The Relationship As It Relates to Hearing a New Record (or albums that fit like sweaters)

So I put in a new record today, something I've had but haven't listened to. Glasvegas. Darn good band many say. I was listening to it on the way to band practice tonight. It made me think of how funny it is to hear an album for the first time. It's like the beginning of a new friendship or romantic affair. At first you get to know eachother. They talk, you listen. You ask questions and they provide answers. It's a learning experience.

The next couple of listens will either make it or break it for you. You either begin to fall in love with what they're doing or you don't. Will this be a fast and furious but torrid affair? One that is short lived and doomed to crash and burn. Or will it be more like that slow falling in love when you've found that special someone you just can't imagine being without. You spin it over and over because you can't get her smell out of your head.

Within a few listens you know this. The album will either become part of your regular rotation or it will be relegated to a spot in a sleeve in a book you don't ever really open come to think of it.

Some albums are like a favorite sweater for me. They're old friends I keep coming back to time after time. They just fit in the right moments that call for them. And I look good in those sweaters. Others are good for the moment and get placed in the archives (or dresser droors) only to come out when placed on a genius playlist or party shuffle. You're happy to see them sure, but by the end of the night you may be reminded why they were put there in the first place.

More recently I've been really digging the british pop / rock scene. Bands like The Wombats, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys, Glasvegas and The Zutons seem to make fantastic genius lists. Don't believe me? Try it. You'll shake it till your pants fall down. Another favorite of the moment is Thriving Ivory. Something about his voice. And speaking of favorite sweaters, try on The Working Title or some of Lovedrugs earlier material (I'm not a big fan of the new album, it just didn't fit right). The Cool Kids provide some good Hip-Hop and I feel like Santogold just can not be ignored right now.

At any rate, happy hump day to anyone reading. See you tomorrow.

-Mike the Ryan