Albums and Advice: English Department
During Fall 2025 finals, the Centenary English Department’s Instagram account, @centenaryenglish, posted study playlists that each English professor put together of music that they listened to while they were in their undergraduate programs along with photos of them from that time period.
Taking inspiration from those posts, the Conglomerate has collected from four English professors specific albums along with explanations of the albums they chose and some advice for Centenary’s current students that they wish they knew while they were in their undergraduate programs.
Dr. Matthew Blasi attended St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, Florida, from 2005 to 2006 and the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, from 2006 to 2008 as an English major.
When asked to pick an album to represent his time at college, Blasi settled on Rage Against the Machine’s “The Battle of Los Angeles.”
The cover for Rage Against the Machine’s “The Battle of Los
Angeles” (1999). The album is described as rap metal and
funk metal.
Blasi discussed his choice, stating that “‘The Battle of Los Angeles’ is a perfect record, the kind of masterpiece that few bands can produce, and can't be reduced to a single song. ‘Testify’ is one of the best lead-off tracks of any rock record, period, forever. Likewise, ‘Sleep Now in the Fire’ and ‘Guerilla Radio’ are all-time classics, scathing responses to the Bush and Clinton eras and American Imperialism. But if I have to pick one song, I'm going with ‘War Within a Breath’" the closing track and a ranging, rage-filled exploration of poverty, colonialism, and resistance.”
Blasi provided some advice for students who are unsure about their field of study, stating “Study what you love. Don't pursue a major because you think it will get you a good job or that it's practical. Major in what you love, what you're passionate about, what makes your studies worth the time and effort.”
Dr. Rich Cooper, the newest addition to Centenary’s English faculty, attended LSU from 1999 to 2003 as an English major.
Also from 1999, Cooper’s album to represent his studies was The Roots’ “Things Fall Apart.”
The Roots’ “Things Fall Apart” (1999). The album is described
as alternative hip-hop and jazz rap.
“I mean, I was an English major, and it’s titled after Chinua Achebe’s novel ‘Things Fall Apart.’ Questlove is amazing on the drums, and Black Thought may be the most underrated rapper of all time because you basically have to be an English major to piece together his allusions,” explained Cooper.
Cooper’s advice for Centenary students was more similar to taking care of oneself rather than one’s studies. He explained the importance of mental health, stating that “Taking care of your mental health, including seeking professional help, doesn’t mean you are weak or that something is wrong with you. Had I realized this sooner, it would have probably saved me a lot of trouble.”
Dr. Bellee Jones-Pierce attended Huntingdon College, located in Montgomery, AL, from 1999 to 2003 as a double major in Psychology and Creative Writing with minors in English and Religion.
Her choice of album was Radiohead’s “Kid A,” with specific emphasis on the track “Idioteque.”
Jones-Pierce explained this choice compared to other albums by Radiohead, explaining that “This album came out during the fall semester of my sophomore year—a really difficult time for me. I had listened to Radiohead since “Pablo Honey,” and I loved “The Bends” and “OK Computer,” but “Kid A” was really different from everything that had come before—more electronic, more about rhythm and texture than anything from their previous albums, no guitars. The overwhelm the album expressed chimed with the overwhelm I felt that year. “Idioteque” was my favorite then, and it’s still my favorite. I don’t know what the song is really about. For me, it captured the struggle of living in the world, of processing information, when everything felt like an emergency. The song became grounding, in a way, when I felt unmoored.”
Radiohead’s “Kid A” (2000). This album is an experimental rock
and electronica album.
In standard English professor fashion, Jones-Pierce also briefly referenced an etymological side for why she enjoyed the track, stating that “The Greek prefix idio- means “own” or “personal” or “distinct,” and I was weirdly obsessed with it for a while.”
Similar to Cooper’s advice, Jones-Pierce also gave some input for students that may be overwhelmed with school or life in general.
She stated that “My best advice is to reach out when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I wish I had done that sooner. I thought I could or should handle everything all by myself. My grades dropped, my relationships suffered. When I did reach out, finally, my advisor and my other professors helped me. So did my friends.”
Dr. Chrissy Martin attended the University of Akron from 2011 to 2015 as an English major with minors in Creative Writing, Popular Literature & Film, and Women’s Studies.
Martin’s choice of album to reflect her time undergrad is Paramore’s self-titled “Paramore.”
Martin explained how her eclectic taste in genres converged within the album, stating that “My undergrad music taste ranged from metalcore and pop punk to alternative rock and bubblegum pop. I chose Paramore’s self-titled album because it came out in the middle of my college years and blended the musical styles I loved. I had grown up listening to Paramore, so this album felt both nostalgic and new. It still had the angst and poeticism I loved, but used a brighter, playful sound to grapple with the messiness of early adulthood, making it feel a little less lonely and a little more survivable.”
Paramore’s music still plays a large role in Martin’s academic habits.
She described her love for Paramore still, explaining that “I still listen to Paramore; there’s something magical about an artist growing up with you. I even revised my recent book to Hayley Williams’s newest album—apparently some writing habits stick!”
Martin shared two pieces of advice for students. The first, more academically-focused, involved knowing when to reach out as a student.
Paramore’s self-titled “Paramore” (2013). This album is
described as alternative pop and power pop.
“Ask for help. Ask questions. Advocate for yourself. It may seem like everyone else has it figured out, but they don’t. They’re asking too—you just don’t always see it. I didn’t know that as a student; as a professor, I see it all the time,” explained Martin.
The second piece of advice that Martin provided was more personal and broadly applicable.
Martin discussed feelings of uncertainty throughout the undergraduate period, stating that “You will figure it out. For me, it was my major; for you, it might be something else. I wish I’d known that all the hours I spent worrying about making the “right” choice weren’t helping me make it—they were just making the uncertainty harder to live with. Find what you love—what sets you on fire—and engage with it deeply and unapologetically. Make time for it, get involved, and find others who care about it too.”