Is In Your Dreams too long?

[dontlookdown]

So many reviews are saying this album is Stevie's best in 30 years. And I think they might be right.
But I went back to Bella Donna and remembered that it's only 10 songs long.

If a few of the weaker tracks had been left off of In Your Dreams, it would have been a really solid record from start to finish.

I burned a copy leaving off:

Secret Love (i remember loving the demo in the 70's but it doesn't hold up next to the much stronger tracks on the album).
Moonlight (sounds like something you'd hear on Grey's Anatomy. Starts off bland and goes nowhere).
Ghosts Are Gone (Generic arena rock - sounds like too many other mediocre songs - like an Eagles reject.
She's covered this ground before and it's just boring.)
Cheaper Than Free (The album ends so strong with Italian Summer. This one sounds like two aging drunk rock starts who stayed too late at the party. Too sappy for me).

If you take those off and play the record from start to finish, there's not a weak link in the bunch.

[RickRobert]

No
te53535n

[mylittledemon]

:eek:

I feel just the opposite from you... I'd lose New Orleans... and Wide Sargasso Sea... and put MY HEART back on there as a mainstay

[dontlookdown]

Funny how subjective songs are.
I love New Orleans - I think it's one of her best songwriting efforts in a long time.
And Wide Sargasso Sea is great - reminds me so much of something from Don Henley's first solo album.

Is My Heart anywhere on the internet?
Curious what it sounds like now that I know Mike Campbell wrote it.
For What It's Worth is my favorite track on the album.

[mikephxaz]

So many reviews are saying this album is Stevie's best in 30 years. And I think they might be right.
But I went back to Bella Donna and remembered that it's only 10 songs long.

If a few of the weaker tracks had been left off of In Your Dreams, it would have been a really solid record from start to finish.

I burned a copy leaving off:

Secret Love (i remember loving the demo in the 70's but it doesn't hold up next to the much stronger tracks on the album).
Moonlight (sounds like something you'd hear on Grey's Anatomy. Starts off bland and goes nowhere).
Ghosts Are Gone (Generic arena rock - sounds like too many other mediocre songs - like an Eagles reject.
She's covered this ground before and it's just boring.)
Cheaper Than Free (The album ends so strong with Italian Summer. This one sounds like two aging drunk rock starts who stayed too late at the party. Too sappy for me).

If you take those off and play the record from start to finish, there's not a weak link in the bunch.

Everybody Love You & Cheaper than Free shouldn't have made the cd and "My Heart" should have been between GAG and YCBTO

[Tango]

My cd of Tusk holds 20 songs. :shrug: I'm not going to complain about too many songs . . . I think if a radio station ever played any cuts from her new album they would just cut them off before the end.

[Artemis]

I'd leave off Cheaper Than Free (Despite really really really loving the song, it has no place on Stevie's album as well as Dave's).

Also, I do not like the new version of My Heart. At all. I'm so glad it's a bonus track. I much prefer the TISL outtake.

Apart from that though, the album is perfect. I love how long it is, because it's so varied. She's sequenced it really well; whilst TISL drags in the middle, IYD goes through nicely. I just wish she'd called the album after FWIW.

[sara1998]

I think the length of it is fine.

[markolas]

Bella Donna only had 10 songs because that was about all that would fit on an LP. I don't think there are any weak tracks on the album. The only thing that makes me cringe is that intro on Everybody Loves You, but I wouldn't leave any tracks off the album, and I think the length is fine.

[WildHearted]

I would definitely leave off CTF. That's the one song that I honestly never listen to... subconsciously for some reason I feel like the album ends after Italian Summer so I always stop there.

[bluefox4000]

For me the album starts with FWIW.....and Ends with Italian summer. And I also chop off Everybody Loves You. Long Albums i usually edit. this album was an exception. Now that i've absorbed it......it's no exception.

Mick

[jrpjr]

i would remove, and i did:

"soldiers angel"...beautiful lyrics...respect it VERY much..just fall asleep b4 its over.

"ghosts are gone"...sounds like "fall from grace"...but less interesting.

