The Rise & Fall of the Double Album

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Thank you everyone for all the comments! I'm pretty blown away by them. A few blanket responses. I'm a big fan of Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" -- I sort of predicted I'd get mildly roasted for not having it in here, but that's not why I didn't include it. I nearly had it at 10, but I simply prefer the Jimi album. If I did the video over again, I would have mentioned it somewhere. A lot of people have me thinking I needed to mention "Freak Out!" by the Mothers of Invention. I'll admit, I didn't realize it came out only a week after "Blonde on Blonde." Impressive. I've not historically been a big Zappa fan -- I think there are kazoos on that album? That is sometimes hard to take. But if memory serves, the vocal interplay of "Motherly Love" really cracks me up. Obviously been awhile. Obviously should have mentioned this too. Lastly, out of respect to many comments here, I just went out and FINALLY got a copy of "Trout Mask Replica" by Capt Beefheart today (a first pressing for $45 -- not bad). I've heard the album over the years, but not intimately familiar with it. Or in fact much of his full catalog. I'll be listening. "Top Albums" is very subjective. I usually approach such lists as a combination of "great" -- meaning successful (a mix of sales/influence) -- AND "favorite." Lists can be silly, I know. But I've made lists like my Top 10 Double Albums here since I was about 14. They always change. This will change. Thank you for all the input and ideas! -R

[@jasperburchfield2028]

Great audio and editing on your video. Check out Beefheart's first two albums for something slightly more accessible than Trout Mask.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@S.Kowalchuk Thanks? It seems there are only two ways to talk about music on here. On camera as a person, or recorded with a bot voice over lots of b-roll. I try to mix it up, as I realize no one particularly wants to see ME. But putting together b-roll is a very time-consuming process, and I have to keep bytes short to adhere to fair use rules, as I am reviewing artists' work. Anyway I think about this often actually. Thanks for watching and the CD tips!

[@DeanJonasson]

@@RobertsRecordCorner Oops, I did not read your thoughts before making my FREAK OUT! comment. Anyway, great video and thoughtful discussion. Doubles are interesting in that artists either have a lot to say (Dylan) or feel they deserve the opportunity based on previous success (FMac, Yes). Sometimes the double feels perfect, other times, padded. Lots to explore and live with. (Consider the muted response to the Stones' EXILE ON MAIN ST., now arguably their best.) I like your choices and will have to re-listen to The Minutemen again. It's been years....

[@vollsticks]

What the hell have you got against kazoos?!😅

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@vollsticks Ha! Their sound? Maybe I need to strip away the 9-year-old birthday connotations and hear the kazoo anew!?

[@tylerjsmithers8385]

So, it's not really Billy Joel's fault, it's Sony's fault

[@DavidS-l4s]

It is both Sony and Philips fault for inventing the CD format.

[@crnkmnky]

And Sony didn't takeover CBS Records until 1988, so he wasn't a "Sony artist" quite yet… *edit:* His 1980s albums were released by Sony _in Japan._ I stand corrected.

[@ghosttownbound]

Ahhhh have you heard billy joel?

[@VictorBush-cx7sj]

No one would have clicked if it stated that.

[@VictorBush-cx7sj]

I have. I first learned of Billy Joel from my sister who got the 52nd Steet album (on vinyl). I used to sneak into her room to play when no one else was home.

[@flagcoco69]

Allow me to be the first to say STEVIE WONDER'S SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE. I get that this is more of a rock and alternative crowd here, but I would put this album up there on any list for the greatest album ever. Everything Stevie was working on since he was allowed to write and produce his own music comes to full fruition on SITKOL. Soulful, unashamedly mixing politics with faith, jazz with pop, musicianship with studio craftsmanship, and at the center of it all is one of the singular geniuses of 20th Century popular music at the height of his creative powers.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@flagcoco69 Excellent choice. I nearly had it had 10. I listen all the time and, yeah, should have at least mentioned it. Thank you for watching.

[@juliosanchez95]

@@RobertsRecordCorner Thank you for giving Double Nickels some love

[@CharlesBukowski-m1o]

​@@juliosanchez95The Minutemen released the greatest album of ALL TIME... STILL WAITING FOR THE FOLLOW UP FROM OTHER GENERATIONS!

[@michaeloconnor5084]

Yes, a true unmatched masterpiece.

[@derhandtrommler]

Rockers (I am one) overlook this brilliant set. It was actually two & 1/2 records, as it came with a single in addition to two fabulous double LP's.

[@sitboaf]

I consider All Things Must Pass a double album with a bonus album. Maybe it's cheating, but that's my number 1.

[@jackcollins707]

the apple jams are very skippable😅

[@JPproductions303]

I mean side 5-6 is just a jam record

[@derhandtrommler]

The third disc was just idle jamming with precious little worth hearing on it.

[@brenthooton3412]

@@JPproductions303 Bonus tracks before bonus tracks were a thing.

[@phillipanderson7398]

Can you imagine if they released the ATMP album without the "bonus live disc" ? Fans would go nuts.

[@darrelldent9083]

Don't claim to be an audiophile, but my favorite double album is ELO "Out of the Blue", all solid songs, many hits and singles.

[@sexobscura]

*'Sgt Peppers' is my fave*

[@dunatyphon5416]

I agree! Best album ever!!

[@weathermansam2]

@@sexobscuraSgt Peppers is not a double album

[@rucker908]

This is the comment I came looking for! OOTB is packed with fantastic tracks and is a wonderful double album. I particularly enjoy side three, which carries the thematic title Concerto for a Rainy Day. Just a great usage of the medium.

[@darrelldent9083]

@rucker908 Oh yeah! "Standing in the Rain" is a particular standout for me, great way to open a concert.

[@statzuno]

That was well done. Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a great double album. Physical Graffiti is my favourite, though.

[@urbangorilla33]

And again Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is probably their best work.

[@CollapsingRealities]

Genesis is one of my three favourite bands. I think that all their 1971-1980 are masterpieces, with two exceptions: the third side of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (it doesn't live up to the other breathtaking three sides) and ...And Then There Were Three... (subpar material). I wish they had included the entire Duke Suite on side one instead of spreading it across the two sides. Thankfully they played it live during the 1980 tour.

[@urbangorilla33]

@@CollapsingRealities I can understand your thinking on side three.But "Anyway" is one of the best songs on the album, "The Waiting Room" is weird at first but actually pretty cool once it picks up that groove, and " Supernatural Anaesthetist" is good too. "The Lamia" is kind of slow and ""Silent Sorrow..." is quite sombre but still I think they all have a place in the overall flow of the album.

[@benstafford8206]

@@urbangorilla33I think you’re right. I tried a playlist that cuts out Waiting Room, Silent Sorrow, and Ravine, and the album actually feels kind of cluttered and rushed without these interludes allowing you time to breathe between the busier songs

[@urbangorilla33]

@@benstafford8206 I agree. I think the pace of life, and media consumption especially, has sped up so much in the last 50 years and we are all more impatient, even if we think we're immune.

[@ELSD45801]

The first three Chicago albums were double LPs. Then they put out a 4 LP live boxed set.

[@philbouchard8366]

When he was going through some double albums how could you not mention Chicago!

[@stabbrzmcgee825]

Chicago II definitely should have made the list; one of my favorite albums ever and a real work of art. CTA was pretty dang good too. the third one was just so-so imo; tried to do suites like on II but without the quality.

[@georgerussell9525]

I think the Chicago 4 lp album was the beginning of the end.

[@BrianRoberson-k7g]

@@stabbrzmcgee825 Chicago II is a great early December album.

[@bryede]

@@georgerussell9525 Yeah, it was way too indulgent. I love Chicago, but they're all over the place and half the time I can't figure out what they were thinking. Honestly, their first single LP, V(5), was a nice, more focused effort.

[@alexneill8338]

The White Album, All Things Must Pass, Exile On Main St, Quadrophenia, The Wall and London Calling are my top choices!

