Looking for albums for my commute. Any Suggestions?
September 21, 2011 6:27 PM Subscribe
What are some classic/great albums that are less than 45 minutes?
My commute is 30-40 minutes and I am looking for classic or great albums or EPs that are about that length. The closer to 30 minutes the better.
I am open to pretty much any type of music (and yes, even country and rap). What I really like though are cohesive albums (no filler or skip tracks), rather than a collection of random singles or songs. Basically a well executed sound and feeling. Good examples of the length and cohesiveness I am looking for:
The Queen is Dead by The Smiths
Illmatic by Nas
Another Green World by Brian Eno
Ege Bamyasi by Can
XX by XX
Pink Moon by Nick Drake
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
You get the idea.
I would also be happy with half an album as long as it's different from the second half, like the first half of E-2 E-4 by Manuel Gottsching or David Bowie's Low... Point being that the music resolves itself and I don't feel like I shut it off half way through. Obviously older albums are more likely to be this length so that's fine as well.
Any suggestions?
My commute is 30-40 minutes and I am looking for classic or great albums or EPs that are about that length. The closer to 30 minutes the better.
I am open to pretty much any type of music (and yes, even country and rap). What I really like though are cohesive albums (no filler or skip tracks), rather than a collection of random singles or songs. Basically a well executed sound and feeling. Good examples of the length and cohesiveness I am looking for:
The Queen is Dead by The Smiths
Illmatic by Nas
Another Green World by Brian Eno
Ege Bamyasi by Can
XX by XX
Pink Moon by Nick Drake
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
You get the idea.
I would also be happy with half an album as long as it's different from the second half, like the first half of E-2 E-4 by Manuel Gottsching or David Bowie's Low... Point being that the music resolves itself and I don't feel like I shut it off half way through. Obviously older albums are more likely to be this length so that's fine as well.
Any suggestions?
American Slang - The Gaslight anthem
It always seems just a bit too short.
In Desolation - Off With Their Heads
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:34 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
It always seems just a bit too short.
In Desolation - Off With Their Heads
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:34 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Neil Young, On The Beach.
posted by oinopaponton at 6:37 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by oinopaponton at 6:37 PM on September 21, 2011
A Night At The Opera - Queen
posted by Raymond Marble at 6:38 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by Raymond Marble at 6:38 PM on September 21, 2011
Pailhead was a short lived Ministry side project and their one album comes in at something like 25 minutes. I don't know if it's classic or great, but I like it.
posted by cali59 at 6:40 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by cali59 at 6:40 PM on September 21, 2011
The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday
This is the answer to all questions.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:41 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is the answer to all questions.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:41 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
sorry for the afterthought so soon....
Wild Gift and Los Angeles by X
posted by Raymond Marble at 6:41 PM on September 21, 2011
Wild Gift and Los Angeles by X
posted by Raymond Marble at 6:41 PM on September 21, 2011
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon clocks in at just over 43 minutes.
posted by Captain_Science at 6:43 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by Captain_Science at 6:43 PM on September 21, 2011
There's a huge new Dark Side of the Moon remaster coming out very soon.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:44 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:44 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Not sure if it's your cup of tea, but Reign in Blood is a 29-minute classic. It's super focused and very intense.
For something that meanders a little more, the first Black Sabbath is 38 minutes.
posted by ignignokt at 6:44 PM on September 21, 2011 [4 favorites]
For something that meanders a little more, the first Black Sabbath is 38 minutes.
posted by ignignokt at 6:44 PM on September 21, 2011 [4 favorites]
the first four Ramones albums
posted by radiosilents at 6:50 PM on September 21, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by radiosilents at 6:50 PM on September 21, 2011 [5 favorites]
King Crimson, In the Court of the Crimson King. 41:32.
posted by googly at 6:52 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by googly at 6:52 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Green Day's Dookie comes in at 38:24, not including the silence before the hidden track.
