Diminishing Returns: Can you go too deep into Music?

I do find that I sometimes collect faster than I listen, which leads to a number of problems. And I've definitely tired of the "New" concept, which is altogether depressing.

I actually think I need a sabbatical or something. :-)

I hear you there. It is an end unto itself, which if you're openly focused on that is great but otherwise gets really depressing.

Also, I will happily go sideways. With most of my purchases being recent, it's great fun to explore the sample sources and inspirations of a dozen acts because that leads back into so many other artists and scenes. It can be so rewarding, as well as money and time consuming, but this way, I won't ever believe I'm gonna run out of music to explore, especially since as N said, new releases are always on the go.

o. nate also speaks for me a lot here.

When I find an artist / band I like, I will tend to get all their albums if there aren't too many of them or maybe just the acknowledged classics if that artist's back catalogue is huge.

I used to be somewhat completist about a few bands / musicians when I was younger and my tastes were narrower but I very seldom if ever get so involved as to start buying singles in order to get the 'B'-sides these days (I tend to think that if those 'B'-sides are good enough, they'll be compiled eventually and I'm happy to spend my money going sideways into other stuff until they do) let alone hunting for bootlegs and trading tapes (with the sole exception of Captain Beefheart).

As to reaching the end of the catch-up game, sometimes I feel as if I'm getting there, but then I always manage to discover something else so the end manages to remain just tantalisingly out of reach.