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Double Albums/CDs, curse or blessing?

For no good reason, I have been thinking about the worth of double albums or cds that bands release. The only two that I can come up that make sense are the Who's Tommy and Pink Floyd's The Wall. These are obviously rock opera type albums that hang together. Excluding Greatest Hits which might make sense, are there others doubles that people think of highly?

Most other double albums (double cds more so) I am familiar with would have been much better if only the best material had made it onto a single disc. Examples in my view would be Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium, Guns N Roses Use Your Illusion I & II (at least they are sold separately).

While it may make the bands more money to issue doubles, I think that it generally cheapens the brand.

What do fellow agoners think?
dokosan
jazdoc
365 posts
 
A few to consider that have not been mentioned:

Stevie Wonder "Songs In the Key of Life"
Prince "Sign O' The Times"
Kinks "One For The Road"
Gutter Twins "Saturnalia"
Miles Davis "Friday & Saturday Night At The Blackhawk"

My favorite double LP: The Clash "London Calling"
acoustat6
357 posts
 
10-03-09: Loomisjohnson
"truth be told, most good double lps would be great edited down to a single" (LP)

Well actually most single LPs could be edited down to a single 45!

Bob
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
All of these double albums made a huge impression on us and that is why we are discussing them. They are all classics and are wonderful works of art. Without the depth and journey afforded by their length, we would never have had the chance to really get into a longer work by any of these great musicians and songwriters. Cmon, who can provide a perfect single song mix for the White Album? Really? 'Nuff said.
scott954
12 posts
 
I would suggest Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and New Order, Substance.
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