---
title: "Why You Should Listen to Albums"

description: "Like the cherry blossom or the falling leaves... or like a TV episode vs a season... albums are an incredible palate for tension and release, in all its various forms. In this episode, I discuss the different ways music can build tension, and share why LPs are like the modern symphony. It's worth it!"

status: complete

date: 2024-12-17

kind: solo

guestSlugs: []

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Why-You-Should-Listen-to-Albums-e2scgi0"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-you-should-listen-to-albums/id1567355195?i=1000680673596&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pqrVv03Uns1QWkByr2BY0"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Tension and Release"
  - "The Value of Albums"
  - "Artistic Journey"
  - "Music as Narrative"
  - "Cultural Perspectives on Music"
  - "Modern Listening Habits"

hostNote: |
  Music is not just a two-minute art form. The whole reason it's impactful is that it takes up time, and albums are the format that actually uses that time the way a novelist or a filmmaker would, with tension built and released across a much larger canvas than a single track can offer.

  I draw out the parallel to seasons, to TV episodes versus a full season arc: the cherry blossom matters because it's temporary. An album can make a moment feel earned by everything that preceded it. I get into the different registers of tension and release in music, harmonic, rhythmic, dynamic, structural, and why the LP is the closest thing pop music has to a symphony.

  The practical note for listeners: give the artist space to do it, and let them take you on the ride. Records are done when you know they're done. You have to trust the thing enough to follow it somewhere you haven't been.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Tension and Release in Music"
    startSec: 100
    note: "I introduce the concept of tension and release, discussing how music reflects these elements."
  - label: "The Comparison to Nature"
    startSec: 150
    note: "I draw parallels between music and natural changes in seasons, emphasizing the impact of tension."
  - label: "Albums as a Journey"
    startSec: 270
    note: "I discuss how albums allow for a greater narrative and emotional exploration than singles."
  - label: "Music Theory and Emotion"
    startSec: 405
    note: "The episode highlights the importance of considering the overall experience rather than just individual song structures."
  - label: "Creating and Releasing Music"
    startSec: 767
    note: "I share my passion for making full albums and the depth they provide compared to single releases."
  - label: "The Artist's Vision"
    startSec: 900
    note: "I emphasize the role of the artist's vision in crafting an impactful record and why it should matter to listeners."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "Music itself reflects this, but maybe life itself does too."
    startSec: 137
    reviewed: true
  - text: "It's important to identify why we make albums, because albums allow us a larger palette by which to paint tension and release."
    startSec: 271
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Music is not just a two-minute long art form. The whole reason why music is impactful is that it takes up time."
    startSec: 775
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Records are done when you know they're done, and you need to engage and believe in yourself to develop your taste."
    startSec: 908
    reviewed: true
  - text: "If you're a fan, give the artist space to do it and let them take you on that ride."
    startSec: 1080
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "Why should I listen to albums instead of singles?"
    answer: "Albums provide a larger narrative and emotional exploration, offering a journey through tension and release that singles often cannot deliver."
  - question: "How do I view the relationship between music and life?"
    answer: "I se music as a reflection of life's rhythms, particularly in how both use tension and release in their narratives."
  - question: "What is the significance of tension and release in music?"
    answer: "Tension and release create an emotional landscape, shaping the listener's experience and enhancing the storytelling in music."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---