Help Lessen Symptoms of the Swine Flu H1N1 with Music, here’s how: The CDC (Center for Disease Control) and WHO (World Health Organization) have both been telling us we are in a state of emergency & crisis with the H1N1 swine flu (pig flu? What a dumb name! But I digress… ) It has also been said and proven by many people that music sooths the soul and heals the sick. This swine flu has hit very close to home for me personally and me being the nice person I am thought it was the right time to share just one way to help ease through any recovery flu or no flu.

I’m going to take you down a path to enlighten your senses and use your sense of sound to help cleanse your soul – turn off the television, put away that DVD and focus on the music.

 

#10: Generation Swine – Mötley Crüe

What a perfect way to kick off a Swine Flu list than with Generation Swine! This was the seventy studio album to satisfy the record deal between Crue and Elecktra Records.

This would mark the last time we would hear from the original lineup of Motley Crue for many years; singer Vince Neil was kicked out of the band shortly after this album was released.

Reach back through the cobwebs of your mind and rediscover where you were back in 1997 when you first hear the album or heard the replacement for Vince, John Corabi.

A few sources online show Generation Swine actually achieved Gold status in 1997 (and ranked at #4 on the Billboard charts) with the song “Afraid” getting most of the mainstream airplay.

Hard core Crue fans know the back-story for songs like “Glitter”, “Brandon” and “Afraid” (If you don’t know then you’re not a die-hard!). You should be able to tell there is a couple songs that are a little sloppier than usual – the rumor (from Vince Neil) is the band was doing “too much experimenting” during the recording. You be the judge (your television is still off, right?)

Not to disappoint, two more Motley Crue albums worth grabbing right now are Theater of Pain and Dr. Feelgood

#9: War Pigs – Black Sabbath

I was inspired by a post seen on RelentlessEarWorms.com to include this title. Black Sabbath, you either love ‘em or you don’t – there really is no in-between. From the dark guitars of Toni Iommi or psychedelic vocals from Ozzy, hearing this song will take you back to a time where heavy metal ruled the world. No really, it did rule!

Listen to the song now and see if you can visualize the psychedelic color blends of the music video (you know you’ve seen it).

Ready for more Sabbath? Here’s two albums that won’t disappoint – One with original band mate Ozzy Osbourne and the other with Ronnie James Dio:

#8: Swine Flew – One Bad Pig

This Punk band from Austin , TX really hit big local radio back in 1985 with crowd favorites like “Swine Flew”, “Judas’ Kiss” and “Altar Ego” (Doesn’t’t the Judas song remind you of Guitar Hero??… hmmm..)

My law-student buddy just jabbed me in the gut – he wanted me to make sure to point out that just because this is a Christian punk band doesn’t’t mean you have to be Christian in order to listen to it. (Apparently there really are people who do this… )

One Bad Pig also has a duet with Johnny Cash – isn’t’t that worth a listen alone? It’s the song “Man in Black”.

If you dig local rock or local punk music then I’m sure you’ll find some favorites in here.

Two more albums you’ll want to have a listen include One Bad Pig’s “I Scream Sunday” and their “Blow the House Down (Live)” Albums.

 

#7: With Purpose – Flu

Let’s roll back to some more current music with a purpose – Flu – Heavy chops, melodic riffs, and pop vocals round out this nifty choice.

I didn’t’t realize that Flu has been around for over a decade, since 1998. They’re from Manchester and have just a couple of albums out. This one is by far my favorite.

No extra albums from these guys I’d suggest at this time… so , let’s move on to number 6…

 

#6: Full Circle – Creed

Creed holds a good place in my own personal memories – You can check out the Music section where I’ll give those accounts and more under Soundtrack of our Lives.

What makes this album arrive at number 6 on this list is the amount of power and deliberate melodies found within it. Yes, I have been a Creed fan since 1998 but that’s not what this is about – it’s about the level of emotion you can hear from the lyrics… it’s about the higher place you can arrive at by just closing your eyes and taking in all the sounds this album has to offer.

Many will charge Creed is a hard rock band resistant to change around them – some might say other groups like Megadeth, Metallica, and U2 have also been resistant as well. Regardless, Creed has a way of reaching out to your soul and giving it a good shake. Once you come back down from listening, you’ll likely have a different way to approach life or the loved ones around you.

If you didn’t get that or understand what I was just saying, you need to stop right now and listen to the album again.

I could take a few more paragraphs and write more about this band and their history – but I won’t – you can google it or look elsewhere. Just take my advice and listen to the album start to finish. Feel the music. Digest the words & their meanings. Once you’re past this point, you should be on the road to feeling better already – so let’s celebrate that and have a go at two more Creed albums below:

 

#5: Fear of the Dark – Iron Maiden

Time for a confession: In my youth I have missed over a dozen opportunities to witness the awesomeness of Iron Maiden in concert and have only seen them once.. and I need to go see them again. I feel better now – thanks.

