MusicHead

Learn more

The Rotation, #5

stack of lp records close up

The primary way I build my digital music collection is by maintaining a playlist called, “The Rotation.” On this list I load albums of artists I’m interested in hearing, mostly new-to-me artists or albums. Because I need some organizational principle to conduct this survey I go by the alphabetical listing of the artist. I typically move from earlier records to later records, although there are exceptions, and if I’m excited to hear a new album by a favorite artist I’ll add it in an apparent random placement to hear it sooner than later. From this list I’ll select tracks to add to my collection. It’s rare that I DNF a record, and uncommon for me to not select a single track from it. I’ve been doing this for a while and am currently on my 9th trip around the alphabet. Below are the albums heard in a given session and what thoughts, if any, I have about them. These are mostly first impressions, so don’t expect in-depth analysis.

Asterisks (*) after the album title indicate that it is a new-to-me record.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse: RE-AC-TOR (1981)

Album cover for Neil Young: RE-AC-TOR

It’ll be a long time before I hit a Neil Young record that I’ve never heard before. This probably isn’t his best work, but bad Neil is better than no Neil, and bat Neil is better than most other things.

Collected Tracks:

  • Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze
  • Get Back On It
  • Southern Pacific

Neko Case: THE TIGERS HAVE SPOKEN (2004)*

Album cover for Neko Case: THE TIGERS HAVE SPOKEN

I’ve been a Neko fan for several years, now. I don’t know how this one escaped me. Probably because it’s a live record.

Collected Tracks:

  • Soulful Shade of Blue
  • Train from Kansas City
  • Wayfaring Stranger

New Order: LOST SIRENS (2005)*

Album cover for New Order: LOST SIRENS

I’ve always been amazed about the disparity I feel between Joy Division and New Order. I’ve never liked JD, but NO is always welcome. I stay away from the NO remix records, because, eww, but I love their other stuff.

Collected Tracks:

  • I’ll Stay With You
  • Sugarcane
  • Shake It Up

The New Pornographers: IN THE MORSE CODE OF BRAKE LIGHTS (2019)*

Album cover for The New Pornographers: IN THE MORSE CODE OF BRAKE LIGHTS

I came to Neko Case before I got to New Pornographers. Have there been any more consistently good and thoughtful rock bands in the 21st than TNP? I’m hard pressed to find one. And it ain’t all about Neko being awesome, either.

Collected Tracks:

  • You’ll Need a New Backseat Driver
  • The Surprise Knock
  • Colossus of Rhodes
  • Need Some Giants
  • Leather on the Seat

Leave a comment