Originally Posted by innerspaceboy (Post 1657492)

I am far more interested in researching, reading about, writing about, archiving, and cataloging music than actually listening to music. I blame it on being an INTJ.

I've also worked my way through the audiophile 12 step program. I no longer hold fast to the claim that vinyl is a superior format, nor that tubes are a superior method of amplification. I see the merit of vinyl as a tactile and interactive ritual - a valuable characteristic in the age of digital music, and that the format offers many recordings which have not yet seen an official digital release. And I acknowledge that there are cases where an original vinyl master is superior to an early 80s CD counterpart.

But beyond these conditions, it is simply fetishism and nothing more.

I still enjoy collecting rare and exceptional recordings on vinyl for their glorious gatefold art and out of some shrine-builders duty to the music - an expression of self which is likely just the result of Western consumer culture.

But 99.9% of the time, a quality DAC, solid state amp, and FLAC archive is more than sufficient for my or any other listener's satisfaction. And no library of vinyl can compete with the portability and instant-accessibility of a dedicated lossless digital media server.

Sadly, the objective, realist stance is a highly unpopular opinion.

Also, Eno's collaborative efforts are better than any of his solo works.

Originally Posted by innerspaceboy (Post 1657492)

I am far more interested in researching, reading about, writing about, archiving, and cataloging music than actually listening to music. I blame it on being an INTJ.

I've also worked my way through the audiophile 12 step program. I no longer hold fast to the claim that vinyl is a superior format, nor that tubes are a superior method of amplification. I see the merit of vinyl as a tactile and interactive ritual - a valuable characteristic in the age of digital music, and that the format offers many recordings which have not yet seen an official digital release. And I acknowledge that there are cases where an original vinyl master is superior to an early 80s CD counterpart.

But beyond these conditions, it is simply fetishism and nothing more.

I still enjoy collecting rare and exceptional recordings on vinyl for their glorious gatefold art and out of some shrine-builders duty to the music - an expression of self which is likely just the result of Western consumer culture.

But 99.9% of the time, a quality DAC, solid state amp, and FLAC archive is more than sufficient for my or any other listener's satisfaction. And no library of vinyl can compete with the portability and instant-accessibility of a dedicated lossless digital media server.

Sadly, the objective, realist stance is a highly unpopular opinion.

Also, Eno's collaborative efforts are better than any of his solo works.

Originally Posted by Plainview (Post 1657530)

But Another Green World, Taking Tiger Mountain, Here Come the Warm Jets, Before and After Science, and his ton of ambient stuff are all superb. Obviously his collaborations are too. I think he might have the best discography of any artist, period.

Originally Posted by innerspaceboy (Post 1657585)

Absolutely. I think B&AS is his strongest solo record, and Discreet and A1:MfA are historical milestones of the ambient genre. And I agree that the majority of his 70+ LP discography are better than the best works by most other artists.

I just personally prefer Bush of Ghosts, After the Heat, Plateaux of Mirror, Apollo, The Pearl, and most of his other collaborative efforts. (The Eno | Hyde LPs as well, but primarily because they are two of my greatest musical heroes.)

Originally Posted by Plainview (Post 1657586)

(No Pussyfooting) and Evening Star are fantastic too. I'm big on Fripp.

Originally Posted by sidewinder (Post 1674366)

Vampire Weekend is overrated and music publications are making entirely too big a deal of one member's departure.