By the numbers: 2018

In the past, I would try to write about every album I encountered. These days, I listen to a lot of stuff, but I’ll only post an entry if something sparks a memory.

As these statistics demonstrate, I’m leaving a lot out of this blog.

First and last purchases of the year

The first and last purchases of the year are determined by the date of order. Pre-ordered items not yet shipped have already been taken into account.

First purchase: Trio Bulgarka, The Forest Is Crying on vinyl.
First purchase of a 2018 release: Igor Stravinsky, Chant Funèbre / La Sacre Du Printemps on CD.
Last purchase of a 2018 release: James Ehnes, Howard, Kernis: Violin Concertos / Tovey: Stream of Limelight on CD
Last purchase: Yaz, You and Me Bothon vinyl.

Purchases by format

Format	New release	Reissue	Catalog	Total
7-inch	0	0	0	0
10-inch	1	0	1	2
12-inch	2	1	0	3
CD Single	0	0	0	0
CD	36	13	485	534
CD-R	0	0	0	0
Downloads	5	0	5	10
Vinyl	16	28	131	175
Total items bought	60	42	622	724

Definitions

New release: Initial release within the calendar year.
Reissue: Originally released prior to the calendar year but reissued within the calendar year.
Catalog: Initial release prior to the calendar year.

Top catalog release years

Year	Number of items purchased	Year-over-year change
1993	24	New!
1989	24	+5
1988	24	+1
1992	23	+1
2002	22	New!
1986	22	+3
1984	21	0
1987	20	-7
1990	19	+3
1985	19	New!
1982	19	New!
1998	18	+2
1991	18	New!
2001	17	New!
2004	17	New!
1994	16	New!
1996	16	-14
2003	15	New!

Top artists

Single titles purchased in multiple formats are counted individually.

Artist	Number of items purchased
Soundtracks	17
David Bowie	11
John Coltrane	10
Joni Mitchell	10
Soundtracks	9
Fugazi	7
Miles Davis	6
Fishbone	6
Brian Eno	6
The Jimi Hendrix Experience	6
The Pogues	6
Wilco	6
Kate Bush	6
Bruce Springsteen	6

Notes

We’re reaching a point where the collector CD market is going to get more ridiculous as brick-and-mortar stores rid their CD inventory in favor of vinyl.
Twice weekly visits to thrift stores account for the increase in my physical collection. It’s tough to beat a price point if $1 if you’re not too picky about condition, which I no longer am.
I picked up a lot of Joni Mitchell this year, but I can’t say I’ve grown attached to most of those acquisitions.
I’m starting to explore classic rock, more out of academic curiosity than actual appeal. I treat the Beatles like I treat Berlioz — as something I should know but not necessarily need to like.
I don’t know if or when I’ll listen to the Miles Davis albums I picked up this year. Something about Miles eludes me.

Tags: cd collecting, statistics, vinyl collecting