What is the ideal album sequence?

[Entre_Perpetuo]

What is the ideal sequence of tracks on an album. How many, what kinds, where do they go? Maybe it’s best to use examples. I think my platonic ideal of album design right now is this:

 

 

 

[treeduck]

Metal, metal, metal, metal, metal, metal and metal. Then a little bit of metal, a little bit more metal and then finish with some metal. And maybe a metal track slotted in there too.

[blueschica]

57 minutes ago, treeduck said:

Metal, metal, metal, metal, metal, metal and metal. Then a little bit of metal, a little bit more metal and then finish with some metal. And maybe a metal track slotted in there too.

 

 

[blueschica]

Oops, Ok, back on topic.   Great question, EP!   Born to Run is a really good one, as someone that grew up with vinyl "albums" ; I always appreciated when they were arranged so that you could listen straight through at least one side;  not too many fast or slower songs in a row and not what seems to happen on a lot of rushed records, a bunch of lousy songs with one hit or whatever.  The first one I can think of is "Who's Next", its a great album and that's part of it.  Loved it when I was younger and later on read that this also was supposed to be a rock opera that just never came together, but it makes sense that the song order would be thought about a lot and sequenced well if that was the case.

 

Edited April 19, 2024 by blueschica

[blueschica]

Rumors by Fleetwood Mac is another great album with excellent sequencing for whatever reason; there's a whole book about the album in our public library but I've never gotten around to reading it.

 

[Nova Carmina]

I like when albums begin with something punchy, then run through the gears, changing tempos and pacing, creating dynamism with a sense of ebb and flow, building to something summative and maybe a little melancholy (the album is over, after all). My all-time favorite album closer is Pink Floyd's "High Hopes," but the rest of that album doesn't have enough variation to really be a good example.  I do think Clockwork Angels works well, but what can top . . .

 

[Entre_Perpetuo]

12 hours ago, blueschica said:

Oops, Ok, back on topic.   Great question, EP!   Born to Run is a really good one, as someone that grew up with vinyl "albums" ; I always appreciated when they were arranged so that you could listen straight through at least one side;  not too many fast or slower songs in a row and not what seems to happen on a lot of rushed records, a bunch of lousy songs with one hit or whatever.  The first one I can think of is "Who's Next", its a great album and that's part of it.  Loved it when I was younger and later on read that this also was supposed to be a rock opera that just never came together, but it makes sense that the song order would be thought about a lot and sequenced well if that was the case.

 

Oh yes! This is definitely one of the best! Can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner! I love how it treats the end of side 1 and the start of side 2 especially.

[invisible airwave]

Not the US edition but the European original 3 LP pressing with 30 tracks.

 

 

Edited April 19, 2024 by invisible airwave

[goose]

I'll say Boston's debut album.  I remember when I first heard the 8track version with a different song order.  

[custom55]

 

Edited April 22, 2024 by custom55

[blueschica]

8 hours ago, custom55 said:

 

 

Yes, this is a great example!  Back when artists actually thought about sequencing.   

[Maverick]

Led Zeppelin IV does it perfectly. 

[goose]

The CARS debut nails it

[Maverick]

First Boston album.