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 6:53 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 6:53 PM on September 21, 2011
Pixies Doolittle
Pixies Surfer Rosa
posted by fieldtrip at 6:53 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
Pixies Surfer Rosa
posted by fieldtrip at 6:53 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
Astral Weeks is 46 minutes, and is extraordinarily good.
posted by OmieWise at 6:54 PM on September 21, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by OmieWise at 6:54 PM on September 21, 2011 [3 favorites]
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman is one of my all-time favorites, it clocks in just over half an hour, and it just oozes with cohesive, well-executed sound and feeling from front to back.
posted by Balonious Assault at 6:55 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Balonious Assault at 6:55 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Can't believe I made it in here ahead of fellow Mountain Goats acolytes, but I think albums by The Mountain Goats function exceptionally well as coherent wholes. This wikipedia discography has links to each album, w/ running time listed to the right. They're mostly between 40 and 45 minutes, just under your limit. I especially love Tallahassee, Get Lonely, The Sunset Tree, and the Coroner's Gambit. Just amazing songwriting. Ok, I'll stop now.
posted by aka burlap at 7:02 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by aka burlap at 7:02 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
red headed stranger - willie nelson
guitars, cadillacs, etc, etc - dwight yoakam
back to black - amy winehouse, a near perfect 35 minutes.
pinkerton - weezer
waterloo to anywhere - dirty pretty things
the grey album, beatles+jay-z, mashed by dj dangermouse
when the pawn... - fiona apple
cursive's three best albums, domestica, the ugly organ, and happy hollow are all 45 minutes or under (happy hollow is really close, just over 45 minutes, but it's a great commute record. i used it for a year)
technically EPs put together to make a record, but stands up as albums:
13 songs - fugazi
the cd version of the first two records - bikini kill
posted by nadawi at 7:03 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
guitars, cadillacs, etc, etc - dwight yoakam
back to black - amy winehouse, a near perfect 35 minutes.
pinkerton - weezer
waterloo to anywhere - dirty pretty things
the grey album, beatles+jay-z, mashed by dj dangermouse
when the pawn... - fiona apple
cursive's three best albums, domestica, the ugly organ, and happy hollow are all 45 minutes or under (happy hollow is really close, just over 45 minutes, but it's a great commute record. i used it for a year)
technically EPs put together to make a record, but stands up as albums:
13 songs - fugazi
the cd version of the first two records - bikini kill
posted by nadawi at 7:03 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
The most recent ones, Heretic Pride, Life of the World to Come and All Eternals Deck, have really strong themes.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:03 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:03 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
In the land of indie-classics, there is of course also Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane over the Sea coming in at 39:51
posted by aka burlap at 7:05 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by aka burlap at 7:05 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
The only good Beastie Boys album, Polly Wog Stew.
The best 11 minute album I had on cassette.
Egg Raid on Mojo.
Priceless.
posted by Seamus at 7:06 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
The best 11 minute album I had on cassette.
Egg Raid on Mojo.
Priceless.
posted by Seamus at 7:06 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
AC/DC's Back in Black. 42:11 and not a second of filler. And given that it's a tribute to late singer Bon Scott, there's even a certain musical and (dare I say) thematic cohesiveness.
posted by bassomatic at 7:24 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by bassomatic at 7:24 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
Big Black -- Songs About Fucking.
posted by jason's_planet at 7:28 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by jason's_planet at 7:28 PM on September 21, 2011 [2 favorites]
A little longer, but I couldn't walk away from this question without mentioning This Is Our Music by Galaxie 500.
All of 'em are good; that one just happens to be my favorite.
posted by jason's_planet at 7:33 PM on September 21, 2011
All of 'em are good; that one just happens to be my favorite.
posted by jason's_planet at 7:33 PM on September 21, 2011
I can't favorite OmieWise hard enough on Astral Weeks. My all time #1 album, which also includes my all time #1 favorite track ever.
Of the very limited library I have on my computer, I would recommend:
Jessica Lea Mayfield: With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt (at just under 37 mins)
The Waterboys: This is The Sea (at 42 mins)
Toro Y Moi: Causers of This (at 33 mins)
Ghosts I've Met: From a Spark (at 32 mins)
I'll try and dig in to my full library of non-vinyl later on and see what I can pull up under 40 minutes.
posted by Bohemia Mountain at 7:35 PM on September 21, 2011
Of the very limited library I have on my computer, I would recommend:
Jessica Lea Mayfield: With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt (at just under 37 mins)
The Waterboys: This is The Sea (at 42 mins)
Toro Y Moi: Causers of This (at 33 mins)
Ghosts I've Met: From a Spark (at 32 mins)
I'll try and dig in to my full library of non-vinyl later on and see what I can pull up under 40 minutes.
posted by Bohemia Mountain at 7:35 PM on September 21, 2011
The Kills -- Keep On Your Mean Side
posted by jason's_planet at 7:41 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by jason's_planet at 7:41 PM on September 21, 2011
I would definitely second Van Morrison's Astral Weeks and NHM's In the Aeroplane over the Sea.
