Best Ever Albums

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

albummaster — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 06:33:26 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/09/2025 10:33

MadhattanJack wrote:

I would definitely say "yes" on that. You'd probably get more discussion on new-release AOTDs that way too, though I might just be saying that because I'm a new-release kinda guy and all. 8)

Thanks for feedback, not wishing to hijack this thread too much, but might open a new thread where this (and frequency, selection criteria etc) can be discussed.

MadhattanJack wrote:

Tangentially-related, I also think it would be cool if the year of release were included in the "Insert BEA link" code, and maybe even revamp the look a little bit, like this two-line version maybe:

The Last Atlant
Cloudburst Of Colours (2015).

Thanks, that's a decent idea and I like the layout, so I'll put on the to do list. (Just an aside, the lack of a year etc wasn't to push people into viewing other pages, it was just an oversight).

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

MadhattanJack — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 19:27:45 GMT

Author: MadhattanJack

Posted: 07/08/2025 23:27

albummaster wrote:

Without wanting to add even more automated posts, would albums in the current year be worth posting as an additional category to help people discover new music? (not sure how they'd be determined yet, but just an idea off the bat).

I would definitely say "yes" on that. You'd probably get more discussion on new-release AOTDs that way too, though I might just be saying that because I'm a new-release kinda guy and all. 😎

The formula could be something as simple as {current rank-score} / {number of days since release}. Maybe with special allowances for albums that have been ranked #1 for the year on one or more member charts, or just the number of member charts they appear in.

Tangentially-related, I also think it would be cool if the year of release were included in the "Insert BEA link" code, and maybe even revamp the look a little bit, like this two-line version maybe:

The Last Atlant
Cloudburst Of Colours (2015)

It's more text obviously, and I realize the ads appear on the album pages so people might be less likely to load/view them if they only wanted to check the release year, but what can I say... As a compromise, maybe have some sort of "New Release!" star icon there if the album was released within the last 60 days.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

albummaster — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 04:49:31 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/08/2025 08:49

CA Dreamin wrote:

I offered a similar idea upthread requiring posts to be a minimum word/character length, to eliminate posts that are only BEA or YouTube links. The idea was shot down.

At some stage in the distant past we did have a minimum word count here which just got annoying for everyone. It's easily bypassed and sometimes legit posts can be very short. If URLs/YouTubes are not allowed without a comment, you'd end up with comments like 'great track' to get around the restriction (people don't always have time or are not willing to add more). The fact that someone posts an album can be enough for a reader to be reminded about that album and play it for themselves. The absence of a comment in this type of thread is the essence of that type of thread and the reason why people love/hate them (definitely seeing both sides).

CA Dreamin wrote:

it would be a hell of a lot more interesting if users instead started new threads about albums they've listened to and did little write-ups/reviews. I think that would show care, and would more effectively spread the word/recommendation to others on the site, as opposed to blankly posting about it on one catch-all thread where every post gets buried within a few hours. And yes, all those similar threads (what song, live performance, music video, etc) need to go. I think most of us agree on that point. I also think most of us agree users need to put in a little more effort. If there's an album you're listening to right now, and you like it and feel compelled to share it on BEA, would it kill you to drop a few lines about it? Why not post about it in a more dedicated thread to get more notice?

Nothing stopping people doing both. If you want to post a thread about album X then it seems most of that content is now in the Music Diaries forum. Possibly another issue is the Music forum losing its identity with the Music Diaries cannibalising content that might otherwise have been in the Music forum (sheer numbers on BEA making it difficult to have both areas flourishing).

Romanelli wrote:

I am absolutely for removing all of the other "What Are You ___ing" threads. I am also against having one "megathread" for all of those things. We're talking about making those things go away...well, let's make them go away. If you include them in what is already a massive thread with big traffic, those things are going to multiply ... We do already have individual album posts...every single day. Album Of The Day is auto posted every day, and VERY rarely get more than a response or two. We also have a music diaries section, which includes several users doing write ups about individual albums. I have one with more than 2200 albums, and it rarely gets replies. Same with the others. Fewer, in fact, than the Albums thread.

I think that ultimately, we're not so big into talking to one another. But let's stop having threads that ENCOURAGE us to not talk to one another.

