Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Rocio (class of 2027) and features the vinyl set Anthology by the Steve Miller Band. Thanks, Rocio!
From Space Cowboys to Study Breaks: My Ride with the Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band Anthology
We all have those songs. The ones that come on the radio and give you a pure hit of nostalgia. You might not know the name of the album, or even all the words, but you know the feeling. For me, a lot of those songs are by the Steve Miller Band. They bring me back to car rides with my dad, blasting music and trying to sing along to songs that are now forever engraved in my memory.
On my latest trip to the Music Library’s vinyl section, I wasn’t looking for anything in particular. That’s when I saw it: a compilation that looked like a greatest hits list from classic rock heaven, Steve Miller Band – Anthology. It was a two-record treasure chest and transported me back to those car rides with my dad. That feeling is something really special, especially since I don’t see a lot of college students thinking about their parents that often. But the truth is, as an international student, I’m always thinking of mine, and this album made me feel a couple of miles closer to home.
Moving past my personal anecdote, the great thing about these vinyls — whether it’s Miller or anything else in the Music Library — is that you can tap into that vibe without digging through your parents’ attic for a turntable. The library has that covered. I ended up taking a full-on study break to listen to the album, one hit after another. It’s a masterclass in 70s rock. There’s a reason these tracks have survived decades — they’re just pure, uncomplicated fun.
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So, if you need a break that actually feels like a break, I have a suggestion. Go to the Music Library. Find that call number or just wander the vinyl section until a familiar face (or album cover) winks at you.
Plug in your headphones, drop the needle, and take a 45-minute vacation. Or, if your dorm room needs a soundtrack, you can simply check it out.