"cheaper than free"...as someone said above.."Italian summer is a PERFECT closer for this record..so MAYBE not remove it..just put it somewhere else.

"secret love"..dont hate it..but i have yet to "like it".this one i would keep if i have "my heart" on it...MUST have at least 10 songs.

[saintvox]

I love Secret Love.

I wouldn't edit any tracks, although You May Be The One is boring and I've yet to listen to it as much as the other tracks. Cheaper Than Free is nice, but it's out of sequence to me.

[TrueFaith77]

In defense of "Ghosts Are Gone": nothing generic here. If the first half is like an actually enjoyable version of "Rock and Roll", the second half takes off into the stratosphere. I wanted to give Stevie a copy of Morrissey's Years of Refusal, which feels to me like what punk must have felt to its audience in the 70s, when she was telling the press she wanted to make political music. I needn't. Morrissey would salute--and jealously covet--the sound of "Ghosts Are Gone."


As for the album being too long. I think so. But I recently decided that the only thing "too much" about it is the inclusion of "Cheaper than Free." It should have remained the highlight of Dave's album rather than the lowlight of IYD. Otherwise, I've decided it's perfect.

[flickersticked]

I think it's fascinating how so many people love songs other people can't stand :) Secret Love has finally grown on me but I skip New Orleans, Soldier's Angel and Cheaper than Free every time. I think You May Be the One is perfection. I think it's pretty cool how much even us hardcore Stevie fans vary in our opinions.

[mezzoforte]

I think it's fascinating how so many people love songs other people can't stand :) Secret Love has finally grown on me but I skip New Orleans, Soldier's Angel and Cheaper than Free every time. I think You May Be the One is perfection. I think it's pretty cool how much even us hardcore Stevie fans vary in our opinions.

Agreed.

And that's why I don't think it's too long. There are some songs I'm neutral towards and have already axed from my playlist (Secret Love, Annabel Lee, GAG), but others love them: Annabel Lee is at the top of many lists. Objectively, none of these songs are actually bad and when so many people love them I can't really consider them filler.

[chriskisn]

Cheaper Than Free (The album ends so strong with Italian Summer. This one sounds like two aging drunk rock starts who stayed too late at the party. Too sappy for me).


I'd go as far as to say that it is the worst song of Stevie's career but then someone will go and mention 'the forgotten chimpanzee' :lol:

[TerraRhiannon]

No. I would never take any of the songs off, they are all beautiful.. there is almost nothing I don't like about this album. I would keep it as it is.

[WildHearted]

I'd go as far as to say that it is the worst song of Stevie's career but then someone will go and mention 'the forgotten chimpanzee' :lol:

Yes, but we can blame the Klonopin for that one...

There's no excuse for Cheaper Than Free.

[Jondalar]

Cheaper than free is a good song. It's amazing to me that some people are making fun of the lyrics and hold up alot of dribble from the past.

But I like some kind of TIME/LIFE edition,
Tradition, competition...
Being the only thing that I really have to remember
The great singers and the great players

Lay off the Jack!

[TrueFaith77]

I like Cheaper than Free, even though I do believe it is flawed. My only problem is that I feel that it was conceived for the Dave album and that that makes it seem out of place, but maybe it's because I'm bringing "insider" knowledge to my experience.

Meanwhile, I tried to cut the album down to 10 songs and it didn't work. It needs the first 12 tracks. So when I read about people making playlists out of the album, I feel like I second chili's request that the album have been issued as one long track. Also, I can't start this album without finishing it.

[Macfanforever]

No I would not cut any tunes out of IYD cd.I would add a few more to the cd to max it out to about 79 minutes .thats about 5 more lovely tunes.

[michelej1]

I think it's the right length. I would cut Cheaper Than Free, but I would also replace it with My Heart, so I wouldn't change the album length.

I can see why a dance song might only be 3 minutes or so, but when a song is more layered, I almost feel cheated if it's shorter than 5 minutes, because it would seem to be over before I'd fully experienced it.

Michele

[Garbo]

I like My Heart where it's sequenced in the UK and B&N/WB version, but would drop ELY (or keep it but lose DS vocals) and for sure lose CTF. Otherwise, I don't mind long albums at all.