If the AOTD/COTD posts were removed, there wouldn't be a lot left in the Music forum as most of the content has now migrated to the various Music Diaries (which are awesome) but also 'personal' spaces in the sense that they belong to the authors. Anecdotally, I sometimes feel I'm intruding replying too often to people's diaries - possibly my introvertedness - but I really enjoy reading them (not sure if others feel the same way, but if people aren't talking to each other could this be a factor?). I also have the habit of creating an awkward silence and stopping the flow with my social skills 🫢 (so there's that as well).

The Music forum is that general space where threads are open to all. In terms of what's there now, the AOTD/COTD posts possibly need revamping to help seed debate (e.g. pulling in comments/track picks etc from rest of site to introduce each album). We're now up to about ~5,000 in each category, so some albums have been AOTD multiple/many times and there are users here who have been visiting since the site started (& have seen each album before & said everything they need to say) and are no doubt bored (making the point here also that the site is also serving people outside of the forums/unregistered users/social media etc, so there's more than one audience for this content). Without wanting to add even more automated posts, would albums in the current year be worth posting as an additional category to help people discover new music? (not sure how they'd be determined yet, but just an idea off the bat).

Above all, the site is meant to be for everyone and it's great people care enough to discuss it here (& truly thankful). Possibly it's time to re-look at how the forums are structured to get underneath the issue to ensure the content on BEA is the best it can be.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Romanelli — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 17:51:29 GMT

Author: Romanelli

Posted: 07/07/2025 21:51

CA Dreamin wrote:

baystateoftheart wrote:

I have another suggestion that would require some technical work on the back end - not sure how practical it would be. Whenever someone tries to post a single BEA link with no other comments on any forum, that would trigger a review screen with a message saying something like: discussion is important to keep the forums lively; please add a comment to your post. If desired, the user could bypass the review screen to post anyway, but it would encourage people to be a little less low-effort.

I like this idea. I offered a similar idea upthread requiring posts to be a minimum word/character length, to eliminate posts that are only BEA or YouTube links. The idea was shot down.

As to users defending 'what album are you listening to,' citing it as a source of recommendations, I know I'm outnumbered, and AM has made it clear it's not leaving. However, I stand by my claim the thread is almost entirely useless, and it would be a hell of a lot more interesting if users instead started new threads about albums they've listened to and did little write-ups/reviews. I think that would show care, and would more effectively spread the word/recommendation to others on the site, as opposed to blankly posting about it on one catch-all thread where every post gets buried within a few hours. And yes, all those similar threads (what song, live performance, music video, etc) need to go. I think most of us agree on that point. I also think most of us agree users need to put in a little more effort. If there's an album you're listening to right now, and you like it and feel compelled to share it on BEA, would it kill you to drop a few lines about it? Why not post about it in a more dedicated thread to get more notice?

Personally I fully support either a word/character limit, or baystate's proposal dissuading (or better yet disallowing) posts from only being links.

I'm, again, right in the middle of this. My reasons for hoping the albums thread stays are based on two things: the fact that there ARE attempts (sometimes successful) at conversations there. And the historical relevance of the thread. However, if it goes, I will be okay with it. Sad, but okay.

I am absolutely for removing all of the other "What Are You ___ing" threads. I am also against having one "megathread" for all of those things. We're talking about making those things go away...well, let's make them go away. If you include them in what is already a massive thread with big traffic, those things are going to multiply. By a lot. This will make the point being made about posts being lost in less than a day multiply VERY quickly. Also...I check that thread every single day as a moderator fore duplicates and such. Combining everything like that will make that task nearly impossible once it gains momentum. And ultimately, keeping those kind of posts but just moving them into one thread does nothing to discourage posting like that. At all.

We do already have individual album posts...every single day. Album Of The Day is auto posted every day, and VERY rarely get more than a response or two. We also have a music diaries section, which includes several users doing write ups about individual albums. I have one with more than 2200 albums, and it rarely gets replies. Same with the others. Fewer, in fact, than the Albums thread.

I think that ultimately, we're not so big into talking to one another. But let's stop having threads that ENCOURAGE us to not talk to one another.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

CA Dreamin — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 15:15:04 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 07/07/2025 19:15

baystateoftheart wrote:

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Johnnyo — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 12:06:55 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/07/2025 16:06

baystateoftheart wrote:

How about keeping the album listening thread separate so it can stay focused and useful, and creating one catch-all thread for all non-album listening/watching?

