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Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA
I felt the best part of "Spirits Stampede" is at 4:30 when the music becomes more energetic. I feel they could have edited out some of the earlier part of the song to reach that latter section sooner, thereby shortening the song and not losing much of its content.
Similarly, I felt "Worlds in Collision" (my favorite of the three) could have been edited down without much loss of the song's feeling or content. I like its pleasant beat and a soothing sound, but it is fairly repetitive. My favorite part was at 6' when a quiet piano section starts.
Such atmospheric music is perhaps intended for those who want to be carried away by the music's tranquility, and so I can understand why many listeners wouldn't mind the songs lasting longer than 6'. I did like both songs; I just thought they could have been made shorter, which I would have preferred.
However, I didn't like the longer song "Zenith" by "A Swarm of the Sun" at all. The song had a louder, more intense instrumental section at 2:49, which was nice, except that it went on with almost no variation in its sound for over a minute (!) until 4:40. Then the song dwindled down at 5:40 and became very quiet. I became hopeful that they would let the song die a natural death at that point...but no, they kept the song on life support, barely alive, before finally revitalizing it with lyrics and a louder volume until pulling the plug five long minutes later.
I think "Zenith" would have been much more effective if it were shorter.
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I have to say, I find it weird, unsettling and clinical/cynical (take your pick) that you break down a song into minutes and seconds that way. ALmost like reducing it to its components, uncomfortably like dissection really. Do you really feel you can't just let go and enjoy a song, regardless of length, without analysing it to death?
I know I have done this in reviews, but that's towards a purpose, and never specific minutes and seconds. I write things like "In the third minute there's a nice piano solo that lasts about thirty seconds, then the mood changes and for the next two minutes it's harpsichordal music until minute six, where the vocals come back in" and so on.
I also find your quote above, about essentially "couldn't they get to the point sooner instead of making me wait all this time" or whatever to be really insulting to the band and very very arrogant. Do you think they wrote that song just for you? It's been proven here that there are few people who get so hung up on song lengths, so it's reasonable to assume that any band writing a song would not take into account that someone is counting down the time, analysing the music and shaking their head while looking at their stopwatch! Surely it's up to them as to where they choose to place the various parts of their songs, and not you or I? And surely also, to GET to the "good part", a mood, theme, pattern has to be established? I find part of the fun is getting to that mood, not tapping my fingers, waiting for the good bit.
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I mean more generally the concept that I perceive behind the song. I'm not just referring to the meaning of the lyrics, but to the main purpose of the pattern of sound.
Figuring out what I feel the song is about underneath all the sound we hear is what I mean by figuring out the point of the song.
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No, still don't get it. I listen to music for enjoyment, and also to hear well-thought-out lyrics. I like it to move me, but I don't ever feel that someone is constructing a pattern I have to recognise. Maybe Geekoid would be more in tune with what you're talking about, more on your wavelength.
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Now I have (unfortunately)!  I did feel it was much too long musically. I'm wondering if perhaps Iron Maiden were inspired by concertos to create their song with three movements (fast-slow-fast) tacked together by the long lyrics that tell the tale of the ancient mariner who learns (through punishment) to value and love the lives of other beings.
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I assume you're aware it's based on the classic poem? Well, yes, a lot of metal music is loosely based on classical, that's always been the case.
I don't mean all this to sound confrontational or rude: I guess I just will never be able to see this from your side. It's totally alien to me to deconstruct a song (apart from for review purposes, as I mentioned) in order to be able to enjoy it, and length has no bearing on how I enjoy a song. I guess I'll just leave it at that, and let others have their say, if anyone wants to continue pursuing the topic with you.
(Climbing down...)