--- In audities@yahoogroups.com, <nonstoppop@c...> wrote:

> Overall, it isn’t that the album’s bad.  Indeed, I’m sure it’ll grow on me
after a few spins.  But, after the initial spin, it definitely didn’t live
up to my hopes and, yes, my expectations…
>
> Bummer, dude…

Often I've found that when I have great expectations for an album, which
either happens when the album's been given the kind of hyperbole I love to
see or when it's the next album by a band whose previous album was one I
loved, those expectations are dashed when the album doesn't measure up.
However, it's equally often the case that when I listen to the album a
second time, completely devoid of expectations, I get a more accurate
reading of how much I'll actually like it.  High expectations on first
listen can definitely distort our perceptions, both because we're overly
primed for something great, and because we're so focused on every element of
the album that it becomes very difficult to just sit back and enjoy it.

What I try to do with albums in that category is listen to them a second
time while I'm doing other things, like answer e-mails or watching TV (with
the sound off, of course).  I would say that at least 80% of the time, I end
up liking the album a lot more.
--
Pop Rules!!!!!
Take Care,
David