I love music; I absolutely love it. I have no musical talent whatsoever, but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating it. It accompanies me most of the time; while in the car to or from the office, at the office while I study and prepare. Music is a constant companion.

As I’ve noted elsewhere, I’ve made intentional decisions regarding my listening habits. I have, for several years now, with little exception devoted my listening to either “explicitly Christian” (none of this “we’re Christians in a band but not a Christian band” stuff) or instrumental music.

The first choice many understand; they can relate to wanting to hear only words which will edify and glorify God. However, as we’ve discussed, much Christian music suffers from a severe lack of creativity. It is rare to find theologically sound, Glod-glorifying and musically satisfying music. So I often steer clear of even most Christian music towards instrumental.

It’s this choice that leaves many scratching their proverbial heads. Instrumental music is widely dismissed in a culture that wants things to come easy, including music. Instrumental music does not come easy. You’re not given the same vivid mental imagery with words, however the music may still be quite powerful, you just have to be patient.

Just for fun I want to throw a lot of instrumental music at you. I’ve tried to break it down by genre, but as you’ll see, these become very muddy very quickly. I hope all the links work. Enjoy:

Neo-Classical/Chamber Pop
Download Mysteries of Life by Clogs.
Download I’m Very Sad by Clogs.
Download A French Galleasse by Rachel’s.
Download Septembrist by Telegraph Melts.
Download Leaning Over Fault Lines by The Tundra Survey.
Download The Edge of Winter Transformed The Tundra Survey.

Acoustic/Folk
Download I Really Should’ve Gone Out Last Night by Dirty Three.
Download Tarnation by Max Avery Lichtenstein.
Download Desperation by Max Avery Lichtenstein.
Download Butcher’s Block/Stopgap Measure by Harris Newman.

Post-Rock
Download Thalia by …As The Poets Affirm.
Download Polyhymnia by …As The Poets Affirm.
Download The Sound of One Lung Filling by Don’t Mess With Texas.
Download The Only Moment We Were Alone by Explosions in the Sky.
Download The Long Spring by Explosions in the Sky.
Download With Tired Eyes… by Explosions in the Sky.
Download The End of Dying by Foxhole.
Download Lamentation by Foxhole.
Download The Buildings They Are Sleeping Now by GYBE!
Download The Secret to Quiet by The Mercury Program.
Download 2 Rights Make 1 Wrong by Mogwai.
Download by Steal Compass/Drive North by Set Fire To Flames.

Indie Rock
Download Jessica by Luke Abrahms.
Download The Audio Pool by the Album Leaf.
Download The MP by the Album Leaf.
Download Crisis Win by Pele.
Download Little Hunts by Pele.
Download Where Are The Timpani Heartbearts by Six Parts Seven.
Download Golden Cities by Unwed Sailor.
Download Ruby’s Wishes by Unwed Sailor.
Download Snowcaps by Unwed Sailor.

Jazz
Download Blue in Green by Miles Davis.
Download Don’t Blame Me by Thelonious Monk.
Downlaod Epistrophy by Thelonious Monk.
Download Nice Work If You Can Get It by Thelonious Monk.

Piano
Download Friend by Rob Costlow.
Download I Do by Rob Costlow.
Download Genius And The Thieves by Eluvium.

Ambient
Download Under the Water It Glowed by Eluvium.