How are you prepping for Squeeze Box?

[anthontherun]

A lot of times when an artist announces a reissue of something, I'll put a temporary moratorium on listening to it so that when the new version comes out, I can listen with more critical ears or just have it feel "fresher." But in the case of Squeeze Box, that presents a couple problems:
-The release date is still 8 months away, and I probably won't have my hands on it for a few weeks after that.
-This set encompasses Al's entire discography. It'd be easy enough to cut out a single album but to not listen to any Al for an extended period? That's unpossible.
-Most of these songs are pretty much ingrained into my brain already. At this point I could go years without listening to "Amish Paradise" and by the time I return to it when it's eventually played at my wedding, it would still be quite familiar.

Knowing me I'll probably cut Al out of my audio diet as the release date approaches. It will make listening to Squeeze Box more exciting if I've been in an Al drought for a month or two. But even then, I may play a handful of songs because of reason #3 above (I sometimes make this exception with Paul McCartney reissues).

How about you? Any plans to change your listening habits as we get ready for Squeeze Box?

(Note to self: when SB comes out, do a poll of how people plan to listen to it--slowly going through the albums, devouring it all in one day, chronological, by preference, etc.)

[joseyklein]

I've been listening to AL even more since pre-ordering. . There will be a difference in sound no matter when I finally do get it.. especially when it comes the the older albums.. they're pretty compressed and quiet, it'll be nice finally having them all on the same level

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[weirdalbum]

My Al listening hasn't changed much since ponying up for the box. His music is still my go-to playlist in the car if I've burned through all my podcasts in the queue. Besides, we're still a long ways away from the actual release date.

[OneWAY]

I'm gonna do non-stop stomach crunches... and listen to Al music a bit more until the release.

[Muppetboy09]

I sold all of my internal organs, my house, and am currently asking for change on the corner of 5th street. On the bright side, I now have enough money to pay for 1/3 of the boxset

[anthontherun]

I sold all of my internal organs, my house, and am currently asking for change on the corner of 5th street. On the bright side, I now have enough money to pay for 1/3 of the boxset

How badly have you abused your body that selling your organs netted you like 75 bucks

[Big Spoon]

I'm definitely planning on cutting Al out of my musical diet so to speak. I just have to decide when my cutoff will be. I don't think I'll make it now, but maybe a month or so before release? Curious to see what others are considering here, and I'll most likely let that lead to helping my decision.

I'm also thinking of doing a "re-review" of Al's catalog once the set is released - reviewing each album, and rating each song, with notes about what I think of the song now vs. what I did when I first heard it. There probably won't be as many changes with Mandatory Fun or Alpocalypse, but there are definitely differences in what I think of the songs I knew back in 3rd grade.

[anthontherun]

I'm definitely planning on cutting Al out of my musical diet so to speak. I just have to decide when my cutoff will be. I don't think I'll make it now, but maybe a month or so before release? Curious to see what others are considering here, and I'll most likely let that lead to helping my decision.

That's the big question. I'm also debating whether I just gradually listen less often, or if it's better to (temporarily) quit cold turkey. I'm leaning towards the latter, since it would be more noticeable and do more to get me pumped for Squeeze Box.

I'm also thinking of doing a "re-review" of Al's catalog once the set is released - reviewing each album, and rating each song, with notes about what I think of the song now vs. what I did when I first heard it. There probably won't be as many changes with Mandatory Fun or Alpocalypse, but there are definitely differences in what I think of the songs I knew back in 3rd grade.

That's a great idea. I know there are definitely songs on In 3-D and Even Worse (and maybe some others) that I really don't know all that well so I'll be interested in revisiting them and seeing if, after all these years, I can finally appreciate "That Boy Could Dance."

[Big Spoon]

That's a great idea. I know there are definitely songs on In 3-D and Even Worse (and maybe some others) that I really don't know all that well so I'll be interested in revisiting them and seeing if, after all these years, I can finally appreciate "That Boy Could Dance."

Thanks! There are a few that pop into my mind I didn't really appreciate as a kid that I do now (I used to not be a big Airline Amy fan, and now it's probably in my top 10 favorite songs of Al's), and I'm sure taking a hiatus from Al will help me appreciate the few songs of his that I still don't ("That Boy Could Dance," also being on my list.)

[TMBJon]

These songs are so deeply engrained in my brain that I don't think I need to cut them out of my diet. In fact, I was thinking of going the other way - listening to a few of the vinyl albums shortly before the box set arrives so that I can compare their sonic quality to the remastered versions.