Someone mentioned a wonderful idea to me the other day and I’m shamelessly stealing it and running with it, baby, because that’s what I do! I don’t think he would mind and until I get the cease and desist order we have nothing to worry about.

I love to read and I love book clubs because they force me to check out novels and authors that I wouldn’t pick on my own. Sometimes I find new loves and sometimes I find books that just don’t work for me, but either way I enjoy the experience of stretching out of my usual picks and the discussion that follows. I love to hear the opinion of others and learn why they loved something I hated and maybe persuade them to adore something they didn’t like at first glance.

If we can do it with books, why not with albums?

I like music, but I tend to be drawn to the same types of artists over and over again. I don’t consider myself very well-versed in different music styles or artists that aren’t in the current rotation on the local Top 40 station. I want to break out and try new music and I want my friends and random strangers to help point me in the right direction or lead me completely down the wrong path. Either way, it’s a win for me.

Here’s what I propose:

  1. We form a group of music-loving fools.
  2. Each month, one member selects an album for the group to listen to and consider. It can be any genre, any decade, any language. Indie, mainstream, forgotten classic. Go nuts!
  3. We get together to discuss the album and weigh in with our thoughts and opinions. Since we’ll probably be across the map geographically, maybe we can do this via webcam, chat or dedicated blog posts.
  4. If we go the blog route, the member who proposed that album can do a catalog post with a link to everyone’s Album Club post for the month.

So what do you think? I’m totally open to suggestions on how to improve the idea and make it work. I hope at least a few of you are interested. It will definitely be fun and I think we need at least six or so people to really have a good mix. Feel free to share this post on your own blog or recruit other people you know. I’m happy to organize an email group to let everyone know the album of the month and set up the monthly chats.

Let’s do this!