I don’t believe I was quite “ready” for Iron Maiden and their music – I wasn’t really at a point in my life where it was understood or the music consumed in that way. Now that I’m older (and wiser) I’ve taken another look at what this band has produced for the last 3 decades.

Fear of the Dark should catch your attention both musically and sonically – there’s no end to the amount of technical abilities of these guys or lyric masterpieces to enlighten your senses.

Take the time to go listen to their other albums – let the music and lyrics take you to another time, another place, where you can just let yourself go for a few hours at a time and enjoy it all.

 

#4: Endgame – Megadeth

Nearly all metal fans know the history of Dave Mustaine and Metallica – I’m not re-hashing that either. I just want to tell the story of a major comeback from a guy who had a dream, a passion, and a vision. You can choose any Megadeth album and you won’t be disappointed. In fact, not only would I make a personal recommendation for the album Endgame for its political standpoint—but I’d also suggest United Abominations, Youthanasia and Rust In Peace.

I can’t say more about this right now, I’m itching for my own fix of Megadeth so I’ll have to come back and write more after a couple hours…

 

#3: Still Hungry – Twisted Sister

For true Twisted Sister friends or hardcore collectors, coming in at number three here this one is for you: Still Hungry. If you recall back in ’84 when Twisted released “Stay Hungry”, you may remember the album had a sort of “polished-imperfection” style to it. This was a time where sound engineers and music producers were starting to squeeze into the market and muddle the sound of our favorite bands.

While many songs like “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, and “I Wanna Rock” went on to become rock anthems, the band was left feeling cheated. Dee Snider & the guitarist Jay Jay were often quoted saying “this album was supposed to be much heavier than it is”. Really? How can it be heavier? That’s where Still Hungry comes to play.

You’ll find all the original songs pretty-close to the same with a little kick, plus a couple of bonus songs on this album.

Have a listen to the other Twisted Sister albums as well – they’re not to be taken seriously, but in fun – remember we’re at number three and you should be feeling much better now so enjoy yourself!

 

#2: Operation: Mindcrime – Queensrÿche

Forget the past where lead singer Geoff Tate was known for his Mohawk – no, this band has one of the all-time-greatest albums ever – Operation: Mindcrime.

Having met with these guys personally only reinforces my commitment to good music and great storytelling. Just like the unforgettable few days I spent with the band (and others since then), Operation: mindcrime is one album if listened to you will never forget.

Many call this an album before it’s time – I call BULL – it was perfect for it’s time, a well needed storytelling concept album to make the younger generations think about their world and the choices they would make. The concert of Mindcrime is incredible and if you missed it – well.. at least you can buy the video. While not the same as the real Livecrime concert once seen you’ll return to the images when you come back to listen to this album over, and over, and over.

Regardless of what type of music you really like or are “into”, Queensrÿche is liked by nearly everyone. From their old-school 80’s metal sound from The Warning or Rage for Order, to the newer style of American Soldier – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

And for heaven’s sake – if you have not seen them live go buy yourself a ticket, like right now!

 

#1: Metropolis, Pt. 2 – Scenes From a Memory– Dream Theater

Have you ever had a true audible experience of trepidation? Not many bands can actually do this like Pink Floyd once did. Dream Theater dives head-first into old-fashioned prog rock.

Scenes From A Memory is an unabashed concept album told in two acts. It takes you back to 1928 where a young murder has been murdered and flash-forward to the present-day the man responsible is haunted by the crime. Let the story unfold in your mind as you strap-on a pair of your favorite headphones and duct-tape them to your head (just for good measure). You won’t even need to crank this album to 10 – simply leave it at a comfortable level (like 5 or 6) and let this masterwork or storytelling begin.

Finally, now that you’re felling much better – I’d like to give you my last two suggestions from Dream Theater – Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Train of Thought.

Train of Thought comes out 3 years after Six Degrees and at full force – Even if you’re not a prog rock fanatic, Train of Thought will draw you in with it’s powerfully and ambitious lyrics, melodies, and signature hooks.

 

 

There you have it – my personal top Ten Albums to Pleasure Your Ears While You’re Recovering from the Swine Flu H1N1. All fun aside, please take care of yourself and wash your hands frequently with soap & water – and for Pete’s sake if you’re getting sick then stay home! Nobody at the office wants whatever you have swine flu or not.

Listen to your CDC and stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone and immerge yourself in a wonderful auditory world of magic your mind can create.

Do you have other ways to kill the time and fast track yourself back to health from sitting out with the Swine Flu? Share it here under the comments section – we’re all ears!

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