I saw that someone suggested Dark Side of the Moon, but I would totally put Meddle or Wish You Were Here above it. Both are pretty compact and, in my opinion, more cohesive.
I would also suggest Nina Simone Live at Carnegie Hall (I was listening to it on my commute this morning, actually).
Not sure if you're into Bon Iver, but those albums are all pretty short. The Blood Bank EP is less than 20 minutes, and is perhaps my favorite.
Uncle Tupelo's March 16-20, 1992, clocks in at just over 40 minutes, and it's one of my favorite albums ever.
The Secret Sisters' self-titled album is another good, short one, if you're into country with a retro sound.
Jose Gonzalez's Veneer.
Hanne Hukkelberg's Little Things.
Andrew Cedermark's Moon Deluxe.
posted by 6and12 at 7:44 PM on September 21, 2011
I saw that someone suggested Dark Side of the Moon, but I would totally put Meddle or Wish You Were Here above it. Both are pretty compact and, in my opinion, more cohesive.
I would also suggest Nina Simone Live at Carnegie Hall (I was listening to it on my commute this morning, actually).
Not sure if you're into Bon Iver, but those albums are all pretty short. The Blood Bank EP is less than 20 minutes, and is perhaps my favorite.
Uncle Tupelo's March 16-20, 1992, clocks in at just over 40 minutes, and it's one of my favorite albums ever.
The Secret Sisters' self-titled album is another good, short one, if you're into country with a retro sound.
Jose Gonzalez's Veneer.
Hanne Hukkelberg's Little Things.
Andrew Cedermark's Moon Deluxe.
posted by 6and12 at 7:44 PM on September 21, 2011
Do you like the punk rock? Yes, you like the punk rock! This is the good punk rock that will make sweet sweaty love to your earholes for 31 whole minutes:
Dillinger Four, "Versus God"
posted by BitterOldPunk at 7:51 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dillinger Four, "Versus God"
posted by BitterOldPunk at 7:51 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Four Horses - Ken Reaume (28:00)
Velocity Of Sound - Apples In Stereo (28:56)
Love It Love It - Nana Grizol (29:08)
I Will Be - Dum Dum Girls (29:10)
Ludo - Ivor Cutler (32:10)
Back To Black - Amy Winehouse (32:15)
Big Brother & the Holding Company (Featuring Janis Joplin) - Big Brother & The Holding Company (33:22)
Premiers Symptomes - Air (33:51)
Log Bomb - Bob Log III (34:27)
Computer World - Kraftwerk (34:36)
Wild Planet - The B-52's (34:56)
The Albemarle Sound - The Ladybug Transistor (35:20)
Rockin' and Romance - Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (36:20)
Ukrainian John Peel Sessions - The Wedding Present (36:22)
Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys (36:26)
White Music - XTC (36:26)
Lush Life - John Coltrane (36:42)
Lord Cut-Glass - Lord Cut-Glass (36:59)
The Turtles Present The Battle of the Bands - The Turtles (37:14)
Spanish Dance Troupe - Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (37:18)
Respect - Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians (37:20)
The Flat Earth - Thomas Dolby (37:26)
6- And 12-String Guitar - Leo Kottke (37:28)
He Poos Clouds - Final Fantasy (37:31)
Harvest - Neil Young (37:32)
Clouds - Joni Mitchell (37:42)
Heaven Or Las Vegas - Cocteau Twins (37:44)
Named And Shamed - The Flaming Stars (38:05)
All Around My Hat - Steeleye Span (38:23)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 - Glenn Gould (38:27)
Shall Noise Upon - Apollo Sunshine (38:28)
Old Dog - Chris Coole (38:28)
Soothing Sounds For Baby, Volume 1, 1 to 6 Months - Raymond Scott (38:33)
Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols - Sex Pistols (38:49)
(I am so glad I have a SQL-based music database ...)
