This is inspired by the "where to start" thread in DTB discussion..

When yuo decide you want to check out a band you haven't really heard before, where do you tend to start.

I'm always torn, part of me always wants to experience them in the order they were written, ie to hear the natural progression, but similarly, it might be a good idea to start with the most widely accepted "best" album by that band, when it might be easier to appreciate some of the other albums..

Do you have a pattern?

I'll start with whatever I can find first.

I start from the first record, remembering that ninety percent of artists improve as they go along.

I never, ever trust other people's opinions of which album is best.

either the reputed "seminal" album or just one I find first.

Never the first, never the last.

I actually don't follow any specific patterns. For the last 7 years, I've always tended to just stumble upon new bands constantly. It's usually a single random song from a band.

For example Dev/SYL I found through downloading AAA and Unity. Not the most obvious songs

[JuZ]

Likewise, I usually tend to stumble across new bands and pick up their stuff if and when I can. Hehe, I wish I had the time and money to plan out my purchases but it's all very haphazard at the moment. Still gotta start collecting all of Queen's stuff on CD!

I use Amazon reviews along with stuff I read on the web and try to find out what the consensus "best album" is and go from there. Worked pretty well with Devin Townsend.

Of course, I usually buy their latest album too, often first.

[djskrimp]

Lately, it seems as though I've been finding really good new music from the bands third album. (Gojira, Cave-In, Susperia, Oceansize)

I usually ask someone who's already into them what album would be a good place to start.

Or - if I just heard a song and really really liked it, I'd get the album with that song on it.

Given that I tend to see most recommended albums on forums such as this, Ultimate Metal and once upon a time Sonicdeath, I usually go for what is considered the best album. From there I can deduce either:

a) Well this is pretty cool, I can see myself getting into this band
b) If this is the best they can do, I'd hate to hear their worst.

When I discover a band this way, I usually download said album, burn it and if I like it then I'll buy it. If not I'll discard and move on to the next band.

I've discovered Amorphis and November's Doom this way among others.