In Volume 4 of the Indie Musician's Diary I write about how and why music creation had to take a one year breather as I started to write the book that explains my first album, (The Change My Mind book). My planned, second album, "Abide", was put on...
My husband and I sat down the other day for a couple of hours and sorted through my songs and came across ten that we really want to clump together under one theme. We had previously thought that Abide would be the name of the next album but we are leaning on to another name which I will not specify yet.
So I think we have a lineup that will work, but I wanted to ask myself what else I should consider while making this, my second album.
I see a lot of articles on how to plan an album but they always seem to lack guidance as to how to plan which songs to include in an album and in what order. But the video above gave me some very useful inspiration and if yo are looking into formulating an album out of your songs, perhaps you should watch it to. Here, below I give a quick synopsis of what he says in this video for my own reference and if you want to read about his concept and save some time.
The importance of storytelling. You want to tell a story from the get go of the first song to the last. He likens the structure of an album to the structure of a film.
When you have a 12 -13 song record, (Some today range from 10 to 18 songs) b"basically what you want is a three act structure"
- The first act is like a character development and introduction to the actors/theme
-The second act is where a problem creates tension and cause trouble for the
First an "Intro". (instrumental)
- it could be a little ambience or an instrumental thing that leads the listeners into the next song, or a complete song of its own. This first song can give the listener a hint of what is to come. It creates tension and lays the foundation of the album creating a hunger for more. Its purpose is to put us into certain mood through sound design.
1. "The Opener"
. the most important track on the whole album. An awesome track that works great even live. High energy with a great hook (singable) and is there to impress people and convince them to continue onto the next songs (winning them over). A "wowzie" song.
You also use this song to set up the expectation of what the rest of this album is going to sound like.
2. The third song is The First Single ( and it begins "Act 1"). (it may not be the first one you release but it is the first Single of the song that represents the album's feeling) This song "cements the sound" that will be the theme of this album. A very important song that reflects what the rest of the album is going to sound like.
3. The Banger. Just as good as the The opener and the first single? O.k....He calls it your marketing song.
4.& 5. are Light fillers
- here you can put songs that are a little bit more experimental. He says it's like the bridge part of the song in a single. It's still part of the song but different. So songs 4 and 5 are with the same theme but a bit different.
6. The Second Single. Very important track. This is the beginning of the second act where there is a confrontation or problem arising. On rock albums you will find the heaviest songs on track number 6. This is where you show people that there is a different side to what you do.
7. The Switch (midpoint) Better e really good. This is where things turn for the worse. In a film this is where the character is deeply drawn into a problem or circumstance and can't find a way out. On a record you want this song to be the point where things change.
This splits the album into two parts. The first - to get ppl excited and the "darker" second half. A song that shows a different side to what you are doing.
8. & 9. are Fillers that continue on the theme of the second act showing what you can do there. A bit more serious, darker or heavier throughout the second act.
10. The Third Act Begins - the "resolution Act" This song is often the third most important Single.
11. Will be the song you close with.
The last two songs are used to wrap up the story, bring closure and bring everything back to the state of happiness you began with or end on a sad ending.
He usually tries to make the tenth song more dramatic - sower, heavier and darker.
The final song can be seen as a bridge to the third act - a bit different arrangement (if the rest was rock you can adda a folk music vibe to it or do something unexpected- just like a surprise at the end.
He likes to create a nostalgic feeling that has a perfect balance of sadness and happiness with song number ten and then lift people up with a strong last song that makes them want to hear more from you later on.
This is a screen dump from the last part of his video with the 3 most important songs highlighted.
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I like the way he thinks but can I fit my songs into it. Time will tell.
