Something I don’t understand

[NFRatwell 23,290]

Why do people use it as a flex when they say an album is so bad they “couldn’t listen to it all the way” through? Like how do you know if an album is actually good or not if you haven’t even given the whole thing a listen? 
 

I’m not saying you need to finish every album you’ve ever heard but if you’re going to participate in an album discussion you think you’d want to hear it? Anyone else?

[Wet Fire 6,714]

This might have happened with Positions for me. But I did listen to the whole album to make my final judgment. I disliked every single song. But then the last song POV came, and that song was beautiful. So, yeah, judging a whole album by playing a few songs comes with the risk of missing out one or two hidden gems. 

[Sneaky Oliver 21,353]

Why do people think it’s an edgy thing to say that you couldn’t listen to the album as a whole? I mean is your life that busy? I don’t think so 

[LUCARTPOP 5,897]

People are biased, the concept of an album being bad doesn't really exist to me. Music is made for entertainment, just 'cause a certain album isn't the sound you vibe with, doesn't mean it's bad. You have singers with the most simple lyrics and catchy production while you have singers with the most complex lyrics (or even none) and minimalistic production! 

It's all a matter of taste. To be completely fair, the only people I hear saying "the album is bad" is just stan twitter considering, once again, they are biased and just don't like to support their faves' peers. 

[Ivy 11,703]

I usually have to listen at least twice if not three times. If I find it boring right away then I usually don't end up liking it, but if I don't like it at first sometimes it can change because my ears just have to get used to the new sound or something

So yeah I think it would be hard to tell from not even finishing the whole album

[nATAH 43,258]

depends on how long the album is tbh

if it's like 8-10 tracks with songs that are 3 to 5 minutes then it's easier to spend time on something you don't like

but if it's 14+ tracks and it's still one note by track 7 then...

[streamstarcrossed 409]

I think part of it is because the critical discourse about music on social media has inadvertently set some people’s expectations too high to enjoy music that isn’t immediately captivating, completely unique, or instantly gratifying.

I’ve found that the majority of new music I listen to usually isn't all of those things, but that doesn’t make the album/songs bad. For example, I really LOVED pienso en tu mira from Rosalía’s El Mal Querer, but the other songs on the album (and her newest one) just didn’t have that same instant ‘wow factor’ to me. I ended up only listening to the first minute of the songs because I was searching for something I knew I’d like, not necessarily trying to experience her music for just what it is. For me it’s all about my own impatience and not wanting to sit through an entire album of songs I don’t care for within the first 60 seconds. But I agree that people should probably have a thorough listen before they get online offering their 2 cents while channeling their inner Fantano. 

[Dr Fudge 8,599]

I think it stems from the middle school “I’m too cool for this” kind of mentality. In actuality, it’s just people missing out on how great all types of music are because they’re too childish to devote an hour to something that could be really great. Can’t expand your music tastes if you won’t even give a new song a chance.

[Bonkers 28,292]

Find any christian rock album

Listen to the first 3 songs

 

[TheFame Monster 8,779]

I still listen through an album all the way through even if I’m not liking in it. And if I’m not feeling after that I will still play it on shuffle for a few days because some songs are bound to grow on me. It’s very rare for me to like a song or album on first listen so it would be dumb for me to just write them off after that…

[Glamourpuss 29,062]

Because some albums make you think jesus what the hell were they thinking when they made this and make you want to turn if off when you're only three songs in. 

Anyway, @Bonkers has never listened to Chromatica all the way through. Now that's something I don't understand. 

[Bonkers 28,292]

1 minute ago, Glamourpuss said:

Because some albums make you think jesus what the hell were they thinking when they made this and make you want to turn if off when you're only three songs in. 

Anyway, @Bonkers has never listened to Chromatica all the way through. Now that's something I don't understand. 

Yes I have!  I hadn't because I was slow dripping it.  But now I have.

Although actually I haven't heard all of 1000 doves because the first line REALLY annoys me because I hate when people come whining about things they need.  

[Ronk 14,499]

I have found some albums to be heavily weighted so the best songs are placed towards the end of the album.  One example is the most recent album I megarated.  My ratings for the tracks is 7,8,8,8,9,10,8,9,10,10,10,10,9,10,10.  If I had only listened to the first few songs, my impression of the album would be totally different.  The ceremony hasn't occurred yet so I won't reveal the album. 

I see no problem with someone only listening to a few songs and expressing dislike for them.  But I don't think it's fair to judge an album for that.  I feel badly that a person could miss out on some great music by quitting after the first few songs.

I have noticed that trend in several albums.  That always puzzles me, because I would think an artist would want to start with a bang to grab the listeners right from the start.