Can Length Ruin An Album?

Minstrel · 09-11-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toretorden

^No, I know that. I mean - if you're not ever gonna communicate your opinion, it doesn't matter so much what you base it on as long as it works for you.

Hmm, I don't think you quite understand what I'm saying. I'm not talking about grading albums. I do give my opinion on albums, but this isn't about how I evaluate albums. This is simply about preferring to have more music, on the chance of getting more good music. It's unrelated to how I grade albums.

**Janszoon** · 09-11-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

Well if we're comparing albums Metallica's And Justice For All is over an hour long, Slayer's Reign in Blood is 28 mins long.
I actually paid more for the Slayer album because at the time you could only buy it on CD via import.

I actually consider the Slayer album more value for money simply because it gets played by me far far more often than that Metallica album ever does.

Absolutely. Though in fairness if I add up the running times of the tracks I like on ...And Justice For All the total is certainly way less than the length of Reign In Blood.

Guybrush · 09-11-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minstrel

Hmm, I don't think you quite understand what I'm saying. I'm not talking about grading albums. I do give my opinion on albums, but this isn't about how I evaluate albums. This is simply about preferring to have more music, on the chance of getting more good music. It's unrelated to how I grade albums.

Well, the thread is about wether or not length can ruin an album and it seems you agree that it can - just that you don't think the goodness of the album is as important as collecting good songs(?).

Minstrel · 09-11-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toretorden

Well, the thread is about wether or not length can ruin an album and it seems you agree that it can - just that you don't think the goodness of the album is as important as collecting good songs(?).

It depends on the meaning of "ruin." I don't think it can spoil enjoyment of an album (because I can ignore the bad stuff), but it can reduce the average song quality and thus the overall grade of the album.

Guybrush · 09-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minstrel

It depends on the meaning of "ruin." I don't think it can spoil enjoyment of an album (because I can ignore the bad stuff), but it can reduce the average song quality and thus the overall grade of the album.

I wrote "ruin" simply because it was in the thread title. It does sound a bit exaggerated.

When you brought it up earlier, I disagreed because I argued that by extracting just a few songs, you're no longer enjoying the album, you're enjoying a collection of songs extracted from it. To me, album implies the whole thing. If you're extracting what you like and leave the rest, I'd say you're enjoying part of the album.

CanwllCorfe · 09-11-2009, 09:56 AM

I don't think so! Most trance songs are 7-10 minutes so I'm used to lengthiness

FETCHER. · 09-11-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanwllCorfe

I don't think so! Most trance songs are 7-10 minutes so I'm used to lengthiness

i cant stick it, anymore than 6 mins n i get bored.. especially if its repetitive.

cavanherk · 09-11-2009, 11:53 AM

In a word, no. I really don't pay much attention. If it is an hour and 20 minutes of good stuff, each song unique in style and content, then no.

If it is similar sounding stuff then yeah, but again, I don't generally pay much attention. Anymore, I listen to an actual album only two or three times before I have the songs rated, and then just add the best songs to my playlist or shuffle through all songs, so it doesn't effect my enjoyment in the slightest.

Mostly I think of the general notion of "more bang for the buck", as they say.

sidewinder · 09-11-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toretorden

If I put on an album that has been rereleased with extra tracks such as proto-versions of the songs, I often leave the extras out of the playlist. I also tend to leave them out when I write reviews .. The reason is they were not intended as part of the original product and including them as part of the whole can turn an otherwise nicely timed and exciting album into a long and repetitive one.

I do this as well, especially for something like a review. I usually still listen to the bonus tracks at some point, but not as part of the album. In my MP3 library I change the album name for those to "album name [Bonus Tracks]" to remind myself.

Back in the day though I acquired many albums that had extra tracks and I didn't know they were extra tracks...for instance the US release came with bonus tracks and I didn't know any different, and they weren't clearly identified as such on the back of the CD, or an album that came out in the vinyl/cassette years and the primary CD issue includes bonus tracks. Examples being several of Skinny Puppy's early albums (the CD version of Bites has 17 tracks, original vinyl/cassette had 9; the original Remission was a 6-track EP but the CD release has 11 tracks, etc), and Aphex Twin's Richard D. James album...I only recently discovered that the original UK version was 5 tracks shorter. So I got used to all those albums being as long as they are, it would feel strange to now separate the bonus tracks...but if I did, the albums would probably feel more solid.

anabundanceoftubes · 09-11-2009, 02:14 PM

To me length can be a deal breaker but that it completely depends on my mood. Sometimes I feel like listening to a whole album, but others a couple of songs will be fine.

09-11-2009, 09:56 AM	#56 (permalink)
CanwllCorfe Quiet Man in the Corner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pocono Mountains Posts: 2,480	I don't think so! Most trance songs are 7-10 minutes so I'm used to lengthiness __________________ Your eyes were never yet let in to see the majesty and riches of the mind, but dwell in darkness; for your God is blind.

09-11-2009, 11:53 AM	#58 (permalink)
cavanherk barefoot troubadour Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 143	I think not. In a word, no. I really don't pay much attention. If it is an hour and 20 minutes of good stuff, each song unique in style and content, then no. If it is similar sounding stuff then yeah, but again, I don't generally pay much attention. Anymore, I listen to an actual album only two or three times before I have the songs rated, and then just add the best songs to my playlist or shuffle through all songs, so it doesn't effect my enjoyment in the slightest. Mostly I think of the general notion of "more bang for the buck", as they say.

09-11-2009, 02:14 PM	#60 (permalink)
anabundanceoftubes Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maggie's farm Posts: 56	To me length can be a deal breaker but that it completely depends on my mood. Sometimes I feel like listening to a whole album, but others a couple of songs will be fine.