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The Rotation, #46

stack of lp records close up

A. J. Croce: THAT’S ME IN THE BAR (1995)*

I remember watching the Jim Croce episode of VH1’s BEHIND THE MUSIC and his kid saying that “He gave me my career.” I never thought much of it, and assumed he just traveled the country doing a Jim Croce tribute show. All these years later I learn that he’s had a completely independent music career since the mid-90s.

His voice is completely different quality than his father’s. More of a raspy Dr. John quality. This record is far more blues oriented than I would have expected. All in all, a pleasant surprise.

Collected Tracks

  • That’s Me in the Bar
  • Sign on the Line
  • Night Out on the Town

ABC: UP (1989)*

I honestly can’t remember if I heard this one last time through or not. I don’t have any tracks from it. Does that mean I didn’t like anything, or that I haven’t gotten there yet. Who’s to say. Doing it now.

I’ve really liked ABC’s previous work, but while I’m sure this record seemed exactly in line with current club music in 1989, the constant boom-sis beats just seem cliche now and overall this is a dull record.

Collected Tracks

  • N/A

AC/DC: BLOW UP YOUR VIDEO (1988)*

Collected Tracks

  • Heatseeker
  • Meanstreak
  • This Means War

Adele: 25 (2015)*

Another one I can’t remember if I heard or not. Is it new to me, or just forgettable?

Largely forgettable. Just more of the same from Adele.

Collected Tracks

  • Send My Love (To Your Newest Lover)

Aerosmith: PUMP (1989)

Been listening to this record since I was an adolescent. Arguably the best Aerosmith album after they reformed in the 80s.

I did decide that I really don’t need “Love in an Elevator” though. It’s pretty dumb.

Collected Tracks

  • Young Lust
  • F.I.N.E.
  • Water Song/Janie’s Got a Gun
  • Dulcimer Stomp/The Other Side
  • My Girl
  • What It Takes

Aimee Mann: WHATEVER (1993)

This is a record I ripped from a public library collection many years ago. I always thought that I should like Aimee Mann more than I do. Maybe I’ll appreciate her more now that I’m older.

Collected Tracks

  • Fifty Years After the Fair
  • Could’ve Been Anyone
  • Put Me on Top
  • Mr. Harris
  • I Know There’s a Word
  • I’ve Had It
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 10th 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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