That sounds like the ideal approach to me.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

baystateoftheart — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 11:55:56 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 07/07/2025 15:55

How about keeping the album listening thread separate so it can stay focused and useful, and creating one catch-all thread for all non-album listening/watching?

I have another suggestion that would require some technical work on the back end - not sure how practical it would be. Whenever someone tries to post a single BEA link with no other comments on any forum, that would trigger a review screen with a message saying something like: discussion is important to keep the forums lively; please add a comment to your post. If desired, the user could bypass the review screen to post anyway, but it would encourage people to be a little less low-effort.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

albummaster — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 08:49:42 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/07/2025 12:49

Thanks everyone for the points made, I think the sensible (and right) thing to do would be to keep the listening thread (but make it the conduit for all types of listening activity, so that the forums are focused towards more longer-form content). Keeping the one thread provides the value spoken about by other people, without having too many threads of the same type which was the main underlying issue prior to this discussion.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Romanelli — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 08:27:25 GMT

Author: Romanelli

Posted: 07/07/2025 12:27

teodor_matz wrote:

I'm listening Construcao by Chico Buarque, really great actually....

That quote is the very beginning of the albums listening thread. It was posted on December 8th, 2008. Going on 17 years ago. Over two threads, it has survived 24,920 pages. More than 240,000 replies. And it has, at this moment, a staggering 8.9 million views. Before the month is over, it will reach 9 million.

That thread has outlasted every thread ever made on the BEA forums, and it has outlasted a great many of the forum users. It's been here longer than almost all of us (including myself). Yes, it is the inspiration for countless "What ___ Are You _____ing Right Now?" threads that are completely void of conversation, but it is also a really big chunk of BEA history. That thread has been the centerpiece of our forums for parts of three different decades.

I am absolutely in favor of ending the empty threads here and not having them back. But I do think that the albums thread (in its current form only...not changed into a catch all that would be impossible to moderate or keep up with for anyone) does deserve to stay. As others (like Johnnyo) have stated, it IS a really great place for album recs. I have used it for that purpose for many years. It IS a centralized place where you can see what ALBUMS others are listening to. And even though it does at times end up being just album covers for a while, there are also many and frequent attempts made to have actual conversations about albums there. There is socializing going on in that thread. And most importantly, it absolutely IS on topic for BEA...it's the most about albums thread we have on the forums.

For those reasons, I make a case to keep the one thread...what album are you listening to?. For the reasons stated above. And because of its historical significance.

Thanks!

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Johnnyo — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 04:13:38 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/07/2025 08:13

MadhattanJack wrote:

Johnnyo wrote:

I post in said thread a lot and try to engage in conversations around what people are listening to, especially if I don’t know the album. Found some gems through the tread.

I wouldn’t be devastated if it was deleted but I think that I would be a shame as discovering new music is such a joy. Not going to be “butt-hurt” (what a great phrase) if it disappeared but would be a little sad.

I, for one, would be butthurt if it were deleted. The rest of those threads can (mostly) go, but for people who have established themselves here, and who also prefer to listen to entire albums rather than just individual tracks, it's just easier to discover new material that you might like via the "currently listening to" thread — if only because another forum member whose musical tastes (or opinions) you like/respect is giving that material some attention.

For me, that's nearly half the point of the whole website. The main point of the site is obviously rankings, but brand-new material takes a while to appear on enough charts to be accurately ranked. So what are you gonna do, read reviews written by professional music critics? Eff that, I'd much rather get recs from you guys, even if the rec only amounts to "it's playing right now."

You've actually put it more eloquently than me Madhattanjack. Agree with all that you have written there. Maybe I was being a little too polite about not being butthurt! It would be a great loss to the site if the tread disappeared.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Repo — Sun, 6 Jul 2025 19:29:31 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 07/06/2025 23:29

MadhattanJack wrote:

Johnnyo wrote:

Totally agree. I've stumbled upon TONS of albums this way.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

MadhattanJack — Sun, 6 Jul 2025 19:23:15 GMT

Author: MadhattanJack

Posted: 07/06/2025 23:23

Johnnyo wrote:

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Johnnyo — Sun, 6 Jul 2025 13:39:03 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/06/2025 17:39

cestuneblague wrote:

Have one big, beautiful (derp) thread for what are you listening to now, regardless if it's an album, song, clip whatever. Otherwise if you take it away you're just going to see it pop up again, so just try to centralize it and direct users who post a similar thread to the main one and close any of the duplicate threads.

