____twoism

Is there an actual name for that?

Allow me to explain: after becoming a fan of a musician or a band that is still active, the next album they put out is, I think, very personally significant. I think that should have an actual name. It's a big landmark: it's the first time you're actively anticipating music from someone you admire. I found that many of my most memorable music experiences are exactly that. Some examples I can cite off the top of my head:

Boards of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest

I think this was the most memorable instance, because I had already accepted the idea that BoC were a done deal, and because of the beautiful marketing strategy behind the launch, and because of the live stream. I don't think I'll ever forget that.

Squarepusher - Just a Souvenir

This is not only memorable because of the anticipation itself, but also because how shockingly good the album is. It's my second favourite 'Pusher album, just behind Ultravisitor. I love it to bits.

Stereolab - Chemical Chords

Again, this is a huge favourite of mine. I was also shocked not only by how good it is, but how different it is. But then again, this is Stereolab. They've "changed" several times, and always with exciting results.

Mogwai - Mr. Beast

This one, on the other hand, was a slow grower. It didn't sound like what I expected from Mogwai. Today, though, it's also a favourite.

Sigur Rós - Takk...

It didn't quite catch me on first listens, but it grew quickly and knocked me off my feet. This may be the single most soothing and comforting album in my whole collection. It's a warm, tender embrace. I never heard anything quite like it -- not even Ágætis byrjun.

Autechre - Quaristice

Well, this was just mindbending. It was a huge departure from Untilted, which was my favourite Autechre album (before Oversteps came out). I enjoy it a lot now.

Rush - Vapor Trails and Radiohead - Hail to the Thief

These are particularly special because they were the first CDs I purchased with the first money I ever earned on my own. Also, both of them were somehow screwed up: the former was mastered horribly (so much that they released a much superior "remix" recently) and the latter had "copy protection" (that never even worked). Neither of them are huge favourites of mine musicall, but they still occupy special places in my heart.

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells 2003

Hated it when it was announced, hate it even more now. Awful rerecording. At least Oldfield would release some good music later on with Music of the Spheres and (to a lesser extent) Man on the Rocks.

Com Truise - Wave One

I never expected it to surpass the God-like In Decay, but it was a very nice surprise. Very fresh and beautiful. But what really made me feel like a squealing little girl was the release of In Decay on vinyl. I still can't believe I managed to buy the limited edition. I love that album so fucking much!


So, any fun stories to be shared?

Mate, I LOVE this topic. Excuse my musical taste.

BOC - Tomorrow's Harvest,

I got into them into them in '09 and my interest intesified rapidly over the next year. We were all pretty rabid around this time I think.

Tool - 10,000 Days

Tool were my favorite band when I was 15 and it stayed that way for a long time. I was so obsessed with Lateralus that I could only imagine that their new album would reduce me to a jabbering puddle. I turned out to be very good but, like, with TH, it made me realise that the band are human, not magic.

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

I saw FL at Bang Face '09 and from then on he was more or less constantly on in our student house. Dance of the Pseudonymph and Computer face/ /Pure Being got us all wet. Our catchphrase at the time was "The only thing that matters is Cosmogramma".

Opeth -Ghost Reveries

I used to fall asleep listening to Blackwater Park. I was 17 (?) when GR came out and it was a crazy hot, yucky summer. Totally incongruous.

Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

I don't really remember getting into SR, but I know that it happened. Gobbledigook got me very excited because it was so weird, but this album was a real drag.

Slipknot - Iwoa

I don't know if any one else was into this band or thins kind of music, but I was maybe about 12 or 13 when this album started getting mentioned and it was all I could think about. I remember I was on holiday when it dropped and it wasn't being sold anywhere. I came home and the video for Left Behind' came on Kerrang (anyone?) which was incredibly exciting. My dad took me to Our Price and bought it for me and the cashier said the label had urged them to warn parents of the extreme bad language on the album. i was actually scared to listen. Me and my grotty mates were obsessed for months.

Four Tet - There is love in you

This was one of the least painful album drops for me. I had no idea it was coming out and I bought it the day I found out about it. It was great. That doesn't happen enough.

Meshuggah - Catch 33.

In Death is Life came out and I remember hearing it and saying aloud to myself "Meshuggah, you did it again!" Was the soundtrack to a very sunny holiday in Suffolk.

The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works

I got this the day that the death of the drummer of Decapitated was announced. I'd had a fight with my girlfriend, the sky was overcast and seemed about 10 feet of the ground. It was a very welcome shot of nastiness. Now one of my all time favourites .

Oceansize - Frames

One of the great lost British bands. This is another one where I just walked into HMV and there it was on the shelf. One of the best of its kind.

The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute

This was just sad. My mate had to get some sheet music from Bond Steet and a bunch of us went along with him to buy Frances the Mute. We were just far too giddy and excited about it. I listened to the first minute or so on my walkman when we stopped in Sainsbury's and started jumping around and gurning. It's a good album, but we were young.

I will stop now. Way too many. These are just from a glance at Spotify.

An Oceansize fan at last! Huzzah!!

Amen