I've often wondered at what stage does a 2 disc (4 LP) album become too meandering and unfocused.

In my mind and humble opinion, I can't think of many albums of that length which really work, with the exception of "The White Album" - The Beatles, "Songs in the key of life" - Stevie, and "Sign O the Times" - Prince.

I also feel that the ones that do really work tend to be their career best.

Please feel free to disagree as I would love to learn of some others.

There is only one moment in any artists career when they can release something whimsically genius like the thre albums you just named.

Most artists lose themselves after that, go totally potty on us, or, like The ROlling Stones, keep making the same shit over and over so it becomes boring, a trick.

You might be good at a certain trick, but some people should get over it.
The Rolling Stones, as I used them as an example, as still trying to do new stuff, though, without losing their fanbase, kepping close to what they have been doing, but in that spectrum, find nice new thingies to do.

Prince on the other hand, stays close to what he knows and tries to force some new concept (Emancipation, Crystal Ball) onto his fans. Not always succeeding because he stays too close to his 'little box' (Paisley Park) and broods to much over it. Making it over conceptualised.

While he knows he should just cut the crap, hire a little studio in London (like The White Stripes) and come up with something raw, Dirty Mind-like. Not sounding like Dirty Mind or even carrying the same message; but something not too bothered with 'messages' or concepts. Just let new influences lead the way.
His best albums always surfaced after an intense period of self discovery. Even "The Rainbow Children" is close, but too burdened with incomprehendable life views not meant to apply to everyone. I guess that was his intention.

As I am no rainbow child, I'ld still like him to do other things, but guess what; the guy got a mind on his own damnit!

*Gooey tries to mind control Prince*

It's not working.

cruel intentions edit...
[This message was edited Mon May 26 4:49:10 PDT 2003 by Christopher]

Christopher said:

:O

Two words...

THE WALL

Ecnirp84

1999 beats them all.

tusk
sign o the times
the wall
songs in the key of life
1999
bitches brew (but was that more than two albums?)
exile on main street

i'm sure there are more but i can't remember all the great albums that were double albums since they are all on one disc with CDs...
[This message was edited Wed May 28 12:26:24 PDT 2003 by imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty]
[This message was edited Wed May 28 12:27:00 PDT 2003 by imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty]

classics IMO:

rolling stones - exile on main street
the clash - london calling
prince - sign o the times
pink floyd - the wall
nine inch nails - the fragile

we live in a short attention span world... it's like "here's a TASTE of this! now here, have a TASTE of that!!!". the double album is a lost art unfortunately... i think that's part of the reason that nine inch nails "the fragile" didn't do well... it's a demanding listen. i feel that it's something that you have to hear all the way through in order to get it... but who has the time for that anymore, right?!??

--gm--

***"Songs In The Key Of Life" by Stevie Wonder (1976)---this is my all-time favorite 2-LP set by ANY artist.

***"Bad Girls" by Donna Summer (1979)---it's being re-mastered with bonus tracks!!

***"1999" by Prince (1982)