Back in time - Any idea how a new album sounds?

[ulrichs]

Earlier this day I heard "Internal Exile" (the whole album) the first time for ages. And I remembered the time when I bought this album (already as a CD). Don't ask me if it was the release day. Never heard any sound clips of the album before the purchase. And then the first time when I put it in the player. Shadowplay, Credo, Just Good Friends, ..., Lucky, Dear Friend, ..., Internal Exile (I know the names of the missing songs !). Took the booklet to read the lyrics. And the whole music was so new, so good, so surprising, so .... And the booklet said to me, if I want the lyric of Shadowplay I have to send a postcard to Scotland and get the lyric on paper back. The lyric of Shadowplay wasn't ready when the booklet was printed.

It was the same situation with the "Vigil ..." album. Bought as a real record and no idea how it sounds.

Today, we have the chance to get sound clips from the recording sessions weeks or months before the release day. And when you have the new album in hand, you (only) have the chance to hear the whole album. Some artists give us the chance to download the whole album before release day. The surprise is not the same as in the old times, isn't it?

P.S. I got the first three albums of Marillion not in the right order. First "Misplaced Childhood" bought from a friend for around 100,- GDR Marks. And some weeks later "Fugazi" and "Script ..." for the same price. I had already heard some songs of these albums on the radio or cassette from my friend before I bought the records.

[arcademannequin]

I'm with you Uli. I like being surprised by a new album. I don't like to hear any material from a new release, and I don't go looking for it either.

I don't think there has been one single Fish album that I have heard a clip from before I have had the actual album itself. - Saying that, I've always been one of those people who likes to listen to whole albums in their entirety. Especially a good concept album. - Never been a fan of compilations, unless it's a live cd.

[Conan]

In some ways I yearn for the old days when, as soon as a new album (or "record" as we called them back then) came out, it would be off down to the record shop (no internet) to buy one's copy. Then back home on the bus as the tension mounted. Would the new one be up to the usual or expected standards? Would it reveal a new direction, a continuation in similar vein to the last release or (God forbid) a change for the worse???

Sitting with mates, reading the album sleeve notes and cueing up track one side one. Tension unbearable now...

Happy days!

[pocketfraggle]

I agree - something was different back when I listened to new records with my best friend, discussing lyrics, feelings, chords, bridges...
but there are moments when time´s turned back. After my first Fish-concert in May I ordered 13th Star as a Vinyl for Andreas, who is my aunts boyfriend, and CD for me and day by day I was so excited when the postman visited, that he finally just stated "no, nothing from Scotland" . Then when it arrived at last I couldn´t wait to give this wonderful Vinyl to him and the three of us sat there, saying nothing and just listening together sometimes muttering a "brilliant... like that... did you hear... reminds me of..". A magic family-moment And for me it was the same feeling when I sat on the floor with my glass of red wine and listening to Raingods & Suits for the first time - the first impression is just something special - but I have to admit the second, third and 1234. can be quite charming as well

[Chris D]

I agree that albums do sound better without prior knowledge but I would not always have this option as I would already have had that excitement often with the single that precede the album. Although I do not download, so therefore, now days the album is normally 'fresh' as most the artists I listen too no longer release singles.

[ulrichs]

I agree that albums do sound better without prior knowledge but I would not always have this option as I would already have had that excitement often with the single that precede the album. ...

I bought only two singles by Fish (from the Vigil album) months after the release day. I wanted the B-side songs.

A single gives you a first impression about the new album. A single is a completly finished song not a sound clip from the recording sessions. Otherwise the important songs by Marillion and also by Fish solo are the long tracks. Never released as a single ! On "Internal Exile" there are two long tracks at the beginning. And they are so good!

[jaysee]

Ahh the days before the t'interweb. Hard to believe in this day and age that bands/musicians would create music and the only time you heard it was when the lead single was released 4-8 weeks before the album. When you would scour every interview in Metal Hammer and Kerrang (before it went crap) for hints or clues to what the new music was like.

Ahhh them were the days Cleggy me old son..... sorry for a second I thought I was in Last of the Summer Wine!!

[arcademannequin]

I agree that albums do sound better without prior knowledge but I would not always have this option as I would already have had that excitement often with the single that precede the album. Although I do not download, so therefore, now days the album is normally 'fresh' as most the artists I listen too no longer release singles.

Thinking about it, the only Fish single I ever bought was the brilliant Fortunes Of War four-disc'er with all the live stuff on..............but I misplaced it! Can't find it anywhere.

[ulrichs]

I agree that albums do sound better without prior knowledge but I would not always have this option as I would already have had that excitement often with the single that precede the album. Although I do not download, so therefore, now days the album is normally 'fresh' as most the artists I listen too no longer release singles.

Thinking about it, the only Fish single I ever bought was the brilliant Fortunes Of War four-disc'er with all the live stuff on..............but I misplaced it! Can't find it anywhere.

So sorry Paul! I bought it years ago. Every 4 weeks or so was the release of one of the four. Keep looking!

[Chris D]

I agree that albums do sound better without prior knowledge but I would not always have this option as I would already have had that excitement often with the single that precede the album. Although I do not download, so therefore, now days the album is normally 'fresh' as most the artists I listen too no longer release singles.

Thinking about it, the only Fish single I ever bought was the brilliant Fortunes Of War four-disc'er with all the live stuff on..............but I misplaced it! Can't find it anywhere.

So sorry Paul! I bought it years ago. Every 4 weeks or so was the release of one of the four. Keep looking!

Here in Britain those singles that made up the set were released one a week. The first came with the nice gatefold sleeve, the others being in jewel cases. I remember being on holiday with then partner in the west country and insisting we went into Gloucester to purchase the disc released that Monday in case I did not get the full set!