Really long songs....yay or nay?

[Metalhex]

In a rock context, I will set the bar at 20 minutes +/- a few. To me, the best band to pull it off is Pink Floyd. Who do you like or dislike? Dream Theater? Symphony X? Rush?

Sometimes I feel, when bands make really long songs, that they should rather be chopped up into 3 or 4 different songs and would benefit from being standalone songs, because altogether it's just not that cohesive, or I lose interest. You can argue it doesn't even have to be cohesive...but the different movements within a long peice should sound like they belong together. ::Shrugs shoulders::

 

[Monkey Man]

I like long fusion songs that transition through different styles and whatnot - journeys, if you will.

With rock it takes a decent level of talent to pull it off and keep it interesting IMHO.

 

[Techdeth]

If done right it’s all good for long songs . Depends on the song and my mood

 

[TheToneDig]

Maiden.

 

[BeZo]

I play doom. Our "short song" is over 8 minutes. We just play slow.

That said, Opeth, BTBAM, and plenty of others have done great with this. After all, there is a reason that pop music earned the nickname "Bubble Gum". Short songs are diaposable.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Inna Gadda Da Vida Baby

 

[CarlF]

When it's like this. Huge fan of improvised blues/ rock. Light shows at the same time. I wish I could have experienced it.

 

[Mailman1971]

If done right it’s all good for long songs . Depends on the song and my mood

Exactly. Carry my wayward son. Stairway to Heaven. If it’s done right. I dig it.

 

[Mailman1971]

Just noodling riffs. Kinda turn off for me
But nice break downs. Build up. That’s the key

 

[TheToneDig]

Purple

 

[nigelpkay]

Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a classic well put together song that doesn’t sound like its running time at all.

Those Dream Theatre type songs with a few minutes of a some decent riffing followed by several minutes of what sounds like that Emerson Lake and Palmer over the top keyboard circus music is just annoying, pretentious, and unlistenable.

 

[Will Onyx]

Gotta agree that Maiden knows how to do epic, long songs correctly. They were the first band that came to mind.

If I never heard Bye Bye Miss American Pie again, I’d probably be ok though.

 

[BeZo]

All of my favorite Yob songs clock in at over 20 minutes. The new Obscure Sphinx is 56 minutes long, and there is only three songs. That's more drone though, but I still love it.

 

[Devin]

 

[Fiesta Red]

Depends on the song

 

[Spaceboy]

If you're not Neurosis, Swans, something along those lines where the music is more about an experience than a traditional song, then I don't want a song over maybe 5 minutes. Get to the point, impress the audience, then get out without beating it to death. I'm a firm believer of leaving people wanting more, rather than contrived self-fellatio.

 

[nigelpkay]

It’s about 8+ minutes but this is a real gem from an unlikely source. Alice Cooper band 1971 - Halo of Flies. They wanted to make a King Crimson type of song.

 

[rottingcorpse]

S.O.D.s song "The ballad of Jimi Hendrix" is an epic masterpiece.

 

[TheToneDig]

Doors

 

[BYTOR]

The Best To Ever Do It