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@Moondeer Everything has a context. I have always hoped that providing context is helpful.

@Moondeer @JohnPhilpin Validating. I have long felt that my blog was the appropriate place for me to write my thoughts about maintaining a blog. All the while I scold myself for being too “meta.” But I think that’s a place that exists for people who are thoughtful.

@fahrni There is so much excellent music. I worked at a record store for four years. Walking in, I thought I knew something about music. Then I found out that what makes it to broadcast video or radio (in those days) was just the smallest part of the tip of the iceberg. And I left that job knowing that I didn’t know much. But boy, did I learn a lot and I ended up breaking down some prejudices I had. Was one of the most fun jobs I ever had in my life.

@fahrni I know, right? Super hard to pick just a few. There a bands I used to fanboy over but which I don’t any more, whether because of line-up changes or they’ve stopped producing. Even one of the bands I picked as a current favorite isn’t making new records, but I’m still buying EPs and singles when I find one I didn’t know about. And I have had obsessions with artists where I have collected a bunch but have since cooled off. So there are many, many artists and groups that hold a special place for me but may not be favorite favorite, you know?

@JohnPhilpin I like when Cocteau Twins is a common frame of reference. I wasn’t aware of them as a band until 1986 or so when I saw their albums priced out of accessibility in the import section of a small record store I frequented. The first song I heard was “Carolyn’s Fingers” and I was instantly in love. I think today I own the majority of their output. I do listen to Portishead, Dead Can Dance and This Mortal Coil as well. Would probably buy anything from Dead Can Dance unheard.

Rush is Rush. Now that I can’t buy new albums I’m buying documentaries. I can understand what you say about Geddy’s voice but you cannot argue with his bass.

Deftones are my drug of choice when I need something louder than my emotions and thoughts. They are a counter-flood, if you will. Or maybe a controlled burn when trying to contain a forest fire. They scream so I don’t have to. I believe Tool is probably among their influences—very evident in the first album.

Airiel and A Shoreline Dream are expanding territory first explored by My Bloody Valentine, Lush, and Slow Dive (and others) in the 90s.

As an Air listener, I see the connection you made to M83. For me M83 connects me musically to 80s sounds like Howard Jones, Tears for Fears, or Thompson Twins. Seems like if you dropped their music into 1983/84/85 it would have fit right in to what I was hearing on the radio in the Midwest US.

What would your Top 3 look like?

@JohnPhilpin Top 3 enduring? Cocteau Twins, Rush, Deftones. Top 3 lately? Airiel, A Shoreline Dream, M83. Criteria: If any of those bands released a new album, would I buy it without question? There are more. Lots more.