Begin the Begin

Welcome to the Alert the Hipsters Music Appreciation Society. If you're reading this, then you're interested in broadening your range of music appreciation. Here is how the society will operate.

Two members will choose a cd they would like to sponsor for a given month. The sponsor will provide some information on their musical choice, such as why they chose it, how the album fits into the genre, and anything else they see fit to include. Although there will be broad leeway in the album's being discussed, there are a few ground rules I would like to introduce.

1) Do not pick albums that are "classics." Anyone can listen to Nevermind or Pet Sounds, and the discussions around these albums probably wouldn't include much that hasn't been said already.

2) Do not pick albums that are well known or those where one is likely to have an opinion on already. I would love to pick a Mighty Mighty Bosstones album, but I understand that people have already listened to them, or have already prejudged them.

3) For you indie rockers, keep off the Pitchfork's best of music. I'm hoping that sidebar conversations can include conversations on new music, but I would suggest that we discuss music that is at least a few years old.

Each member interested in participating must email me a list of 3-5 albums that they would like to sponsor. Albums will be chosen from two distinctly different musical genres, in order to maximize the possibility that people will listen to at least one of them. I will attempt to provide members at least a week in advance if their album is to be chosen, which should be enough time for them to post their remarks.

Aside from the initial posting from the album sponsor, there will be no single, organized time to discuss these albums. Members are free to respond as they see fit, and it is up to individual members to determine how involved they wish to be. Sidebar discussions, either in this blog or by email, are highly encouraged, and keeps with the spirit of what I'm looking to accomplish here.

Although there are roughly a dozen charter members, I by no means wish or intend for it to stay that way. If any member feels they know someone who could provide some valuable musical perspective, please feel free to send them my way. For organizational purposes, only members can post, so please be sure to let me know of possible new members so I can add them to the list.

Let the vinyl spin.

-Your Humble Moderator, Richie "El Nino" Canino