What do you base your musical purchases/download choices on?

donfers

Interesting thread, this one.

So why will you select an album to listen to?

Me, I personally will choose it if it's got a lot of critical acclaim. I am an empty-headed buffoon who does what the critics tell him to do and you know what, they generally haven't let me down. Metacritic is a great site for basically giving each album a score based on critical reviews from every possible source.

Some migth say, seeing the group live....but you might get a great album from a group who isn't go good live, also it's impossible to see all the bands you want to see live.

Others might say, they'll get it if they liked the first single or two but there's always the danger of the album with a few killer singles and then lots of filler (hence the need for critics to tell us what's what:))

Finally some will say, they are fanboys/fangirls of a particular group/producer/singer and get all his/her stuff. Well I'm not a huge advocate of this practice either as almost no artist (not even my beloved Radiohead) has a golden touch and most will produce work from varying degrees of gut-wrenching to great.

and you? now tell me....

Miguel_Sanchez

I vary between all of the above.

If my pockets are heavy I might just pick up a CD from a band or artist I've heard people raving about without knowing much of their stuff at all.

Mostly though I'll listen to some stuff and read reviews, see what I make of stuff or go on recommendations from friends. That's probably the big one for me.

There are a select few though that I will buy everything they release as soon as I can after it's released. Mr. Bill Callahan being the number one, I've only ever been disappointed by one of his albums.

Xavi6

I don't read reviews at all. I tend to trust the opinions of like minded friends rather than some of the clowns that write for magazines etc.

Forums such as this one are a great way also as you get more than just one person's opinion and there are some interesting debates flying around.

zimovain

Uncut magazines reviews have yet to fail me.

Spiritoftheseventies

Word of mouth normally (although have yet to be convinced on the whole florence thing) and radio.
Trust your own ears at the end of the day

lordgoat

Yeah, agree with SOTS on radio. It is really making a comeback these days, derek byrnes show on sunday nights on phantom suits me as i'm normally driving and listen to 45mins plus of it, recently though i've been keeping it on after i get where i'm going. And he is great for the requests! Even played dexys for me! Other than that, friends and the name a tune thread on here is def work having a listen to.

X-Calibre

I usually would read a couple of reviews before buying an album. Metacritic alot of the time but, even though it gets a lot of stick, pitchfork is my first port of call for checking out an album or band. I seem to pretty much agree with any good reviews it gives and if I hear an album I can usually guess roughly what pitchfork have given it before reading the review.

Also, Emusic where I get most of my music from has a good recommendation feature so I'll use that or check what's popular that week.

HalloweenJack

I just follow my instincts really.

If I come across a band that sounds similar to something I already like, I listen to a few more of their songs and see what I think.

rcaz

From the bands I'm already into, read interviews and find out what bands they're into, and listen to them. That's how I got into Autechre, Stravinsky, Penderecki, CAN, Kraftwerk, DJ Shadow, Boards of Canada, Ligeti, Miles Davis, John Coltrane...

CiaranC

pitchfork tbh

marglin

Friends with similiar tastes have never let me down.

Internet radio is great for finding new music, you can be very specific on what kind of music you like, I find ordinary radio, especially irish radio, a bit too broad.

Raving reviews might pique my interest but other than that don't pay much attention to them.
Agree with the post above, trust your ears at the end of the day.

old_aussie

I chose to buy(rarely) and download music(all the time) due to the simple fact that I've heard it on the radio and like it.;)

arsenallegend

zimovain wrote: »

Uncut magazines reviews have yet to fail me.

they can kiss the ass of Neil young, Bob Dylan and The rolling stones a bit too much

But Yep their reviews on Amercian music is great and on 60's and 70's less known acts is amazing.

Although the magazine is very skimpy now compared to years back when it was a great read

Spiritoftheseventies

The brother has generally speaking very good taste in music. Got me into the Fleet Foxes, The blades, the Stars of Heaven etc. Trust his judgement as a rule.

jossnjuice

when it comes to buying music, i kinda suffer from having blinkers on......

the main two reasons that i buy music is for bands ive followed over the years, just to keep my collection up to date, and then, which leads some of my mates to say that i dont open my borders enough to new music.

second reason is that if ive seen the band live, il definitely buy their record if ive enjoyed the gig. thats the way ive been working as regards the irish industry. the mighty stef, the last tycoons, delorentos are all bands that ive seen, and enjoyed so thats what i base them purchases on!!