Flavor

for Occasions

Long Drives / Road Trips: For long road trips, day or night, when the music gets your full attention, and captures the spirit of being out on the road.
To Have Sex To: Self-explanatory, though I'm sure everyone has their own definition. Ours is somewhere between Barry White, Sade, and the Girl from Ipanema. Sensual and sexy. Get your groove on.
When You Just Want to Laugh!: And sometimes you just want to laugh...
for Gym / Workout / Exercise: Pumping rhythms, with a LOT of energy and power that are perfect to put in your portable CD player while exercising.
Wake up! This is Your New Alarm Clock.: Kill the alarm clock, hit PLAY on these CDs and go go go attack your day! Blood pumping stronger. Heart racing faster. Who needs coffee?
for a Classy Dinner Party: Someone coming over for a very nice dinner? You want something that will tickle the room yet hang in the background, not distracting from conversation. Something that sets the elegance like using the fine china and silver.
Sleepy Sounds to Soothe You to Sleep: For those who put on a CD to fall asleep to. These dreamy nocturnal sounds will slowly sink your head into the pillow. Sleeeep. Sleeeeeeeeeep....
Goes with Candlelight and Wine: Ahh, red wine, candle light/fireplace, a smoky jazz bar with bottles of dusty merlot and so on.. a cutie sitting across from you, circling her finger around the wine glass rim.. OR.. the rich neighbors down the block, caviar, all the women flicking their hair as they talk about the stock market..
For General Relaxation or Meditation: Music for meditation. Perfect to silence the outside world while you silence your mind.
To Drink Alone To: Whether you're crying in your beer or you're perfectly happy to be chilling out by yourself on the front porch, these gems go perfectly with a solitary drink.
Every Day Is Halloween: Scary, creepy, hellish Halloween music. Music so scary it gives you nightmares. These CDs will set the mood much better than those fake cobwebs and plastic skeletons.
It's Christmas! (Kwanzaa/Hanukkah/Solstice): There you have it! The best independent Christmas/holiday music around. Everything from folk to big band to calypso. These are some of our favorites among the hundreds we carry.
To Cook Dinner By: Great tunes for preparing a feast including great tunes to chop vegetables by, beat dough by and otherwise, be thoroughly entertained.
Stories, Myths and Heritage-laced Tales (Adults): For eons and eons, the most sacred stories and tales (not to mention important information intended for certain ears) were passed down via word of mouth. They were also a powerful teaching tool. Here we present some of the most striking albums of spoken word stories (for adults) whether it be Native American legends and contemporary stories to folk tales of Europe, Prairie Home Companion type entertainment, Joseph Campbell mythology, stories from various religions, and even the occasional real-life autobiographical album. There's a good reason why we all loved those campfire stories growing up.. and there's no reason to outgrow them. (Please note: for kids' storytelling go to the Kids/Family section and you'll find plenty there)

Match Your Mood

Depressed? Stay Depressed.: Feeling depressed? Seeing the sad side of everything? Feel like staying that way? These CDs will help keep you from getting cheered up. Dive deeper into the dark.
Sick of all normal music: Sick of music? Tired of verse/chorus pop songs, major/minor keys, 4/4 rhythms, or ANYthing predictable? I know the feeling. These CDs defy any expectations, and blow your mind wide open.
for a Sunny Day: It's sunny. You're happy. You're in love. Everything is perfect. Top down. Windows open. Warm breeze. Go swimming. Listen to sunny day music...
Brain bath: headphones on. lights out. eyes closed.: Think along the lines of Sigur Ros. For those who like music to be a total sensory escape from the world. The sounds come from all around. Scary, enticing, otherworldly. Forget where you are. Relax as your mind unclenches and your worries turn to jell-o.
for a Rainy Day: Mellow, chill out, watch the droplets hit the window sill.. sip your favorite tea or coffee.. contemplate the small wonders of life and solve the world's problems from the couch.. perfect for the NW
Breakup Music for Broken Hearts: Recent break-up? Need to hear poetic or cathartic lyrics to let you wallow or rage? There is no more pressing need for a songwriter to say it for you than when you have all these pent-up emotions.
Unrequited lovesongs: Look here if you're constantly finding yourself on the wrong side of one-sided crushes. You can't make a person love you, but at least you can listen to songs about how no one else can either.
Smash! Burn! Destroy! Rage!: SMASH the sand castles! BURN the place down! DESTROY everything in your path! RAGE against the machine! These CDs are as pissed-off as you are.
Beach / Island / Tropical feelings: Warm sun on skin, smell of salt air. From mellow reggae to simple happy songs, you'll almost hear the soothing surf crashing in the background. If you're going to the tropics, bring these CDs with you. If you're not, these will take you there.
Music to Play when Life Just Sucks: If this isn't self-explanatory then go back to your planet.
Top down, radio on, summer rules: Funny how certain kinds of music immediately make you think of summer, whether it be jam band/Grateful Dead types or Weezer-like power pop. Here are some of our best in that vein.
Bubblegum: Brainless and Fun: Well, what more is there to say? Sometimes you just need a brain vacation more than anything else.
Spiritual/inspirational/personal growth and recovery: Soulful, spiritual CDs exploring the meaning of life, recovery of authentic self etc. -- example is David Whyte cds with his poetry set to music.
Educational Ventures: Whether it's an instructional spoken word album on how to dance salsa or a music CD that perfectly captures Civil War Era music and history, these are CDs that you'll want when you're reaching for more than just entertainment. If it's learning something new you're after, look no further. (Please note that instructional self-help type albums for things like yoga and meditation will be in those respective categories)
Folk Songs to Make you Cry: We've noticed over the years that every now and then, we come across singer/songwriter folk songs that just make us bawl. And we love it. So here they are.

