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.
The Psychedelic Furs: THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS (1980)*
Aside from “Pretty in Pink” I’m wholly unfamiliar with The Psychedelic Furs’ work. Time to remedy that. Truthfully, I’ve never been into this lead singer, but it’s a legacy band that I’d like to know better just for the sake of it.
Collected Tracks
- Pulse
- Flowers
Queen: A DAY AT THE RACES (1976)
I seem to have skipped over this one on the rotation. Going back to pick it up.
Collected Tracks
- Tie Your Mother Down
- You and I
- Somebody to Love
- Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy
Queen: FLASH GORDON (1980)
I can’t help it. It’s just the right amount of cheese. I like this record.
Collected Tracks
- Battle Theme
- The Hero
- Flash
- The Hero (October 1980…Revisited)
The Quick: FASCINATING RHYTHM (1982)*
If it weren’t for the lead singer I wouldn’t even know this was the same band. WOW! “Zulu” is cartoonishly racist while ignorantly trying not to be. Such a dull and disappointing record.
Collected Tracks
- N/A
R.E.M.: OUT OF TIME (1991)*
This is the first R.E.M. record I’ve come to from an era in which I would have been aware of them. “Losing My Religion” and “Shiny Happy People” were huge hits for them. I was 12 years old when this was released and just starting to figure our what my tastes were. R.E.M. may not have been a formative group for me, but they were certainly a positive influence.
Collected Tracks
- Radio Song
- Losing My Religion
- Shiny Happy People
- Texarkana
- Me in Honey
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