posted by scruss at 8:21 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Velocity Of Sound - Apples In Stereo (28:56)
Love It Love It - Nana Grizol (29:08)
I Will Be - Dum Dum Girls (29:10)
Ludo - Ivor Cutler (32:10)
Back To Black - Amy Winehouse (32:15)
Big Brother & the Holding Company (Featuring Janis Joplin) - Big Brother & The Holding Company (33:22)
Premiers Symptomes - Air (33:51)
Log Bomb - Bob Log III (34:27)
Computer World - Kraftwerk (34:36)
Wild Planet - The B-52's (34:56)
The Albemarle Sound - The Ladybug Transistor (35:20)
Rockin' and Romance - Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers (36:20)
Ukrainian John Peel Sessions - The Wedding Present (36:22)
Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys (36:26)
White Music - XTC (36:26)
Lush Life - John Coltrane (36:42)
Lord Cut-Glass - Lord Cut-Glass (36:59)
The Turtles Present The Battle of the Bands - The Turtles (37:14)
Spanish Dance Troupe - Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (37:18)
Respect - Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians (37:20)
The Flat Earth - Thomas Dolby (37:26)
6- And 12-String Guitar - Leo Kottke (37:28)
He Poos Clouds - Final Fantasy (37:31)
Harvest - Neil Young (37:32)
Clouds - Joni Mitchell (37:42)
Heaven Or Las Vegas - Cocteau Twins (37:44)
Named And Shamed - The Flaming Stars (38:05)
All Around My Hat - Steeleye Span (38:23)
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 - Glenn Gould (38:27)
Shall Noise Upon - Apollo Sunshine (38:28)
Old Dog - Chris Coole (38:28)
Soothing Sounds For Baby, Volume 1, 1 to 6 Months - Raymond Scott (38:33)
Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols - Sex Pistols (38:49)
(I am so glad I have a SQL-based music database ...)
posted by scruss at 8:21 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline.
posted by randomname25 at 8:23 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by randomname25 at 8:23 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Karate - In Place of Real Insight: Karate doesn't get enough love in general.
No Age - Nouns
posted by papayaninja at 8:26 PM on September 21, 2011
No Age - Nouns
posted by papayaninja at 8:26 PM on September 21, 2011
A Man Called E, by E, the guy who would later found the Eels. As long as you don't mind crying every now and then.
posted by Etrigan at 8:32 PM on September 21, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 8:32 PM on September 21, 2011 [4 favorites]
Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed by the Stones both clock in at around 40 minutes.
posted by Rangeboy at 8:34 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by Rangeboy at 8:34 PM on September 21, 2011
Weezer Blue Album- 39:25
posted by rockindata at 8:44 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by rockindata at 8:44 PM on September 21, 2011
Big Star's #1 Record and Radio City are both just under 40 minutes. (Now available as a combo.)
Sloan has some short ones -- The Double Cross is about 35 min., Parallel Play a little longer.
The Magnetic Fields -- Charm of the Highway Strip 33 min., Holiday 36 min., Get Lost 40 min.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 8:50 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Sloan has some short ones -- The Double Cross is about 35 min., Parallel Play a little longer.
The Magnetic Fields -- Charm of the Highway Strip 33 min., Holiday 36 min., Get Lost 40 min.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 8:50 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh hey - Love Is Dead by The Mr. T Experience and Utopia's Oblivion.
posted by mintcake! at 8:56 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mintcake! at 8:56 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Neil Young - After the Gold Rush
Pink Mountaintops - Axis of Evol
Jimi Hendrix - Axis, Bold as Love
Bob Dylan and the Band - Basement Tapes (each disc is under 40)
Brian Eno - Before and after Science
Bob Dylan - Bringing it all back home
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Om - Conference of the birds [heavy chanty stoner metal, but I love driving to it.]