[@shiven513]

I diagnose you with brittish

[@francoalencastro716]

A small correction is that audio CDs do have a time limit (usually 74 minutes to 80 minutes). Funnily enough this was also dictated by classical music -- the wife of Sony's CEO was prompted to chime in as to what should be the standard CD length and apparently she proposed that it should accommodate a whole performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony by Herbert Von Karajan (clocking in at 74 minutes). I do think a few artists make really good use of this format eg. Tool with their album Lateralus (79min:58s longs and not a note wasted!)

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@francoalencastro716 I did not know this. Very interesting! Thank you

[@philbouchard8366]

I think some CDs drag on with the extra space seems some artists have to fill it

[@toonhkuitjes6382]

I was going to post this. Robert started out with the classical music fans complaining about the 78s side lengths and in the end they got what they always wanted: the CD, made to fit Beethoven's 9th symphony as directed by Herbert von Karajan, without interruptions. Philips' proposal was 1 hour length but Sony won the battle.

[@cejannuzi]

In Japan, they came up with CDs that would hold 800 MB of data and came with some form of copy protection when you tried to rip them.

[@henrykujawa4427]

I've assembled a lot of my own "custom comps" over the years, including "various artists comps", and I usually try to get as close to the 80 minute limit as I can. I also put a LOT of thought into the running order, so all the songs tend to "flow" like a proper album. Figuring out what songs belong at the beginning, at the end, and, somewhere in the middle. When I did a "country" comp of my favorite songs, I even designed it as if it had 2 "sides", with a 10-second blank space in the middle where you'd "flip it over" (if only in your mind). A brief place to catch your breath, before the "2nd half". It starts with "Bright Lights And Country Music" and ends with "I've Been Everywhere". 😄

[@karlxtrava]

Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” is up there among the greatest double albums… and also included a bonus 4-track EP!

[@derhandtrommler]

I recall it as a 45 single added to the double disc. No ?

[@karlxtrava]

Yes, a 7” 45 but with four tracks, thus an EP and not a “single.”

[@derhandtrommler]

@@karlxtrava thank you. I haven't owned the vinyl in 30 years so my memory was not quite right.

[@toomuchmustard3067]

Can's Tago Mago and Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica deserves a shout here, both shockingly ahead of their time

[@CulturePreserves]

XTC released two amazing double albums, English Settlement and Oranges & Lemons. In terms of creativity and eclecticism, I think Oranges & Lemons is the double album that reminds me the most of The White Album.

[@jorgep.1877]

The term “album” comes from the time of the old 78 RPMs…since they were brief and numerous, in order to listen to a complete music work retailers would sell sleeve books with paper pockets to place the records, pretty much like you would placr pictures on a photo ALBUM. When LPs came around, the term album stuck.

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

Whoa, that makes sense

[@stephenhosking7384]

I've been collecting "albums" for nearly 60 years, including some of the doubles mentioned here, and I never knew this! I really enjoyed this history of the double album, and your comment tops it off!

[@Solitaire001]

It was originally the same thing with the 45. Albums were just like those of the 78s, a collection of records in a binder that you would put on a Record Changer, one designed just for 45s that would quickly change the records. The 7 inch 45 RPM record was released in 1949 by RCA Victor and was a competitor to the LP. With the 45 the records would be numbered for a Changer, with the Sides numbered as follows (for an album of four 45s): 1/8, 2/7, 3/6, 4/5. You'd put Sides (arranged bottom to top) 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the Changer and play them. When it was finished you'd take the entire stack, flip it over and play Sides 5, 6, 7, and 8. BTW, sometimes it was the same with LPs, where they would be numbered in the same way for a record changer. In the end, the 45 and LP co-existed because they weren't direct competitors. The 45 was perfect for singles, and the LP was perfect for albums. Plus, teenagers liked the 45 and it remained despite attempts to replace it with a 7 inch 33 1/3 record.

[@stephenhosking7384]

@@Solitaire001 Thanks so much for the fascinating information! I was a hi-fi buff and always played vinyl on a good turntable and tonearm, and only one at a time. The sight of a record stacker almost made me shiver, imagining the damage that was being done to the discs. Vinyl was handle very differently by different people, and was, very seriously, why one was (and is) cautious with buying second-hand LPs. Even within the audiophile world there were different standards. I once had an audiophile refuse to lend me a record because he didn't want it used on my "only" $500 turntable (AR, btw). I've seen an interview with Jimmy Page where he discusses a Led Zepp song. You see him pull out the vinyl and put it on a high-end turntable, and carfefully place the tonearm onto it - as an audiophile would. This was well into the digital era. Just for amusement and curiousity! No reflection intended on the "stackers" from 50 years later! 🙂 All good, for an explanation of the term "album", which has been almost entirely lost. Even I only learned it for the first time here.

[@Solitaire001]

@@stephenhosking7384 Technology Connections did a video about record changers and the concern about damage to the LP/45 is basically a non-issue. With 45s, the only part of the records that touch is the raised labels, there's a space between the individual 45s so the grooved areas never touch. Likewise, with the LP, there's a raised label and a raised outer edge so the grooved areas never touch just like with the 45s. The only damage that sometimes occurs with an LP is that the center hole might have some wear over time. My main concern with a changer is if it has a platter that isn't 12 inches. I don't like an LP's edge to be hanging over the edge of the platter. Something to mention, they tried a lot of different ways to automatically change records. One that looked horrible to me is where when the 78 finishes playing it picks it up and drops it into a padded slot next to the platter.

[@marklechman2225]

Let’s not forget about the Cure’s 1987’s Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, arguably even better than ‘89’s Disintegration.

[@jerviejervie2204]

Yes! Kiss Me had upbeat songs and gloomy songs as well. It had a balance to it. Disintegration was a 70 minute mope fest that only got more pathetic during its second half.

[@jasperburchfield2028]

I agree, Smith was at his artistic peak on both albums.

[@Thecaptains_Chair]

Kiss me is great, but it's not Disintegration

[@guanoguy4800]

@@Thecaptains_Chairagreed, it’s better!!

[@davidwatts-vs1ys]

nfw

[@dallasreed4062]

Double Nickels is a masterpiece!

[@nickmoranis2865]

As a kid I thought The Smiths Louder Than Bombs was a double album until I found out much later it was more or less a compilation. Runs so well. Aphex Twin Ambient Works Vol 2 and a lot of Autechre LPs needed to be their length.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I love Louder Than Bombs!

[@mumbles215]

I got hooked on the album Jr year HS. Played it for ever. Knew every lyric and note marr played, only to also find out much much later that it was a compilation. Lol made sense as that album is incredible. Each song better than the last. “Girl afraid” gets me going every time.

[@jeremyohodge4184]

Something/Anything by Todd Rundgren deserves a mention

[@derhandtrommler]

Then there's "Initiation" which should have been two records, as the grooves on the latter parts of each side were crammed together to minimize dynamic range and preserve its outrageous 51 minute length. Todd even advised on the sleeve that those unsatisfied with the volume of those later tracks, re-record the record to tape and slightly adjust the volume accordingly. I'm sure Warners ( the distributor of his Bearsville label) cringed at that suggestion.

[@jamesj9998]

You beat me to it.

[@Ianmackable]

@@derhandtrommler Then, a bit later, came the 'Todd' album. The double people prefer not to mention.

[@Solitaire001]

I mentioned it in an earlier comment, but the album "Utopia" by Utopia (Todd Rundgren is a member) was a three-sided LP. I purchased it, took it home and discovered that they included a second one-sided LP with songs not listed on the album's jacket. If you buy the album on CD it does list the extra songs on the CD track listing.

[@backbaconnbeer]

Bruce Springsteen's The River should be included( at least near the bottom half of the Top 10). It set the stage for the 80's sounds and was a proto type for his biggest album Born In The USA

[@wmarkdyer]

It and Nebraska are peak Springsteen imho

[@jamesgiallo2740]

That album features some of his best work for sure. The juxtaposition of ballads like Darkness and rock and roll songs is perfect

[@MatineeIdyll129]

It's become my favourite album of his. Even the goofy rock songs have their dark undercurrents

[@timothymarkin4481]

I had a friend burn me a cd of my favorite songs from The River to make a single album. Mostly the faster songs (Crush on You, You Can Look But You Better Not Touch, etc). Wasn’t as much a fan of the slower songs. Made a great single album IMHO.

