Everyone has that one go-to album that, if they ever get high, will be the first thing to play on their Spotify, CD or record player. As a result, making a definitive list of the top five stoner albums would be completely impossible. The following list will be a personal recommendation of favorite rock albums to listen to while high, with the intent of finding a different album for each type of stoner; some are mellow, others not so much. Either way, there’s a little something for everyone.
“El Ten Eleven” by El Ten Eleven
Starting with number five, we begin on a mellow note. El Ten Eleven’s debut album, “El Ten Eleven,” is perhaps the perfect mix of chair melting and hype. An instrumental work, “El Ten Eleven” features clean, looping, fretless guitars that slide peacefully up and down the neck. The bass comes in with the steadiness of a loose tap dropping into a bucket. The result is a sensation of heavy weightlessness, familiar to all friends of Mary Jane. As the steady hum of the guitar continues, one can almost close their eyes and imagine that they’re a leaf floating back and forth as it falls gently and peacefully to the ground. Of course, what would a rock album be if it didn’t eventually jump into third gear with a touch of driving distortion? It’s a gentle descent turned into an energetic climb, sure to instill the average rock enthusiast or stoner with the belief that they can dance. As quickly as it comes, however, the distortion fades, leaving the listener back at square one, only to repeat the process when the next track rolls around.
“Currents” by Tame Impala
Number four on the list is a concurrent favorite in the psych-rock scene by weathered veterans, Tame Impala. “Currents,” released in 2015, is a modern classic that hits all the right notes. It’s not a mellow album necessarily, but the classic synths, lo-fi production techniques and trippy, but mildly clean guitars are enough to transport the listener to a whole different world. This album is perfect for when you can’t stop thinking about the things that are going wrong in life, even while under the influence mind-altering substances. “Currents” engulfs the listener in a wave of echoes and delay, evoking memories and sentiments that in a normal context would be a fair bummer, but with the help of some smooth vocals and well-done effects work, makes all of that seem far away yet omnipresent. The lyrical work on the album is all about embracing the pain of life and accepting one’s flaws, and if you can listen to it while high and not feel like a changed person, then you were never listening to begin with.
“II” by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Coming in at No. 3 is “II” by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, a seminal work of lo-fi brilliance. “II” brings that warm fuzz in the background to complement the warm glow of the world around the listener while the fresh haze of skunk still lingers in the air. This album is as clean as lo-fi gets without losing the charm of the genre, featuring virtually no distortion whatsoever, and instead a variety of unique guitar and vocals effects. Groovy doesn’t begin to describe its vibe. “II” can make the listener feel as though they’re sitting in the sun even on a snowy winter day. It’s a bright, upbeat album that never comes off as saccharine, and in fact does so while sporting some fairly depressing lyrical content at times. “II” is the topper to a light high; a little extra buzz so to speak. It won’t take you to another place, but instead elevates your current environment to being of the perfect atmosphere. The lyrics may be slightly depressing, but if the listener is already floating, then they’ll most likely never notice. “II” is a bodily experience to be enjoyed and savored — much like the delicious brownie that you may or may not have consumed an hour ago.
“Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd
Of course not every stoner wants a sweet treat of an album, and number two on the list is in fact quite the opposite. “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd is a full meal to the average opener of a Can of Bees. It is a heavy dish that forces the listener to embrace the cosmic truth of reality, whatever it may be. “Dark Side of the Moon” is the quintessential deep-thinking stoner album, and has been for generations. The album forces the listener to grapple with the concept of death, their role in the universe, relationships, age and more. It is a thorough journey through space and time, and listening to it all the way through while stoned is a rite of passage, a sacred ritual toward becoming truly alive. Or perhaps that’s an exaggeration; at any rate, “Dark Side of the Moon” lives up to its name, being both highly illuminative and entirely dark. It is recommended that the average pothead work their way through this album, as it’s no easy ride.
“Quebec” by Ween
Finally, number one is “Quebec” by Ween. Truthfully, any album by Ween would serve its purpose on this list, as they’re all incredibly strange and wonderful. “Quebec” is merely the greatest of all the Ween albums; it should be enjoyed immensely when de-stressing from midterms with the aid of all-natural herbal remedies. This album is perhaps a bit unconventional for a lineup of this kind, as it is not a consistent ride throughout. It is instead a collection of bizarre and beautiful individual works, as is the case with most every Ween album save “12 Golden Country Classics.” This album will make the listener laugh, cry and rock out — all on different tracks. It is touching and emotional, silly, profound and motivating. “Quebec” is not the album to be enjoyed because one is high, but instead enhanced greatly by this factor. It is indescribable in its profundity and brilliance, though the layman may see it as “weird.” And indeed it is, but it is also so much more. Readers are encouraged to find out for themselves.
With the variety presented, no purveyor of the schticky-icky should be left wanting. Of course, most already have their preference of music to play, but should you find yourself with an abundance of both time and buds, perhaps this list will be able to assist.