White Stripes - DeStijl
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Everyone knows this is nowhere [40:26]
Devo - Freedom of Choice
Gorch Fock - Gorch Fock
Gram Parsons - Greivous Angel
Neil Young - Harvest
Townes Van Zandt - High Low and Inbetween
Antony & the Johnsons - I am a bird now
Acqueduct - I Sold Gold
Beastie Boys - In Sound From Way Out [Instrumental]
The End - Introspection
MC5 - Kick out the jams
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
Old Crow Medicine Show - OCMS
Pink Floyd - Obscured By Clouds
The Shins - Oh, Inverted World
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Cave - Psychic Psummer
Talking Heads - Remain in Light
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Solar Fire
David Bowie - Station to Station
The Books - Thought for Food
Memail me of you want more info on any of these.
posted by schyler523 at 9:02 PM on September 21, 2011
Pink Mountaintops - Axis of Evol
Jimi Hendrix - Axis, Bold as Love
Bob Dylan and the Band - Basement Tapes (each disc is under 40)
Brian Eno - Before and after Science
Bob Dylan - Bringing it all back home
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Om - Conference of the birds [heavy chanty stoner metal, but I love driving to it.]
White Stripes - DeStijl
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Everyone knows this is nowhere [40:26]
Devo - Freedom of Choice
Gorch Fock - Gorch Fock
Gram Parsons - Greivous Angel
Neil Young - Harvest
Townes Van Zandt - High Low and Inbetween
Antony & the Johnsons - I am a bird now
Acqueduct - I Sold Gold
Beastie Boys - In Sound From Way Out [Instrumental]
The End - Introspection
MC5 - Kick out the jams
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
Old Crow Medicine Show - OCMS
Pink Floyd - Obscured By Clouds
The Shins - Oh, Inverted World
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Cave - Psychic Psummer
Talking Heads - Remain in Light
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Solar Fire
David Bowie - Station to Station
The Books - Thought for Food
Memail me of you want more info on any of these.
posted by schyler523 at 9:02 PM on September 21, 2011
Radiohead's Airbag EP is 25 minutes and great. Their B-sides and EP tracks from about 94-98 were crazy; you could easily put together a worthy Radiohead album just from those.
The White Stripes' De Stijl (37min) ain't bad either.
Remember that LPs max out at around 45 minutes, so tons of albums from before the CD era are shorter than 40. Probably all of the Beatles albums besides Abbey Road and the White Album, for a start.
posted by abcde at 9:10 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
The White Stripes' De Stijl (37min) ain't bad either.
Remember that LPs max out at around 45 minutes, so tons of albums from before the CD era are shorter than 40. Probably all of the Beatles albums besides Abbey Road and the White Album, for a start.
posted by abcde at 9:10 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ooh, this one's perfect: Sigur Rós - ( ) is divided into two parts, maybe 30 and 40 minutes, and there's a definite change of tone in between.
posted by abcde at 9:24 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by abcde at 9:24 PM on September 21, 2011
Ween - White Pepper
Spoon - Kill the Moonlight
Funkadelic - Standing on the Verge of Getting It On
The Kinks - The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
Miles Davis - In A Silent Way
Paul Simon - Paul Simon
Elvis Costello - My Aim is True
Elvis Costello - This Years Model
John Hartford - Aereo-Plain
posted by Lorin at 9:59 PM on September 21, 2011
Spoon - Kill the Moonlight
Funkadelic - Standing on the Verge of Getting It On
The Kinks - The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
Miles Davis - In A Silent Way
Paul Simon - Paul Simon
Elvis Costello - My Aim is True
Elvis Costello - This Years Model
John Hartford - Aereo-Plain
posted by Lorin at 9:59 PM on September 21, 2011
So glad that Lorin beat me here with This Year's Model, length 35:44 according to Wikipedia. Great album, incredibly tight from beginning to end.
I also like Get Happy! I'm not sure of the length but I think it's around 40 minutes.
posted by jayder at 10:15 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
I also like Get Happy! I'm not sure of the length but I think it's around 40 minutes.
posted by jayder at 10:15 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Paul Simon's Graceland clocks in at 43 minutes.