[tabruns]

To answer your question, no the album is not too long. The extra songs, as you've seen, are ones that other people love. Plus, you can always remove songs via playlist, so having them there in the first place isn't that big a deal.

It stuns me that you would remove "Moonlight", because that's widely recognized as one of the best songs on the album. Doesn't mean that you should feel the same way, I'm just pointing out that you're probably the first person I've seen that doesn't like that song. In fact, I did an informal poll of what should be the next single off the album and "Moonlight" and "In Your Dreams" tied.

I wouldn't really remove anything from the album. I love it all. If I did anything at all, I *might* take off "Soldier's Angel" but only to put it on a revamped version of Say You Will.

[Thrown_Down]

I have to say that I think it works really well as a 10 track album. I removed 'Soldier's Angel', because as much as I like it, I don't feel like it fits the tone of the album too well, 'You May Be The One', because I feel it made the second half of the album a touch too hit and miss, and 'Cheaper Than Free', because it totally detracts from the marvellous crescendo that the album builds to in 'Italian Summer', which as so many before have said, ought to have been the closer.

[TrueFaith77]

I think it's the right length. I would cut Cheaper Than Free, but I would also replace it with My Heart, so I wouldn't change the album length.

I can see why a dance song might only be 3 minutes or so, but when a song is more layered, I almost feel cheated if it's shorter than 5 minutes, because it would seem to be over before I'd fully experienced it.

Michele

The right length is a different matter. I really do believe that albums should be able to fit on vinyl. I should also be able to hear a complete album from my apt door to my work desk in the morning. I also LOVE short songs and never feel cheated if they are perfectly proportioned. Now, Stevie indulges her long-song expressions in this album. And I don't mind. This time. I wish Lindsey's songs were shorter. His short tracks on Tusk are genius. Gone are the days of Wire's Pink Flag. But Cheap Trick's recent, great album The Latest features pop-sized gems. I just put "These Days" on repeat. I wouldn't want it longer. I want to be left wanting more.

I also believe movies not directed by Steven Spielberg or David Lean should be restricted to 90 minutes.

[Dodfather]

I'd ditch Cheaper Than Free and replace it with a permanent (i.e. non bonus track) My Heart, but that's just because I personally don't like the latter song too much (and I'm a country fan!) but I can see why it's there and so no, I don't think the album is toolong. Sorry if that's a bit confused.....

[On Ice]

After a 10 year recording hiatus, the album length is perfect and would not work as a shorter album as well as it does with it's 13-14 tracks. A good example of a short album in today's technology is Heart's Red Velvet Car, I couldn't imagine it without the two bonus tracks on the version I have. Besides, wouldn't Bella Donna be wonderful with the Dealer, Blue Lamp and Lady from the Mountain?

[bluefox4000]

The IYD I made with the 3 songs cut runs 52 means. Much less daunting then an hour and 6 minutes. I find it odd that they chose to open and close the album with 2 of the weaker tracks. Still love the record to DEATH, but it's amazing what A little trimming can do:nod:

Mick

[starshine]

Personally, I'd not ever complain about too many tracks on a cd esp now a days. Personally, it should be longer. Meaning we should've gottan an extended version if you wanted to purchase that (as a LTD Edition version) with an extra cd. I still think she had to record more songs that just 16 she always records 'more' than whats released. I can't say I'm in any kinda awe of this new cd yet. I've only had a chance to really listen to it through one time. Its hard with work and all--I do love the track : The Ghosts Are Gone. Thats really the stand out song to me. It'll take me sometime before I add it to any LP lists yet. Things just have to grow on me. Anyway, those are my thoughts. I really wish we'd get deluxe versions of her previous solo LP's too. with many extra tracks. I mean I loved the BD video on CV but really that should've been released ON a Bella Donna deluxe version with and extra cd and DVD set with the FULL HBO concert. Who knows what else. I can always add more. Same with WH/RAL/Mirror/SA/TISL. Or release a 2nd Box set of some kind. It would be nice.:shrug::D

[Bandon]

The length does not bother me if the the music is great and the album is tight.