[@derhandtrommler]

"The River"was almost a single record called "Ties That Bind". The day Bruce was to turn it into Columbia Records, he withdrew it and went back to the Power Station to lay down more tracks with the band. That was a brilliant move. Without "The River" there would have been no "Nebraska" and without that there could not have been the triumphant seven-single blockbuster "Born In The USA". Yes, I'm a Bruce Springsteen kool-aid drinker.

[@alexshkoditch4593]

When CD's came along, some double albums fit on a single CD. Exile, Blonde on Blond, Goodbye Yellow Brick, Tommy and London Calling were all released as single CD's. Younger listeners may not even think of these as double albums. Back in the vinyl days the added production costs of double albums were offset by being sold at a higher price. Quite frankly, during the early days of the CD era the biggest rip off was maintaining a 2-disc format when the album could have fit on one (I'm talking to you Beatles Red album). In the CD era, some double sets (Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie) were actually triple albums on vinyl.

[@Solitaire001]

In a few cases they truncated a double album. An example of this is Gordon Lightfoot's album "Gord's Gold." It was a double album on LP that wouldn't fit on a single CD. Due to that they omitted the song "Affair on 8th Avenue" to make it fit on one CD (they stated this on the back of the CD case), although per Wikipedia it has been restored on download versions.

[@joelacey]

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John is not only (possibly) the greatest double LP, but one of the greatest albums of all time.

[@richatlarge462]

I was looking for this in the comments.

[@charmerci]

Yeah, surprised he didn't even mention it.

[@joelacey]

Especially since so many double albums, even great ones, have some forgettable songs. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is solid from start to finish. Not one song is filler.

[@bobsbigboy_]

Yes - tales from Topographic Oceans!

[@derhandtrommler]

a disc too far, IMHO.

[@fanbladeinstruments]

I have repeatedly tried to listen to that whole album in one shot but every damn time I wake up after side 3 puts me to sleep. I've owned my copy for 30 years, never made it all the way through in one sitting.

[@tstaab1]

​@@fanbladeinstruments I can agree with that, I mean who has the time anyway. Still this fact has no bearing on this album easily making my list.

[@Robert_St-Preux]

I love how the somehow crammed one disc worth of music onto two discs.

[@Mikino1976]

I love Yes and Tales has some great moments. Would have been their best album if they had shaved it down to one.

[@zachdoesgaming3926]

Prince- Sign O’ the Times. Everyone will say Purple Rain is his best, but man does SOTT have deeper moments in my eyes. Sad it wasn’t on the list but you’re right, so many great double albums to choose from!

[@MatineeIdyll129]

1999 is my go-to Prince double lp

[@modernmilner9836]

Purple Rain can’t hold a candle to Sign O The Times and 1999.

[@seanm3226]

The Clash followed up “London Calling”, less than a year later, with the triple album “Sandinista”. But my pick for best double album is Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music”.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Brave choice!

[@tdunph4250]

Atrocious choice. But I digress. They aren't serious.

[@markstiggs4471]

Lou Reed insisted that MMM be put on the RCA "blue" label, which meant classical music. Pure guts

[@carlcontrera1699]

You missed some R&R double LP classics: Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention's "Freak Out", Cream's "Wheels of Fire" and Captain Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica". Tommy will always have a special place in my heart, but I have to go with the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" as my favorite.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

10) Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan 9) Exile On Main Street - Rolling Stones 8) Heaven And Earth - Kamasi Washington 7) Warehouse: Songs & Stories - Husker Du 6) The Wall - Pink Floyd 5) The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - Genesis 4) Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin 3) The White Album - Beatles 2) Exile In Guyville - Liz Phair 1) Quadrophenia - The Who

[@christopherhidalgo6696]

Blonde on blonde a being last is egregious ☠️

[@chrisdelisle3954]

@@christopherhidalgo6696 I prefer. “Bringing It All Back Home,” “Highway 61 Revisited” and “Blood On The Tracks.” For me, it was a toss up between "Blonde On Blonde" and "Electric Ladyland."

[@jamesgambony5870]

​@christopherhidalgo6696 but Quadrophenia as #1 is correct!

[@BaronVonMunch]

Here is where I whisper that Tommy is actually better than Quadrophenia regardless of what the professional music critics say. I know this channel doesn't want to be wrong.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

@@BaronVonMunch Tommy was more important than Quadrophenia for the band...it translated to the stage much easier than Quadrophenia did. It's what made them famous. It's what brought them their initial fortune. But, to my ears, the only tracks that stand with the rest of Quadrophenia are Amazing Journey/Sparks and Underture. I've been listening to Quadrophenia for 35+ years and it still speaks to my inner teenage self.

[@harrybehemoth2751]

I think there's something that you're not taking into account. In the 60's and 70's, when albums were 30-40 minutes long, bands were releasing 1-2 albums per year. Today, there are a select few that still do that, but most artists only release an album every 2-5 years. Some artists take a decade or more between albums. So, individual albums are longer now than they were fifty years ago, but the amount of material being produced when averaged over time is actually much lower. To use your example of The Rolling Stones, in the late 60's they were probably releasing around two records per year, probably at around 35 minutes each, so they were releasing 70 minutes of material per year. So, since the CD era started (let's say 1986 to choose a year that the Stones released an album) up until 2023 (when they released their most recent studio album), they've only released 7 studio albums. This averages out to around 53 minutes per year (and I'm actually pretty shocked that the number is that high). For a slightly more modern example, how about the popular prog-metal band Tool. Their first record came out in 1992 and their most recent one came out in 2019. In that time period, their average of new studio material released is only 15.55 minutes per year. Compare this to the early years of King Crimson (one of Tool's biggest influences) at an average of 56.66 minutes of material per year.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

That's fair. And can be a contributing factor. But I prefer more albums in general to longer ones, despite this video's topic. I think we are sort of accustomed to sit down to a new group of songs and be attentive for 30-40 minutes. And usually get tired of it afterwards. I think that format tends to work better for new albums. Each album, done right, comes as sort of a new series of paintings -- so ideally with a mood or a message built in. I think an album every 1.5 years is sort of the perfect cadence. The artists isn't (overly) stretched, but it keeps fans engaged with new material, perhaps new sound and new look and new message, every 18 months or so. Compare Stones' Between the Buttons to Satanic Majesties to Beggars Banquet, over 1.5 years or so. Or even Sticky Fingers to Exile to Goats in three. These all feel very different from one another. During my "connector window" age, I was huge into REM. And despite their average of 4.8 albums per six years, my six year period neatly coincided with five new REM albums, offering now only a new group of songs and revised sound, but a new Michael Stipe haircut -- from Reckoning to Green. I lost interest in the band shortly after actually. Thank you for your thoughtful response!

[@Dee-x9f]

That's a really interesting way of looking at it. Of course, the reason bands put out 1-2 per year in earlier decades was because the labels insisted on it.... which leaves me wondering why this changed. Did contracts starting in the 2000s not require this rate of output anymore?

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@Dee-x9f i don't know. i think they make more money touring that shelling out for studio time?

[@harrybehemoth2751]

@@Dee-x9f In the 80's and 90's, they realized they could space out the release of singles (and music videos) and milk one album for two years. And make more money since they were paying less for production costs (and bringing in more money because the popularity of the CD format really sent sales into the stratosphere). It was really only in the early 80's that labels started releasing 4 or more singles per album. And when it came to really huge albums, they'd release even more singles. I believe 'Thriller' had 7 singles. I think 'Born In The USA' also had 7. 'Invisible Touch' had 6 singles released (from an album with only 8 tracks to begin with). 'Dancing On The Ceiling' had 5 or 6 singles.

