I get a lot of requests to do non-car product reviews, most of which I turn down, but this one seemed too interesting to pass up: Three CDs of music composed specifically for a relaxing commute.
I happen think there is something to this. I drive like a pussycat when Brahms is on the stereo, but a little ZZ Top or Beastie Boys (am I dating myself?) and I turn into a world-class jerk. Whenever I find myself getting too stressed behind the wheel, I move right, slow down, and turn on some classical music; it keeps me sane and it keeps me safe.
Music for Commuting is a collection of new-age synthesizer tunes by a local musician named Ken Elkinson, a self-confessed angry driver who wanted to relax when carting his kids around town. Does his music have the desired effect? Find out in my Music for Commuting review. -- Aaron Gold
UPDATE: Link fixed. Sorry 'bout that!
Photo © Aaron Gold
FYI, the link isn’t working.
I am interested in this, as I agree that music played while driving affects the driving style/habits. I know I tend to drive faster and harder based on not only what is playing, but the volume as well (which can definitely be affected by music type!).
Whoops! Link fixed, thanks Jeff.
– Aaron
I find it interesting that switching to classical brought on emotion, which does indeed indicate that it works. I am not a fan of new age either, and my commute doesn’t typically warrant purchase of music specifically for driving (due to length, not number of idiots). If I ever have to drive longer on a regular basis, this might be something worth looking into.
When I’m just about to begin a long trip, or I’m getting tired towards the end of one, I pull out my “oldies” CD and go to track 4, that gives me as much of a jolt as a can of Rockstar or Red Bull…the track? Steppenwolf, “Born to Be Wild” of course!
(Now that’s dating myself!)
Anything by AC/DC, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones; “I Can’t Drive 55″ (?Eddy Money), ditto for “Born To Be Wild”, “Get Your Kicks On Rte. 66″! 50’s music…
Oh Carol…we can’t forget “Magic Carpet Ride”…Ma
Gotta go with Carol on this one.
Carol. Eddy Money did a number of tunes, like, TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE… but he did NOT do “I CANT DRIVE 55″ (Sammy Hagar did that one). As much as I like the 70-80s Rock. I definitely use those tunes to wake me up, or when traffic is light and the drive will be smooth. Now when Im in the Trans Am (T-tops out) you cant beat the newer stuff from the likes of Lady GaGa, Bruno Mars, Usher, Rhianna, ETC. But when traffic is bad, (or really most of the time for me) I like the Contemporary Christian scene. From the likes of Casting Crowns, FFH, Mercy Me, Phillips Craig & Dean, ETC.
***SO YES. I do believe MUSIC effects your mood definitely
Once seated, I close the door on my BMW Series 5 Saloon and enter my living room on 4 wheels. Quiet driving comfort is the desired objective, supported by CDs cut from my other living room’s collection of music. This all began, surprisingly, with Julio Iglesias’ 2 CD “My Life” in Spanish. I do not speak Spanish, but it contributes to my objective driving atmosphere. This work-in-progress now includes the quieter offerings from: Santana, Phil Collins, Cher, Bee Gees, Richard Clayderman, Roxette, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Dance with a Stranger, Barbara Streisand, Little River Band, Elvis Presley, Beatles, Rita Eriksen, String Sisters, Olsen Brothers, Celine Dion, Air Supply, Eva Dahlgren, Lee Ann Rimes, Lisa Nilsson, ABBA, etc.. Classic collections and much more will provide enough music for a driving trip, say around the world or thereabouts. Ha ha ha!
My driving comfort, within speed limits, continues low stress.
Got Pandora streaming to my stereo in my car. Create a station with the group Zero 7! Great laid back driving music. Yeah, I love hard rock like the rest, but the Zero 7 station will really lay you back and calm you down.