WELSCH: Rhythmic, upbeat albums aid with workout goals

The New Year is here, trebucheting us into a new decade. And since it is a new year, you know what that means: crippling failure and disappointment that shrinks the soul.

You know what I'm talking about. If you're anything like me, you made a New Year's resolution, and it probably has something to do with trying to be a better, healthier person. You might be eating better, practicing a healthier sleep schedule or even trying desperately to find a humorous way to satire the news.

Good for you! But one thing is for certain. You will fail.

My resolution, which is similar to what I imagine many of yours to be, is to actually get to the rec center a few times each week to play some badminton and run a mile. And I'll probably give it up halfway through next month.

But there is some hope.

I've been doing some research as I've been getting in shape. I've been listening to a variety of different albums as I run to see which ones give me the will power to keep plodding forward. They seem to help me get a few extra laps in, and maybe they'll help ward off the inevitable failure (at least for a few more weeks) for you as well.

Casey's Top 5 albums to run to that might keep you from betraying your resolution so soon

1. "Loveless" by My Bloody Valentine – This is one of my favorite albums of all time and a landmark recording in the independent music soundscape. Its danceable beats, poppy melodies and smothering walls of sound have long been a refuge I've climbed into after a bad day, although I never suspected that all these same qualities would lend it so well to keeping my feet moving forward. From the opening snare hits of "Only Shallow" to the break beats of "Soon," "Loveless" showcases a smorgasbord of upper mid-tempo beats that set the perfect pace for a brisk jog. And the constant sonic pummeling is perfect for floating you on the dense textures for another couple of laps.

2. "Songs for the Deaf" by Queens of the Stone Age – This album is a definite throwback for me. It was one of the first "alternative" albums I ever bought in my virginal youth. And it still stands out as a shining example of what rock music can be when the artists throw the inhibitions of pop music to the wind and play with volume and a fun-loving voracity. "Songs for the Deaf" also surprised me as an apt running album, simply because it's a concept that has never remotely crossed my mind. Queens of the Stone Age's signature choppy riffing and thundering drum rhythms shine on this album, and like the above album, the tempos of most of the songs lend it well to a brisk jogging pace. Also, pick up the full version of the album with all of the radio montages left in. It makes the album a whole new experience.

3. "The Good, The Bad and the Queen" by The Good, The Bad and the Queen – If high volume, high octane, balls-out rock isn't your thing, this album is probably your best bet. Its soft textures and rocksteady afropop beats are a thing to behold when sitting still, thanks to the contribution from Fela Kuti's legendary director and drummer Tony Allen. It works perfectly for a soft sound in your ear that drives the feet forward at an easy but effective tempo. Damon Albarn's vocals are also smooth enough that he seems to lower your pulse rate a little with each verse.