[@derhandtrommler]

Record contracts usually required two records a year and that changed about 1980, well before the CD showed up.CD's did reveal some self indulgence by certain parties (Jon Anderson & Alan Parsons, check your messages) but they also encouraged more experimentation. I lean towards liking the added length for the most part. But I prefer noiseless CDs over expensive, clunky vinyl which I realize makes me as popular as measles on this forum.

[@mattfraser9108]

Minutemen! Hell yeah, wasn’t expecting that as #1, well done sir.

[@markstiggs4471]

Choices like double nickels on the dime is why we love Roberts record corner!

[@christophercasey6775]

Minutemen and Husker Du's Zen Arcade. Both masterpieces.

[@AcousticFunk-PulseRuiz]

I really enjoyed your presentation, very well researched and constructed. Very rarely do I see podcasts such as yours. I'm subscribed. Kudos, Sir!

[@paulvoorhies8821]

So you’re blaming Billy Joel for the creation of CDs?? That makes total sense. Maybe blame Sony?

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Oh I do. I only joke the Joel. I actually had a little coda where I said this, but it somehow got cut in the edit.

[@paulvoorhies8821]

@@RobertsRecordCorner I don’t know if you know this, but he does have the biggest selling GH double album in the US, sooo…

[@EdAbarba44]

Double Nickels is phenomenal. Great choice.

[@georgerussell9525]

Something else about Blonde on Blonde was Dylan's decision to fill the 4th side with one song. Other double albums followed the pattern of putting the more adventurous material on the second disk: Freak Out, Tago Mago, Electric Ladyland, and the White Album.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I read that the Nashville session players were in shock -- the song just kept going and going. It's actually my least favorite song on the album, and I wonder if the players weren't fully dialed in to add a bit of increasing dynamics as the 14 minutes wore on? I think Clapton said, when recording with Dylan pay close attention -- it's probably the only take!

[@pluggy86]

I'm a Dylan fan, but I later concluded that "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" should have never seen the light of day. It tries to get somewhere for 11 minutes, but never gets there, has a certain emotion to it, but the lyrics are total word salad. Dylan was so cutting edge at the time, that people thought it was brilliant even if they didn't get it. It also didn't really fill up the whole side at 11 minutes. Side four left a lot of unused space - like a potato chip bag filled with air.

[@BaronVonMunch]

@@RobertsRecordCorner Oh, you don't like some swear words. Didn't realize this was a moral majority channel with non-musical biased opinions.

[@distortioncharizardalive]

@@pluggy86the lyrics are great, it’s like a Dantean love song. Saintly lover draws the eyes of the narrator towards God

[@liamannegarner8083]

Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, Topographic Oceans, Physical Graffiti, Exile On Main Street, Tago Mago. But there's so many live doubles I love. Keith Jarrett at Köln, Allman Brothers at Fillmore East, Little Feat's Waiting For Columbus...

[@stephenhosking7384]

I have separately commented that I don't like most studio double-albums, but you make a good point that there have been some excellent live double-albums.

[@derhandtrommler]

Chicago at Carnegie Hall in 1971- FOUR Records , two posters and a booklet.Where do you get a bargain like that, now ?

[@michaeloconnor5084]

Hmmm, which ROCK artist released the most double albums? Zappa is certainly a contender as he started with a double album and had 8 or 9 more before CDs took over.

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

Took him to task for that arguably petty omission in my comment above. The fact that he doesn't even mention it brings the term "bad optics" to a new level 🤬😠🤬

[@qqw743]

Zappa didn't consider himself a rock musician and hated being called that

[@declanfarber]

@@qqw743 He was actually a mason. He specialized in musique concrete. ;^)

[@michaeloconnor5084]

@@qqw743 Frank was primarily a composer but he was a lot of other things too. The double album, Freak Out, released exactly one week after Blonde On Blonde, was certainly more rock than Dylan’s record. The double album, Sheik Yerbouti, although bordering on parody, is rocking from start to finish. Joe’s Garage, a triple album, is a rock opera about a rock band. Tinsel Town Rebellion? Rock. Them or Us finishes off with a live performance of Whipping Post. Rock. If you watch the Muffin Man performance from Baby Snakes, on KZbin, you can see him fully embrace the Rock Star persona. He doesn’t look to me like he is hating it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fni5ZKyMbtZnh5Ysi=AvTeFBxkmQ7JLkVu

[@derhandtrommler]

Chicago's first four records were all at least two discs. Their fourth was four discs, plus a booklet and two giant posters. Serious bang for the musical buck.

[@frankisfrank69]

Freak Out! by Zappa/Mothers was released 7 days after Blonde On Blonde, so it's also very prototypical...

[@patricktilton5377]

Zappa also had other double albums, such as TINSELTOWN REBELLION and SHEIK YERBOUTI. He also had a 1+2 or 3-part epic JOE'S GARAGE, as well as the triple album THING-FISH, not to mention his SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR.

[@billbitterman9487]

Scrolled through a bunch of comments and didn't see Layla And Assorted Love Songs. I forgot to add this to my top 10 previously. Absolutely great album headline by a great band featuring Duane Allman

[@perrybarton]

Though I don't necessarily think if it as their best work, Fleetwood Mac's TUSK is on my list. Props to Lindsey for having the guts/hubris to push the band into doing something that was NOT a rehash of RUMOURS (an album which I love, btw).

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I like Tusk a lot. I listen to it much more than Rumours in fact, but couldn't quite put it in my Top 10. I like Lindsey's snazzy songs and Sara is my fav FM song. Agree about your praise! Thanks for watching

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

I've heard three cuts off of "Tusk": the title track, "Sara" and "Think About Me." Love them all. Hope to listen to it in its entirety soon. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular (and Fleetwood Mac fan)

[@svenllr]

I've got all the albums you listed but you're number one choice. How have I missed these guys? They're brilliant! Thanks for turning me onto them!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@svenllr Glad you like them!

[@AdvenuringTime]

Todd Rundgrens double albums are my favourite

[@jumpupdown2556]

Something/Anything will forever be his magnum opus, it's just too good. A Wizard, a True Star means so much to me, though. I can't tell you how much I cherish moments like listening to his I'm So Proud/La-La Means I Love You medley while driving home with someone I miss very much on the dark back roads in the summer of 2011. I hold just as dear the memory of sitting at the station waiting for the train during Christmas/New Years season a few years later, while the bells and drums in the opening to Sunset Blvd rang out in my ears. What a masterpiece, definitely belongs on the soundtrack of my life.

[@puffitale]

Because I'm a *nerd* I'm going to say that my favourite double album is the soundtrack to Disney’s Fantasia - spread over 4 records (2 CDs), the 1990 VHS was one of my first true musical loves. You need a 101 minutes to enjoy it all, but its magic to put on the cans and stare out a train window on a long commute.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Love it. I think you're the only one to put Fantasia in. Excellent.

[@boomitchell989]

We have seen the same thing with movies. The truly long movies from years ago, such as "Lawrence of Arabia," were masterpieces that had something to say, but movies that run long today ("Avatar," etc.) are simply bloated. Here's another way to think about: constraints can lead to great art and innovations, but a lack of constraints can simply lead to a mess.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I love your comment. It's how I feel about the CD format. Bands thrived more with a 43-minute restraint of vinyl, despite this video's topic. I did like "Drive My Car" a lot, a recent Japanese film that was something like 3.5 to 4 hours though. Thanks for watching!

[@donnieshoaf]

I raise you minutemen and give you Clash Sandinista! Maybe it’s a triple album but they did the different types of music first.

[@babylemonade2868]

Have to disagree with the use your illusion albums. They are brilliant. Cool video

[@allisons3663]

The Bee Gees' "Odessa" from 1969 is regarded as their best pre-1975 work.

[@markstiggs4471]

And buy some as their best work

[@Ianmackable]

I'd vote for Bee Gees 1st, but yeah, Odessa is great.

[@chipdalby5925]

So HAPPY SST and Husker Du and the Minutemen got some double album love from RRC!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@chipdalby5925 Dream light years!

[@trott]

OMG, it's @chipdalby5925!!!!!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@trott The power of Billy Joel. Bringing people together!

