I am sure there are books that can instruct me on the comings & goings of listening to new music... but these days (especially after finding you my beloved MOG), I can't seem to give a new album its proper due. There are a few exceptions to this rule - but by in large, I have SO MUCH new music injecting into my eardrums that everything becomes a blur (NOT the band). That or I forget I have the new album from so & so & until the shuffle hits that song out of 16709 others, I won't know.
If I am totally honest with myself - this BAD BAD habit started in college. Back when I still had some money to burn (correction - some parent's money) to burn & I could step foot in the used CD shop by school & walk out 30-40 minutes later with 10-15 new albums (new to me at least). Feeling groovy, I'd go back to my dorm & play one to three of those albums a couple of times & the other 12 would get lost in the "stacks" for a spell.
It's gotten worse though since MOG. & TRUST ME when I say I am not complaining - well, not really. I just wish I could find a happier medium where I give new albums their time to really gel or not gel with me.
I take a look at a top 10 list for the first half of 2008 & break out in cold sweats cuz really - I don't think I have the right to list 10 albums - I've certainly gotten my hands on at a very bare minimun of 10 new albums - but have I listened to at least 10 of them enough to say for sure they are TOP 10 ?!? NOPE... to my mind - not even close. My top 10 albums today won't be my top 10 tomorrow cuz they just don't stick with me the way they did in high school.
Now that I think on it - sure there have been exceptions to this rule - but most of the albums that still ring most true to me & still get constant play are the ones from those times.
So, does this now mean that I am of an age that can't get into new music - I hope not ?!? I don't think it does - I am still so open to anything new I can get my ears on, but these newer albums (with exception) don't stick with me the way Ten did, the way Some Great Reward did, the way Disintegration did.
I've always felt badly for the folks who can't get out of their music rut & listen to something new... sure I remember fondly my grandfather asking me to turn down that racket & I would giggle & turn the volume down. I have yet to say that or even think it - sure there's music out there I have no desire to listen to - but there is an awful lot out there that I do like & do listen to & do own.
Anyone else out there with this problem or a similar one... any suggestions ?!?
Help a fellow MOGger out would you ?!? How do I LISTEN properly ?!?
Gonna try to embed a video - but it hasn't been working for me of late... (DIDN'T work) ah well... maybe next post ;)
I can definitely say the link below does...
If that doesn't work... try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kyKYkV6Mi4
I can also say - beyond the shadow of a doubt - Mr. Amos Lee keeps improving with age & I am really lovin on this more mature sound he has going on... Go Philly boy ;)
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I know the feeling. I discovered emusic a couple of years ago and kept up with that subscription for over a year--and still haven't really digested all of the albums I downloaded. To top that off, every month or so a friend of mine gives me an mp3 disc FULL of new stuff he's listening to . . . I can't keep up! The only real music time I have is in the car now, so I get to listen to at most one album a day, thoroughly. I might be able to squeeze a little bit more out if I'm lucky during work, but not usually. So I have scores of albums I've barely listened to once.
This makes it harder for me to post stuff here, because half the time I'm not entirely sure what I'm posting. Like you, I'm not complaining--it's a great problem to have, really--but it's almost a guilt thing.
I liked the video. Nice, smoothy groove going on in that song.
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Yeah, I'm in the same boat, Your Lizzieness. Too much music, not enough time. Sometimes I just give up and don't listen to anything new at all. The more music I have, the less I hear.
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We were hot-headed, unexperienced and easily enthused at high school {this applies to more than music actually haha}. Now, we have trained and sharpened our ears, and have a thicker crap filter. The more music we get, the more eclectic we become. And that is, by no means, a bad thing. Not being easily impressed is a huge plus in my book.
When grandness occurs, it will hit us, no need to worry about that.
My only advice is to lay back and let it come naturally (this time I'm applying this only to music ahhaha).
xoxo
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And PS the amount of music can be overwhelming. I say take it one album at a time. That's what I'm doing, I force myself to listen to a new album every 2-3 days.
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@Spacegroon... Awesome - thrilled to hear you diggin on Amos Lee - he's the bee's knees - where did that phrase get started anyways ?!?
@Troy... amen darlin - it's a tough music world we live in - but I'll make the sacrifices if it means hangin with all y'all cool kiddies ;)
@Annasis... brilliance my sweetsister - you are absolutely right on all counts - will try my best to stick to the 2-3 days with a new album - I might just make some headway if I do so ;)
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Well, according to http://www.yaelf.com/questions.shtml there at least 7 different possible theories as to how that phrase started . . . just in case you needed some light summer reading!
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It sounds like you are the perfect candidate for The Program. This is something I struggled with about a year and a half ago. Thanks to MOG and The Program, I have a top 10 of the first 1/2 of 2008 that I feel very strongly about. I actually had a hard time narrowing it down to just ten. Find a good friend and start your own Program.
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@spacegroon - will check it out for sure ;)
@matt... I've tried to no avail - but I always check to see what's on the list for each week for your program. No self-control I'm afraid...
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Find a friend to keep you accountable, share your listening with that person each week, and then talk about the album(s) with that person.
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Keep in mind, music is something we listen to to enjoy and enrich our lives. Be careful to not stress yourself over it, lest it become a burden leading to music burnout.
I think i'm just musically easy, because I can think of about 40 albums this year that are all worthy of making my top ten. The bounty is amazing. Just grab a bunch, shuffle them and do your thing until a song grabs you by the ears and demands your attention, then go back and check out that album in full. Works for me everytime!
