Do you hear music, or do you listen? Active listening, the kind where you sit down and you read the liner notes, it's not even where you focus on the music, but you don't let the outside world distract you from letting the music reveal itself to you?

I try and do more listening than hearing. I think it's a good exercise. Maybe pick an album you're so-so on, something on your forgotten pile, you don't hate it, but you don't love it.

Go listen to it, and see if it reveals anything to you. Then report back here and tell us what you found.

Wesley doesn think that Woody listens to Jimi Hendrix.. Woody only hears him!

I hear ya

I do both. The last time I really sat down with liner notes was with last years South San Gabriel album.

I was eating lunch in my car and following along with it. I really appreciated it after doing that. Some people felt that the story about the cat was lame but I thought it was brilliant. There is a song on there that starts off with the band going "waaaaahhhhhh" and I never realized that they were imitating a cat meowing until I read the lyrics and found out what was going on. Brilliant. I never would've realized it had I not actively listened to it and paid close attention.

This is why marijuana and music is such a good combination.
I listen better when I'm "not low".

yeah but then afterwards, I would forget why listening to it was so good.. damn those contradictions (and memory loss)

I know where you're going and I think a lot of albums would reveal themselves to me quicker if I listened more actively. But the bottom line is I don't really have that much time to really focus on the music. I'm almost always multi-tasking when listening to music -- working, reading, driving, or mongering. I do try to listen to things loud when my environment so permits so that the music's more nuisanced elements is more likely to permeate my thick skull.

I definitely see this. The times I've spent actually listening to music tends to reveal much more and it's typically stuff that I've initially categorized into a 'so-so' pile. Because I've been listening to Pearl Jam all day, I'll use No Code as an example of one that became much more enjoyable once I gave it some proper attention.

60% hear, 40% listen. Although it changes as soon as i hear something i really like..

well i can't really listen at work, i just hear it. i know what you're saying though. for me, its a nice sunday afternoon thing to do.

Do any of you "live" with an album or a few albums once you get them? Like instead of a daily rotation, more of a weekly rotation? I used to have my dashboard rotation of jewel cases sliding around in my truck, but I'm driving alot less.

Jaco Pastorius- Heavy n Jazz (live).. and actually listening to the bass.. good stuff even if a bit buried. But still.. oh and more rockish than I expected

Phil, you dig his bass playing?

yeah, whenever i dump new stuff on my ipod, i usually end up listening to the smart playlist that picks stuff only added in the last couple months

I hear music when I am in my car or at work. I feel like I am able to listen more closely when I am sitting at my laptop with it connected to my receiver/speakers set. I may still be surfing, but its the best chance I get to listen to the actual music. I have found over the years that my best listening experiences are late at night, sitting at my computer and when I used to listen while working on my old webpage, also usually late at night.

He's so good it's sad. Ever check out his birthday concert album? Pretty joyous stuff.

To me Rocco Prestia is like the fretted bass twin to Jaco. Both are so expressive.

Jesus Nothingface, what the hell is that thing in your avatar?

I'm pretty much the same way unless I'm listening to vinyl. Every now and then I'll be listening to a CD or mp3s at home, and whatever it is will prompt me to just sit/lie down, stop whatever I'm doing, and just listen.

nah I havent heard that one, but I am going to seek more stuff out. Great stuff--

every time I get a new record

My thoughts as well.

I often listen when I should be hearing.

I like to think that I'm always listening as best as I can. This happens with the greatest ease when I'm walking and listening to my iPod. Also, especially when I've smoked a joint and am sedate and alone. Hearing is just too passive. Listen intently to new purchases or acquisitions. Listen closely to music that demands it. (Sun Ra and Coltrane have been necessitating this lately and always.)

no, its the other way around!

He says something to the effect of:

"No you can listen to Jimi, but you don't hear him man"

You guys don't want to know. Really.

Up until I had kids, I listened. Music was a constant, throughout nearly every hour of my life.

But that's a bit hard to do with a family. Occasionally, still, with headphones, mostly late at night. The rest of the time it's hearing and trying to filter through the din.