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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | <jim@groovedisques.com> |
| Subject | Re: albums, albums, where are you? |
| Date | Tue, 9 Dec 2003 14:30:04 -0500 |
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"jkosmicki" wrote:
> ...a lot, but after I read the article from USA Today, I > looked over my collection and began asking myself if
> there were any albums that I simply HAD to listen to as a > whole...
Well, there's a chance that you are wrong about some of those albums you own. Perhaps they not only contain nothing but great song; perhaps the great songs add up to something better if you listen to the album all the way through. Of course, you don't HAVE to do anything, even when you suspect that may be the case based on a USA Today article.
> I was thinking more along the lines of an album where you > really, truly do need to hear the whole to experience
> what it's about. That while the songs are interesting
> enough on their own, they take on a more complete meaning > only in the context of the rest of the album...
Again, this can be true even when the individual songs are all very good to great. In fact, it may be more true. If you're looking for "great albums" that can only be appreciated after sitting through a dozen less-than-great songs, well, that's kind of strange, isn't it? That is, provided you're not expecting us to suggest Steve Reich albums.
> ...one point in my life "Flood" would have been a natural > answer for a great album, but I have found that lately,
> once I get to about the 10th track, my attention begins
> wandering...
Is that the album's fault, your fault, or the fault of the first 10 songs, which may be better than the 11th one? Would you need a balanced attack of mediocre songs to add up to this one spectacular album?
> ...But just because you like to listen to an album
> all the way through every time doesn't mean that it has
> to be that way -- that can simply be a comfort zone thing.
My friend, I could go on all day with silly responses, but that would be rude. It's not a "comfort zone" thing any more than you may feel comforted by listening to that crappy Van Dyke Parks album lacking one great song repeatedly and wishing for an even more excruciating musical;) You invite us to discuss this question. Don't reject everything anyone else suggests just because it's slightly different from the ideas cooking in your head. It's only rock 'n roll, at a certain point. Most of this stuff we love is made and marketed for sale, not commissioned and hung in galleries. DO NOT feel shortchanged by a great album just because the individual songs are actually great. Some great albums just happen to have great individual songs as well. To tell me Martinis and Bikinis isn't structured around a theme is unfair just because a few songs are GREAT and worthy of individual play.
Jim
www.groovedisques.com
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