That might actually work quite well. You’d get far more diversity that way although the thread might get very long, very quickly. Worth discussing though.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Johnnyo — Sun, 6 Jul 2025 13:23:08 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/06/2025 17:23

CA Dreamin wrote:

albummaster wrote:

Agree with sentiment, but don't want to upset too many people by removing all of them (need to get the balance right). The 'album listening' thread is pretty harmless and many people enjoy posting in it. I think we can all agree that too many of these threads are not good for the forums, but happy to see there are still quite a few people here that are regularly contributing high quality and engaging content (where people are discussing music 😲 ).

Nobody would be upset for any significant length of time. They'd be butt-hurt at first, but would quickly get over it. I don't think users actually 'enjoy' posting in it; I think it's more of a habit/addiction. Taking that away would be beneficial for them, and for the forums. It would clear the clutter around here, and persuade those users to either take their habit elsewhere, or better yet...actually post something substantial.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

Johnnyo — Sun, 6 Jul 2025 13:18:16 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/06/2025 17:18

melisandre wrote:

albummaster wrote:

BEA is intended to be agnostic in terms of religious and political content. However, too much content in one direction can give the false impression that it isn't.

90% of the site is buried behind the forums, but it's also a very important and visible part of the site. I'm sure there's a way for everyone to coexist without the forums looking like they're being taken over.

There's a dedicated thread LTS created in her Music Diaries where religious music can be posted, so perhaps this type of content could just be posted there (plus her 2025 diary) if other users don't want to see it amongst other threads (just floating an idea). Other religions would then need to be treated the same if this was to happen in the future.

Yes, I think this makes sense to limit posts related to religious music in someway. Otherwise, its possible to use the forums as a means of promoting a religion rather than discussing music, or whatever else. FWIW I have no real issue with LTS’ posting and, like others, wish her well on the site. But yeah, it is totally reasonable to set limits so posting religious themed content doesn’t overwhelm or misuse the forums.

Just catching up on this one. What Melisandre has said seems eminently sensible. I would describe myself as an agnostic atheist (I suppose we are all agnostic so maybe a little Redundant) but I have to say I don’t have a problem with pts about religious music. Promoting a specific religion, possibly, but the music of said religion, not really

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

cestuneblague — Sat, 5 Jul 2025 15:30:53 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 07/05/2025 19:30

Have one big, beautiful (derp) thread for what are you listening to now, regardless if it's an album, song, clip whatever. Otherwise if you take it away you're just going to see it pop up again, so just try to centralize it and direct users who post a similar thread to the main one and close any of the duplicate threads.

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

CA Dreamin — Sat, 5 Jul 2025 13:51:20 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 07/05/2025 17:51

albummaster wrote:

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

albummaster — Thu, 3 Jul 2025 06:14:52 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 07/03/2025 10:14

CA Dreamin wrote:

Now that the dust has [hopefully] settled, I just want to reiterate the only threads that should disappear are every single 'what are listening to/watching' threads. They are nothing but a waste of cyberspace. I say delete all of them, and abolish them from ever returning. Hopefully then, BEA can return to...um....a place to discuss music?

P.S. Thanks Repo for starting the Beach Boys listening project. Glad someone is trying!

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

CA Dreamin — Wed, 2 Jul 2025 15:51:23 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 07/02/2025 19:51

Now that the dust has [hopefully] settled, I just want to reiterate the only threads that should disappear are every single 'what are listening to/watching' threads. They are nothing but a waste of cyberspace. I say delete all of them, and abolish them from ever returning. Hopefully then, BEA can return to...um....a place to discuss music?

P.S. Thanks Repo for starting the Beach Boys listening project. Glad someone is trying!

Re: Threads Keep Disappearing

AfterHours — Wed, 2 Jul 2025 12:08:04 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 07/02/2025 16:08

albummaster wrote:

Agree, don't want or intend to suppress the deeper discussion of any topic, but only reduce the surface area of certain types of post. These types of post are mostly low effort and go nowhere close to the type of discussion that you are referring, and the legitimate critique of any form of art. It might be a stretch to call the current situation religious propaganda/spam, but it's coming close and updated forum guidelines will follow.

Thank you albummaster, faith in humanity restored (for now) 🤣