[@jacksonburnette207]

I love this thumbnail and title combo, it makes it seem like Billy has been going out and mercilessly slaughtering double albums for over forty years, and implies he might come for yours next

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@jacksonburnette207 True. He might just be the lunatic coming for our double albums.

[@davidschecter5247]

Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Chicago Transit Authority, and Fleetwood Mac did pretty well with double albums...

[@bookaufman9643]

When I was a kid I used to take my parents albums and build houses out of them. The best ones to use for that where the double albums and because of that they've always held a special place in my heart. I think there was a Sonny and Cher😊 double album that actually had furniture in the interior photography and that worked really well in my record house. There are also a lot of fold-out albums that look like double albums but only had one record in it.😊

[@dot990]

My favourite double album of all time is “Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of War Of The Worlds” from 1978. Favourite cover art too. I also love “22 Dreams” by Paul Weller from 2008.

[@jasperburchfield2028]

I got War of the Worlds as a Christmas present from stepmother back in the 70s. It blew my mind.

[@alvarosundfeld]

One thing that really suffered with the arrival of the CD were live albums. Pretty much 99,9% of them came in two records, and were somewhere along 80-90 minutes in length. When they were re-released on CD, record companies didn’t want to span it across two discs, but the 74 minute limit meant they had to cut some songs out.

[@Solitaire001]

I think it depends on how much would have to be cut out. With Gordon Lightfoot's album "Gord's Gold" (a greatest-hits double album), they cut out one song (IIRC "Affair on 8th Avenue") and stated it on the CD back cover and also why they cut the song (to allow it to fit on one CD). I think with longer albums (whether live or studio) it is better to just split into two CD with a separate CD for each of the LPs it it is to keep the same album name. That gives the Buyers with the entire album.

[@alvarosundfeld]

@ That also happened with Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk. It’s a double album, but they wanted to reissue it on a single CD. The album is just a tiny bit over 74 minutes in length, and Compact Discs hadn’t been “upgraded” to be able to fit 80 minutes yet. As a result, ‘Sara’, arguably the album’s best song came in the single version, which is a few minutes shorter. I too think CD re-releases of double albums should be released in a two CD package, just like the original record.

[@angelotro]

I like to think that, in a parallel universe, Van Halen's "Diver Down" was the second record on a double set. It's less than a half hour long and covers a lot of musical bases; perfect for a half of a double set. The missing first record would have included funky country, Dave-jazz, aggressive metal-punk, and shots at 50s, 60s, & 70s rock n roll, plus an awesome instrumental with a spoken word Dave section. Yeah, I've thought about this a lot.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@angelotro I think about Diver Down a fair share myself! I'm planning an EVH video soon. I like those mid Roth era albums a lot

[@angelotro]

@@RobertsRecordCorner Thank you. I'm looking forward to it! I just repurchased a used Zen Arcade CD, and I forgot how much I missed it in it's entirety. I find that when I listen to records online, I start getting distracted with my phone. Years ago, I had a dream that I left the house that I grew up in, driving my first car, and listening to my cassette of Van Halen II. I had done this maneuver dozen of times in high school, but I had this dream when I was in my mid-30s, married, kid, house, etc. The weird part in the dream was that when the last song on side 2 finished, I was about to flip the tape over and a new song started! I sorta freaked out and grabbed the tape box, and the song WAS listed on side 2 (Warner Brothers cassette font burned in my brain). I was enjoying this "new" rowdy song and then I woke up. The details immediately started slipping from my memory, so I ran to my guitar to transcribe the riff, but it slipped away too fast. The title and chorus was something to do with a circus or a safari. This dream ended up making me daydream about entire missing records, apparently. 🤣

[@ChristopherJimenez-zu7rc]

​@@angelotro dude songwriter-to-songwriter This story tells me you know how many bad songs you have to write before you write good ones I could be wrong because it's incredibly rare nowadays; but, I think you may have actually done the work to know Remember all the boxes worth of notebooks you moved into every place you've lived so far? Remember every time you wrote something thinking it was the shit, and then you looked it over the next morning, and cringed like you read some highschool sophomore's bad bored-in-class poetry? Remember every time you just KNEW, from the very instant you had the whole thing written down; and you were buzzing electricity from your entire body?! Remember laughing uncontrollably, and feeling like you were on top of the world? Like you alone were the King of the Mountain?! And, then, when you kept doing it, and figuring out how little most people actually know about the mechanics of songwriting; remember how you felt like any praise you got really amounts to fuck-all because 99.9% of them don't know what the fuck they're talking about, and don't know just how much work it would take to know? Well, I do, and I understand the gravity of the accomplishment, and what you had to go through to have done it... You are a GREAT songwriter. If you knew just what I was talking about as you read this, then dude you're in the rock n roll hall-of-fame in my book! Celebrate, you deserve it!

[@angelotro]

@@ChristopherJimenez-zu7rc Thank you for that, it hit home. Especially that "high school sophomore bad poetry" part. I used to second and third guess ideas before I would write them down, because "how will I feel about this tomorrow?", but I would lose the inspiration in the meantime. I realized, as an exercise, I could purge myself by sitting down and writing EVERYTHING on my mind, good/bad/ugly. Just pages of bad poetry. Burn it clean. Physically writing stuff down manifests itself in your mind differently, it helps you mentally edit stuff quicker (plus, you can always write "bad poetry" on the top of the page in case anyone else reads it). Everything else, too. The buzz I get when I've chipped away at a song and then listen to a recording of it, I love it. Oddly, I haven't incorporated my smartphone into the lyric writing process. My brain still likes pen to paper. Thanks, again. You sound like you know what you're doing, too. I hope you have a good outlet to share your songs with people. Let me know if there is somewhere I can hear them.

[@theo9952]

Double albums by my favorite bands have always been a real treat.

[@SecondFleshMusic]

You earned a subscriber with this video. While I already knew most of the info here , you brought up some stuff I didn’t know about. Very informative. I’m also thrilled that you brought up one of the greatest punk bands of all time, Minutemen. Double Nickels on the Dime is one of my favorite albums, and my favorite Minutemen album. The music video for “This Ain’t No Picnic” was insanely creative, especially for such a low-budget type band. I must say, though, that Minutemen’s final studio album, 3 Way Tie (For Last) is an extremely close second for best Minutemen album. Oh, and for the record, I do think Billy Joel’s 52nd Street is a good album. The bass line in Zanzibar alone is enough to make it a solid album.

[@johnweiler3700]

You’ve listed some of my favorites for sure and kudos for bringing Double Nickels in at number one!

[@jasontheauralnaut7268]

Holy shit. I love double nickles on the dime so much. I also love that more than likely Mike and George are getting royalties from MTV for Jackass into their twilight years for Corona... off of DNOTD.

[@nomadicnotestv]

Good to see you back making videos. For some reason KZbin didn't notify me. Use Your Illusion I and II is indeed bloated, yet I often find myself returning to many of the songs. It was a confusing album when it came out as there wasn't a knock-out song like Sweet Child, but many good songs that could have been one normal double album. One of my favourite double albums is Being There by Wilco, though I only experienced it on tape. Over 76 minutes of music. It took me ages to appreciate and then all of a sudden every song on that album became suburb.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@nomadicnotestv Hey hey! I like all the wrong songs on Use Your Illusion I & II. Same with recent Stones albums. There are always a few buried tracks where the band is more relaxed and it sticks with me most. I don't know, stuff like Shotgun Blues, Estranged, 14 Years, Dead Horse. I think? Haven't listened in many many years. (Sorry Axl.) I assume Get in the Ring is still as distasteful 30 years later...

[@BaronVonMunch]

It's no more bloated than Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which I like 3/4 of. Or the Beatles White Album which has many songs that didn't need to be put on. I personally thought it was an incredibly stupid comment in this video. I can't take his musical opinion seriously if it is going to have that kind of weak hypocrisy.