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@bro..."Just grab a bunch, shuffle them and do your thing until a song grabs you by the ears and demands your attention, then go back and check out that album in full. Works for me everytime!" That is the one way I've been working it & feel lest guilty... you're right - it's not that I lose sleep over it - I just feel like I should try to spend more time with each album - then I realize - I'd rather be with my MOGily or my Chase, friends & family & I stress it far less ;)
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it is a tough battle. i have struggled with this at times as well. the big thing for me is to realize i can't listen to it all so why even try. i just let the music find me. if it needs me, it will find me.
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I am an Albums Person and I always listen to albums all the way through. But I know I am a dying breed and it is a Songs World out there. So I agree with Anna and Dale, why should you force yourself to listen to music in any particular way, when you can just let it come to you in its own way? But personally my listening style is more like Matt's! Besides, it's embarrassing when I tell Robin about an album I bought, and he asks me how it is, and two weeks later I still don't know ;) So that accountability thing does work!
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@mariMike... hahahhahahah it found you again ;P
@Darla...yeah - accountability is hopeless for me as well. I am of the old school mind that I do listen & purchase albums (99.9% of the time) as a whole. I do use the Dale suggestion as a way for finding a song that hits me & then go back & check out the entire album - that's worked in the past.
I think the best way to go about any of this is without stress... sure I feel "badly" sometimes that artists & their wares aren't getting their due, but I also know there are few (cepting all y'all) that love music the way I do - live eat breathe it & appreciate it.
The dinnertable question - what would you be more inclined to give up if you had to pick... eyesight or hearing - I rarely miss a beat before saying I'd give up sight before I'd dare lose my ability to listen to music.
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Lissie, you're just musically promiscous at heart, but getting on (e.g. over 25) and worrying you can't it keep up forever.
Don't worry about it. You won't look back on your musical past and wish you hadn't done it. Just keep going. It won't make you feel bad and it won't do you any harm.
As I may have said already, I have a chum who is cursed with the musical equivalent of photographic memory. He has to be quite selective about what he listens to in order to avoid his head becoming filled with noise. Milton Feldman and Shumann are high on his list. Along with certain pianists, e.g. Richter. But he always has time for some dancey dancery.
Max
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@MaxE... Who DOESN'T have time for a little dancey dancery ?!? Those are the people who have NO SOULS...
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Abolutement.
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Or absolutement, even.
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either way - I am picking up what you're putting down as ever darlink ;)
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unlike Dar i'm a 'single' person(in many ways) so taking an hour to listen to a bunch of songs suits me fine but i have to be honest nothing is really clicking with me so i've had the same feelings - am I turning into my father who won't listen to anything recorded before 1984?(except Vertical Horizon's first album - don't ask). I just think i'm in a lull and like I always say when you're an adult, LIFE gets in the way sometimes. But I agree with Dale - its meant to be enjoyed so don't stress about it - it will find its way back to you...
Welcome back!
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@Tara... many thanks sweet girl :) I actually am with you on the Vertical Horizon love - though I am into their "newer albums" Everything You Want & Go - they kinda fit the mold of LIVE, Tonic & Third Eye Blind & I still love those bands too... ain't it grand ;)
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Don't break out in sweat about the half year list, I can tell you that I haven't even heard of half the albums mentioned. ;) But that's why I'm doing it, so everyone doesn't have to work through all kind of crap albums but can listen to albums that other moggers rate. :)
And yeah, I agree with Anna, we expand our musical taste and listen to more, plus it is easier to listen to everything as well. And we indeed detect something that is crap earlier. Though now that I'm reviewing for my Dutch blog site I give all the albums at least four spins, even if it is reaaaaal crap (and believe me, some of them are indeed).
Still, if something is a gem, I'll be listening and enjoying it frequently. My number 1 of the half year I find time to listen to usually at least once a week, and older lovers like The National and Pulp and The Smiths I still listen every week as well.
Anyway, in the words of Douglas Adams, Don't Panic. ;)
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@Stefan... truer words were n'ere spoken - promise not to panic - THANKS !!!
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Not only do I not have the time, I don't have the stamina I used to! (infer what you will with that comment). I used to be able to do the same treks as yourself, and just constantly listen to music. Now I might listen to, 1 album a day. Sometimes I listen to 3, but I often don't feel I appreciate what ever spins later. Kind of like watching too much TV, it's just too much.
My mental list grows and grows, and I just have to wade through it, and MAYBE, not be keep every album, no matter my feelings on it. I have actually bought about 3 albums this year - which is amazing, since the kids have been born I think I had bought 1 album in 3 years.
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But you have the kids & family Tyler... I'd be willing to give up my trips to the record store for a family all my own ;) PRIORITIES I know my friend & you have your ducks in a row for sure !!!
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Oh I'm not complaining, believe me. I'm just fascinated on my capacity to write/talk about music vs. listening. Maybe if I also had some decent speakers in my car, that would make it more enjoyable, too. I just find I get overloaded by media much more these days vs. college.
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I discovered the "recently added" feature a few months back in my Windows Media Player so I thank goddess for that since it keeps me apprised of my new albums(or at least, of what I've newly added).
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Focus, focus, focus!!! It's hard sometimes, but only recently I've had some real connections with the newer music. I think the first 6 months I started mog I was way too overwhelmed to get into stuff thoroughly. But now I'm gettin the hang of it with the Kills, Raveonettes!!!! Black Keys, Dr. Dog, Roisin Murphy is a new regularly rotated girlfriend of mine...anywho...one thing at a time. If it doesn't grab you, then fuck it! There's too much out there that will!
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Those last 2 sentences work for more than just musically speaking!