The polls are a way of preventing me from taking easy or making obvious choices. If the choice were mine, I'd've done Surf's Up first for the Beach Boys, instead of Pet Sounds. Why? Pet Sounds is a bona fide classic. I was not sure I could say anything useful about it (I'm still not sure I actually did). But if it's what people would prefer me to write about--well, I can't just dodge it. If no one wants to hear about Pet Sounds anymore but I decided to challenge myself, it's making a bad obvious choice.
Removing the decision from my hands means the entries should be more in line with what you, the reader, wants to see. It also gives you a sense of ownership, as you can look forward to me writing about your choice, and not wondering why it was I didn't pick other album X, that I still own. Besides, I've already had my hands in in purchasing these records in the first place. My taste is inherently represented.
In the end: the object is to create a connection with readers, and to keep me "honest" about selections for writing. It doesn't mean you have to have a standing favourite, or even an opinion on this or that album, or even the artist--or even know anything about it, for that matter.
I had friends and family (including John Howie, Jr. of the Two Dollar Pistols/John Howie, Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff) who thought I should write about Surf's Up because they felt there was nothing to write about Pet Sounds anymore. I also had my friend John, who witnessed my first appreciation for Surf's Up (even lived with me at the time!) suggest he already knew my feelings there, and wanted to see what I would do with Pet Sounds. In both cases, the argument was the same, but inverted with respect to my personal opinion's saturation point, or the world's. I actually somewhat unconsciously considered exactly that: I didn't want to just pick Surf's Up or The Band's Stage Fright, as those are the obvious personal choices for me, and some people know that. And my personal opinions are sometimes in line with everyone, and sometimes out in left field. Each of those could be an issue for any given person, so I leave it up to a majority of given persons.
The motivations for votes are varied, and that's fine. If you think you are not informed enough, don't worry, vote anyway! Informing is my end of this bargain. Those who know enough to have a firm opinion have less to learn, and those who vote based on a release's name alone (or similar factors) will learn regardless of the end result.
Poll Results by Letter:
Results from "E"
Results from "F"
Results from "G"
Results from "H"
Results from "I"
Results from "J"
Results from "K"
Results from "L"
Results from "M"
Results from "N"
Results from "O"
Results from "P"
Results from "Q"
Results from "R"
Results from "S"
Results from "T"
Results from "U"
Results from "V"
Results from "W"
Results from "X"
Results from "Y"
Results from "Z"
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