Weekly CD Program
The Weekly CD Program (2006)
some history
Back in December 2005, I took a look at my CD collection and realized that it was severely outdated, and small to boot. It consisted mostly of genres and styles that I was interested in during my late childhood and adolescence, but no longer listened to.
I wanted to acquire more music to give me something to listen to and to accurately reflect my current taste in music, and I didn't want to pirate it. Just looking at the amount of CDs I'd have to buy to get my library up to date was scary and prohibitively expensive, and I didn't want to buy too many, or otherwise give up. I came up with the idea to buy one CD, every week, for a year. I thought up the idea in December and started it in January, as my New Years resolution for 2006. I wanted to keep track of my purchases and developing tastes too, and write about them here, so this section of my website followed shortly.
the program
The basic premise of the program was simple: every week, on or around Friday, I purchase a new CD. That's it. I tried to keep a published list of CDs that I wanted to check out, but in practice I didn't keep it as up-to-date as everything else, so usually I ended up picking something completely random or based on a previous purchase. The weekly CD program was thought up as a way to quickly build my library of favorites while at the same time broadening my music horizons, and not break the bank in the process, and in that sense it was a success: I got to explore old genres, discover new ones, and my music tastes have evolved and refined as a result. When I started out I didn't know what I was into, and now I know that I'm a big fan of Indie Rock, among other things.
I've included here, for posterity (and because this project took too damn long to be forgotten), a summary of the selections I made because of the program. For now, the program is over, but considering its success I may decide to try it again in future years. Read more »
Friday Update 11/10
Submitted by Trigear on Sun, 11/12/2006 - 12:00pm.
Hello folks, sorry again for the delay, but better late than never, right?
This week's CD is Death Cab for Cutie - We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes (link). I heard this was one of their best albums, but upon listening it, I find the caliber of the songwriting and the recording quality doesn't compare to Plans and Transatlanticism. It sounds more like a demo tape, if you ask me, and that's not a good thing. It's still Death Cab, which is nice I guess, but it feels too much like listening to a well-developed band's early misses.
Friday Update 11/03
Submitted by Trigear on Tue, 11/07/2006 - 11:54am.
Hey guys, sorry about the delay. This week's CD is Belle & Sebastian - The Boy with the Arab Strap (link). I'd heard comparisons between B&S and the Decemberists, so I decided to check it out to see what the buzz was about. While I like the album on its own, though, I don't see any similarity to The Decemberists, and that's largely disappointing. Oh well.
Friday Update 10/27
Submitted by Trigear on Sun, 10/29/2006 - 9:37pm.
Hello friends, it's time once again for another Friday Update!
This week's CD is The Decemberists - The Tain (link). This unique 20-minute EP consists of one track: an epic story about an early Irish cattle raid, with low, rambling riffs heavily inspired by Black Sabbath while still retaining that distinct Decemberists sound. Lead singer Colin Meloy's nasally voice seems almost out of place during some sections song, specifically the parts that closely resemble Sabbath. This isn't an issue during the parts that sound more like typical Decemberists. Read more »
Friday Update 10/20
Submitted by Trigear on Wed, 10/25/2006 - 8:37pm.
Well guys, I'm almost a full week late this time. Sorry about that, I've been somewhat ill since last Friday. But enough about that, let's get down to business, shall we?
Last week's purchase (I can't say this week anymore, can I?) was The Decemberists - Her Majesty (link). This completes my collection of Decemberists albums, though there is an EP I mean to get my hands on soon as well. As I've already said countless times, I can't get enough of this band. If you don't believe me, check out my music charts. I've been listening to them non-stop for the past few weeks. Nothing else, literally. Read more »
Friday Update 10/13
Submitted by Trigear on Sat, 10/14/2006 - 4:23pm.
Hello boys and girls! Trigear checking in again with another great CD to tell you about. This week's CD purchase is Of Montreal - The Gay Parade (link). This record has been likened to an indie pop Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: eclectic, experimental, light-hearted. The band and album were recommended to me because I liked the Decemberists. I wouldn't say they sound alike, but they have their genre in common, as well as a light-hearted tone.
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