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. 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.
Old Crow Medicine Show: REMEDY (2014)*
Been a fan of these guys for some time. Lefty bluegrass music with a heavy lean on women’s power and unions? Funtime good-ole-boy party music? Yes, please!
Collected Tracks:
- Brush Mountain Conjugal Trailer
- 8 Dogs 8 Banjos
- Sweet Amarillo
- Mean Enough World
- Firewater
- O Cumberland River
- Shit Creek
Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark: ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK (1980)*
And now for something completely different. Another “hear of but, not heard” band. I’m sure there’ll be something I’m familiar with, but since a lot of my favorite music these days is in this vein and from this era, I thought It was time to add them.
Reminds me, appropriately, of early Depeche Mode and New Order. It’s a bit one-note, though and I didn’t find anything to add. I’ll keep them on the list, though, in hopes of finding something later in the catalog.
Collected Tracks:
- N/A
Otis Redding: LOVE MAN (1969)
With all due respect to Wilson Pickett. Otis is the true “man and a half.” I don’t think there’s an Otis Redding track existing that I don’t love. I’m wrapping up going through the catalog again. Such a tragedy to lose this man so young. Where he could have taken us! Higher and higher!
Collected Tracks:
- I’m a Changed Man
- (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher
- That’s a Good Idea
- Direct Me
- Love Man
- Groovin’ Time
- Your Feeling Is Mine
- Got to Get Myself Together
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils: THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS (1973)*
Like The Marshall Tucker Band, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils were an early 1970s country-rock band that ten years later would have been considered strictly country. But they slid under that invisible line and have found a home on “classic rock” radio. Growing up on KSHE 95 in St. Louis, they were in regular rotation, but only one or two tracks. Time to see what they were really like.
Got through it. They’re definitely a lesser Marshal Tucker Band. At times the vocals felt like a lot of what I hear in contemporary country music, especially in male performers: country affectations on top of what otherwise might be perfectly serviceable singing. It lacks authenticity. I’m not sure if I’m going to stick with them, or not.
Collected Tracks:
- If You Wanna Get to Heaven
P!nk: TRUSTFALL (2023)*
Excepting her first record — which I think even she doesn’t like — I’m down for all of P!nk. Great pop music. Great voice. Great writing. Great messaging. Great image. AND, through hearsay, she evidently puts on an awesome show. I’m down for this woman’s whole schtick. And I think she gets better with age. No one could get me to go to a stadium show, but I’d seriously consider dropping a month’s pay to see her in a Vegas residency. AND WHY DOESN’T SHE HAVE A VEGAS RESIDENCY?!?!?!? Keep goin’ girl!
Collected Tracks:
- Turbulence
- Kids in Love (featuring First Aid Kit)
- Never Gonna Not Dance Again
- Runaway
- Last Call
- Irrelevant
- Just Like Fire/Heartbreaker
- Nothing Compares 2 U (featuring Brandi Carlile) (Live)
MusicHead 
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