I don’t smoke pot, but in the spirit of the day, here’s a tongue-in-cheek post for you!

The one band that makes me wish I did partake of the wacky weed is The Olivia Tremor Control. Their album Black Foliage has done more to improve the lives of stoners than brownies and blacklights put together. Here are two primo songs off of that spectacular album (which I’m still searching for on vinyl. Let me know if you’ve got a connection–I need my fix!).

MP3: The Olivia Tremor Control - A Peculiar Noise Called “Train Director”
This song is probably the best example of why many fans call Black Foliage a “headphones album” (John Fernandes agreed). Instruments and noises don’t just fade in and out of the mix, they shoot through seemingly at random. Will Cullen Hart uses the left and right channels to not only heighten your sensation of the music, but also tickle your ears and brain with some vibrating vocals (tell me you didn’t giggle at the 1:09 mark).

MP3: The Olivia Tremor Control - I Have Been Floated
I’ve never known any sober person to float; I have known people who were high to have been floated. That’s why this song got included on this tribute to OTC. Plus Jeff Mangum guest-vocals. What more could you ask for?!

Buy Black Foliage: Animation Music Vol. 1 on CD

Back when I interviewed John Fernandes of OTC I asked him what he listened to when he was high. His answer:

“So many different things for different moods. Just all over the map. On the road a lot of great driving music like great songwriting with good changes and rippin’ guitar and horns and things. A lot of jazz stuff. All over the place. Dub and old folk music. A lot of experimental music. Stuff from around the world. I listen to a lot of Indian and Japanese music.”

Because I would have loved to have compiled a mix for 4/20, I’m interested to know if you all have any songs you’ve jammed to in honor of the day.