How I Listen to a New CD.
I just got the brand new Shloime Gertner CD, Say Asay, and I’m hearing these songs for the first time. Often I hear music in pieces before it comes out, so that “first full listen” feel is lost.
For this album I did not hear anything before we all heard those sample clips. I’m listening to this CD completely fresh out of the box, taking it in. That’s why I’m excited to hear something “fresh” in full.
I have a certain method with how I listen to new CD’s for the first time, and I figured I’d share it with you.
I’m not saying this is the right way to listen to a new CD, I’m just saying this is how I tend to always do it.
Step 1: Open CD, read through booklet once.
Step 2: Play CD – go straight to title track.
Step 3: Listen to all the fast songs first. For me at least I pick up the fast songs quicker.
Step 4: I usually listen to the fast songs a few times. Each time I let the slow songs between play longer and eventually start picking out the ones I like more.
Step 5: Listen to the CD in full, from start to finish.
Step 6: Listen to all slow songs. The reason I skip the slow songs at first is that since I don’t connect to the slow songs right away, I don’t want to listen once and sub consciously not like a slow song because I’m itching to just skip to the fast exciting songs. Like this I can give the slow songs their own respect.
Step 7: Read what all the bloggers, websites, twitterers, facebookers and friends say.
Step 8: Ask producer when the “next one” is coming.
How about you?
Hey Sruli, I came across your blog through my research on the music industry and on Jewish Religious Record Labels in particular. I somehow connected to this post and therefore thank you for sharing it! I do a similar method when I review CDs/Music.
- I look at the original graphics, that means the cover of the CD, to me as a marketer that should be the first thing that catches my eye. You may choose to differ, however I have no experience in reviewing music before they came out to production – therefore I am talking about being a critic from a consumer point of view.
- Take out the CD and play the first song – I am looking for how quickly will this artist capture my attention. in a personal opinion the first song is my sales pitch.
- Look through the CD and overall design. Personally I am more attracted to artists that have a variety of real instruments and less “studio work” or what I like to call “artificial instruments” (although this does not affect my final verdict – it’s only for “extra points”)
- I will then go to the Title Song
- Go through the fast songs and slow song alternatively since I am first attracted to the faster songs, but I like to see the artist’s ability with his pitch and notes and therefore would pay more attention on the slower songs. The fast song shows me the artist’s “life” and those are the two main criteria I look for in a good musician. A) how he can attract an audience with his “life” and B) Does he feel the music? is the song “his”? is it “him” who is singing? and do I feel his song?
As I have mentioned earlier – my take is from a marketer that is promoting and selling a product – this is how I view selling music to an audience would work.
Thanks once again for sharing your thoughts.
Best regards.
Yermi