When I first heard the whole "frankenstein" SYW, my heart sank. That cd was way too long and most of the songs were subpar. There a lot of fairly long songs on IYD but they are great songs. Frankly after TISL, SYW and IYD, I'm begining to prefer another Stevie solo cd as opposed to a Fleetwood Mac cd.

[darklinensuit]

I'll join the minority & say, yes, this album could be shorter (& thus improved). I do think one reason that Bella Donna is so stellar & consistent is its length. Stevie had other great songs like "Gypsy" but they would not have added anything to the overall effect of BD. It was no loss since we got the song a year later anyway.
I understand the general reluctance to see any songs cut from a Stevie album. If we were not so starved for Stevie music these days, more of us might be willing to wait for the next album. But who the hell wants to wait another 10 years? I think if she does another Greatest Hits album, it should be called Stevie Nicks: Feast or Famine.:shrug:


- Jake

[WildHearted]

I think the album could be shorter in that, maybe not that some of the songs are cut... but that some of the songs could be a little shorter themselves. One or two or three or four songs over 4 minutes or so is fine but rather on IYD, everything EXCEPT one or two is a very long track. This works in some cases but in others it seems a little excessive in my opinion.

Also, just reiterating that CTF should not in any circumstance have been on this record.

[holidayroad]

Like WildHearted just said, some of the tracks run long and could have been cut down. I would also cut For What It's Worth. I know some people like it, but I feel like it doesn't fit with the album.

[turquoise5]

Yes, it's a little too long. I'd leave out My Heart (an 80s-sounding reject) and Everybody Loves You (boring).

I suppose there's a thread on this somewhere, but Say You Will was a little long too. If Stevie and Lindsey had each left off two songs, it would be a stronger album.

Same with Tusk...would be stronger as a single album. Leave out Honey Hi, Never Make me Cry, Save Me a Place, and Walk a Thin Line, IMO.

[SapphireSister]

I feel as though some of the tracks go on forever and really could have been cut down. There's just repetitive choruses or unnecessary instrumentals. I'd like to see some more fading out with new adlibs from Stevie. I thought this before I read this thread so I'm glad it's being mentioned.

[TrueFaith77]

I feel as though some of the tracks go on forever and really could have been cut down. There's just repetitive choruses or unnecessary instrumentals. I'd like to see some more fading out with new adlibs from Stevie. I thought this before I read this thread so I'm glad it's being mentioned.

WSS and NO are two songs I'd have a hard time cutting from the album, BUT both need to be seriously trimmed.

Moonlight, Annabel Lee, Everybody Loves You, Ghosts Are Gone are all worth of their length.

[KarmaContestant]

Cheaper than free is a good song. It's amazing to me that some people are making fun of the lyrics and hold up alot of dribble from the past.

But I like some kind of TIME/LIFE edition,
Tradition, competition...
Being the only thing that I really have to remember
The great singers and the great players

Lay off the Jack!

I know, right?

No I would not cut any tunes out of IYD cd.I would add a few more to the cd to max it out to about 79 minutes .thats about 5 more lovely tunes.

Agreed 100%


Even so, just to play the game so to speak, I'd cut New Orleans and Soldier's Angel and leave the other 11 songs as-is. That would be the perfect album! :rolleyes:

[HejiraNYC]

Yes, it's a little too long. I'd leave out My Heart (an 80s-sounding reject) and Everybody Loves You (boring).


To be honest, the first few times I listened to ELY, I was a bit unimpressed as well. But over time it dawned on me that this song, complete with the bouncy-synthy opening, was something that should have been on the Eurthmics' Revenge album; I could totally hear Annie Lennox singing this song. It is one of those dramatic film noire types of songs, replete with the swell of strings and crescendos, not unlike an old movie score. And that "Don't come here again..." bridge with the Sgt Pepper's-like arrangement is just brilliant. I am now simply in awe of this hidden little gem of a song buried way deep on the "b-side" of this album.

[crystal baller]

In defense of "Ghosts Are Gone": nothing generic here. If the first half is like an actually enjoyable version of "Rock and Roll", the second half takes off into the stratosphere.

