of mind is influenced in such a way, it is possible to undergo profoundly meaningful, insightful, imaginative, spiritual, pleasurable, and fantastic experiences that may even be characterized as life-changing.



I have selected 25 albums and listed them below as albums I think stand out in particular in creating powerful aural adventures for the listeners, music that by itself is capable of doing so. And then just for the fun of it I threw in five lesser but still enjoyable albums.



My only criteria for selecting these albums besides quality and genre are that their original release date falls in the 2001-2010 time period, and that they are not so famous (hence the title) that their inclusion does not seem overly obvious. For example, Shpongle is well-known enough they need no introduction or listing here. It would be wonderful if through this list a few people were able to find some music they really liked.



Often I like to keep things simple on solitary trips: a quiet, dark room, a comfortable bed, an uncluttered, relaxed mind, a fan blowing, a good source quality of music, closed eyes, and a pair of high quality headphones (the investment in good Bose headphones is worth it).



Disclaimer: this list does not advocate the disregard and/or breaking of any laws of your universe, galaxy, solar system, planet, country, state, prefecture, subdivision, province, municipality, administrative division, district, ward, city, town, village, tribal grounds, unincorporated collection of dwellings or any other such agglomeration of people ruled by a locally recognized governing body.