79 minute albums...What do you think?

Me neither.

I wsh albums were more that 80 minutes that means to me that I'll save money on the long run. It is 2 albums on one. remmeber the 70's vinils? 35 minutes that was painful. we are bless that today recording top more that 60 minutes we shouldn't complaint at all. We aren't force to listen to a whole full album all in one shot. It is not like in a religious ceremony. come on!!!


Edited by darksideof - May 13 2007 at 13:30

I cant actually think of a single disc album that gets to 75+ minutes without having some duff songs on their. For instance, I could have done without Faaip De Oid(sp?) and Virginti Trees on Tools Lateralus and 10 000 Days. Some bands could do with really being more strict in what they keep for an album and what they get rid of. In actual fact, Dream Theaters Scens From a Memory is the only 75+ minute album that I can think of that doesnt have a single week moment on it.

As for the question as to how long an album should be, the answer is simple, as long as the band can write good music for it, whether thats 35 or 75 minutes doesnt matter.

I do believe that earlier prog albums were written and recorded with the technology and logistics of that period in mind; before the invention of the compact disc, long albums were just impossible to reproduce on vinyls with its limitations that we all know. 

The apparition of the CD changed all that and therefore changed the way songs were written.  A lot of recordings produced in the vinyls-era must have had 50-60+min. at the creation stage but were chopped or simply rewritten before the actual recording.  Double albums were, of course, a possibility but you just couldn't put out double albums all the time !

Today, 60-70+min. albums is nothing out of the ordinary because there's almost no limitations on time (well, there is but you know...).  The artists just take advantage of what's available for them.

stonebeard wrote: Hey--80 minutes of excellent material is better than 40 minutes of excellent material. However, bands that can pull of 80 minutes of excellent material are rare, if existent. 40-60 minutes is ideal for me, but it depends on the material and the band, of course.

The big album that jumped into my head as soon as I read the topic was Dream Theater's Scenes From A Memory.  I love the album, but if they had shortened some of the instrumental w**king around the end of the album, it would have been even better!  It doesn't distract too much from the album overall though, and I still love it.

I like albums that stay within the 45-60 minute range.  If they get much shorter, I feel kinda ripped for my money.  But at the same time, I'd rather have less of better quality than more of lesser quality ...