Best Driving Albums

Okay, criteria first. No instrumental music. Putting pedal to the metal to the tune of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries may have some British researchers in a tizzy but I’d suggest you stick to something with lyrics, something vaguely familiar (so you can sing along), and nothing too negative in either tone or message; the last thing you want to be doing is contemplating the futily of human existence while maneuvering a ton of glass and steel at 120 kph .

Sometimes terrain can play a big role in determining the best music to select. The first time I was in Palm Springs, driving around at dusk, I found the instrumental tracks on Yo La Tengo’s ‘I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One’ to be particularly suited to the somewhat barren, dusty landscape that I was making my way through. I don't know what cds are best suited to the initially beautiful but ultimately monotonous sightlines of the Canadian Shield, though.

On my recent long driving stretches through various states, I’ve enjoyed:

The Shins’ “Chutes Too Narrow”. Clever lyrics that can be belted out at full volume (You TOLD US OF YOUR NEW LIFE THERE/You’ve got someone coming round/gluing tinsel to your crown) and it has a lot of ‘woos’ and ‘oohs’, which are easy to pronounce and cathartic to utter.

New Order’s ‘Substance’. Really a greatest hits collection up to 1987, most tracks have an underlying electronic beat that keep you awake. Crank up ‘Blue Monday’ for those long, curvy roads at night. If you can’t stand the synthesizers, go with the Joy Division release of the same title.

The Beatles ‘Revolver’. Because it’s not my favourite of their albums, but it's probably their best album of songs, if that makes any damn sense. Plus you’re bound to know most of the words.

The Doors ‘The Best of the Doors’. Again, you know the words and songs like ‘Break on through’ and ‘Roadhouse Blues’ (Keep your eyes on the road/your hands upon the wheel) can only truly be appreciated while driving.

The New Pornographers ‘The Electric Version’. Smart, tight, rocking pop ditties that will have you coasting down the road with a smile on your face.

Calexico ‘Feast of Wire’. Particularly for those moments when you’re in the middle of nowhere, and maybe even as he’s driving by some of the reservations up in northern Ontario, I get the sense that the mood of the album will just seem right.

Clinic ‘Internal Wrangler’ or ‘Walking With Thee’ – the harmonica that powers most of the tracks is not an unlike a horn, and combined with the pounding drums, seem to announce your presence on the road.

In the ‘It’ll either annoy the shit out of you or you’ll find it an interesting album to discover along the way’ department, may I suggest, ‘Blueberry Boat’ by The Fiery Furnaces. There are some tracks which still grate, particularly the opener, but there are some gems as well as gems within duds. With such a long drive, you'll either come to love it or want to throw it out the window.

As for individual songs, perhaps you could make him a mixed disc that would include:

‘Bathtime in Clerkenwell’ by The Real Tuesday Weld, for the beginning of the trip. You’ll want to bounce up and down in your seat as you head out of the city.

‘Faron’ by Prefab Sprout, not only because references the act in the lyrics (Driving/on a straight road which never alters/and the waitress serenades but doesn’t falter) but because the steady guitar propels the song forward in a car-like manner.

‘Mass Romantic’ by the New Pornographers. Not on the disc referenced above but another, anthemic, shout-out loud, energetic song.

‘Fingerpops’ by Garageland. Mentions driving up to a lake but also has a bopping kind of rhythm to it that’s really fun for driving.

‘Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out) by The Arcade Fire. Quick pace, relentlessly positive, will keep you awake.

‘Wave of Mutilation’ by the Pixies, which mentions driving your car into the ocean, which is course is impossible if you’re headed to Timmins to no worries.

‘Not Even Jail’ by Interpol, from their last disc, which has a pounding drum which again I find suitable for driving (as well as for fucking but this could be dangerous while behind the wheel --best to stick to oral while the car's in motion).

I gotta say, though, for a drive to Timmins, a handful of 30 to 60 minute cds will just not suffice, as he’ll will probably get tired of listening to just music. For a return trip of that length my recommendation would be to take along at least one or two Books on CD, many of which are available at the Public Library. You can also rent them from Audiobooks on Bay Street (just south of Richmond on the west side) for little more than the cost of a movie rental ($7-$8). An Inspector Rebus novel by Ian Rankin will do nicely. Any of the Harry Bosch novels by Michael Connelly are also enjoyable, as they make similar use of the truculent, unconventional cop with a dark past motif without resorting to self-parody.

Enjoy the ride.