Digital to digital via analog...

...so I've been encoding my music collection to my studio computer.

This project seems to be neverending, but that's fine by me. These days, I'm encoding CDs, having decided to embark on the project of putting "all" my music on computer. Since the records are going to take the longest, I've decided to dedicate myself to that after I've tackled the compact discs first. Digital to digital, but I'm incorporating the analog step of trying to listen to as much of it as I can - especially in the case of things I don't remember very well.

As you can imagine, it takes a lot of time.

I've got a lot of time to put into my studio work, so I'm working through it. Recently, I finished installing all the shelves for CDs, and I've organized (at least) the artist CDs alphabetically. When I say "artist" I mean releases from an artist as opposed to compilation, remix, and mix CDs. For my purposes, the classical collection (which is very small in comparison) and the soundtracks are also in "other" and remain unorganized on another set of shelves across the room. Each day, I take a stack of CDs and put them on the worktable next to the computer and dig in (or continue on the existing pile, depending). I'm up to the E's now so there's a huge pile of Erasure music. I already made it through the even larger selection of Depeche Mode discs - is anyone seeing a pattern here?

Actually, I got out of the habit of buying Erasure's stuff a while ago, but you can see how I started at the end of the 80's with them and was going strong in the 90's. Vince Clarke founded Depeche Mode, and their earliest synth sound bears his strong imprint. He's also got a sense of melody and a profound romanticism in his lyrics (which he shares credit for with Andy Bell). There's always a place in my heart for their music, and I'm reminded what appealed to me in the first place.

I'll always have enough of the romantic left in me to appreciate something like:

"Siren Song"
Ever faithful I endure
To listen for the sound of the siren song
Ragged whispers of imprisoned sisters
Cutting through real life drawing me nearer

The colors of the pure in soul
Like water shall fill the cloudless sky

Try to feel the splendor of it all
Embrace the honesty of nightfall
Try to feel the anguish of it all
Wrap yourself up
In every facet of emotion

Hearts that cry diamond tears
Spirits that walk for a thousand years
Hear them calling on that darkest morning
Pulling me under my thoughts disappear

Can you feel love
Can you feel joy
Can you feel pain

Yes, I can still feel those lyrics, and I'm not ashamed to say so. It's nice to have that place, even if sometimes I have to really look inside to find it again.