This is a blog from July 2005 I thought I'd revisit:
What makes a classic album?
Classic albums are timeless.When I want a particular album, none other will do. And I return to them over and over again.
Looking at my collection, most of the albums I consider classic have a specific theme and style. With many Bruce Springsteen songs I can tell which album it is on just by the sound. Devils and Dust songs don't sound like Born to Run songs don't sound like Tunnel of Love songs. Similarly, it is easy to tell the difference between the songs on Paul Simon's two African masterpieces, Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints.
Other classic albums have tight themes but stylistically different songs. Hotel California (drugs) and Rumors (breakups) come to mind.
So is Clay's next album going to be a classic? I believe his next album will be stylistically eclectic. He is still exploring styles broadly rather than in-depth (see tour). But he can have a theme.
Dudley at CV suggested the theme of a journey or a discovery. Something positive to go along with his desire for upbeat. This will allow him to explore pop, rock, r&b, country, gospel, and whatever else he wants while still having a cohesive message.
I don't know if Son of is going to be a classic, but I know it is going to be good. And I can't wait.
today
So is ATDW going to be a classic? I still don't know. There are a # of songs I am really intrigued by just listening to the clips. But I don't like that some of these songs Clay has to rescue, I wouldn't listen to them otherwise. Although he is perfectly capable of doing that.
The one thing that has me bummed is the one song that he has ever sung that I HATE listening to is on the album. Why did it have to be 1000 days? It really isn't a bad song, but there is something in it that has me climbing the walls.
And I mourn BFM. I mourn Tears. And I miss, miss, miss hearing Clay sing and talk.
September 19th can't come soon enough, can't wait to get that puppy in my hands. But it will come soon, and since I'm planning the party before I'm ready.
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