I did not like GAG the first cpl times I listened to it, then I really listened to it to the end and that last 2 minutes just blows me away and now it's one of my top 3. Classic Stevie all the way..

[turquoise5]

[QUOTE=HejiraNYC;985477]To be honest, the first few times I listened to ELY, I was a bit unimpressed as well. But over time it dawned on me that this song, complete with the bouncy-synthy opening, was something that should have been on the Eurthmics' Revenge album; I could totally hear Annie Lennox singing this song.

You know, you're right....I listened again and imagined Annie singing it....it's totally something Eurythmics would do!

[Lee]

I personally could do without Annabel Lee, New Orleans & Cheaper Than Free. These are the ones that I tend to skip when I play IYD. Lately here I've been skipping Secret Love & Italian Summer. :shrug: I think a CD should normally be about 12 songs.

I have Heart's new one, Red Velvet Car. I love it, but it's way too short, 10 songs! And some of the songs aren't that long. Some of Stevie's are over 5 minutes. I think maybe 5 minutes is pushing it, JMO.

Lee :)

[tabruns]

I personally could do without Annabel Lee, New Orleans & Cheaper Than Free. These are the ones that I tend to skip when I play IYD. Lately here I've been skipping Secret Love & Italian Summer. :shrug: I think a CD should normally be about 12 songs.

I have Heart's new one, Red Velvet Car. I love it, but it's way too short, 10 songs! And some of the songs aren't that long. Some of Stevie's are over 5 minutes. I think maybe 5 minutes is pushing it, JMO.

Lee :)

Lee, you should get one of the special edition version of Red Velvet Car. All the bonus tracks, "In The Cool", "Closer To The Sun", and "Bootful of Beer", are as good as the 10 songs on the regular Red Velvet Car. I would lean towards the "Closer to the Sun"/"In The Cool" edition.

[Tango]

Is In Your Dreams too long?





Too long for what?

Too long to fit on the cd? No, that can't be. They managed to cram 'em all on my cd just fine. In fact, there's plenty of room for even more songs.

Too long to listen to in one sitting? Try standing. Try moving around. Get some work done. You could, perhaps, hit the pause button or just turn the player off.

Too many Stevie songs in a row on your iPod? Have you tried the "shuffle" feature?

You hate some songs? Do what I do: Hit the skip button or, if you're industrious, just make your own album list, or burn a new cd and leave 'em off.

I guess you try to just cut them off of it . . . . .

http://community.nsee.us/courses/nano_experiments/Fabricationonfmaster/master1.jpg


;) :sorry:

[MacMan]

I feel as though some of the tracks go on forever and really could have been cut down. There's just repetitive choruses or unnecessary instrumentals. I'd like to see some more fading out with new adlibs from Stevie. I thought this before I read this thread so I'm glad it's being mentioned.

I think the album is a great length [without My Heart]... I like the song - but could do without it...

I think the album is well balanced with all kinds of stuff on it to satisfy all your tastes... I wouldn't want anything cut... The longer songs I particularly enjoy because they sound so great either musically or vocally like on You May Be The One... They could repeat that chorus a few more times as far as I'm concerned - Love it! I wouldn't leave anything out... There's just too much variety.

[bluefox4000]

I just wanna say Stevie's British "Cahn't" Makes me wanna punch something:laugh: In ELY, and I'm sure it's elsewhere .

Mick

[Spikey]

For me, the answer is yes, although I think overall the album is weak and has a lot of dud tracks. To compare it to BD is almost sacreligious, for a Stevie fan, IMO.

Anyone who has listened to the album and honestly rates it higher than any of Wild Heart, RAL, or TOSOTM is crazy. Stand Back, Talk To Me, Rooms on Fire being the lead singles respectively, IYD has 'Secret Love', which I personally think blows, and any of the other 13 tracks aren't as good as either of those 3 either. IMO of course.

I'm way disappointed. I thought the country thing was over with TISL.

