There were always two things I needed to do before I started writing for the day, two crucial steps I had to follow for optimal success.
First, brew some coffee. Second, queue some music.
While writing ‘The Anomaly Problem,’ I drew a great deal of inspiration from the music I was listening to. I figured it’d be a good idea to put together a playlist of some of that music, something that could be considered a companion to the book.
I created the playlist on Spotify, but if that’s not your thing, here’s the official list:
- “The Ocean” by Tegan and Sara (Sainthood)1
- “Keywork Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant” by Coheed and Cambria (The Afterman: Descension)
- “Aftertaste” by Funeral For a Friend (Welcome Home Armageddon)
- “Black Soap” by Ex Cops (Daggers)
- “Menofearthereaper” by Pop Will Eat Itself (Dos Dedos Mis Amigos)
- “Come Round Soon” by Sara Bareilles (Little Voice)
- “Under a Glass Moon” by Dream Theater (Images and Words)
- “All Hands on Deck Part 1: Raise the Sail” by Funeral For a Friend (Tales Don’t Tell Themselves)2
- “All Hands on Deck Part 2: Open Water” by Funeral For a Friend (Tales Don’t Tell Themselves)
- “Lie to Me” by Sara Bareilles (Once Upon Another Time)
- “No More Love” by God Lives Underwater (Empty)
- “Speak Slow” by Tegan and Sara (So Jealous)3
- “Welcome Home” by Coheed and Cambria (Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes of Madness)
- “Red is the New Black” by Funeral For a Friend (Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation)
- “Kimdracula” by Deftones (Saturday Night Wrist)
Notes:
- Given that two of the first three chapters of the book (introducing two of the four protagonists) are set at sea, this one might seem a bit “on the nose.” I think, thematically, the song has more to do with one of the other characters.
- This song and the next are from FFaF’s concept album Tales Don’t Tell Themselves, a fantastic piece of art and a huge inspiration, possibly more than any of the others.
- This song is mentioned in the book, though not by title (identified as “upbeat” and as a Tegan and Sara song).
(Disclaimer: though it probably goes without saying, I’ll say it anyway: none of the bands endorse me or the book. Duh.)