Expected vs. Actual Enjoyment

[Albums 885 – 893 / 1001]

Of the 9 (!) albums to be discussed in this 9-for-the-price-of-1* review, my actual statistical enjoyment level was about the same with each.

However, my overall impressions were likely quite different.

And I believe that is based on my expectations going in.

Which led to 1 of 3 scenarios, as shown graphically!

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Scenario 1: As Expected
The Stranglers, Rattus Norvegicus (1977), Buzzcocks, Another Music in a Different Kitchen (1978), and The Damned, Machine Gun Etiquette (1979)

I often talk to my students about the importance of under-promising & over-delivering.

For example, if I say that I’ll have the tests marked by Thursday and I end up having them finished by Wednesday, prepare the ‘World’s Greatest Teacher’ coffee mug!

However, if I say that I’ll have the tests marked by Wednesday and it takes me until Thursday?

That would make me the ‘goat’ – and not in a G.O.A.T./Greatest-of-All-Time kind of way.

But what if I promise Thursday and I keep my promise?

Expectations are managed & met.

And kudos to The Stranglers / Buzzcocks / Damned for doing just that with their albums on the 1001 list.

Punk &/or Rock from the late 70s?

I knew I was going to like it.

And I did!

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Scenario 2: Mismanaged Expectations
The Cure, Pornography (1982), Happy Mondays, Bummed (1988), and My Bloody Valentine, Isn’t Anything (1988)

I adore The Cure.

Or at least, I live for just about every note of music released by Robert Smith & co. between 1985-2000.

But The Cure pre-’85/post-’00?

I keep expecting that it’s going to be at the same ridiculously elevated level…and it never quite is.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s completely without merit.

In fact, when compared to the rest of music that I’ve ever heard in my lifetime, it’s probably as strong or stronger than the vast majority.

However, knowing what their ceiling is…

For some reason, I never learn and I keep expecting to hear something different.

It’s like re-watching a vintage sports game, hoping for a different ending – this time they’ll call that Gretzky high-stick for sure!

And though I haven’t been listening to Happy Mondays / My Bloody Valentine for nearly as long, there’s a similar issue of expecting perfection and getting most of the way there.

Again, I’m totally responsible for my own mismanaged expectations; there Isn’t Anything quite like feeling Bummed when you don’t love a record that you like! 

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Scenario 3: Pleasant Surprises
John Martyn, Solid Air (1973), Gary Numan, Pleasure Principle (1979), and The Triffids, Calenture (1987)

Finally, with some albums, you don’t expect the world.

And the world ends up delivering a pleasant surprise.

Back in the day, out of principle, I wouldn’t have derived an ounce of pleasure from Gary Numan’s synthesizers. But this year, it turned out that it was up my alley.

I thought John Martyn may have benefitted from some felicitous timing when I explored One World (in the pre-pandemic days, driving to Toronto to visit friends); but as it turns out, even when such Toronto-drives are not possible, he proved to be similarly, if not even more, effective on Solid Air.

Finally, when I first heard the name ‘The Triffids,’ I initially thought of the line ‘a trifle unnecessary’ from Wayne’s World 2, and wondered if this album would be somewhat inconsequential as well. 

I’ve since learned that ‘Calenture’ is a type of heat stroke or fever, a ‘Triffid’ is a fictional carnivorous plant species, and most importantly, I was pleased to discover that Calenture by The Triffids is far from unnecessary!

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Verbalize the Positive

A tip of the hat to my friend, Deke, for his positive spin with these multi-review posts: it’s not that I’m trying to get through the book quickly, it’s about providing good 9-for-the-price-of-1 value!