When You Buy The Whole Album And Only Like One Song.

Nowadays there are no more surprises....today, you can audition the entire contents of an album before buying it. Prior to the internet, there was no way to audition an entire album. For those of us that bought a lot of music from the 70’s thru the end of the century, we had to roll the dice and cross our fingers when buying an album.  

The only albums I buy today are ones that are out of print or unavailable via streaming.

After fifty years of buying albums, really prefer the format. I have bought a few stinkers. But a good album is so much more than just a random collection of tunes.

I listen by far mostly to Qobuz. I will preview the first tune, if not hooked I’ll try the second… in no connection, I’ll move on. To me is like a symphony, a multiparty composition. A single tune… not worth it for me… I need substance.

@russ69 

 "I buy full albums but I'm old school and don't stream". 

You're not alone, brother.  I too only buy "full albums"-- CDs in my case-- and then, only if I like every (or very nearly every) song. 

I grew up in the 60's/70's when an album was valued as a unified, discrete entity; I cannot imagine deriving any satisfaction from "play-lists". In fact, there have been posts on the forum in the past from converts to streaming who eventually gave it up. 

@mitch4t we must be in the same age demographic as I too have had that experience. Lately I have found some additional enjoyable songs on albums that didn’t capture my attention at the time . As I age , I have also found artists I didn’t get or enjoy at the time who put out some really good music but I wasn’t ready for it. So much good music and so little time.

I will usually listen to a full offering by an artist(s) at least four times before I decide if I like it or not; at least by artist in genres I like. Even on artist I like I find I might not immediately like a new release upon first listen. I've spent time thinking about perception and things familiar are easier to like. That 'one cut' you like is often because you've heard it a few times. For myself I generally find if there's a cut I like I end up liking the whole thing.

It is however one of the selling points for me in going full digital. Streaming saves me the money and the storage of albums that truly end up being clunkers as well as being able to explore so much more.