[LiquidDiamonds]

For me, the answer is yes, although I think overall the album is weak and has a lot of dud tracks. To compare it to BD is almost sacreligious, for a Stevie fan, IMO.

Anyone who has listened to the album and honestly rates it higher than any of Wild Heart, RAL, or TOSOTM is crazy. Stand Back, Talk To Me, Rooms on Fire being the lead singles respectively, IYD has 'Secret Love', which I personally think blows, and any of the other 13 tracks aren't as good as either of those 3 either. IMO of course.

I'm way disappointed. I thought the country thing was over with TISL.

IMO this album is comparable to Bella Donna (obviously the vocals aren't as strong). It certainly trumps TOSOTM and is on par with The Wild Heart

[Hawkeye]

For me, the answer is yes, although I think overall the album is weak and has a lot of dud tracks. To compare it to BD is almost sacreligious, for a Stevie fan, IMO.

Anyone who has listened to the album and honestly rates it higher than any of Wild Heart, RAL, or TOSOTM is crazy. Stand Back, Talk To Me, Rooms on Fire being the lead singles respectively, IYD has 'Secret Love', which I personally think blows, and any of the other 13 tracks aren't as good as either of those 3 either. IMO of course.

I'm way disappointed. I thought the country thing was over with TISL.

Oh I think there's no doubt at all its better then RAL and especially OSOTM. Whats with comparing lead singles, I'm talking albums. Once you move past Rooms on Fire vs. Secret Love and move on to EVERYTHING ELSE vs. EVERYTHING ELSE on both albums its a Landslide victory for In Your Dreams.

[PenguinHead]

I love the album as it was intended to be, length wise or otherwise. As with any album, I listen and accept it as an entire entity, as a moment of time--a warts and all piece of work. Yet, I see no warts in In Your Dreams. Stevie is a quirky artist, and this, like all of her albums, has its expected quirks. What you would deem warts is such a personal, subjective thing.

Having been a Stevie fan since 1977, I've become very forgiving (and accepting) of everything she does. Maybe it's age, but I'm less judgemental about everything.

What is really curious to me are the derogotory comments about Stevie's country leanings (which are few and far between). Are you not aware that has always been an influence in her music? She often speaks of her grandfather, a country singer who left a lasting impact on her. Also, country music is one of the prime roots of rock and roll!

Yes, there are sectors/singers of the realm that are deemed "country" but are very cringe-worthy and cheesy, but you shouldn't dismiss it entirely. There are many credible country artists that don't pander to that show-biz style. I used to completely hate country music, but I've come around to seeing that its to my detriment to cancel out everyone in that field.

I think Stevie's country-leaning songs are great: After the Glitter Fades, The Highway Man, Leather and Lace, That's Alright, Rose Garden, For What its Worth, You May Be the One, Cheaper Than Free etc.. I often thought that if Stevie recorded a full country-style album it would be huge success. The immense country industry would likely embrace her. The Byrds and Elvis Costello did it! It's also a style more befitting of someone who is of an advanced age, where you won't look ridiculous when your expected to mimic a 25 year old rock and roller when you're 70.

One more thing, it's really unfair to compare her vocals from decades past to today. Singers' voices change with age. Her voice now is more limited in range, but she's still a great singer.

[Christopher]

I think the album is a great length [without My Heart]... I like the song - but could do without it...

I think the album is well balanced with all kinds of stuff on it to satisfy all your tastes... I wouldn't want anything cut... The longer songs I particularly enjoy because they sound so great either musically or vocally like on You May Be The One... They could repeat that chorus a few more times as far as I'm concerned - Love it! I wouldn't leave anything out... There's just too much variety.

100% agree with this post.:thumbsup: The 13 official tracks are all interesting and diverse - each has their own special sauce, while still being one cohesive & consistent listen throughout to be a whole satisfying full course meal. :D My Heart is the only insignificant and flat contribution, so I'm happy it's the bonus track, yet sad that I don't love the extra track:(. However, the 13 IYD tracks more than make up for that small disappointment. :nod:

So my verdict is it's only too long if My Heart is included, without the *bonus* track IYD is PERFECT! I could not trim off any of the 13 official tracks.