Do Albums Limit Musical Discussion?

TheBig3 · 03-16-2010, 11:15 AM

I didn't spend hours formulating thought on this one, I'm just wondering if the parameters of the album are holding back discussion.

I'm not a guy who wants to discuss albums generally, and its why I don't post much here. I was thinking about it today, and I'd be far happy jabbering on about the stuff that makes music. I feel trapped by an album, like I have to listen to the end of this miserable piece of **** just to talk to people.

And I can't talk to the math guys, if I have to go over anything that brings up the cycle of 5ths or mincrotonal anything I'm going to scream. Theres no long winded discussions here about the blood and guts of the music as far as I'm concerned.

Does anyone else feel this way?

SATCHMO · 03-16-2010, 11:46 AM

No.

Guybrush · 03-16-2010, 11:52 AM

I sometimes feel that way, but mostly not because I like albums and think they are excellent units in music history

Also - obvious point, but songs on an album are often more artistically similar to eachother than to songs from other albums by the same band/artist.

I still understand where you're coming from. I think what kills discussion more for me is that when it comes to music, I'm generally respectful of other people's opinions and that doesn't really lead to a lot of interesting debate. If I thought the quality of music was objective rather than subjective, I'm sure I would be more interested in other people's opinions about it.

I like Kate Bush, but I don't really care if person X who I don't know hates her.

mr dave · 03-16-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3KilledMyRainDog

Does anyone else feel this way?

there's a good reason why the bulk of my posts worth reading are in the 'talk instruments' subforum. there have been a few attempts at discussion revolving more around the philosophy of playing instruments, they usually don't fly too far, mainly because after about 2-3 days everything has been covered between the 2-3 people participating in the thread. i think one of main limiting factors is the lack of musicians on the site who see a clear distinction between playing music and playing songs. not that one is better than the other, more like the difference between adolescence and adulthood.

then again, once you've reached that point you should know how to reach your own goals and can specify your own targets so where would a discussion really lead?

album discussions can be fun at times, but 'discussions' that revolve around listing favourites re: band don't really strike me as something worth much of my time.

but really, if there's a type of thread you'd like to see why not start that actual thread instead of one griping about the lack of that kind of thread?

Fruitonica · 03-16-2010, 07:41 PM

They make good comparative bases to throw around in a discussion, small enough to get a good handle on but broader than songs. But I'm one of the people who actually enjoys reading through how people rate specific albums in a year/decade whatever.

The best conversations aren't beholden to a single or small bunch of albums though....

03-16-2010, 11:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	Do Albums Limit Musical Discussion? I didn't spend hours formulating thought on this one, I'm just wondering if the parameters of the album are holding back discussion. I'm not a guy who wants to discuss albums generally, and its why I don't post much here. I was thinking about it today, and I'd be far happy jabbering on about the stuff that makes music. I feel trapped by an album, like I have to listen to the end of this miserable piece of **** just to talk to people. And I can't talk to the math guys, if I have to go over anything that brings up the cycle of 5ths or mincrotonal anything I'm going to scream. Theres no long winded discussions here about the blood and guts of the music as far as I'm concerned. Does anyone else feel this way? __________________ I've moved to a new address

03-16-2010, 11:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I sometimes feel that way, but mostly not because I like albums and think they are excellent units in music history Also - obvious point, but songs on an album are often more artistically similar to eachother than to songs from other albums by the same band/artist. I still understand where you're coming from. I think what kills discussion more for me is that when it comes to music, I'm generally respectful of other people's opinions and that doesn't really lead to a lot of interesting debate. If I thought the quality of music was objective rather than subjective, I'm sure I would be more interested in other people's opinions about it. I like Kate Bush, but I don't really care if person X who I don't know hates her. __________________ Something Completely Different

03-16-2010, 11:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	No.

03-16-2010, 07:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	They make good comparative bases to throw around in a discussion, small enough to get a good handle on but broader than songs. But I'm one of the people who actually enjoys reading through how people rate specific albums in a year/decade whatever. The best conversations aren't beholden to a single or small bunch of albums though....