2024 in Music (and Beyond)
This morning, I received my last.fm “Playback 24” report for my “scrobbles,” or each song I listened to via Roon which I installed in my homelab back in May. Some of it is pretty predictable, really, and some is just odd. I usually listen in the morning while waking up and doing my start-of-the-day work, like checking email. Currently, my system is a Sonos soundbar and sub, but this year it should turn into my real system after my sound shed gets built.
This report gets me thinking about my future listening. Back when I had my previous system, my listening was pretty haphazard—like having the munchies and looking though the cupboard and sampling anything that seemed interesting. I’m not sure this is the best approach. I think it had to do with a new way of listening: streaming. Back in the day, listening was a bit more of a commitment: I had to decide what CD to put in the player. This meant getting up and moving. No, it was not onerous, but it was enough to commit me to at least a few songs from a single disc. It was more deliberate. With streaming, well, listening sort of becomes a stream of consciousness: one song would lead me to think about another, and instead of concentrating on the music, I would be cueing up the next song, or songs. Sometimes I wouldn’t even finish the song I was playing in anticipation of what was coming next—the equivalent of running through an art gallery.
Well, streaming is going to be my standard way of listening, so I will have to be a bit more restrained about how I do it. Sure, some nights I might want a variety, so skipping around will be fine, but I will finish all songs I start. I want to also have nights where I pick a single album and listen to the whole thing, especially classic albums that I should know anyway. To encourage myself, I hope to keep a listening journal that documents each album I listen to. I thought I’d develop a template, including an infobox.
Listening Journal Post Template
| Moving Pictures | |
|---|---|
| |
| Artist | Rush |
| Release Year | 1981 |
| Genre | Progressive Rock |
| Date(s) | 2025-01-02 |
| Environment | Headphones, late evening |
Here’s a basic outline of everything that could go in a listening post.
Introduction
Provide context for the album: its place in the artist’s discography, its historical or cultural significance, and maybe why I chose it for this session. I’d also mention any prior familiarity I have with the artist or album.
Initial Impressions
Record my first thoughts after listening, focusing on how the album feels as a whole. Highlight any immediate emotional reactions, standout tracks, or noticeable themes.
Sound Quality and Production
Comment on the technical aspects of the recording: clarity, dynamic range, mixing, mastering, tone, and soundstage. Note how the production enhances (or detracts from) the listening experience.
Track-by-Track Highlights
Provide brief reflections on each track or focus on standout songs, considering elements like instrumentation, lyrics, mood, and how the track fits into the album’s narrative. List my top tracks and explain why they stand out.
Themes and Lyrics
Explore recurring motifs, narrative arcs, or lyrical depth and highlight specific lines or themes that resonate with me.
Musical Influences and Style
Analyze the album’s stylistic roots or influences and perhaps compare it to other works by the artist or similar artists.
Personal Connection
Reflect on how the album aligns with my tastes, memories, or current state of mind. Mention whether it challenges or reinforces my preferences.
Overall Impressions
Summary: Did the album meet or exceed my expectations? Would I recommend it to others? Why or why not? Will I listen to it again?
Rating
Rate the album on a scale (e.g., 1 to 10, stars, etc.) or use descriptive labels like “Essential,” “Recommended,” “For Fans Only.” I’ll have to think about how to approach this one; maybe it should go in the infobox?
Closing Thoughts
Reflect on what I learned from the album and how it contributes to my appreciation of music as a whole. Note whether this experience inspires further exploration of the artist or genre.
What am I missing? Of course, this is exhaustive, and it may not work for every album I listen to. Some of these sections may even require a bit of research—something that could further influence my appreciation of the music or artist. Perhaps, I should begin by reevaluating my top ten albums.