The ILM end-of-year “most listened” poll turns up some interesting juxtapositions between most-listened tracks and albums. How different ly do you approach albums and single? Do you want an album to just be 12 singles, or do you want a different dynamic?
i don’t buy singles, they’re a waste of everything.
What about when a single might as well be an album, e.g. “Fizheuer Zieheuer”?
mind you a perfect single ought to have at least four tracks, a stunning non-album opener, a very good “why wasn’t this on the album?” second track, a crazy mental piece of studio artwank genius and finally a storming dance remix.
In my day it was two tracks, A side and B side, i.e. Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane.
“single” = “individual track” i guess? though for pop acts, or anyone with any sort of eye on the mainstream, there’ll always be the difference between a good song and a good single. rachel stevens’ ‘negotiate with love’ was the former but not the latter.
i don’t think i really mind whether an album is 12 singleworthy tracks which happen to be on one cd, or a coherent piece of work which flows and hangs together well. both are good.
This is the digital age! Both formats are obsolete.
single = something on my computer i can keep playing over and over again
album = something i can put on whilst falling asleep (i think unless i am reviewing it thats the only time i seem to listen to albums atm. which is lame.)
Marc, 1967 was never “your day” now don’t exag.
Bobby Gillespie was admittedly ahead of me in the queue at HMV on the day of release; two prams in front IIRC.
In my day it was two tracks, A side and B side, i.e.
Ally’s Tartan Army and I Wanna Be A Punk Rocker (but ma mammy willnae let me)
I can’t remember the last time I bought a single. ye gods.
an over-reliance on remixes killed off the single long before anyone thought to blame the internet. three of four slightly different and incrementally inferior versions of the same song? yes please!
Mostly, I buy albums—ceedees and vinyl.
But I buy dance, pop and hip-hop singles more than albums in those genres. Sometimes I’m just in it for one perfect song, and the remixes, instrumentals and acapellas are a nice bonus.
When I’m in the exploration stage with a new band of any sort, I’ll often buy whatever’s out there: singles, EPs, compilations, etc. Singles are like dating. A good, sorta-cheap way to flirt without making awkward committments.
In my day it was two tracks, A side and B side, i.e. Mr. Roboto and Snowblind.
I only infrequently look for good singles, always when i’m in a situation which involves access to a radio but not my own music collection. i look for something that truly involves me for four or so minutes before it’s back to work.
albums are a different kettle of fish. I look for, oh god, erm, an experience, an involving collection of brilliant moments and sustained musical entertainment that at first surprises me with its originality and then sinks into my head so i can memorise and follow it upon subsequent listens. i look forward to albums by proven artists, and i hold them dearer than any other works of art.
i’ve given up on the idea of expecting to like a whole album. so all i really look for from it or pick up on is the ‘keeper’ tracks. i suppose you could say i am bored with the perceptions of what an album should do/how it should play (downloading and/or being able to listen to tracks in ‘wrong’ order has fuelled this to some extent). but then i was never really that into it in the first place. i’d rather listen to compilations as background listening because of the tendency for the range to be wider (combined with my short attention span).
i don’t buy singles in physical form but obv. individual songs or even an EP length piece don’t carry the same baggage as the album (or at least this perceived archetype of an album) and so continue to appeal as they have always done.
in my day it was a different satchel of bacon, let me tell you
mmmmm satchel
what i look for in bacon: a smoky tang that hits me like a freight train, followed by a hot, luxurious shit
uh...
wait, what day is today?
ok, sorry
i should have said “luxuriant”
For me singles are only for dance tracks I mix. I prefer 4 track eps, but even still I find they’re a lot easier for me to buy than full albums on vinyl. Anywhere else. . . forget it, I’m cheap and like to listen to lots of music at a time.
single = instant musical gratification
album = long-term cohesive presentation
Bobby Gillespie was admittedly ahead of me in the queue at HMV on the day of release; two prams in front IIRC.
I read grams instead of prams. Would work as well, I guess.
What do I look for in a single (and that I will rarely find in records)? Instant orgasms.
Uh, what Dan said, I guess.
single = one night stand
album = relationship
?