The Success of Classic Albums

[livinginatinderbox]

Ok. I was chatting with a few of my friends and we were talking about the age of topic of, "what makes a classic album a classic album?" well i have been thinking a lot about it and came up with this.


we are going to use "appetite" for the example:

Ok. If you listen to appetite it never veers from its musical style. Every song on the album has the same sound. Its consistent, heavy, and just rolls. Thats what makes a classic album classic. It has the same style for every song. it doesn't go to country, or pop. It stays rock. like welcome to the jungle. if you take WTTJ, and make a album of songs with that same style, with the right people, it will be a hit. thats why appetite was so great. cause it had and album full of songs that never veered corse.. thats why it is so great..

any comments?

[minimacas]

i disagree. what you're talking about there is based almost purely on how a producer decides to mix the album.

i dont think theres any single answer to that question because there are limitless factors to consider such as its impact, the story behind it, its legacy, how unique it is, the production.

seriously no-one can ever know what makes a classic album. classic albums are a natural occurance.

wt u think?

[Faxl]

A classic album defines a generation, stays relevant for 20+ years, and is basically a collection of amazing songs, without a dip in quality, where each one could be released as a hit single.

[boo]

Good point but they don't really have to be potential hit singles. Not being funny but not every track off AFD would make a single unless it was edited/censored to death.

[livinginatinderbox]

i disagree. what you're talking about there is based almost purely on how a producer decides to mix the album.

i dont think theres any single answer to that question because there are limitless factors to consider such as its impact, the story behind it, its legacy, how unique it is, the production.

seriously no-one can ever know what makes a classic album. classic albums are a natural occurance.

wt u think?

i agree completely.. when its put like that it makes since.. but the sound of appetite was so good that if i knew the next gnr album had that sound i would chose it over any gnr album... just cause that sound had such a big influence..

[Faxl]

not every track off AFD would make a single unless it was edited/censored to death.

Haha, good point. ISE would have to like the VR version....

"Why don't you all....politely go away!"

[*Estranged*]

A classic album defines a generation, stays relevant for 20+ years, and is basically a collection of amazing songs, without a dip in quality, where each one could be released as a hit single.
[/quoote

I agree. Well put.

[viNs]

A classic album defines a generation, stays relevant for 20+ years, and is basically a collection of amazing songs, without a dip in quality

Gotta agree with this bit.

[Julien]

It has a lot to do with context as well.

[perfect_spy]

From 1987 towards 1992 there was some great albums being made that in todays times you can call classics. Up there with AFD I would add RHCP (BSSM), Nirvana's and Bon Jovi's Slippery(before you all give me stick, that album rocked). What was it about that particular period that gave us some great classic albums, that even all these years later no band has even come close.

[coys89]

From 1987 towards 1992 there was some great albums being made that in todays times you can call classics. Up there with AFD I would add RHCP (BSSM), Nirvana's and Bon Jovi's Slippery(before you all give me stick, that album rocked). What was it about that particular period that gave us some great classic albums, that even all these years later no band has even come close.

and metallicas black album. not forgeting use your illusions.


and what makes a classic album one thats just as brilliant after 20 years and is great from start to finish. i remember when i first got appetite i hardly ever finished it as i would put it on and then would end up doing something else took a while for me to appreciate rocket queen which is one of my all time fav songs

[perfect_spy]

Metallica's Black album was brilliant. Am I right in that their die hard fans criticised them with that album for daring to try something different.

[Faxl]

Metallica's Black album was brilliant. Am I right in that their die hard fans criticised them with that album for daring to try something different.

Yes, sadly. Sad But True rawks.

[perfect_spy]

Metallica's last album was crap, what happened there.

[russkwtx]

To my mind, there are numerous criteria. Classic albums are those that are timeless. You can listen to them over and over, and they never get old. They define the generation in which they released, and then continue to be influential to later generations. They recruit new fans who were too young when the band or album first appeared. The quality of songs is very high, little if any filler.