Types of Music

Best Pub Music: Feeling downright jolly hanging out with the lads in the pub? Or just chillin' on the sofa with your roomies? Those sounds that make you want to crack open a bottle of happy juice.
Film soundtracks for imaginary movies: A filmmaker's dream: music that's already such a great film score, you can't wait to see or make the movie that must go with it. These sounds evoke images, stories, plot, drama.
Beatles Babies, Unashamed: The Beatles had such a massive influence on so many musicians, that some have decided not to hide or blur their influence, but to just pay tribute to it, flat-out. These are beyond "influenced by"...
Seedy Circus on the Wrong Side of Town: Broken organ on the merry go round. Greasy carnies barking over rickety rides. Gypsy caravans, the smell of animals and sugar. Ladies and gentlemen, step right this way...
Hillbilly Party Music: "Yeeeeeeeehaww!" Sober or not, you'll be kicking up yer heels doin' dem jigs and reels. This is the music that both hippies and rednecks can agree on. Banjos, mandolins, fiddles, spoons, etc..
Music from Abroad, Sounds of Other Lands- Our Best: World music for everyone mixed or not mixed with other styles as well. From world beat to fusion to traditional, these are some of the most compelling you can find in our huge database.
C'est French: Albums with French lyrics.
Amazing Innovative Approaches: Some music is most creative in how in puts together instruments and elements in innovative new ways. Listen again and again to how the many layers of the puzzle are put together. These are the most innovative and unique approaches we've heard.
Ethereal Space Tunes: Spacey, ethereal, ambient, fluid and liquidy, melty music that seems to run and ooze out all over the outer space.
Outspoken Dissections of the Status Quo: Left-leaning musicians/activists with some serious light to shed on the dark corners of reality. If you REALLY want to know what's going on around you and behind closed doors, this is the "music with a message" you need to hear. Wake up and smell the truth.
Interesting Interpretations/Covers: These are the most interesting interpretations of other people's music (aka 'covers') we've ever heard.
Acoustic noir, shadowy country, raspy darkgrass: Often dark and moody, usually acoustic. A bit of the sorrow twinged bluegrass or country noir. These can hint at deception, depression, or good old fashioned story-tellin desperation.
Phat Dope- beats you can't beat.: Some of the best we got.
College Radio: What's hot and popular in the college scene. it could be anything from Sublime to Dave Matthews to Counting Crows and OAR- these are some of the best
Best of Christian Music: From funky old school to country gospel to CCM, these are some of our favorites.
Piano Bar Music: It's midnight at the piano bar and the piano man is doing his thing. As long as you drop those tips in his jar, Sam doesn't care how many times he plays it. Wanna sing Misty? Just tell me your key.
Music from Hell: Dark, doomy.. the underbelly of life, the opposite of hope.
The Greatest Music for Kids Even Adults Can Love
A Capella Groups: Amazing CDs featuing only vocals - sans Instruments!
Film Soundtracks and Favorite Songs From the Silver Screen: From the ever-popular Donnie Darko soundtrack to scores to films you've never heard of to arrangements of popular songs from classic films, here are some of the most compelling choices for film music buffs.
Old Classics: Some of these are remastered or re-released but others are just as they were, classic recordings for a growing collection.
"Best Of" Classical Music- traditional to avant garde: From Palestrina to Penderecki, these are the most memorable and striking albums that you can't find just anywhere.
Introspective Inklings: For times to ponder. Those days when you're feeling inward and the world outside is more like a poem than anything... When you need soft lulling and imaginative colors to swirl around you, softening the division between you and the music.
For Your Grandpa/Grandma: Generally, music from the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s- so much of which is coming back in style. If you need something for Granny, one of these albums could take her back to her sweet 16 and she'll love you forever for it.
Music for Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong: Music for your Yoga practice-OMs, meditation music, music for Sun Salutations, shavasana practice, etc.
Dusty roads, big expanses..: Music that conjures images of desert country, a dusty pickup and the Spring in the southwest. This is music that will send your thoughts to New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Utah and occasionally, Nashville.
Cloudy Barflies: It's wiskey wisdom, broken dreams and the smell of cigarettes. There's a failed novelist drinking gin in the corner and an aging waitress who's really an actress handing out beer. Somewhere, Tom Waits is smiling.
Jangle all the way!: Whether you're a fan of 60s pop or 90s emo, all of these albums feature jangly guitars. Influenced by everything from The Byrds to Death Cab for Cutie. All here.
Incredibly Metal Album Art: Harness the power.

