Inquiry

 Here's one of my favorites, a review i wrote a few years ago, in my own characteristically hyperbolic style:

Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Vol. II

A masterpiece from the twisted genius of Aphex Twin, this was the soundtrack to my very first experience of spontaneous awakening.  It is supernatural - sonic vapors waft heavily, gently, in the air; disembodied flavors never quite coalescing into actual melody, never committing to any real rhythmic structure, yet somehow suggesting a harmonic cohesion that seems at once other-worldly while remaining profoundly familiar.  It is the soundtrack to a reoccurring dream, a musical déjà vu, a vibrational matrix that fills the immensity of the Moment and reveals the secrets of its stillness.  Implying form without imposing it, it wraps ethereal tendrils around shapes just beyond the periphery of imagination, empty objects whose essences can be felt just behind the sonic atmospheres they supend. Bathed in gentle colors, flavors, timbres and textures, a delicate symphony of such sublime subtlety, a musical massage for my poor aching soul....

The song «Out of the dark, into the light» from the great Austrian musician Falco was one of the things which changed my life about 8-9 years ago. Then i had such experience which is often called an awakening.

I would not consider this song integral but still when i listen to it i feel the same as i felt some years ago, a little sadness and helplessness and the wish to step out of the circle of life and get in light of my own true self and groundless ground of being. It inspired me to find a way out of the dark, not to taking refuge to all the impermanent things in this world but to lasting values as the goal, the path and the vehicle (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) in Vajrayana Buddhism. Since this i meditate and try to be a good Bodhisattva and inspire others to find there way to there shining light.

The music of the rock band Yes had eased itself into my awareness over the course of a decade or more until one day when I heard Roundabout on the radio and asked my sister if she knew who performed it.  When she answered me, "Yes", that memory locked itself into a prominent space in my mind and set me on a long course, searching out their music and performances. 

Jon Anderson's lyrics spoke to me on a soul level, that is to say, I didn't understand what he was saying so much as I knew and felt at some level of awareness beyond my ordinary consciousness.  It is perhaps fitting that my first post here at Integral Life should be homage to Jon and Yes, as he was largely responsible for opening me to the broader, fuller truth that is not contained in any one place or perspective.  Jon is also frequently in my thoughts these days as I am  praying for his health and well being as he deals with acute respiratory issues.

As I have pursued a mystical path, the lyrics of Yes have become clearer and more definitive to me, and the music, rich in complexity, rhythm, and texture, rarely fails to delight me with previously unnoticed depths or subtleties.  Furthermore, my pursuit of the band's history has led me to an entire genre of music that is similarly inspirational for me - progressive rock.

Above I mentioned one album, Tales from Topographic Oceans, which was originally an epic concept piece with two records containing one song per side and based on the Upanishads (as I recall).  The second piece I mention is the song "Awaken" from the album Going for the One, that song seems to me to be a fitting encore to the earlier Tales.  Hearing some of these performed live, or sometimes even just relaxing between the speakers at home, has resulted in several peak-type experiences for me.  The band's music has supported me through many difficult periods by the force of its hopefulness and confidence.

Yes' music contains elements of rock, jazz, classical, and folk - once again leaning toward a more integral feel.  The lyrics from song to song also often take the listener through multiple perspectives.

If you have not heard them, I recommend that you buy a download of "Awaken" as a start.  As a matter of fact, inspired by the law of giving and receiving as layed out by Deepak Chopra in his book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, I bought a copy of the CD that it is on in order to give it to Deepak when I went to hear him speak at Harvard several years ago.   It remains for me the quintessential Yes song.

Ooh - I love this topic! Saul Williams goes without saying, but onto things less often mentioned in integral circles....

My primary criteria here is that the lyrics indicate a diversity of topics and/or a depth of comprehension for complexity.

Of course, my first response has to be The Dresden Dolls (and solo work carried forward by Amanda Palmer).  She packs a lot into those lyrics, although their "genre" of punk cabaret won't be to everyone's liking. Still, her ability to put wit and humor alongside hard-hitting personal or social analysis and a healthy dose of personal exploration makes for incredible work. I'd particular recommend a first look at "Sing" (an incredible liberation manifesto of sorts -- which has an amazing video as well if Warner Bros. ever lets it back onto youtube), "Modern Moonlight", "Guitar Hero" (a look at the use of video games to train US soldiers), "We'll Have to Drive" (an incredible nuanced fantasy exploring personal responsibility, depression, liberation and... road kill).

Also, while I don't know too much of their work, the heavy art rock of Tool bears a look. Specifically check out the lyrics and video (again youtube) to the song Parabola, which features an incredible animated sequence ala Alex Grey, which I enjoyed more than I like Alex's work static.

Frankly, though I've seen threads in other integral forums before decrying this notion, I have to submit recent work by Madonna as an integral candidate. While I'd never been a fan of hers, the recent stuff has worked for me, and while she uses simple language, I feel a depth shining through. I'd recommend the album she first starts exploring mysticism: Ray of Light. As I said, I was never a Madonna fan, but I think people's preconceptions of her may have limited their openness to recent work. Maybe it's just me....

Also, while no one's ever heard of him, I'd highly recommend checking out Jedidiah Parish. He's a mostly unknown songwriter in Boston, and former front man for a great rock band called The Gravel Pit. Particularly, his most recent album, Torch and Swan, is an incredible work of depth. It packs romance, political and historical analysis, and much more into a tightly woven concept album that has great hooks and lyrics that will keep you discovering for a long time.

Those are a few to start. And here are a few quick tosses: 

Also check out Karnak from Brazil. Diverse subject matter, musical styles, genres, languages, etc.

Peter Gabriel (seems so obvious to mention, but certainly relevant), particular on his last two albums: Up and Us.

Another goodie is Cloud Cult from Minnesota. Still just starting to explore their work, but there seems to be a depth here....

Yea Integral Music!

--I think that Sting is certainly among the most integrally informed artists on the planet today. This is a man who, early in his musical career, dismantled his very successful band and decided that he wold switch genres altogether and become a jazz musician. Not only did he not fail but he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams and earned credibility for much of his work in jazz. 

   In fact, throughout his career, Sting has delved in many different genres, each starkly divergent from the former. From reggae to pop, to adult contemporary to arabic and RAP and R&B. He has even recently released a classical album for which he learned to play the lute. He is a true student of his craft and has as his intention to aid in the evolution of the planet. He is not fundamental about his spiritual beliefs and in fact has, through his music, embraced many religious traditions east and west. 

   Sting is a master at melding together various types of influences into one album-sometimes into a single song (See "Fill Her Up"). Into his music he will combine genres and messages creating songs with such texture and so layered they will stand the test of time and I believe even become more relevant in the course of time.

Michael Ezell