VINYL + CANNABIS
Our Favorite Albums Paired with our Favorite Mood-Setting Strains
By Jake Kuczeruk
ALBUM:
The Cramps, Off the Bone (Illegal Records), 1983
PRODUCER:
Alex Chilton
GENRE:
Gothabilly, goth rock, psychobilly
STRAIN:
Lemon Cherry Gelato (H) by Vader Cannabis Company. A hybrid strain made from a genetic cross between Sunset Sherbet and Girl Scout Cookies with 20% THC.
EFFECTS:
Tingly, relaxed, euphoric
AROMA:
Lime, berries, lemon, sweet fruit
BRED BY:
Backpack Boyz
As the undisputed heavyweight kings of the psychobilly genre, The Cramps were recently thrust back into the zeitgeist due to the inclusion of their 1981 punk classic, “Goo Goo Muck,” in the most notable scene from that Wednesday show on Netflix. This husband and wife goth duo of singer Lux Interior and wife Poison Ivy Rorschach dropped my favorite compilation album of all time with Off the Bone.
From its first track, “Human Fly,” they will rip you out of any bad mood you’re in and get you moving around the room like you’re part of the band. (Dressing like a relative of the Addams Family is optional.) Lemon Cherry Gelato by Vader Cannabis is a perfect pairing, delivering an uplifting, euphoric high that never overwhelms. You'll find relaxation through navigating the potent effects of this hybrid flower much in the same way the driving energy of punk music can help you work out your issues. Expect to be smacked with sweet citrus terpenes with a touch of woody pine from the second you rip open the mylar.
Vader has been a regular fixture on the scene since 2011, building up a reputation for producing some of the best extracts available—and with multiple awards to show for it. Their packaging cleverly mimics a license plate, which jives nicely with The Cramps’ embrace of rat rods, leather, and motorcycles. Both reflect the best the city of Los Angeles has to offer.
ALBUM:
Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run (Columbia), 1975
PRODUCERS:
Bruce Springsteen, Mike Appel Jon Landau
GENRE:
Rock n' Roll, poprock
STRAIN:
Papaya Bomb (H) (American Weed Co.). Like its name suggests, Papaya Bomb combines papaya and THC Bomb for a stony hybrid that packs as much punch as it does flavor—it placed second for the 2022 Emerald Cup’s solventless concentrate category.
EFFECTS:
Feeling good, bliss
AROMA:
Pungent swirls of fruit, skunk, pine & papaya
BRED BY:
Purple City Genetics
Is pairing the most American album of all-time with an American Weed Co. product too easy? No way. I'll take any chance I can get to shine a light on the good work American Weed Co. is doing. Their indoor flower is of top-shelf quality, with well-manicured nugs positively caked in trichomes, however, it’s their mission to “Heal our Heroes” that pulled me in. Through lobbying to legalize cannabis for our veterans, to their donations to Stop Soldier Suicide and Responder Strong, they’re out there kicking ass and taking names. They've been growing like crazy and reinvesting back in the culture, even headline sponsoring the Cali Roots Music & Arts Festival.
Papaya Bomb delivers a nose of skunky, tropical fruit with a tasty, perfumed smoke that is satisfyingly smooth. Effects linger for several blissful hours. Papaya is built to fight depression, giving you the urge to get outside and embrace adventure. While you’re on that walk, I can think of no better pairing than the soothing sounds of The Boss. Born To Run blew the doors off, releasing to immediate critical acclaim while establishing him as a certified rock superstar. Vietnam was over with. The gas crisis was just barely in the rearview mirror. Americans were jaded and craved the sort of catharsis which Born to Run delivered in spades. Deeply personal, his tracks are semi-autobiographical, documenting a journey that was driven by a sense of hope. We could all use a little more hope. Listen to its title track and tell me you don't feel inspired.
ALBUM:
Jamie xx, In Colour (Young Turks Records), 2015
PRODUCERS:
Jamie xx, Four Tet
GENRE:
Hip-hop, reggae, electronic, future garage
STRAIN:
Pure Beauty Pink Panther (I) Infused Solventless Pre-rolls. Fun-sized and ready to go, Pink Panther is a blend of indoor cannabis, solventless live rosin, and ice water hash. Thirty-nine percent THC, Pink Panther is a sativa dominant hybrid.
EFFECTS:
Smiley, relaxing, mood elevating
AROMA:
Citrus, sweet, spicy, pine, pears
BRED BY:
Han Solo Burger x GMO
Composed over the course of five years, Jamie xx’s 2015 masterpiece In Colour has a real case to be dubbed as one of the strongest debut electronic albums of all time. Fans of indie rock might be familiar with his band, The xx, assembled while at Elliott School in London—the very same school which also gave us the careers of Hot Chip and Four Tet.
“Sleep Sound” is a stand-out track, which pairs perfectly with everything from highway driving at night to partying on a bougie hotel rooftop. A stream of countless nods to different genres and influences, from hip-hop to 90s garage, awaits you as you navigate this 42-minute groove cruise. The music video for “Gosh” is awe-inspiring, if you need any further convincing. Jamie xx is cool incarnate. The guy drips style like a broken faucet but you can see just how seriously he takes his craft, evidenced by his carefully layered production and use of unconventional samples. I get the same sort of vibes from the Pure Beauty brand, especially in recent years as they’ve enhanced their product offering to rare genetics. Case in point: this Pink Panther is a cross of Han Solo Burger x GMO, infused with both solventless live rosin and ice water hash. Just one of these potent 0.4g dogwalkers should be enough to leave you in the perfect headspace to embrace all of what makes In Colour such a special album.
ALBUM:
Mitski, Be the Cowboy (Dead Oceans Records), 2018
PRODUCER:
Patrick Hyland
GENRE:
Euro disco, punk, indie synth rock
STRAIN:
Peach-Passion Fruit Rosin Infused Sparkling Spritz by Sunstone
EFFECTS:
Easy-going, fast acting
AROMA:
Passion fruit
BRED BY:
Sunstone is an agricultural pioneer in California. The historic Sunstone Winery is an idyllic Old-World European-style estate nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley.
After my wife snagged us tickets to see Mitski at the Hollywood Bowl, I knew that I needed to immerse myself in more of her music. Be the Cowboy has been my favorite album of the bunch. Elements of euro disco, punk, and sad girl piano folk ballads interweave to form its sonic DNA. Hauntingly introspective, equal parts Frank Black and Phoebe Bridgers, youʼre going to want to deep-dive into her lyrics to reach a full appreciation of the album. Perhaps give her single “Nobody” a spin—and if you let it bleed into “Pink in the Night” I have no doubt that you'll be hooked.
The Santa Ynez Valley’s Sunstone Winery isn't afraid to debunk the dogmatic traditions of viticulture and lean into the emerging cannabis beverage market. Sunstone made history as the first wine-to-cannabis crossover brand with this spritz. No bitterness can be detected here, which is an issue that plagues an unfortunate number of cannabis beverages. Perfect for a trip to the beach or a Mitski show at the Bowl, this low-cal sparkling beverage delivers pure mood elevation in a dosage that won’t overload you.
