I think 1 a week is enough haha. Honestly the only thing I would think to change, and I truly don’t care either way, is changing the day we pick an album. New music comes out on Friday, so I’m often listening to new stuff that weekend, and this website really dies down on the weekends so i feel like conversation doesn’t really start until Mondays. But I don’t feel that strongly about this either way
The only reason I’d be good with 2-3 choices a week is so if peeps don’t like one pick there are other albums they could still react to. It’d also allow for more conversation throughout the week. Wouldn’t be surprised if most people can only get to one of the albums but those who can could then listen and react to the other picks. Its also fun to rec more music
I actually kind of like this idea. I think it would definitely mean more discussion, less dead weeks. And yeah, more music.
2-3 a week seems like a lot imo, a lot of people can't even get to one a week. I get the idea but that's just my two cents. Seems a bit intimidating and I feel like the point is to expose yourself to something new and discuss it, that's part of the fun of it being your turn to pick. Plus we usually have folks in here reccing similar albums to the main picks anyways, but again, this is just my opinion. A better version of 2-3 a week might be having 4-6 people suggest their albums at the top of each month and then the thread just updates every month with a handful of new picks instead of one each week?
I’d vote to keep the one album per week format, and I really like the idea of moving the date to Mondays.
I like the one album a week idea too. I wouldn't mind Aaron's latter idea either. I forgot to post my thoughts about Max Creek btw. Not many thoughts about it, but I did enjoy it despite the length. Definitely nice to throw on for some background music while doing things around the house
Think we can move on past @Swaddle at this point. We’ve tagged them a few times now and they haven’t visited the site in over two months. @I Am Mick it’s your turn!
Currently between three (anniversary hip-hop, hypnagogic pop, or lesser-known indie rock), I'll post something at the end of the word day in a few hours. If anyone has a preference, let me know.
Fuck it, I'm choosing Cindy Lee's What's Tonight to Eternity? Many will likely recognize the name from their latest album, Diamond Jubilee, which topped a number of end-of-the-year lists and is just as good as this one, but much longer and not on streaming services. This album is the more interesting Cindy Lee release (imo) as it was inspired by Karen Carpenter's life and the way Patrick Flegel identified with her struggles. It's also pretty unique, a lo-fi hypnagogic pop record that splits the difference between oldies pop production and melodies with cold, uneasy noise. The Wikipedia page is definitely worth a read if you're interested in the album's inspiration and recording process. I like this pick because I've only been familiar with the album for about a month, so it's relatively new to me, but I've been spinning it on my snowy walk to the bus stop most days after work. I don't think it will be for everyone, but I would be surprised if some folks didn't latch onto it!
Description sounds ace. Will catch up on the other records this week too. Funny how a festive break seems restful until you're actually there. Just wasn't in the headspace to listen to new albums over the last couple of weeks.
Listening to the Max Creek album now and mostly enjoying it, but I'm also very much in the camp of appreciating the playing and wanting either more from the songs or just fully leaning into the shredding. And like you said a page or two back @Wharf Rat - seeing this stuff live helps so much. The jam section of the last Vampire Weekend tour was really cool, as were the jammier parts of the Ryley Walker show I saw last night. Even Jason Isbell kind of gets to that realm too with the longer solos. And all of those artists I come to for the songwriting first.
Also when you see a band so many times you start to have all sorts of memories associated with specific songs and sounds...not that you can't get that from listening to a record so many times but its definitley different and special imo
I’m going to need to listen to this again to gather and articulate my thoughts. It takes a lot of elements from different things I love and mashes it all together. On first impression I’m reminded a bit of Orchid Tapes-type shit like Foxes in Fiction, Fog Lake, Balam Acab if anyone here knows of/remembers these artists. There’s a bit of first album era Animal Collective in there too. Truly eclectic album
Early Animal Collective, Ariel Pink (sorry guys), and Whitney all came to mind when I first spun it. Even pieces of OPN. Really cold-feeling record to me.
For people who find it interesting but don't love it, Diamond Jubilee is much warmer and brighter sounding, less noisy. You just have to stream it on Bandcamp or YouTube.