Red Mosquito • View topic - I feel like 12 tracks is the optimal number for an album

zeb · **Joined:** Tue January 01, 2013 10:43 am **Posts:** 5688

It's just a feeling I have.

Jorge · **Posted:** Wed March 20, 2013 12:55 pm

Actual album length notwithstanding?

liebzz · **Joined:** Thu January 03, 2013 7:55 pm **Posts:** 7707

I think it greatly depends on the artist. To me, an optimal length for a Pearl Jam album falls somewhere in the 50-minute 12-14 song set because it seems to be the right amount of space for them to take you on their journey - at least from what we've gotten from them so far. I would put Springsteen in the same category since everything he has done that was longer eventually blended together.

I feel a band like Radiohead would do well to shorten their albums into the 30-or so minute mark - 7-10 tracks. This is mostly because after about a half hour, their music starts to grate at me - especially everything post Kid A. Actually, I think Danger Mouse has perfected the flow of albums around this length and track listing (See Beck's Modern Guilt, The Black Keys' El Camino and Attack & Release).

Then there are bands like Pink Floyd, the Beatles and the Who who have successfully held my attention for longer. Actually, I do also really love the concept of the double album - I've always held that epic 70s excessiveness in high regard. Too bad bands like Journey, Kansas, and Boston just don't do it for me. I do enjoy the double albums from RHCP, Smashing Pumpkins, and the bands mentioned above though.

pjpjpaul · **Joined:** Wed March 13, 2013 3:28 pm **Posts:** 54

I agree 12 is optimal.... But exceptions are acceptable sometimes... When punk bands have 45 second songs I cut them slack if the albums has a lot of songs... And if its a band with longer, more thematic songs, I cut them slack for having less songs.. But I have always liked the 12 track album for some reason...

intodeep · **Posted:** Wed March 20, 2013 5:04 pm

10 -12 is about right with me too.

Heathen · **Joined:** Wed January 30, 2013 4:30 pm **Posts:** 3988

EJ · **Joined:** Wed January 02, 2013 3:15 pm **Posts:** 7050

Yield is 13 tracks. So, this.

bada · **Joined:** Tue January 01, 2013 5:53 pm **Posts:** 12087

j's brain · **Posted:** Wed March 20, 2013 6:38 pm

40-45 minutes.

epilogue · **Posted:** Wed March 20, 2013 7:38 pm

theplatypus wrote:

Actual album length notwithstanding?

zeb · **Joined:** Tue January 01, 2013 10:43 am **Posts:** 5688

durdencommatyler wrote:

theplatypus wrote:

Actual album length notwithstanding?

I think so.

kreng · **Joined:** Fri January 04, 2013 10:53 pm **Posts:** 1102

Heathen wrote:

no

Soma. · **Posted:** Wed March 20, 2013 8:45 pm

Oh zeb, we need a song tourney to keep you from saying such silly things.

McParadigm · **Joined:** Wed January 02, 2013 1:56 am **Posts:** 21878

This idea is the Special Ed of album creation.

verb_to_trust · **Posted:** Thu March 21, 2013 2:57 am

bada wrote:

10

Nothing better than a really solid 10 track album. All killer, no filler.

bart · **Joined:** Tue January 08, 2013 10:23 pm **Posts:** 3241

verb_to_trust wrote:

bada wrote:

10

Nothing better than a really solid 10 track album. All killer, no filler.

Reign in Blood.

Will · **Joined:** Wed January 02, 2013 7:38 pm **Posts:** 580

Whenever I piece together my own ideas, I always separate things into a dozen tracks for an album. Good call, zeb.

zeb · **Joined:** Tue January 01, 2013 10:43 am **Posts:** 5688

Yeah, six on either side seems best.

I feel like 12 tracks is the optimal number for an album

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