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Five tips on how to perfect the art of the compilation CD.
When you need a music CD for that occasion – a long drive, for that special evening with her or just a going-away present for an old friend – you are best served by invoking the spirit of Rob Gordon, the romantic loser from Nick Hornby's classic novel High Fidelity.
"The making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art," said Gordon, the patron saint of the mix tape. "Many dos and don'ts. First of all, you are using someone else's poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing." So without further ado, here are five pointers to your ultimate mix.
1. START WISELY
The first song needs to be catchy and should hold the promise of what's likely to come. But don't start with your best song, because then you are only going downhill from here.
2. pick your TEMPO
You can't let Angus Young's guitar licks follow a brooding Damien Rice elegy. It's just wrong and could put the listener off. If you have to change the tempo, choose a song that could act as a bridge.
3. TOO ESOTERIC
Know your audience. It's good to introduce the audience to an artist they are unlikely to be familiar with, but don't go overboard and be self-indulgent.
4. REPEAT ARTISTS
Do not repeat songs by the same artist back-to-back. Avoid using the same artist again, but if you have to – space them out well.
5. DON'T LET IT GO ON FOREVER
An mp3 format may let you go on endlessly, but you don't want to do that. Try to keep it under an hour, or else you run the risk of the songs towards the end of the list never being heard. Weed out unnecessary songs from the playlist.
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