i think for the most part, albums that have the same sounds, textures, players and arrangement ideas running throughout make for better albums.

examples are:
Owls s/t
QOTSA s/t
first two stooges albums (yes they have their long tracks, but one of two different tracks is acceptable for this category)
joy division's proper albums
fugazi's 13 songs and repeater
gang of four entertainment

examples that show i'm stupid:
fugazi's The Argument
Sgt Peppers
QOTSA - Rated R
and stuff like that.

which side of the fence to you lean further to?