Shorter length CDs?
I know that this may seem a little at odds with what we usually expect and now mostly get. I for one, would be in favour of shorter albums...probably of about 45 minutes playing time....actually the length that LPs used to be in the past. I feel that albums of this length are much more manageable for the listener to digest in one sitting. Listening for 70 minutes or over, can be a bit of a daunting proposition (and dare I say it, a tiring experience)
When albums were of a shorter playing time, you really got to enjoy them and know them inside out.
So, 'less' is sometimes 'more'. Also, an album of shorter length has the potentially to be much more powerful as a result...all killer, no filler as they say...what's not to like. It even benefits the artist in a way. Anybody agree ...or very much disagree?
I'm hoping that some of you might actually agree!
Ok, you can now shoot me down in flames if you don't agree ! :-)
Hi Perfect Monster... and thanks for those personal insights into what may be causing that tiring effect in my listening experience. I understand totally what you mean. Yes, sometimes there are a lot of sounds to digest in some of Bill's (and others) music. In a way, I guess that The Police (and their trademark 'empty' sound) was a reaction to that 'full/cluttered' production, that had been prevalent before they came to be a popular band. So I guess I'm hankering for the sound of a 5 piece band recorded, mostly 'live' in the studio with a minimal amount of overdubs? Drums, bass, keyboards, and 2 guitarists... one or more of whom are vocalists! mind you the sound shouldn't be limited to those instruments. For instance, can you remember Fazier Chorus. They used a different assortment of instruments than the standard pop/rock band. Anyway, before the thread was sent off at a tangent...my thread was about the total length of an album coming in at about 45 minutes...a good length to sit down and listen to at one time. Don't misconstrue that I want to live back in the 1970s by saying that. Thanks everybody for all your responses. It's great that we've all managed kept it polite and adult.