posted by princelyfox at 10:36 PM on September 21, 2011
posted by princelyfox at 10:36 PM on September 21, 2011
Caetano Veloso - Caetano Veloso (1968) 35 min
Caetano Veloso - Transa 37 min
Gal Costa - Gal Costa (1969) 35 min
Gilberto Gil - Louvação 34 1/2 min
João Gilberto - João Gilberto (1961) 26 min
Jorge Ben - Samba Esquema Novo 29 min
Marília Medalha - Marília Medalha (1969) 36 min
Edu Lobo - Misse Breve 35 1/2 min
Chico Buarque - Construção 31 1/2 min
Minutemen - What Makes a Man Start Fires? 27 min
Beirut - Gulag Orkestar 37 1/2 min
The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightening, Strike 35 min
Graham Parker & the Rumour - Squeezing Out Sparks 35 min
Lee Hazlewood - Requiem for an Almost Lady 25 1/2 min
Palace Music - Viva Last Blues 31 1/2 min
Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand 36 1/2 min
John Cale - Paris 1919 31 1/2 min
John Cale & Terry Riley - Church of Anthrax 34 min
Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden 41 min
The Sea and Cake - Everybody 36 1/2 min
Tortoise - Millions Now Living Will Never Die 40 min
posted by hydrophonic at 10:40 PM on September 21, 2011
Caetano Veloso - Transa 37 min
Gal Costa - Gal Costa (1969) 35 min
Gilberto Gil - Louvação 34 1/2 min
João Gilberto - João Gilberto (1961) 26 min
Jorge Ben - Samba Esquema Novo 29 min
Marília Medalha - Marília Medalha (1969) 36 min
Edu Lobo - Misse Breve 35 1/2 min
Chico Buarque - Construção 31 1/2 min
Minutemen - What Makes a Man Start Fires? 27 min
Beirut - Gulag Orkestar 37 1/2 min
The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightening, Strike 35 min
Graham Parker & the Rumour - Squeezing Out Sparks 35 min
Lee Hazlewood - Requiem for an Almost Lady 25 1/2 min
Palace Music - Viva Last Blues 31 1/2 min
Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand 36 1/2 min
John Cale - Paris 1919 31 1/2 min
John Cale & Terry Riley - Church of Anthrax 34 min
Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden 41 min
The Sea and Cake - Everybody 36 1/2 min
Tortoise - Millions Now Living Will Never Die 40 min
posted by hydrophonic at 10:40 PM on September 21, 2011
I like using albums with long-ass tracks as commute music. Somehow it makes it feel like I'm getting there faster — "Hey, that was just two songs and I'm already there!"
The second disk of Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven is a bit over 40 minutes; each side is a single unbroken track, and the whole disk works well as a coherent piece.
Bitches Brew (the track) on Bitches Brew (the album) by Miles Davis is just under 27 minutes. I guess opinions are pretty mixed on it. I found it totally incomprehensible until some sort of switch flipped in my brain and then I thought it was completely brilliant.
Also, there's orchestral/chamber music from the 19th and 20th centuries that will fit the bill. Two favorites of mine that clock in at around half an hour without a pause: Beethoven's 14th string quartet and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. If you want tight and cohesive, those guys are hard to beat.
And while I'm at it the second side of Earth 2 is one long track, half an hour on the nose, but I'm guessing maybe a solid half hour of drugged-out amorphous guitar sludge wouldn't be the best way to brighten up your commute. It's great for listening to on airplanes, though. Blends really well with the engine noise.
posted by nebulawindphone at 12:02 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
The second disk of Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven is a bit over 40 minutes; each side is a single unbroken track, and the whole disk works well as a coherent piece.
Bitches Brew (the track) on Bitches Brew (the album) by Miles Davis is just under 27 minutes. I guess opinions are pretty mixed on it. I found it totally incomprehensible until some sort of switch flipped in my brain and then I thought it was completely brilliant.
Also, there's orchestral/chamber music from the 19th and 20th centuries that will fit the bill. Two favorites of mine that clock in at around half an hour without a pause: Beethoven's 14th string quartet and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. If you want tight and cohesive, those guys are hard to beat.
And while I'm at it the second side of Earth 2 is one long track, half an hour on the nose, but I'm guessing maybe a solid half hour of drugged-out amorphous guitar sludge wouldn't be the best way to brighten up your commute. It's great for listening to on airplanes, though. Blends really well with the engine noise.
posted by nebulawindphone at 12:02 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
Slayer is already mentioned above, so how about ten more classic death metal albums!
