What Makes A "Good" Record?

Ever notice how much power and influence a record-let alone music, can have on shaping our lives? A good record can appeal to individual or a large, but where do they come from, and what are they made of? I recently asked that question to several friends and strangers to see if I could draw a central thread. Music varies from genre to genre, no doubt, but the answers I got were informative, and a bit entertaining. Here are a few:

 "If I can forget where I am for the duration of my first listen, then that's the sign of a good record."

"I'm not sure how to answer this question but vocals always make or break it for me."

"A good record takes me on a journey. It lures me in. Lyrics are also important to me. They have to speak to me."

The last answer I got what from a friend who produces records in his area. His answer was very long and detailed, but his last comment stated, "A good record has to be longer than 30 minutes."

Very rarely does a record come along that is able to appeal to a massive audience. The Joshua Tree by U2 and Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park are two great examples. They both broke new ground and are still doing well after the first decade(s) had passed both of their release dates. A record does not have to have immediate success to qualify as a good record either. On a subjective level, it can become a favorite over a period of time, even if we didn't like it at first. Personally, some of my favorite albums had to grow on me, but they took me on a journey and years later, are a snap shot to that period of my life. 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage by Cold resonated with me while it helped me through a very dark period of my life. 

While there are very few 'correct' answers to the question, "What makes a good record?" because of personal opinions and taste, I will try to narrow it down to the best of my ability. A good record:

1) Speaks to us on an emotional level.

2) Takes us out of our current reality.

3) Has more than one hit instead of a few good tracks with filler songs in between.

4) Has a steady flow between tracks and keeps the listener engaged.

5) Is at a decent time length (45 minutes or longer).

6) Allows the listener to dream.

7) Has phenomenal guitar work.

8) Has breathtaking vocals (which can override mediocre musicianship, but not vice versa).

9) Shows growth and potential in the artist, instead of the alternative.

10) Contains lyrics with depth.

 Feel free to leave a comment if you would like to add something.

Comments

[Rick]

Wow dude, we could talk about this all day!

A great album has highs and lows and takes you on a journey through those highs and lows with every song. A great album wreaks of passion, pain, dominance, vulnerability, or whatever else you're feeling or looking for at the time it becomes great for you. The timing is important...the same record at a different time of your life may not have the same impact on you and therefore may not be as "good".

I'm a huge Zeppelin fan...the 2nd album, I wore that thing out! It was a powerful and confident record at a time in my life when I was searching for my bravado as a young teen. Every song on that record just kicked ass and I walked a little taller just knowing those songs.

BTW, I'd argue with your #8) Has breathtaking vocals, unless you're really talking about lyrics here and not necessarily the vocal abilities. Neil Young was a very influential musician from my younger years...."Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" is still one of my all-time favorite records and, again, I wore it out. But, like Bob Dylan, Young is just a horrible singer! But it worked for them because of the lyrics they wrote.

I could go on and on.......