[@georgep.burdell7237]

Sonic Youth: Daydream Nation is probably my fav

[@lunchboxsuxatvideos2235]

Mesmerize/hypnotize aren't TECHNICALLY a double album with its release, but it basically is. That and the wall are my favorites

[@otisdylan9532]

Maybe the Billy Joel thing was meant as a joke, but if Joel hadn't existed, Sony would have just chosen a record by a different artist to have been their first CD. If I'm not mistaken, Songs in the Key of Life wasn't mentioned anywhere in the video, and I think it's one of the very best examples of a double album being an artist's peak, along with Blonde on Blonde, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, London Calling, and Daydream Nation (and probably Double Nickels on the Dime too). I have no problem with the White Album at #7, as I think that The Beatles peak is Rubber Soul and Revolver, and I also prefer A Hard Day's Night and Abbey Road to the White Album. There are also examples of double albums clearly not being the artist's peak: Dylan's self-portrait, Elton's Blue Moves, Fleetwood Mac's Tusk. Though I do think that Tusk is better than some people give it credit for.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@otisdylan9532 It is a bit of a joke at Billy, I'll admit. I should have mentioned Songs, it's true. I listen to it all the time.

[@michaeloconnor5084]

@RobertsRecordCorner this is my first look at your channel and I clicked because of the Billy Joel comment. Call it click bait, but your explanation was interesting and fun too. Good stuff.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@michaeloconnor5084 Thank you. And thank you Billy Joel!

[@edward8597]

It's odd because Billy Joel does have one of the best-selling double albums of all time, released only a year or two after that CD of 52nd Street. It's a compilation, so it's outside the purview of the video, but Billy Joel's "Greatest Hits Vols. I and II" went 23x Platinum.

Correction: The original vinyl issue of Cure's Disintegration was a single LP. They left out two tracks which were marked on the CD as bonus tracks. Later issues were double albums with all tracks.

[@jeffoulton4540]

The use your illusion albums were also not double LPs individually. They just appeared on 2lps, but were made after the invention of the CD, which each album only existed on one each

[@TheFellCloud]

Nine Inch Nails “The Fragile” was certainly a double album that really felt like it wanted to present itself that way in the era of overlong cds. It was never going to live up to its own hype that was generated at the time and suffered the same problem that I think a lot of double albums do and that’s “filler” songs in the midst of an artist asking you to take them very seriously. Making a double album of all classics is rare. The White Album and The Wall actually pull it off. Also I have to mention I love Zeppelin but I’ve always found it odd that people rate Physical Graffiti so high. I’ve always felt the songs on Graffiti lack the passion and creativity of their earlier work. They no longer sound young and dangerous but rich and comfortable and one great song is not enough for me to rate it as their best. Thats my opinion anyway.

[@TheEman590]

I rate it high because it hasn't been overplayed on the radio to the point of exhaustion like LZ II and IV. But mote than that, I do feel they're sequenced very well and I don't get bored

[@disappointedoptimist255]

I think The Fragile actually fills most of that time really well, there are only a few minutes of material I'd be ok with cutting

[@benl326]

Interesting video, great points well made. Definitely agree with Quadrophenia and London Calling, though like many others I was shouting “Songs in the key of life!” at the screen haha

[@jeffreyroedel9804]

Tons of "double albums" released in the CD era, 90s and early 00s when I was a teenager saw a lot of rock bands release albums that are an hour long...or more. They just were on a single CD so not thought of as a double album. Now, lots of pop and hip hop artists release records that are 16+ tracks or more and pushing an hour. Taylor Swift and Beyonce, etc....long albums, double and triple vinyls....The streaming era is a tricky one for the traditional double album, I think. A lot of rock bands may feel like 40 minutes or 10-12 tracks per album is enough and save any other songs for future albums or singles/b-sides. This I agree with! 35-50 minutes is usually perfect for most bands.... Separate releases on streaming help streaming totals overall, so the more releases you have on Spotify, for instance, the better chance of being found by new listeners, so loading tons of songs on one release is not as effective as splitting that up into two albums, or one album + singles...

[@puffitale]

In my experience, a CD era double album would be an album pushing 20 plus tracks split over 2 discs, but each disc would have a specific theme. Two that come to mind are 2004’s Speakerboxx/The Love Below by Outkast - Disc 1 being a solo album made by Big Boi (hip hop and progressive rap) and The Love Below being a solo album by André 3000 (pop, funk, soul). Another example is 2006’s Back to Basics by Christina Aguilera. Disc 1 is introduced by the title track, which has more of a throwback feel to it - modern pop songs with sampling dating back to the 30s and soul, R&B & funk influences, whilst disc 2 “Enter the Circus” is more of a making a soul record with modern technology type thing - though there’s not really any difference between the two discs. Christina’s really bad at editing her albums - more is very much more for her, and I wouldn't be surprised if she just couldn't decide on less than one disc of material. There's a lot of filler on disc 1 that could've been cut down to make it one disc only imo. A more recent post-vinyl revival example is Marina’s Love + Fear. It has 16 tracks on one disc as a CD but was originally packaged as a black and white two-disc set in its vinyl set. Disc one (Love - white) explored love and the concept of humanity, whilst Disc 2 (Fear - black) explore heartache & anxiety/depression. It wasn't as dance poppy as her previous work, so fans hate it.

[@brianinglis3805]

@@puffitale Smashing Pumpkin's 1995 Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness was a double CD. Prince's 1996 Emancipation was a triple CD.

[@basswars7060]

This is one that most people don't know about, but "Untitled" by the Byrds is a work of art. It captures Clarence White's genius better than anything else he played on. The rest of the band is pretty awesome too.

[@ParamotorSteve]

My two favorite double albums are Todd Rundgren's Something/Anything and ELO's Out of the Blue.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Big World by Joe Jackson - a double album with only 3 sides. The last side had no grooves on it. The idea being that JJ wanted to release a longer format album without sacrificing sound quality by cramming all of the tracks onto 2 sides. Nothing Like The Sun by Sting did something similar by stretching the tracks over 4 short sides. Too expensive to do eventually!

[@fredparker1734]

Absolutely fantastic album.

[@damian-zq6bl]

the recent music to play in the dark reissues also have that, and the d-side features beautiful etched designs

[@derhandtrommler]

Johnny Winter's "Second Winter" pulled the same three side trick in 1970. a flat surface with no label on the fourth side. Brilliant record.

[@Solitaire001]

@@derhandtrommler Utopia did the same with their self-titled album. They didn't list the track list for the third side on the back album cover, and you only discovered it when you opened the LP.

[@Dee-x9f]

The last vinyl LP I bought was Sting's 1987 "Nothing Like the Sun" (which has one of the most fabulous opening tracks, ever). The problem with that record on vinyl was that each side had only three songs, but flowed as if it was conceived for CD and you needed to hear all the songs back-to-back without breaks. (For whatever reason, other doubles, like "Songs in the Key..." didn't bother me.) Getting up to flip the disc every three songs was so annoying that I finally gave up on vinyl and caved to buy a CD player... thus beginning 10 years of re-purchasing my collection!

[@matm4331]

Tusk (Fleetwood Mac), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie Wonder) and The River (Springsteen) are all excellent. If you want to include live double albums you get a big group of great records like At Flilmore East (Allman Bros), The Song Remains the Same (Led Zeppelin) and One For Road (Kinks) among many more. If you care to sneak in a triple album, go for All Things Must Pass (Harrison) or The Last Waltz (The Band) Great topic! So glad you mentioned Bitches Brew...Thanks

[@williamgiesen4910]

Tusk wasn’t really that great of an album and was a critical and commercial disappointment upon release. That alone doesn’t make it bad, it’s just a bizarre album, clearly peak cocaine, with keys to the studio for the band.

[@TheDoctor394]

I thought Songs In The Key Of Life straight away, not just my favourite double but my favourite 70s album at any length.

[@detroitfunk313]

+1 for The River, in spite the dated sound (Bob Clearmountain and his stupid drum samples)

[@jerviejervie2204]

@@williamgiesen4910 Tusk got a rave review by Stephen Holden upon release and has grown in stature over the years. I love it as much as Rumours.

