Mission

Last June I was in a bookstore and I spotted it. I decided to take a fun little pasttime and turn it into a goal.
A couple months later, I decided I would take the goal and turn it into an elaborate life-long mission.
Soon after, a friend suggested I document my mission. Seeing no reason why the mission should be private, I started this blog.
What have I gotten myself into?


Never Mind the Bollocks
Many times in my life I've wrangled with insecurity over a perception that my preferred artform (music) is viewed as less worthwhile than other artforms (literature, poetry, painting and film). Furthermore, I often feel I am being told that my preferred music (that which has been produced since the advent of recording technology, published by "bands" or "artists" and not "composers"... I suppose a very broad term might be "popular music"?) is less worthwhile than the other kind (classical music), which is real music, music that can actually be called art.

I'm definitely getting over these ideas, due to cultural factors and personal ones. I've found quite a bit of writing about the impacts that albums or musicians (non-classical) have had on people, and how these impacts are as profound as any other artform can create in someone. I've also decided to reject my previous notion, developed primarily out of my own struggles with a remarkably low reading speed, that listening to a well-made album is a less substantive use of my time than reading a novel. While it is true that I am not a good reader, it is false to think that choosing an alternative artform equates to settling for an inferior one.


Appetite for Instruction
In part to explore the idea that listening can be as worthwhile as reading, and in part just because I've unconsciously wanted to do so for a long time anyway, I've decided to take a tour through the best that popular music has to offer. Figuring that self-study still requires some sort of structure, I've adopted a few guides for this tour. I've compiled a list of what I consider to be the most well-respected albums of all time. Actually, it's a list of lists, but more on that later. Some might say that relying on critics and rankings gets too close to being told what to enjoy or to think, and that such a method would lead me to feel that anything without a reputation is not worth listening to. I half agree with this. On one hand, I'd like to believe that a well-justified opinion should at least be appreciated, if not adopted. On the other hand, I'll be trying my best to listen to each album critically, to form my own educated opinion of them. Having said that, I'd like nothing more than to find something of value in each album I listen to. I'm taking this project on myself, so any time I waste is my own fault. I'd much rather get something out of each album, whether it's a new addition to my permanent rotation, a better understanding of the limits to which an instrument can be pushed, or maybe just an insight into the sociological climate of a given time. I'm also hoping that I'll be able to recognize a nice, coherent evolution in the music. This is the main reason I'll be listening to these albums in chronological order, or at least as near to chronological order as I can.

Since we're talking about well-respected albums, I should probably define these terms. But I don't think that definitions would help, so instead, let me give you the criteria for what I've decided to include....


Making the Cut
In 2006, the book I purchased in June was published. The book that started this whole thing is called "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die." I decided I would, before I did. This book includes selections that were each published as cohesive whole unit, a single artistic document with a distinct release date and duration. Live recordings are included, provided they fit this criteria. Not included were compilations of previous works by a single artist, such as greatest-hits collections or collections of singles released before long-playing records were viewed as a means of releasing a longer musical document. For this reason, the earliest inclusion in the list is a Frank Sinatra record released in 1955. Also not included were compilations by multiple artists, unless an individual such as producer Phil Spector directed the artistic vision of all the songs included. This book was revised each year since it's first publication, so to the best of my ability I've included every entry from each revision, totaling well more than 1001.

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine published a list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time," with much looser criteria for what an album is than the "1001" book. This list includes greatest-hits collections, anthologies, box sets, retrospectives (including two complete career retrospectives), soundtracks, compilations and even a CD re-release of two distinct albums, which was given a single listing. This list was revised later to remove some compilations and redundant material (such as the case where two Robert Johnson collections are removed and his "The Complete Recordings" is added) and provide room for extra entries. Any collection included on either version of this list is included in my mission. Interestingly, this list is the only one I have included in my mission in which albums are ranked.

I've included any work that's inspired a book in the 33⅓ series. I figure any work of music that someone can write a good-sized book about (and that someone will publish a book about, and that many will purchase a book about) will surely be worth devoting an hour or two of my time to checking out. (I think it will greatly help me to sustain my motivation in this project knowing that nearly all of the individual items on the list will take up no more than an hour or so of my life unless I care to revisit them.) These items are almost exclusively studio albums, though some live albums and collections are present as well.

I've also included any album that has won the Grammy for Album Of The Year. This adds some interesting items to the list, including soundtracks, compilations, spoken-word comedy and Phil Collins. this also ensures that my mission will never end, unless they stop giving out Grammies.

(Out of the items in the four categories listed so far, only one album is included in all of them. First person to tell me which album it is wins a prize. A cheap prize.)

Finally, I've given some close friends and family the opportunity to suggest albums that they feel should be heard by every person during their lifetime. Admittedly, this is partly to help me get to know my loved ones better, by connecting to them through music. Hopefully I won't offend anyone.

Oh, I've also given myself the freedom to include anything I personally feel like including. For example, Dee Dee Ramone's rap album is interesting even out of context, but after listening to the prenatal stages, birth, development and maturity of rap music, I'm sure I will see it in a whole new light. This is also a mechanism for me including any album or artist that I've heard an intriguing amount of reputation about, but which somehow doesn't make it onto the list via any other criteria.


Dancing About Architecture
I'll be writing about each album as I listen to them, offering some opinions but mostly talking about what I've observed in them regarding the evolution of music, the sociological value of the album, etc. Again, I'm hoping to find as much value as I can in every album, and to learn as much as I can from each one, while still allowing myself to have opinions.

There may also be entries that aren't about specific albums, but more about general observations, patterns or whatever else. Just a heads up. There may also be contests, such as "Write a Haiku About Why I Should Include An Album Of Your Choice" or something like that.

If you take issue with anything I say, whether it's because you think I'm wrong, you think I'm misinformed, or you think I'm an idiot, don't hesitate to tell me. If you appreciate anything in here, let me know that too.

PS: I'm not affiliated with any author, publishing company, artist, band, record company, or anything. Well, at this point I'm not. I'm just a guy with a hobby, writing about a hobby.