I absolutely would not have given Drab Majesty a fair shake if I had seen the picture first. So it's not just a you thing. It's a we thing. My vote is for no pictures.
Hey, I play other games besides ESO. ;) Trip Villain is amazing to the point that I feel like it was made for me specifically. And I will give Drab Majesty another chance. Keep the footnotes and I agree about no visuals. Ears first, then eyes. Looking forward to next week.
Just signed up and already enjoying it. I consider it a sacred duty to continue to listen to new music - my mom grew up listening to Irish and country music only, and when my sister came home with Blizzard of Oz ~1981, mom really listened the album and told us it was a little heavy with the instruments but that there was a beautiful melody in there. And then she listened to Crazy Train so many times that the cassette broke. At age 74, her favorite band is Alice in Chains.
I see that I am in the minority regarding videos. I get it. But I don't use Spotify or Apple so I just wound up searching for your recommendations on YouTube anyway. I look for videos that play the song but are only accompanied by a single image. So, in other words, not actual "music videos". In fairness, it would cost you only time to include video links, and people who don't want them on principle could just click their preferred streaming service link.
I may never have mentioned this to you, but, in my opinion, strreaming services are the new formats, analagous to lps, 8-tracks, cassettes, etc. So if I were trying to share music recommendations, I wouldn't overlook any free streaming service. Just my $.02
It's funny, the whole reason this came up at all is that I couldn't find a static image YouTube clip of the Oska song--just the "music video". I could include them, and also Amazon Music and Bandcamp where appropriate. But is that just too many links?
Actually, for that one I had to watch the proper music video. The way you present the links is very tidy. I wouldn't worry about there being too many just yet.
I love this! As somebody who has until now only used Spotify to find artists I already know and then listen to their whole albums over and over like a true OLD, I really appreciate your newsletter. I love that you don't include the video link because I read the lyrics and really just listened to the song. It may be as close to meditation as I ever get. Thank you!
CONGRATS! Love this already, as I knew I would. That Oska track had me listening to her whole album and now I'm mad that it's not out yet on vinyl, because of course I'm one of those guys now. Looking forward to future installments, so thanks so much!
I love this newsletter. I loved listening to the music while I cleaned the house. I love reading the things you write, say and think. Also I like the keywords. The Voltage particularly. Congrats on this. Excited for the next one
Hey Finnegan! Love the newsletter and I'm really digging Drab Majesty! As for the "For Fans Of.." section, may I be so bold as to suggest Talking Heads? I'm a huge fan of the band and last year, I discovered a band called Pottery that I really like that comes kiiiiinda close to the Talking Heads sound but with a little bit of The Jam mixed in. Anyhow, the newsletter is all types of awesome and I can't wait for the next one. Cheers!
It's so weird you're suggesting this. I literally just got home from seeing American Utopia and was thinking I might try them next. It's a real thinker, though...
I agree with your decision not to include videos and photos with the musical selections. For all of the reasons you stated. I'm also pleased to see the new Tears For Fears included. Just got the album but haven't had a chance to listen. Will this be a two-way street, per chance? I might have some suggestions.
Hope you dig the TFF album. There's only one or two tracks I don't love, and nothing I hate. I'm still figuring out what works best, but I'm sure there will be some back and forth--especially for the paid subscribers. I'm always open to suggestions personally, and if they make sense for the newsletter, I will make sure to give credit where credit is due!
Love that I can hear your voice as I read this. Use of footnotes, aside - I appreciated and enjoyed this immensely. Big fan of Finnegan Fridays on SUPD. Congrats on this new endeavor.
Yeah, I'm still on the fence about the footnotes. On the one hand, it allows me to clarify certain things and also make dumb little jokes. But are they distracting, visually?
I absolutely would not have given Drab Majesty a fair shake if I had seen the picture first. So it's not just a you thing. It's a we thing. My vote is for no pictures.
So dude from Drab Majesty isn’t Spike Jonze? 🤔 leans that way fer sure
Hey, I play other games besides ESO. ;) Trip Villain is amazing to the point that I feel like it was made for me specifically. And I will give Drab Majesty another chance. Keep the footnotes and I agree about no visuals. Ears first, then eyes. Looking forward to next week.
Hi Matt
Hi Jeff!
How is it that this newsletter is more organized and articulate than any training or email I have received from the agency I work for?
I love this so much already! I'm a big fan and am excited to a. see the music recs and b. read your writing.
Your weekly takes on Pete's show are my favorite!
Hey, thanks! Still working out some kinks, but I'm trying to adhere to the mantra "Write what you'd want to read." Thanks for climbing aboard.
