I’ve made a couple references to potential “music reviews” and would like to expand on that.

Being a musician, I listen to a lot of music. Obviously. One facet of this is that I have a strict personal policy of purchasing one new album (I use this in the broad sense of the term – I’m not a vinyl fetishist) each week. (And listening to it right away, of course – I know a few people who do similarly with purchases but keep them in the cellophane for months.) Also, note that I stress the word purchase. (Read: Don’t steal music!)

I do this for a few reasons:
1. I’m always listening to something new. Keeps the ears and mind nimble.
2. I can consistently expand my music library/collection.
3. It’s a small, steadily attainable goal. Aim small, miss small. 🙂

Now, there are some criteria (could be relevant for future context):
1. Though the music is new for me, it doesn’t necessarily need to be a new release (though it occasionally is). For instance, two of my favorite albums purchased in March were released in 1977 and 2009, respectively. It could be a seminal album I never got around to. It could also be an obscure gem (I hope, at least).
2. If I go overboard one week (i.e., purchased 2, 3, or 6 albums), I can take a couple weeks off because it’ll take me time to digest the new recordings. Depending on size and scope, a box set can wipe out an entire month.
3. The key word is eclectic. Unlike a number of people I know, I don’t strive for an eclectic collection simply for sake of having an eclectic collection (seriously listening to only 15% of it). That’s just my taste. Music library aside, I’m a classically trained musician, raised on rock and pop, having been performing professionally as a jazz, classical, and rock/pop musician for the better part of a decade. I’m the musician I am because of my wide-ranging influences. Purchases over the last few months include Billy Joel, Bach, Medieval Norwegian chant, Rosemary Clooney, Schönberg, and The Grateful Dead.

Finally: why?
1. Selfish: It’ll provide me with my own “listening journal” of sorts.
2. Unselfish: I’m always looking for new music, and I hope that others on that constant search may find this “series”/topic to be 1) of interest, and 2) possibly helpful. Because of the wide range of styles, it may not always be for everyone, but there’ll at least be a bit of something for everybody.

I’ve been doing this (almost) weekly on Twitter (@michaelteager) since March. The character limit has been frustrating for content, but convenient because I haven’t had the time to write a couple paragraphs (all that’s necessary, really) on each one. I may “cheat” and initially feature a few recordings purchased in the last 6 months or so, as there’ve been a few heavies that I’ve been dying to publicly praise. 🙂 Though the aim of this to eventually feature both “new” and “old” acquisitions.

The first one will be coming within the next week. I haven’t narrowed it down to one yet, but there are a few contenders. 🙂 Until then…