Album Theory: What Ingredients Create a Classic?
Posted by Michael on October 31, 2009 under Misc | 
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As a music producer, I tend to have two kinds of clients: Clients who want to record a fell album and Clients who work on one (or a few) songs at a time. There are aspects I enjoy about both approaches. After all sometimes I want a snack, and sometimes I want a good meal. However, in this post I won’t get into all the ridiculously bad-for-you food that I enjoy, and focus on the elements of a good meal.
Just like a perfect meal takes thought and preparation, so does a great album. I love the additional puzzle-work that comes with producing an album, and I’d like to share some of my insights into what I think makes a good album.
1. Not Every Song Should Be a Single: Okay, not all genres are chasing “radio hits” but there are still “hits” in all genres. But an album that does nothing but go after hit after hit is boring. There is a stigma to the words “album cut” and there shouldn’t be. A great album cut is song that appeals to the artists true fans, and perhaps not EVERYBODY in the world. Perhaps it is lyrically more sophisticated or musically adventurous, or a number of other things, but great album cuts are what makes a great album. How many “singles” did “Dark Side of the Moon” have? Read more of this article »