Just signed up and already enjoying it. I consider it a sacred duty to continue to listen to new music - my mom grew up listening to Irish and country music only, and when my sister came home with Blizzard of Oz ~1981, mom really listened the album and told us it was a little heavy with the instruments but that there was a beautiful melody in there. And then she listened to Crazy Train so many times that the cassette broke. At age 74, her favorite band is Alice in Chains.
Now that I've had a few listens I am amazed how good the Tears For Fears record is. As it should be.
Super listenable. There's nothing truly skip-worthy on it, with the possible exception of "My Demons."
I see that I am in the minority regarding videos. I get it. But I don't use Spotify or Apple so I just wound up searching for your recommendations on YouTube anyway. I look for videos that play the song but are only accompanied by a single image. So, in other words, not actual "music videos". In fairness, it would cost you only time to include video links, and people who don't want them on principle could just click their preferred streaming service link.
I may never have mentioned this to you, but, in my opinion, strreaming services are the new formats, analagous to lps, 8-tracks, cassettes, etc. So if I were trying to share music recommendations, I wouldn't overlook any free streaming service. Just my $.02
It's funny, the whole reason this came up at all is that I couldn't find a static image YouTube clip of the Oska song--just the "music video". I could include them, and also Amazon Music and Bandcamp where appropriate. But is that just too many links?
Actually, for that one I had to watch the proper music video. The way you present the links is very tidy. I wouldn't worry about there being too many just yet.
I love this! As somebody who has until now only used Spotify to find artists I already know and then listen to their whole albums over and over like a true OLD, I really appreciate your newsletter. I love that you don't include the video link because I read the lyrics and really just listened to the song. It may be as close to meditation as I ever get. Thank you!
That makes me so happy to hear. Thanks for signing up!
I think someone might have spilled a little Duran Duran in the Trip Villain sauce…
(I don't understand this)
Listen to "Won" and imagine Duran Duran.
Hmm, I hear it now. Nice pull.
CONGRATS! Love this already, as I knew I would. That Oska track had me listening to her whole album and now I'm mad that it's not out yet on vinyl, because of course I'm one of those guys now. Looking forward to future installments, so thanks so much!
Yeah, I love the whole album, especially "ABC and "Hallucinating". Thanks for reading, man!
I love this newsletter. I loved listening to the music while I cleaned the house. I love reading the things you write, say and think. Also I like the keywords. The Voltage particularly. Congrats on this. Excited for the next one
You are, as always, my hero.
Hey Finnegan! Love the newsletter and I'm really digging Drab Majesty! As for the "For Fans Of.." section, may I be so bold as to suggest Talking Heads? I'm a huge fan of the band and last year, I discovered a band called Pottery that I really like that comes kiiiiinda close to the Talking Heads sound but with a little bit of The Jam mixed in. Anyhow, the newsletter is all types of awesome and I can't wait for the next one. Cheers!
It's so weird you're suggesting this. I literally just got home from seeing American Utopia and was thinking I might try them next. It's a real thinker, though...
I agree with your decision not to include videos and photos with the musical selections. For all of the reasons you stated. I'm also pleased to see the new Tears For Fears included. Just got the album but haven't had a chance to listen. Will this be a two-way street, per chance? I might have some suggestions.
Hope you dig the TFF album. There's only one or two tracks I don't love, and nothing I hate. I'm still figuring out what works best, but I'm sure there will be some back and forth--especially for the paid subscribers. I'm always open to suggestions personally, and if they make sense for the newsletter, I will make sure to give credit where credit is due!
I don't like any of this music but I liked the entire newsletter! You did it!
I can see that. Who do you like? I don't know that we've ever talked music, but my stab-in-the-dark guess is...Tribe Called Quest?
Nailed it. De La Soul, Tribe, Public Enemy. But I also love Marvin Gaye, the Spinners, etc.
There will be something you like...eventually!
My random thoughts on this first issue...
- The OSKA tune is lovely! Not really my cup of tea most of the time, but it caught me at just the right time.
- "For fans of..." – my go-to is and always will be Pet Shop Boys.
- I'm in favor of omitting photos and embedded videos, and letting the listening do the work.
And just like that, I've become a paying subscriber. Looking forward to the next issue!
Excellent! Thanks for the thoughts (and also the money!)
Love that I can hear your voice as I read this. Use of footnotes, aside - I appreciated and enjoyed this immensely. Big fan of Finnegan Fridays on SUPD. Congrats on this new endeavor.
Yeah, I'm still on the fence about the footnotes. On the one hand, it allows me to clarify certain things and also make dumb little jokes. But are they distracting, visually?