Spotify MCP Server

getAlbums

Retrieve detailed information about Spotify albums using their unique IDs, supporting up to 20 albums per request.

Instructions

Get detailed information about one or more albums by their Spotify IDs

Tool call template

Replace each placeholder with a value matching the input schema. Only required parameters are included; add optional parameters as needed.

{
  "id": 1,
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "arguments": {
      "albumIds": "<albumIds>"
    },
    "name": "getAlbums"
  }
}

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`albumIds`	Yes	A single album ID or array of album IDs (max 20)

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

First observedAug 18, 2025

TDQS

C2.9/5.0

Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It states it 'gets detailed information' but doesn't specify what details are included (e.g., artist, release date, tracks), whether it requires authentication, rate limits, or error handling. This leaves significant gaps for a tool with no annotation coverage.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence that directly states the tool's purpose without unnecessary words. It's appropriately sized and front-loaded, making it easy to parse quickly.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given no annotations and no output schema, the description is incomplete for a tool that likely returns complex album data. It doesn't explain what 'detailed information' includes, response format, or error cases, leaving the agent with insufficient context to use the tool effectively.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with the schema fully documenting the 'albumIds' parameter as a single ID or array (max 20). The description adds minimal value beyond this by mentioning 'one or more albums by their Spotify IDs', which aligns with but doesn't expand on the schema. Baseline 3 is appropriate when the schema does the heavy lifting.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb ('Get detailed information') and resource ('about one or more albums by their Spotify IDs'), making the purpose specific and understandable. However, it doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like 'getAlbumTracks' or 'checkUsersSavedAlbums', which prevents a perfect score.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It doesn't mention when to use 'getAlbums' over 'getAlbumTracks' (which retrieves tracks within albums) or 'checkUsersSavedAlbums' (which checks user's saved status), nor does it specify prerequisites or exclusions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.