Steinbeck on Steroids – 9.22.08

I was pumped to begin working out again; pumped mainly because I had fallen back in love with music, and the idea of listening to Steinbeck the iPod for 45 minutes, three times a week seemed like a habit I could get into.

I even went as far as to post my first playlist: Steinbeck on Steroids, a play off of the Steinbeck on Random posts.

And then, schedules were rearranged. Day care was switched. The days seemingly became more packed. Vacation threw things for a loop. And I haven’t been to the fitness center in over a month and a half.

I went back today, and the only thing I could think of is “which Metallica album is more likely to rock my way back into heavy elliptical use?”

It turns out it was Master of Puppets. Today’s playlist:
“Battery” by Metallica
“Master of Puppets” by Metallica
“Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” by Metallica
“Disposable Heroes” by Metallica
“Leper Messiah” by Metallica

Metallica fans will notice two things.

First, there’s no “The Thing that Should Not Be.” That’s on purpose – I skipped it, knowing that it was ill-equipped to handle the metal ways of elliptical pounding. It’s too sludgy, too dark and slow. I wanted my Metallica the way it was best – fast, blistering solos and nod-along time changes.

Second, this is only about 30 minutes worth of music. Yeah. I only did 30 minutes worth of working out.

I’ve noticed over the past month that my tendencies toward Metallica have improved considerably. I find myself gently humming Kirk Hammett’s solo from “The Unforgiven.” I long for the noise of …And Justice for All. I have given in to my middle school being, memorializing the best albums from their catalog and embraced them, as I always should have.

I was wondering yesterday, which wickedly metal album is best to mow the lawn to: Metallica’s …And Justice For All or Metallica’s Master of Puppets.

I compromised. I played Metallica’s Live Shit: Binge and Purge. And got the best of both worlds.