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Albums with all slow songs. Thoughts?

Do you like albums that contain all slow songs?

Or you dislike them and prefer a CD with more a variety in tempos, even if all the slow songs are unique and beautiful?

Think Ray LaMontagne, whose songs are all pretty slow, but all pretty pretty.

What's your preference...or do you just look for general quality?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Steigerwald on January 13, 2012 at 12:50pm

When I look back on my favorites, they always have a good mix, with at least one to get me on my feet.

There were some great ones in 2011;

Wilco - The Whole Love

Tedeschi Trucks Band - Revelator

Warren Haynes Band - Man In Motion

Peter Case - The Case Files

Levon Helm - Ramble At The Ryman

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Here We Rest

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Permalink Reply by Hector Calavera on January 13, 2012 at 10:05pm

I'm a slow tempo album lover..."Slow & Melancholy" is probably a better description for me. I need the lyrics / minor chords to depress me slightly so I can kinda...sink down, ya know? "Ghost Repeater" by Jeffrey Foucault...is a good examples. ...I'll often skip the more uptempo stuff in favor of "Home For Sale" or "Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room" .... Ah-h-h-h-h.

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Permalink Reply by SlimHadley on January 17, 2012 at 6:59am

Placement is key when regarding slow tempo songs. Every time Punkin Holler Boys have done an album, Ralph's always got at least 1 great slow song; the key is putting them in a good place within the overall flow of the record. I lose interest in an album that has all emotionally-overwrought, teenage-level introspection on it. Much prefer an album that has a wide variety of tempo, mood- & styles!

Springsteen's "Nebraska" is a wonderful, slow, moody album- Loved it in my early 20s. Couldn't listen to it all the way thru nowadays. Too depressing- makes me wanna go after the 1% who control everything! Nick Drake's great for about 3 songs.

Live performance it gets tricky. If we do too many slower songs (which tend to be deeper in meaning), we lose the audience's attention. Not from a lack of emotion coming off the stage- more to do with people wanna have fun when they go see a band, oftentimes, & slow songs mean "pay attention, this is meaningful".

I also can't stomach this falsetto-style singing many male performers are doing these days- or the wispy, little-girl voice some female performers use. Those get thrown into the mix on slow songs way too much.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Margaret on February 9, 2012 at 5:47pm

I love music that fits my mood or puts me into certain mood. Luckily there are tunes for every mood and state of mind. If I''ve got some mundane chores to do-I'll get myself in the mood with some upbeat consistently good high energy music and I sing along as I'm working . I can relate to Hector's quote.....

"Slow & Melancholy" is probably a better description for me. I need the lyrics / minor chords to depress me slightly so I can kinda...sink down, ya know?"

There are times I just need to let my deep sad feelings come out. For those moods, I want to hear slow songs- unique and beautiful ,with a melancholy feel.

For traveling, I appreciate various tempos and variety as long as it's quality and I haven't played it to death yet :-)