Best album(cd) length.

[BloodSword]

Using the criteria, you find important, what is the "best" album length for you: 40,45,50,60,70 minutes? For me, it seems 45-55 minutes is best. Anything longer just becomes a meandering musical miasma. Although, some bands use a longer album length to convey the musical theme. Discuss. Exp: Porcupine Tree's albums on average are 60-70 minutes(give or take) Their latest FOABP clocked in at 50. I think it was a master stroke that they did that. Anyone?

 

[The Ozzman]

65 minutes. It's perfect for longer than normal car rides.

 

[SouthernTrendkill]

I tend to feel a bit ripped-off when an album I bought only lasts under 40 minutes becuase I've had supposed EPs that are about that long. BUT I think that's actually just a knee-jerk reaction, I think I prefer shorter albums. I'm very much into CDs as a cohesive piece, and shorter albums makes it easier to listen to the entire thing without something interrupting it. In my ideal world, albums would generally be around 40 minutes, they'd cost a hell of a lot cheaper, and artists would just release more albums.

 

[Vimana]

It depends on the songs and type of music for me. But I guess I don't like them to be more than an hour long. So it doesn't take too long to import them into my itunes.

 

[Matt]

As long as it can be provided the music is good on the tracks.

 

[razoredge]

Start to finish, until the job is done. Im unaware of a secret formula that lies outside of the musicians means of expression

 

[ramses]

For prog related- Opeth, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Insomnium...etc. Over 50 minutes is appropriate. But more straight ahead stuff like punk, alternative, grincore, death...I think shorter is what works, around 35-45 minutes. For example, If Slayer's Reign In Blood would have been more than 35 (29 minutes in length)minutes, I don't think the listener would keep up the intense reaction of hearing it. And if many of Opeth's or Porcupine's album would've been less than 45 minutes, it make me feel unfulfilled...something's missing kind of reaction. Long story short,(too late...d'oh'!)complexity is key.

 

[Satanstoenail]

I don't have a favorite album length. If the album is quality all the way through I don't care if it's 2 hours long.

 

[Belligerent]

Depending on the band really. I would definitely be disappointed if Porcupine Tree came out with any body of work that was under 45 min. But that's because I can't get enough of their music. As far as hardcore bands 30-40 minutes is more than enough. It all depends on the band and genre.

 

[CAIRATH]

Aside from the obvious quality factor (I don't want any filler just to feel like I got bang for my buck) it also depends on the type of music for me. With more extreme music (extreme death/black metal) I prefer albums that are not much longer than 45 minutes or so. I often find extreme metal albums that are 70 minutes long quite difficult to sit through in their entirety. At some point I just start to zone out.

Though 70 minutes is pushing it for any style of music really. I'm not a fan of double albums for the same reason.

 

[razoredge]

who pays attention to time when the musics good

 

[mdmatt4ever]

between 45-60 minutes is good. 70+ minutes should only be for greatest hits type things. 70+ minutes for an album is pushing it and probably has at least 3 weak tracks

 

[Killbot]

It really depends on the genre. I find 30-40 minutes is plenty for a brutal death album, but I usually want 60-70 minutes from an ambient/drone album.

 

[BloodSword]

I do most of my listening thru head-phones. I use the Sennheiser-280Pro. These come with a jack and cord. That being said, I must be in one place for the length of the cd. Of course , I listen to my music "open" as well. I personally find it difficult to listen for longer than 45-55 minutes. There are exceptions: Tool, Devin Townsend Band, Allman Brothers, Opeth. Enslaved, who are my favorite band, create album's with an average length of 58 minutes. This is all a personal thing. I give each disc an "active and attentive" listen. My concentration will wane at about 55 minutes. Forgot to mention, PT-"In Absentia" at 68 minutes is another disc that I get thru fully. Also the "wireless" head-phones, imo, suck.

 

[BloodSword]

Yeah, what was I thinkin' when I asked this question. I guess I was just curious if anyone here had a preference for time. You knowhow some bands just seem to wank on and on and the music becomes a meandering mess. Cut the fat(reduce time) and you might have a more focused album. That's all I was trying to say.

 

[NinjaGeek]

I have an attention span of maybe 2-3 minutes, if the music isn't good or interesting enough. So as long as it's always good, any length is fine.

 

[challenge_everything]

Yeah it totally depends on the music. The Misfits 'Walk Among Us' - one of the best albums ever, 13 songs, and it clocks in at around 20mins.

 

[The Ozzman]

Yeah it totally depends on the music. The Misfits 'Walk Among Us' - one of the best albums ever and it clocks in at around 20mins.

Yeah, that album is great.