[HazeyTwilight]

Do you need to be having a phase before listening to something? Do you need to have an understanding of the song's subject matter and listen to the song in the mind of the artist who wrote it? A tragic life in process = a tragic album = definitive praise? Do you need to watch documentaries or read books about the album/artist to fully appreciate it? Can you just listen to whenever the hell you feel?

It's just something I've been pondering for a while, to know where the hell everyone is getting at and for people who just doesn't "get it". If there's already a thread like this, then this is a bit unnecessary
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[Puncture Repair]

I think it depends on the album. I probably wouldn't put on Hospice or The Seer on a whim, they're something I need to be prepared to commit to.

But a lot of music is very easy just to put on, The Shins, R.E.M., Belle and Sebastian, will happily fit any mood I'm in, as their poppy, but melancholy also.

I often only listen to my favourite albums when I'm in a 'transitional period' or an important moment that I know I'll remember, so as to cherish them. That said, something that a favourite album should be is one you can put on whenever you feel like it, and always enjoy it.

[meccalecca]

[soundguardian]

it always helps to do some background research on the song meanings, the album, the artist, the genre, the time period, to better understand the album's importance and how it fits into society in a historical context.

that being said, there have also been instances in which determining the meanings of lyrics or understanding the premise of an album after listening to it has actually ruined the experience for me. and moments in which looking up the meanings of lyrics or understanding the premise of an album that I HAVEN'T listened to yet has put me off from actually listening to it and giving it a fair chance.
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<--suddenly...Bora!
#BodyRollSwag

[Guest]

It definitely depends on the album, and on the person as well. I don't believe that there is any one way to approach a particular album. Everybody will approach each album differently, and the more time invested, the more enjoyment I believe there is to be had. That being said, I don't think it's necessary to "study" an album or get into the proper mindset (though these are valid examples of different ways to approach an album). Just enjoy it for what it is and form your own relationship with it.

I probably sounded like a hippie just then.

[HazeyTwilight]

This is turning out differently than I expected, but in a good way. Anyway, I wanted to bring this topic up because whenever I listen to an album (i.e Pinkerton) for the first time, I just shrug it off and I would think it was okay, but when I listen to it again, with the lyrics or context of the song, I find it amazing. I find that really weird. I don't know if it's subjective tastes or complete gullibility to critical accomplishment.
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[HigherThanTheSun]

You don't have to be able to relate to the context in which music was written to enjoy it no, you don't even need to fully understand the context or meaning of a piece of music to enjoy it.

That said, being able to relate to what the music is about or to a lesser extent just knowing what the music is about despite not being able to personally relate, can make you enjoy the music much more. That's the case for me anyways.
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Shut up mate you're boring!

[SingingPeasant96]

Yes, ofcourse
maybe this sounds nerd, but before I listen new music, I actually search where the artists came from, who they were influenced, what they like, what is usually subject of their lyrics, what religion they have, how their life was, what inspired them......

and it helps me to accept them easily
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If you're feeling sinister, Go off and Listen to Indie Pop