Needles & Grooves

@AnthonyI Couldn't have said it any better, myself.

@Rip_City I can vouch for Fantano also exposing me to great music, but his 10/10's aren't always ones I'd listen to on a record (Daughters, Swans) he does have some good picks though (Kids See Ghosts, Kendrick)

@tonythegamer I have both of those and love 'em lol

The only 10 I don't have right now is To Pimp a Butterfly, oddly enough.

@Rip_City The only one I have is Kendrick, out of his 10/10s I'm trying to get the money store and kids see ghosts

I am in for Bowie all the time, but even I think that some of these 7" demos and other previously unreleased material is too much. I also have most of Tori Amos's discography. I started my collection in 1999, and I can see when my musical tastes shift because my collection is seemingly, very random, but it reflects what I was into at the time.

As for rules, @Murfocakes nailed it. Will I want to listen to this thing more than once? Can I not wait to get it on my TT?

@nolalady Ties into suggestions made earlier...focus on personal all timer artists (Bowie and Tori Amos, in your case). Unsure if I will collect many 45s, as I would opt LPs over listening to a single track.

With the point @Murfocakes made, absolutely. It's why I did not swap for Mariah Carey (I saw it getting two spins MAX and subsequently accumulating cobwebs in time).

I appreciate everyone's input. You guys make this forum the welcoming sanctuary that I was hoping it would be. Thank you very much. ❤

Kids See Ghosts is good and I tend to like Fantano's reviews (but am not at all encyclopedic about them), but giving that album a 10/10 calls in to question his judgement.

I look out for bands that I like... as well keeping an ear to the ground of which are gonna be good albums.
Also thinking, will this be in my Top 10 at the end of year?
And there's also some surprises. PreOrdered Stella Donnelly, didnt like the album, cancelled the order and bought Nilufer Yanya. WHich was the best decsionever

@TheMythOfSisyphus Yeah that's the lone 10/10 I disagree with (though I still like it a lot). I will watch his review of KSG again to pick up any points he made I overlooked.

@Memo Yeah I have 14 LPs from 2019 already, 9 of which are currently in my Top10 for the year. I've found many things I've liked (but few loved) from 2019, so perhaps I should slow down? lol

Oh I think I've bought 20-25, some preordered. Also I'm trying to catch up some past two years when I was saving for a wedding lol
But The newer releases are within Top 10-15 for sure

I prioritize music that connected with me in my youth (I'm old), and local music. I think having music that is local really gives your collection 'flavor', and after you've moved a few times, your collection becomes a great way to 'connect' with your past.

@Rip_City living in Portland means a crazy amount of local music that might catch your ear. Check the music section of the Willy Week each Wednesday and the Mercury every other Wednesday to see if anything new might interest you. And get some Help.

@High Rant District Yes, Portland is spoiled for record stores. I've been to most of the 20 that are listed in the flyer available when you enter one, but I frequent three in particular (Musique Plastique, Mississippi Records, 2nd Ave Records).

I will check out the Willamette Weekly, as well! Thank you!

I've also been turned onto a label through one of the co-owners at Musique Plastique (Music From Memory), as my record collection is going in an electronic direction, with focus on downtempo/ambient. They have their own label too, and it is great!

I agree with @AnthonyI ...quality over quantity for me now. I'd rather spend more money on an awesome pressing of an album I love than get caught up in the deals or FOMO purchases. I tend to buy mostly jazz now, so I look for earlier pressings or higher quality represses whereas I used to just buy most records when I found a good deal even if I didn't love the album.

@MikeH That's something else I was considering...upgrades of albums that I currently own (Pet Sounds and some jazz that I own). I'd love to own more jazz (I have a pathetic number; 12), but concerned of dumping money into MoFi, Music Matters, AP presses. Although, the Tone Poet series looks affordable for my budget.

I really would consider upgrading albums that you truly love and spin a lot. I've gotten a lot of MoFi, AP, etc albums on accideal, ebay listings, and so on ...so there are ways to not pay full price on most of that stuff. I usually sell off my old copy when I upgrade too. The Tone Poets are really awesome and most can be gotten for $25 or so on preorder. They rival Music Matters/AP/MoFi for me!

Agree with @MikeH , if you're patient you'll find deals on the quality pressings you're looking for. The problem is that we sometimes want to fill those holes right away........slow and steady my friend