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The Rotation, #35

stack of lp records close up

Them: TIME OUT! TIME IN FOR THEM (1968)*

I’ve really been impressed with the post-Van Morrison era of Them. I love Van, but I think the band is better without him.

Collected Tracks

  • Time Out for Time In
  • Bent Over You
  • We’ve All Agreed to Help

Three Dog Night: COMING DOWN YOUR WAY (1975)*

I’ve loved Three Dog Night since I was a teenager, but I’m not into this record. Just seems like more of the same.

Collected Tracks

  • Lean Back, Hold Steady

Todd Rundgren: RUNT (1970)*

I’ve been aware of Rundgren for years, obviously. Only recently did I decide to dive in. This is a strong debut from him full of songs I’ve never heard before. I like it!

Collected Tracks

  • Broke Down and Busted
  • We Gotta Get You a Woman
  • Devil’s Bite
  • Birthday Carol

Tom Lehrer: MORE OF TOM LEHRER (1959)*

What is there to say about Tom Lehrer?!?

Collected Tracks

  • Poisoning Pigeons in the Park
  • A Christmas Carol
  • The Elements
  • Oedipus Rex
  • The Masochism Tango
  • We Will All Go Together When We Go

Tom Paxton: I’M THE MAN THAT BUILT THE BRIDGES (1962)*

Screenshot

A live recording from the Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village. Paxton’s pendulum swings were so big! One track, he’s delving deeply into social causes, the next he’s singing silly songs for kids. He’s such a treasure. I wish more people knew his name, these days.

Collected Tracks

  • I’m the Man that Build the Bridges
  • The Marvelous Toy
  • Goin’ to the Zoo
What is The Rotation?

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. Above 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.

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