(July 2014) I have completed phase 31 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography in chronological order. This episode: OLIVIA TREMOR CONTROL with spin-off bands THE SUNSHINE FIX and CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
Favorite album: Music from the Unrealized Film Script, Dusk at Cubist Castle
Favorite song: I Have Been Floated
Compared to expectations: same
(July 2014) I have completed phase 30 of my “opus project,” wherein I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish. This episode: SIMON AND GARFUNKLE.
Favorite album: Bookends
Favorite song: The Boxer
Compared to expectations: same
(June 2014) I have completed phase 29 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from beginning to end. This episode: PETER GABRIEL (solo).
Favourite song: Solsbury Hill
Favourite album: Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt)
Low points: the two recent ‘covers’ albums
Compared to expectations: same
(June 2014) I have completed phase 28 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish. This episode: U2.
Favourite album: Achtung Baby
Favourite song: Where the Streets Have No Name
Bono: sings too much
Special sauce: The Edge
Compared to expectations: ↓
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(June 2014) I have completed phase 27 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography. This episode: JET.
Favourite album: Shine On
Favourite Song: Bring It On Back
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2014) I have completed phaze 26 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the entire discography of an artist from beginning to end. This episode: another great Italian, FRANK ZAPPA. This was a looooooong one, the longest I will do by a non-exclusively classical composer. 90+ albums, almost 6 months. But very engaging, funny, and illuminating. I learned a lot. Highly recommended.
Favorite album (Mothers era): We’re Only In It For The Money
Favorite album (solo): You Are What You Is
Favorite song: Peaches en Regalia
Favorite period: original Mothers of Invention (1966-69)
Low point: Thing Fish
On the menu: baby octopus, creamed corn, muffin rem-nants
What’s happening: Becky?
Special sauce: Muffin Utility Research Kitchen
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2014) I have completed phase 25 of my “opus project,” in which I listed to a band’s entire discography in chronological order. This episode: YO LA TENGO.
Favorite album: I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
Favorite Song: And the Glitter is Gone
Weakest moments: first three albums (1980s)
Feedback: excellent
Compared to expectations: same
(March 2014) I have completed phase 24 of my “opus project” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This episode: LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN. This was the biggest yet by far. I was able to listen to 329 of 478 catalogued works, representing more than 90% of total performance time. Of this, I captured 99 percent of his major works (those with opus #s).
Favorite work (and symphony): Symphony #5
Favorite symphonic first movement: #5
Favorite symphonic slow movement (and overall): #7
Favorite symphonic scherzo movement: #3
Favorite symphonic fourth movement: #9 (choral)
Favorite piano concerto: #5 (Emperor)
Favorite string quartet: #14
Favorite piano sonata: #8 (“Pathetique”)
Favorite song: Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend (op. 98 no 1)
Compared to expectations: same
(April 2014) I have completed phase 23 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography in order. This episode: NICK DRAKE.
Favourite album: Five Leaves Left
Favourite song: Time Has Told Me
Compared to expectations: same
(March 2014) I have completed phase 22 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artists’ full discography, from beginning to end. This episode: YES.
Favourite album: Close to the Edge
Favourite song: Gates of Delirium
Favourite period: the song-as-album side years (’72-’76)
Low point: most everything from the 1990s (esp. Open Your Eyes)
Hidden gem: the fist two, more earthy, slightly psychedelic, albums
Special sauce: Chris Squire
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 