The proper amount of time

[Allabaster]

I want to know what is the time it takes to judge an album properly.

[nutso42]

About 9:30 AM

[RockyRaccoon]

I don't know if there is a "proper" amount of time, but I would say at least a couple focused listens.

But even then, I've had times where I've listened to an album multiple times, didn't like it, then when I listened to it a year or two later, I loved it. Judgments often change.
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[meccalecca]

[Juiceman96]

Just do whatever

[craola]

at least one full listen.

perceptions of an album change over repeated listens. time. life experiences. etc.

an album that's perfect to me today can be un-listenable tomorrow. or it's run of the mill. a week later, and i return to the perception that there's nothing greater. life is ever in flux. i think our perceptions of art is too.

you can usually get a general feel after one listen though. at least on a binary level* (i want to hear this again / meh / ew). i don't think that you *need* to totally separate yourself from your experience if you've totally immersed yourself. because your perception will change regardless.

the bends was my favorite album fifteen years ago. 100 rating. 5 stars. what have you. and radiohead is still one of my favorite artists, but the bends is by far my least favorite radiohead album now, and i can hardly recall the last time i had an urge to listen to it. it's still a good album, but it's not me anymore.

*edit: fixed "listen" to "level"
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[Rhett]

For me, it depends on the album. The first time I heard ELO's "Time," Genesis's "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway," Neil Young's "Rust Never Sleeps," I knew I was hearing something that would stick with me, and I was right. Neil Young's "Tonight's The Night," Radiohead's "In Rainbows," and The Rolling Stone's "Exile on Main Street" took many listens to fight their way to the top of my brain.

When people say, "You can't tell from one listen," I think, yeah, sometimes you can. Usually you can't, but sometimes you can.

[Dingerbell]

I swear this is one of the most discussed topics on music forums, but why does it matter? Can I not love something after one listen? One thing that annoys me is the people who complain about people rating albums after only one listen; obviously it's impossible to change your rating.

For me it's usually one listen, but it depends. Some albums I can do it instantly, others take a while to take in. But honestly it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

[revolver94]

yeah, i think people can judge albums too quickly sometimes, but i think its possible to judge an album well after one listen given the right circumstances. honestly, i think the question requires an answer more nuanced than it is interesting
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[Allabaster]