Asphyx - The Rack (37:28)
Autopsy - Mental Funeral (37:54)
Bolt Thrower - In Battle There Is No Law (30:21) OR Realm of Chaos (38:12)
Death - Leprosy (38:51)
Deicide - Legion (29:05)
Dismember - Like An Ever-Flowing Stream (31:06)
Incantation - Mortal Throne of Nazarene (35:36)
Master - Master (27:39)
Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (35:09)
Order From Chaos - Dawn Bringer (30:49)
posted by vorfeed at 12:02 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
Asphyx - The Rack (37:28)
Autopsy - Mental Funeral (37:54)
Bolt Thrower - In Battle There Is No Law (30:21) OR Realm of Chaos (38:12)
Death - Leprosy (38:51)
Deicide - Legion (29:05)
Dismember - Like An Ever-Flowing Stream (31:06)
Incantation - Mortal Throne of Nazarene (35:36)
Master - Master (27:39)
Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness (35:09)
Order From Chaos - Dawn Bringer (30:49)
posted by vorfeed at 12:02 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. Not just a great 37-minute album, but a great driving album too.
posted by Nibbly Fang at 12:44 AM on September 22, 2011
posted by Nibbly Fang at 12:44 AM on September 22, 2011
The Bealtles Revolver clocks-in at just 35 minutes. Added time-related fact...No song on the album is over 3 minutes long (well, ok...Harrison's Love You To is 3:01...pfft)
posted by Thorzdad at 5:14 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Thorzdad at 5:14 AM on September 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
For that matter, Sgt. Pepper's is a mere 39 minutes long, and practically defines "cohesive album".
posted by Thorzdad at 5:17 AM on September 22, 2011
posted by Thorzdad at 5:17 AM on September 22, 2011
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here - 44 minutes.
Honestly, because of the format constrains, almost any album made before the age of CD is going to meet your time requirement. They really couldn't pad-out an album with dross (well, not too much, anyway) the way they do now.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:32 AM on September 22, 2011
Honestly, because of the format constrains, almost any album made before the age of CD is going to meet your time requirement. They really couldn't pad-out an album with dross (well, not too much, anyway) the way they do now.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:32 AM on September 22, 2011
Nthing "Astral Weeks," but issuing the caveat that it's a bit....mellow. Absolutely lovely (it is one of my desert-island albums), but it's probably better for the trip HOME rather than the trip TO work.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:34 AM on September 22, 2011
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:34 AM on September 22, 2011
Oh, hey, I just discovered a list. I'll repost it here so as to spare you ads:
The Strokes, "Is This It" Length: 35:34
Pixies, "Surfer Rosa" Length: 32:50
Nick Drake, "Pink Moon" Length: 28:22
John Coltrane, "A Love Supreme" Length: 33:02
Ramones, "Ramones" Length: 29:04
The Beatles, "A Hard Day's Night" Length: 30:30
X, "Los Angeles" Length: 28:05
Van Halen, "1984" Length: 33:08
"Pink Moon" is absolutely lovely as well, but the tone is also best suited for "unwinding on the ride home".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:41 AM on September 22, 2011
The Strokes, "Is This It" Length: 35:34
Pixies, "Surfer Rosa" Length: 32:50
Nick Drake, "Pink Moon" Length: 28:22
John Coltrane, "A Love Supreme" Length: 33:02
Ramones, "Ramones" Length: 29:04
The Beatles, "A Hard Day's Night" Length: 30:30
X, "Los Angeles" Length: 28:05
Van Halen, "1984" Length: 33:08
"Pink Moon" is absolutely lovely as well, but the tone is also best suited for "unwinding on the ride home".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:41 AM on September 22, 2011
The Futureheads - The Futureheads is 36:30 and to me at least it feels like a very cohesive album. It helps that most of the tracks are fairly short, so it feels like a fuller album than you would normally get with that length.
posted by burnmp3s at 6:37 AM on September 22, 2011
posted by burnmp3s at 6:37 AM on September 22, 2011
Most of The Beatles' albums (except The White Album and Abbey Road) are shorter than 40 minutes.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:16 AM on September 22, 2011
posted by kirkaracha at 8:16 AM on September 22, 2011
Lou Reed - Transformer. 36:40
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat - 37:38
posted by dirtdirt at 10:00 AM on September 22, 2011
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat - 37:38
posted by dirtdirt at 10:00 AM on September 22, 2011
I used to listen to Rent. Both discs are around 40 minutes. Disc One on the way to work, Disc Two on the way home.
posted by duckus at 7:24 PM on September 22, 2011
posted by duckus at 7:24 PM on September 22, 2011
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posted by Miko at 6:30 PM on September 21, 2011 [1 favorite]