About the Musicians

Naked on CD Cover: Albums with naked people on the CD cover.
Famous Musicians: Musicians that are already famous, with new special or side projects here at CD Baby.
Little Girl Vocals: Female singers with that "Little Girl" sound like some have described Juliana Hatfield, Bjork, Rickie Lee Jones. Melts me every time.
Cool Packaging: CDs with exceptionally cool packaging. No plastic jewelbox, these are creative and amazing on the outside and inside. (And CDs may be the last physical form of music we have before it all goes to MP3s someday!)
Intellectual Lyricists: Intellectually malnourished? Pedestrian lyrics too obtuse? These human-thesaurus lyricists show their appetite for the uncommon expression that will feed your cerebral soul.
Famous on Film/TV - Making Music: You know them more from the movies or TV, but there's more than meets the eye!
Famous Special Guests: You'll have to read the bio or buy it to discover the "Very Special Guests" performing on these artists CDs...
Famous Behind-the-Scenes Musicians: They're stepping out of the shadow, and into the spotlight. These are some CDs by musicians with impressive resumes, musicians you've probably heard behind the scenes, and now you can hear their OWN music.
Womens' Lib: Either "Whoah, girl!" or "You GO, Girl!" Badass stuff that will shut you up quick. (formerly 'outraged feminist anthems")
Music for Social Change and Charity: Albums specifically aimed at raising awareness with a mission to promote positive social change, from literacy to civil liberties to challenging corporate dominance. All albums have involvement with various charities and partial or full proceeds may go to charity. You get great music AND you get to contribute to a good cause.
Vocal Genius: People doing incredible things with their voice and/or music that features and highlights the human voice. It doesn't have to be the singing style necessarily..
Artists with Terminal Illnesses: Artists with terminal illnesses. These people have an amazing story and it's part of their musical magic. Click each to read more. Included here are also compilation CDs with the intent to raise money for research.
John Lennon Songwriting Contest: Finalists and winners of this notable songwriting contest- albums featuring the award winning song(s).
Music Fairs and Festivals: From the Kerrville Folk Festival to the Lilith Fair to the Cactus Pear Music Festival and on to Jazz and Blues Festivals, these are some of the top picks and winners.

for Types of People

for Stoners: An elite breed with a long history, from Cheech & Chong to Jay and Silent Bob; from Jeff Spicoli to Shaggy from Scooby Doo. These are for you. It's 4:20, baby...
KCRW - Los Angeles: One of the coolest radio stations in the world, thanks to Nic and Ariana's "Morning Becomes Eclectic". Home to many great CD Baby singer/songwriters. Browse them here, and support your local radio!
For Guitar Lovers: Some of the best music on CD Baby that features guitar whether it be Satriani, Hedges, or Hendrix- here's your shortcut to the albums you'll champion.
for Your Mom: Let's all get up and dance to a song that was a hit before your mother was born. Though she was born a long, long time ago, your mother should know. Your mother should know.
for Nature Lovers: Sounds of nature or sounds that evoke landscapes, the elements and otherwise earthy things.
for Sports Fans: Although sports fans enjoy all kinds of music, these are some that are actually ABOUT sports! So whether you like the MUSIC or not is up to you, but you'll appreciate the sentiment.
Adult Contemporary: Hip and over 40: You may be over 40 but you haven't lost your edge- you're still hip and open-minded but neither your kid's music nor your parent's music is doing the trick for you lately. Check these gems out.
For Teens: Think Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne, Lil' Romeo, and Justin Timberlake. These are some of the best albums for 13-19 year-olds.
For Pet Lovers/Animal Lovers: Music about and for animals, pets and other furry relationships.

Employee Picks

the music that keeps cdbaby programming.: Jason likey.
Brad's Editorial Beatdown.: If you wanna make noise, make noise.
Faye's Faves: I like a little of everything, from funk to alt-country, pop/rock to acoustic singer/songwriter, and everything in between. I would have to say my main love, though, is good old indie rock.
Sammy: SHAKE: A list of the trashiest, sleaziest, darkest music that CD Baby has to offer.
daniel's doom: loud, fast, and out of control. the stuff i like has at least two of those three things going for it at all times. GO!
Breanna's Jams: It's aaall goooood
Pamela's everything and the dream pop.: I like the shoegaze, but I also like thick beats, glitchy IDM, bossa nova, and the sensitive singery songwritery guy.
Craig's valley of the ultra goods: best free range of the strange and delightful that i've found thus far. -all for you to enjoy-
Rayburn: favorites
Taste o' Dana: It's random, like the universe you inhabit.
Tamara's All-Time Favorites: Over the years, these are some of the albums that haven't stopped amazing me, that still remain my favorites and which haven't lost one bit of their ability to knock my socks off. These are the albums I recommend to my friends, that I listen to when I'm not at work.
Gray
Jamie's 31 Flavors: I like to think I have one of the most eclectic commercial music collections in the world. I have no favorite genre, no favorite band, just a love of noise! So it is no wonder that my favorite albums on CDBaby would span so many different genres. This is why I'm calling it 31 flavors. If your love of music has no boundaries, welcome home.
The pleasures of the pony
Freddy