Short Albums

I catch the train to and from work, and since my journey takes the best part of an hour, I usually have time to listen to one full album each way. This morning, however, I managed to squeeze in two: Tosta Mista by Hooded Fang, and This Many Boyfriends by, er, This Many Boyfriends. Both albums are pretty petite, and while some people might complain that a thirty-minute running time doesn't represent good value for money, I like a nice, concise LP that doesn't hang around any longer than it needs to.

Both of those albums are well worth a listen, by the way. I realise that it would be kind of ironic if I wrote reams and reams of text about the art of keeping it brief, so instead, here are five more short albums that I recommend checking out. Descriptions won't exceed the length of a Tweet (140 characters).

Reckoning by R.E.M.
Punk for sensitive people. Every track is a winner; some folk say that Camera or Time After Time let the side down, but they are wrong.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

One of my most-played of all time. It unfolds beautifully, a glorious whole that's done and dusted within forty minutes.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
It has all the rises and falls that a full-length album should have, but it doesn't outstay it's welcome. Compare Hey Paul with Stay Alive.

How to Ruin Your Life by The Murderburgers

Pop-punk from Scotland. Fifteen tracks in about half an hour. It's Over Already is perfect, and even the worst tracks are invigorating.

Hörse of the Dög by The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster
Remember to pronounce the umlauts. At around 25 minutes, this is the shortest of all, delivering blow after blow without wasting a second.

Do you have any other short 'n' sweet favourites to add? Share them in the comment section below. In the meantime, here's a quick blast from that last one: