I’ve made a couple references to potential “music reviews” and would like to expand on that.<\/p>\n
Being a musician, I listen to a lot<\/em> 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<\/strong>. (Read: Don’t steal music!)<\/p>\n I do this for a few reasons: Now, there are some criteria (could be relevant for future context): Finally: why?
\n1. I’m always listening to something new. Keeps the ears and mind nimble.
\n2. I can consistently expand my music library\/collection.
\n3. It’s a small, steadily attainable goal. Aim small, miss small. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
\n1. Though the music is new for me<\/em>, 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).
\n2. 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.
\n3. The key word is eclectic<\/strong>. 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, Sch\u00f6nberg, and The Grateful Dead.<\/p>\n
\n1. Selfish: It’ll provide me with my own “listening journal” of sorts.
\n2. 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.<\/p>\n