Exchange.

Each month Tim and I will be buying each other a brand new compact disc.

The purpose? 

You may well ask.

I've read so many opinions of the (supposedly) greatest albums of all time. 

I buy them. 

I'm all too often disappointed by them. 

I give them away.

I weep.

For example I read so much about the following two sonic abominations:

(I bought them thinking they must be great as so many people waxed on about them in revered tones).

My considered, word rich summaries*;

Van Morrison - 'Astral Weeks'. Absolute tripe from start to finish with no redeeming features at all.

Bjork - 'Medulla'. Utterly cringeworthy, self indulgent, embarrassing balls.

So; far better to take the advice of a musically learned friend rather than some anonymous reviewer Charlie. 

So once a month I will give Tim a C.D which I rate highly. 

He will do the same for me. 

(Obviously we will establish that neither of us have heard or own it beforehand)

First off:

EXCHANGE NUMBER 1 

January 2013

I gave Tim a copy of Echo and the bunnymen's debut LP 'Crocodiles'. 

A storming debut in my extremely humble opinion.  

He liked it:

Tim's review - 'Crocodiles'

I received a minty fresh copy of 'Black Holes & Revelations'  by Muse.

I own nothing by this band. 

Couldn't tell you the name of any tune or famous hit. Nada.

Going in blind as it were but with an open mind. 

Have read various opinions over the years. 

Didn't read anything that made me think they would float my boat. 

That's the point I suppose. 

I'd formed and opinion without hearing anything at all.

I have avoided the band through some nameless critic and may have done myself a disservice.

I had.

What a belter of an album!

Big, big sounds with some memorable songs. 

At times almost too much coming out at for a chap to process from the tannoys. 

Just when I thought they had reached a peak they scampered off to cook up another crescendo. 

At least 7 great songs out of 11. 

Hell of a sound for 3 young fellows. 

Lyrics veered into the complicated, sci fi-ish territory but I think pop music should be something out of the norm.  

Yes, At times it stumbled onto proggy, Genesis-type waters. 

Yes Pia was right that it occasionally resembled an (albeit good) Queen tribute band album. 

Ways away from what I would normally listen to and all the better for it.

I listened to it once all the way through. 

Then again soon after.  

It is now in the car and I've listened to it several times.

I'm going to buy a couple more of their C.D's on the weekend.

Mission accomplished. 

I heard a new band (to me) and really enjoyed them. 

I'm going to continue listening to the album and buy more. 

Both Tim and I will do our bit to keep the music industry afloat by buying compact discs. 

By December we will both have 12 C.Ds by twelve different artists. 

Ideally we will have both heard some new (to us) and inspiring stuff.

So Muse: January C.D exchange.

One for one. 

Easy 7.46 out of 10. 

For February I will be presenting Tim with a copy of 'Maxinquaye' by Tricky.

I will let you know what I get in return.








* Don't take any notice of anything I say though. 
listen to them yourself and make up your own mind*