[@Dee-x9f]

Ooo... since you mention live albums, how did we all miss "Frampton Comes Alive?" He was hardly known in the US in 1976, despite previous records. We American kids dropped extra dollars on a new artist's double live album on the strength of that amazing Side One (Do You Feel Like We Do?).

[@danday3810]

My current favorite album is a double album, on vinyl of course, by The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding. In the last week I've listened to it all the way through three times (with some extra spins for Side 3 with "Thinking of a Place." I started buying albums when I started my sophomore year of high school in 1968. SO, in a matter of four months I'm buying newly released albums by Cream (Wheels of Fire), Electric Ladyland, Uncle Meat (The Mothers) and the White Album. So, yes, it seems I've always loved double albums. So my Top Ten Double Album List (for this week): 1. A Deeper Understanding - The War on Drugs 2. Electric Ladyland - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Jimi's guitar playing makes the Noel song listenable) 3. The White Album - every track makes the album what it is, warts and all 4. Third - Soft Machine - always a favorite, still gets lots of plays and with many titles in this list, some repurchases on vinyl (always a reliable signpost) 5. Exile on Main Street - they sort of lost me after Mick Taylor left but like many of these albums, an enjoyable sprawl. 6. Layla.... was a huge Clapton fan, not so much these days, but you still can't discount his influence on blues/rock guitar sound 7. Something/Anything - Todd Rundgren - an audacious pop/rock masterpiece 8. Uncle Meat - The Mothers (of Invention) I felt like I had grown as a listener when I learned to love this and Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band 9. Oranges and Lemons - XTC The Brits' analogous of Something/Anything (Todd also produced, under fractious circumstances, XTC's wonderful Skylarking) 10. Tie: all the other albums on Robert's list Honorable mention: Wheels of Fire , Ummagumma and Living the Blues (each is one-half live, but still great or interesting double-albums) Tanz der Lemmings by Amon Duul II Chicago Transit Authority Back to the Roots - John Mayall Blood Sugar Sex Magic - Red Hot Chili Peppers Nonesuch - XTC =-Andy Partridge is the prolific resident genius, but Colin Moulding is the secret weapon Extra Special Honorable Mention: Weird Scenes Inside the Gold - a compilation that fully demonstrates what The Doors were all about. If you were only going to listen to one Doors album, this would be it. Robert, this is only video of yours I've seen so far. So I'm looking forward to seeing some more. Well done!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Wow, thank you for this! Oranges & Lemons is a fun addition. English Settlement is another double LP from the lads I enjoyed. Thank you for watching!

[@lancewilson7038]

Robert, Double Nickels on the Dime refers to driving 55 mph on the 10 freeway. Mike even has the freeway sign and the speedometer in the photo.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I love they did that. Mike Watt CAN drive 55!

[@markstiggs4471]

Having driven at 55 mph on the 10 in the 80s, I certainly agree

[@mercurywoodrose]

OK, sold me on your list. I’m gonna check a lot of those out that I’ve never actually listened to specially Minuteman.

[@DmytroYarovyi]

Good video! Rolling Stones Exile is the best!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Thank you. Exile has meant a whole lot to me since Inused paper route money to buy it at age 15!

[@-er-un1wt]

So great to see this channel back!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@-er-un1wt Thank you!

[@nicktherecordlover1969]

Hi Rob! Great video! I just uploaded a video myself on double albums. After the ads, yours came up right after! I have "Blonde on Blonde" on my list too, as well as "The Beatles" double album. "Exile" made it. Terrific choices you have. I sort of "broke the rules" and put "The Beach Boys In Concert" from 1973. Great double "Live" album. Keep up the good work!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@nicktherecordlover1969 Thank you!! I will check it out. I probably should have included live albums tbh. Maybe Sat Night Fever. As considerations at least!

[@brenthooton3412]

Here's the difference between a 70-minute double LP and a 70-minute single CD. The LP breaks it up into 4 individual acts that give the album structure (even when listening on CD). Each side has to be thought of as a self-contained entity and as part of the whole. Think about Chicago II with its individual suites. Think about debating what side of the White Album is the best (the correct answer is side 1). A 70-minute single CD is more easily put together as just a single stream of tracks lasting for 70 minutes.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Yes! I love the art of thinking how to end and start sides, or grouping songs -- like Exile's side two -- in a thematic way of some sort.

[@TheDoctor394]

Thanks for that. 🙂 After watching this video, I went away thinking for the first time about the difference between a double album and a long single album. Especially in the CD age, I was wondering if doubles had really become redundant (Iron Maiden saying they had released their first double when they'd already got into the habit of making 70+ minute albums). What you say makes sense.

[@markstiggs4471]

Credit should be given to Tom Petty, the original CD version of "full moon fever" included a spoken word, track done by Tom, who informed CD listeners that they should wait a while, others turn over their LP to play side two. Only then did the rest of the tracks play

[@brenthooton3412]

And Feel a Whole Lot Better and Yer So Bad were a good 1-2 opener for side 2. Would not have worked as well on CD without that intermission.

[@reality345]

This is an amazing video! It’s very informative but it’s also incredibly interesting! Cheers!!

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@reality345 thank you!

[@dontrunisaidvapist3319]

Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The Boss The River. Fleetwood Mac Tusk. Great Vid By The Way

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Thank you!

[@MarcioMarquesdeSouza]

Amazing video. My favorite double album is "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness".

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

You are really going to give credit to Dylan for the first double LP for pre dating Zappa's first double LP by 4 days, even though both were already packaged and ready to go the week before AND Zappas was an actual concept album AND his debut? Really?

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@stevenfunderburg1623 I don't mean to uncredit Zappa. I'm not really a big fan and Dylan is my #1. So, yeah, I guess so? All these comments makes me want to return to Zappalandia though. Been too long! Thanks for watching.

[@stevenfunderburg1623]

@@RobertsRecordCorner Okay, that made me feel better 👍 Thank you Sir

[@jamesdean9183]

Bob Dylan had already pretty much finished recording all of “Blonde On Blonde” before Zappa had even started recording “Freak Out!” Dylan recorded “Blonde On Blonde” from February 14th until March 10th of 1966 and Zappa didn’t even start recording “Freak Out!” until March 9th, only one day before Dylan had already finished his record. So yeah I’ll give credit to Dylan on this one, even though the records came out so close together Dylan beat Zappa to the punch both by recording date and release date. You can’t really give Zappa the credit if Blonde on Blonde was already pretty much finished. Love Zappa of course, one of the greats, but personally I’m giving this one to Dylan

[@Solitaire001]

Utopia released a self-titled album that had three sides. The tracks on the first LP were listed on the album's jacket, but it also contained a second LP that had one side with tracks that were not listed on the album's jacket.

[@edd2771]

I’ve watched carefully several times and rewound to the Billy Joel section specially three times. I still don’t see how Billy Joel, himself, or his record company, killed double albums.

[@beatrixwickson8477]

I had to rewatch as well and I agree. At best you can claim CDs killed double albums and Billy Joel happened to be the first CD released. It's a long bow to draw. Especially when I think it's more broadly the case that CDs killed records. For the record, my first CD I bought to replace my cassette collection was Pink Floyd's The Wall.

[@edd2771]

@@beatrixwickson8477 I knew the answer before I asked. It’s clickbait. Just making sure he knows it doesn’t go unnoticed.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I poke a little fun at the Joel. He was the first CD. It is where it started. But I realize he didn't literally start the fire. Thanks for your careful consideration!

[@edd2771]

@@RobertsRecordCorner Nah, not ‘poking fun’. Clickbait title. Textbook case. Annoying.

[@nickmoranis2865]

It’s a joke. Does it really have to be spelled out? I’m guessing you only watch comedy where the ‘studio audience’ tells you when to laugh? Plus, Joel has a lot more to answer to so feck him.

[@danieleskridge3180]

Great countdown list. Double Nickles on the Dime is a phenomenal album (I also would have accepted Zen Arcade).

