Mike Broadman
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2001
- Messages
- 4,950
Phil,
I apologize for not responding to the post about double albums. I totally didn't even see it, so thank you for bringing it to my attention. Stupid "work" must have gotten in the way. I hate it when important things get in the way of fun. I shall now consider the matter:
I don't judge music based on length- of song or album. Like most people, I would rather have 40 minutes of good music, then 80 minutes of music that is half as good. Too many bands feel that they have to release everything.
Double albums I like:
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway- Genesis
Now I'm going to sit here and watch as your respect for me goes down the drain...
I know it's weird one, but I like it. Carpet Crawlers, In the Cage, and the title track are just pure gems of melody and arrangement. There are some dull moments, especially on the second disc, and maybe it would have played better as a tighter, single album. But overall, it's worth it.
Tales From Topographic Oceans- Yes
If I didn't lose you on the first one, I'm sure I did now.
No one likes this. I do. Yes were one of the best arrangers in rock, and they are in full force here. Ok, sometimes they seem like they're too worried about making sure the song is the right length (an album side), but I like it.
Joe's Garage- Frank Zappa
Technically, it may be considered two seperate albums. Either way, I think this is sheer brilliance, and I enjoy every single moment.
Blonde on Blonde- Bob Dylan
Possibly my favorite Dylan album, this is just great, and I won't explain why :p
Exile on Main Street- Rolling Stones
I'm not even a big stones fan, and I don't like some of the songs on this album, but I'm impressed that they can have that much good material on one release. This and Sticky Fingers are the only non-compilation Stones CDs that I have.
Double albums I don't like:
The Wall- Pink Floyd
I like the first disc, I don't like the second. Very whiny, drawn out, and somtimes torturous.
Mellancolie and the Infinite Sadness- Smashing Pumpkins
Or, as I like to call it, the Billy Corgan jerks off album. There are two cool songs on this album, and those are the hits. The rest is just too damn boring- Corgan trying to prove he's some sort of visionary artist or something. Billy, shut up and play some rock.
Umagumma- Pink Floyd
1st disc- awesome live album. 2nd disc- makes Mellancolie look like the model of taste and restraint. Do we need to hear a three part, 10 minute drum composition that sounds like sleet falling on my roof?
Now, your examples, Phil:
I apologize for not responding to the post about double albums. I totally didn't even see it, so thank you for bringing it to my attention. Stupid "work" must have gotten in the way. I hate it when important things get in the way of fun. I shall now consider the matter:
I don't judge music based on length- of song or album. Like most people, I would rather have 40 minutes of good music, then 80 minutes of music that is half as good. Too many bands feel that they have to release everything.
Double albums I like:
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway- Genesis
Now I'm going to sit here and watch as your respect for me goes down the drain...
I know it's weird one, but I like it. Carpet Crawlers, In the Cage, and the title track are just pure gems of melody and arrangement. There are some dull moments, especially on the second disc, and maybe it would have played better as a tighter, single album. But overall, it's worth it.
Tales From Topographic Oceans- Yes
If I didn't lose you on the first one, I'm sure I did now.
No one likes this. I do. Yes were one of the best arrangers in rock, and they are in full force here. Ok, sometimes they seem like they're too worried about making sure the song is the right length (an album side), but I like it.
Joe's Garage- Frank Zappa
Technically, it may be considered two seperate albums. Either way, I think this is sheer brilliance, and I enjoy every single moment.
Blonde on Blonde- Bob Dylan
Possibly my favorite Dylan album, this is just great, and I won't explain why :p
Exile on Main Street- Rolling Stones
I'm not even a big stones fan, and I don't like some of the songs on this album, but I'm impressed that they can have that much good material on one release. This and Sticky Fingers are the only non-compilation Stones CDs that I have.
Double albums I don't like:
The Wall- Pink Floyd
I like the first disc, I don't like the second. Very whiny, drawn out, and somtimes torturous.
Mellancolie and the Infinite Sadness- Smashing Pumpkins
Or, as I like to call it, the Billy Corgan jerks off album. There are two cool songs on this album, and those are the hits. The rest is just too damn boring- Corgan trying to prove he's some sort of visionary artist or something. Billy, shut up and play some rock.
Umagumma- Pink Floyd
1st disc- awesome live album. 2nd disc- makes Mellancolie look like the model of taste and restraint. Do we need to hear a three part, 10 minute drum composition that sounds like sleet falling on my roof?
Now, your examples, Phil:
* The Who's "Tommy" - is it the ideal concept double album? It doesn't drag at all (except the boring "Welcome", even Underture, IMO, which would be seen as its weak point). How about "Quadrophenia"?
Oh boy, Phil, are you gonna get me now- I don't like the Who. They just don't do it for me, sorry. I've never heard those albums in their entirety, so I shan't comment. The only Who album I've heard all of is the one with Baba O'Reily on it (Who's Next?). I like a few songs a little here and there. I really don't see the big deal about them. Daltry is a decent singer, no better or worse than anyone else. Entwhistle sounds like the most skilled member of the band. Moon is erratic, and Townshend is loud, but I've heard guys play in garages the same way.
Please don't kill me.
Now, when I say musicians can be snobs, that doesn't mean they all are snobs. I knew quite a few musicians who were quite cool.
Maybe the problem is, I'm seeing this from a jazz perspective. Be-bop was harshly criticised by older, more respected musicians as erratic and chaotic. Free jazz was then, in turn, criticised by be-bop for the same reason. Fusion was attacked by everyone. I won't even begin to tell you the kind of crap John Coltrane had to deal with.
But the same thing does happen in rock. Are you telling me you don't notice how musicians attack each other? I envy you if you are in a more nurturing, creative environment than I. I see this crap all the time.
I used to be a true music snob. I, like Phil, outgrew it. As I was discovering my love of jazz, I would have other people listening to it. One of my favorite experiences was taking a girlfriend who never liked or listened to jazz in her life to McCoy Tyner performance. She asked me to tell her about what he would play; I refused. Music speaks for itself. She loved it, and was shocked that she did. This, to me, was more rewarding than reading all the reviews and commentaries combined. Musician performs- audience enjoys. And it wasn't because of any fancy stage antics, or young good looks, or any gimmicks- it was Music for the heart and soul. This is what it's about, and this is why you don't need to have a PhD in music theory to tap your foot along to a good tune and just enjoy.