An experiment in trying my patience: Day 1

Gazing upon my music collection, I can't help but notice two things:

1) I need to learn instruments exist outside the realm of acoustic guitar.

2) There is too much music on my computer that I haven't yet listened to.

The first is unavoidable. I like the music that I like, and nothing can change that. It probably makes a pussy, but that's okay. If you can name a movie then I've probably cried at the end of it, so I am under no illusions regarding my manliness.
The second however, can be. So, in a move partly inspired by the Av Club's Popless, I am going to listen to only new music for the next couple of weeks. That's right. No crying myself to sleep listening to Elliott Smith, or just crying whilst listening to Jenny Lewis. Hell, I'm not even going to listen to the Jayhawks and pass off their ideas as my own.

Chances are this idea is stupid, and will end in me getting drunk and listening to Under the Blacklight within the first twelve hours. But damnit, life is like a lemonade stall, you can't make lemonade without cracking some lemons. Especially if it was Liz Lemon. Man, I'd crack her. Eh? Eh!

The benefit of this is threefold: I'll free up space on my hard drive by deleting shitty music, I'll broaden my musical horizons, and maybe, just maybe, I'll learn a thing or two about music. And life, can't forget life.

The only exceptions will be music that I'm learning to play. And whatever I feel like listening to at the time.

But I am going to *try* and only listen to new music.
Going through the Alphabet alphabetically (as is so often the case) I'm going to start with....




AC/DC
Back In Black



Length of Neglect: A couple of months. I got it from my cousin on Christmas. Not as a actual present, please understand, I was just given it.

Reason for Neglect: I had other things to do. Plus there's my natural hesitation to avoid listening to anything Australian.

Thoughts:

Upon hearing this for the first time, I can't help but notice that:

A) It's good.

B) Angus Young and company have the mental capacity of twelve year olds, and the musical aptitude of geniuses.

Seriously, is every second line in this record a sexual innuendo? Sure, I like chicks too, but it hardly seems like they're even trying to disguise their dirty little lines. I understand that people found it harder to detect sexual messages in that tumultuous decade known as the eighties, but the undertones are like asperger's at a Threadless convention.
I'd like to say that I was surprised, even shocked at the frequency of their boasting , but the first track is called Let Me Put My Love In You, so I suppose that I had it coming (Oh dear god, I read that line and snickered, I've listened to them too much.)
Anyway, it sure is a good CD. Everything just seems to fit together with a precision that one wouldn't typically be applied to hard rock. The multiple guitar solos intertwine perfectly with Young's dementure influenced crazy man method of singing/screaming.
What else is there to say that hasn't already been said by others ? Back In Black hardly holds any surprises, but I certainly feel an overwhelming sense of patriotism after hearing it.


Keep it or Kill it? Keep it




Blind Faith
Blind Faith

Length of Neglect: About the same as AC/DC. I got this one of my uncle, who I will just say now, has one of the finest CD/Record collections I've seen.

Reason For Neglect: I'm honestly not sure. I'm been listening to Layla and other Assorted Love Songs to quench my Clapton thirst, so that my explain my tardiness. My forty year tardiness.
However, it does not explain why I felt the need to use the term 'Clapton Thirst'

Thoughts:

I'm going to say something. I think Eric Clapton is overrated.

I love much of his music, and I understand the profound influence on some musicans. I just don't think that much of his back catalogue justifies his legacy. For every brilliant Blues song he has made, it feels like there are (at least!) two boring others drawing on a more reggae or pop influenced sound. Don't get me wrong, I have enormous respect for his longevity (over 40 years at this point!) and when he's on, there are few that can match him.
Blind Faith's only CD consists of but six songs (which are all rather long), but is one his career highlights. Made Post Yardbirds and Pre Dominoes, it's just as bluesy as Clapton ever got on any of his solo records. The albums opener (and highlight) Had To Cry Today as a nine minute exercise in electric perfection, whilst Well...All Right's chorus strays perfectly into pop territory.
To think that Clapton (and the other members) were younger than I am right now when this recorded is equal parts staggering and depressing.


Keep it or Kill It? Keep it. This is Vodka Drinking music right here.