[@michaelrogers8126]

Agree, the age of CD’s caused a lot of bloated albums.

[@jasonpp1973]

Perfect single rekkid length, 35 to 45 min.

[@puffitale]

@@jasonpp1973 I think a great album can stretch to 50 mins, but I'd prefer a tight 11 tracker of good to great songs to a 18 track 73 minute beast with at least 5 songs no one can agree which 5 suck enough to always skip.

[@Solitaire001]

@@puffitale I think sometimes a shorter album is fine. I have "Everybody's Rockin" by Neil Young and The Shocking Pinks which clocks in at 24 minutes 55 seconds. Very short but the songs were good, although I think they could have added a few more covers.

[@jtmichaelson]

My first-ever video watched on your channel and my first-ever comment, as well. But since you asked, all I can say is hands down, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is my favorite double album. It was not only my first double album, but the very first album I'd ever owned. Electric Ladyland is a masterpiece in my eyes and I always thought The Stranger and Turnstiles would have been better as just one double album, since they are both so close in style, sound and overall concept, since you brought up Billy into the conversation. I subbed.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@jtmichaelson Thank you! My Billy era started w a Stranger 8-track. Never thought of it as companion to Turnstiles before! Will think of that when Inhear them again

[@kemlay2451]

Thank You for including Miles Davis Bitches Brew. More ears need to hear that masterpiece.

[@jakereading30]

There are still many double albums being made and reissued as cds allowed for up to 80 minute albums!

[@soylentkris]

also, I think it's arguable that "Axis, Bold As Love" is Hendrix' strongest album.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@soylentkris It's a fair point. I love Voodoo (both versions) and Watchtower so much that Inpuy it first.

[@soylentkris]

@@RobertsRecordCorner I get it.

[@mstecker]

You nailed it, brother. RIP D.

[@benstafford8206]

Stephen Stills' Manassas deserves a callout.

[@slistone1940]

Oh man, just discovered your channel. Love this deep dive. So good! Never thought about Blonde on Blonde being the first double album before. So cool

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@slistone1940 Thank you!

[@pkmcburroughs]

The Who: Quadrophenia. The Kinks: Preservation Act 2 Frank Zappa & The MOI: Freak Out Yes: Tales from Topographic Oceans Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti Capt. Beefheart: Trout Mask Replica

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Preservation Act 2!! I have a soft spot for much of that album. I've only heard Topographic Oceans a couple times and yet to get fully into it. I will try again! Thanks for watching.

[@philbouchard8366]

@@RobertsRecordCorner It’s not YES best record it kind of took the concept record over the edge!

[@duchampsrook]

I agree Trout Mask has to mentioned in a discussion of double LP’s. It’s in the Smithsonian!

[@trent374]

Double Nickels on the Dime had so many ideas in so many quick little songs. It's astonishing. It could have been a quadruple album if they had stretched out the songs to full length.

[@HEWHOTAWNS]

Fantastic video, unfortunately frank zappas mothers of inventions album 'Freak Out' was the first Rock n roll double album, not Bob dylans blonde on blonde

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I thought BoB was out like a week before? Thank you for watching!

[@HEWHOTAWNS]

@@RobertsRecordCorner nah ol Frankie just beast bobby D to the punch. Nonetheless love the video

[@michaeloconnor5084]

Blonde on blonde released on June 20, Frank's on the 27th.

[@HEWHOTAWNS]

@@michaeloconnor5084 the July release date is a common misconception, hope that helps!

[@michaeloconnor5084]

@@HEWHOTAWNS Well, what was it really?

[@pluggy86]

I want to congratulate you on this video. Great topic, perhaps no one under 40 cares, but a lot of people relate based on the views and the comments. Psychologically, it was a huge difference from a CD 10 years later that had just as many minutes of music. As a 15 year old it really was a treasure that you spent all your allowance money on. You wanted to bring it to school and show it off to your friends. You wanted to learn the unfamiliar songs that didn't get radio airplay. The package itself was cool, even without an opportunity to play it. The sides themselves were intriging. Some went 1-2, 3-4, while others were 1-4, 2-3, so you only had to flip it once. I had one of those crappy stereos that dropped one record on top of the other. Every other kid had a turntable, but I was stuck with that relic. "The Wall" was a very dark, heavy album that was hard to listen to from start to finish even for Floyd fans. But one side served up just the teen angst you needed. Of course you had a favorite side that you hit a lot and others less often. Great memories!

[@colinkeane9070]

Bro skipped ELOs Out Of The Blue for no reason

[@ianz9916]

That is a fantastic double album.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

It's funny but that album has a funny story for me. My friend Alan spent the night in the '70s, age 10, and brought over THAT album. I remember thinking how odd it was bringing a record to a sleepover. Alan died recently, and when I was visiting his wife, she offered me to pick a few records from his collection. And there it was: Out of the Blue from age 10. I've never thought of ELO without thinking of Alan, and I love having it in my collection at last. Thanks for the comment.

[@PartTimeBuddhist]

I know what you mean. I never got those people who say, "But it would have been better as a single album!" I can't think of any double album I'd say that about. It seems like the artist usually knew when it was time to "go for it." Listing my ten favorite double albums almost feels like listing my ten favorite albums (but not quite): Exile on Main St. - Rolling Stones Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John London Calling - The Clash Something/Anything? - Todd Rundgren Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder Todd - Todd Rundgren Tommy - The Who Tusk - Fleetwood Mac The Wall - Pink Floyd The White Album - The Beatles Nothing terribly obscure, but what are you gonna do? Even a double album like Elton John's Blue Moves, roundly considered "bloated," is one I enjoy almost all the way through. Also, lest anyone think I'm stuck in the '70s, a quick shout-out to Bongwater's Double Bummer.

[@Ianmackable]

The common argument that the White Album should be cut in half has always flabbergasted me. It's the Beatles! Are people seriously saying the world would be a better place with FEWER Beatle songs?

[@trott]

Definitely not my favorite, but I was hoping you would mention Self Portrait. kzbin.info/www/bejne/boqbiol-h7Jjack Honorable mentions that I don't see in other comments so far include: Freak Out! The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway Frampton Comes Alive (assuming live records count)

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

True! I am fond of SP. I didn't consider live albums for whatever reason. These sorts of things - opinions on things like double LPs - tend to change every day. Thanks for watching am this Mr Trott!

[@trott]

@@RobertsRecordCorner _Self Portrait_ includes live tracks, so that's another reason to exclude it in addition to the fact that it's kind of terrible (but also fascinating).

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@trott Definitely that. I am fond of much of the Another SP box set. "Pretty Saro" is gorgeous.

[@Ianmackable]

@@RobertsRecordCorner We could talk about The Basement Tapes, I guess...

[@msmoniz]

Here's my 7 favourite studio double albums, un-ranked, just these are my top favourite 7 and that I've listened to the most repeatedly. Couldn't get to 10; Quadrophenia - The Who The Wall - Pink Floyd London Calling - The Clash Zen Arcade - Husker Du Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness - The Smashing Pumpkins Berkley to Bakersfield - Cracker The Undertaking - Strippers Union(Rob Baker of TTH & Craig Northey of The Odds side project)

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I do not know the last two! Will check them out.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Ummagumma?

[@stitchgrimly6167]

The ultimate double album is Nick Cave's Lyre of Orpheus/Abattoir Blues. Two distinct albums defined by different drummers.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I do like that one a lot

[@rafailkarampetsos6914]

So you're saying that it's not billy Joel's fault and then blaming again billy Joel 😂

[@BaronVonMunch]

This whole channel is stupid, not worth it for anyone with their own functioning brain comfortable with their own opinions.

[@12opsynths]

I love this channel. It feels like you went in for some extra help in a musicology class and then got on this amazing side tangent.

[@charleshays5407]

Earth Wind and Fire released their double album Gratitude in 1975.

[@Ianmackable]

Mostly live material.

[@andrerenault]

I’m a simple man. I see the fleurdelisé, I hit subscribe.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@andrerenault Ha! Welcome!