Odd/bad production decisions spoiling albums for you (Low: Drums n Guns)

[pk]

That is pretty questionable at best. A few do work better played in a faster, more aggressive way, but the rhyhtm-oriented, spacier and ethereal sound is what made JD popular to this day, along Curtis' lyrics.

As for Rubin, you're joking, right?

Anyone who can bring the bass drum and bass guitars to the fore would do... Rubin would have made sure that the compressors were working hard...

 

[Sunspots]

Cocteau Twins: some of the most heavenly beautiful music ever, but kind of spoilt for me by the huge cavernous drum machine (-even though I love reverb, etc). I can hardly bear to listen to Treasure.

 

[Sunspots]

Raw Power's the worst example I can think of. All David Bowie's fault - aiming for a more commercial sound I guess.

Hearing the distinctly underwhelming vinyl/Bowie mix when I was a teenager was such a disappointment. It probably put me off really getting into The Stooges for at least another ten years.

I love the Iggy/CD mix though. Probably one of the loudest remastering jobs I can think of. Fantastically savage.

 

[SpookyFrank]

That is pretty questionable at best. A few do work better played in a faster, more aggressive way, but the rhyhtm-oriented, spacier and ethereal sound is what made JD popular to this day, along Curtis' lyrics.

As for Rubin, you're joking, right?

^This. Unknown pleasures you could argue either way but most of the songs on Closer would have sounded shit with a more basic, obvious production. On the various JD bootlegs you can hear that the Closer songs just don't sound as good live, Hannet's production makes them so much more than the sum of their parts.

And yes, Rick Rubin is a worthless bellend who seems to think the best thing about red hot chili peppers is the singing

 

[matt m]

And yes, Rick Rubin is a worthless bellend who seems to think the best thing about red hot chili peppers is the singing

So you don't think there's any worth in all those early Def Jam records? Public Enemy, Beasties, LL Cool J's early stuff? Or in any of those late-period Johnny Cash albums?

 

[pk]

So you don't think there's any worth in all those early Def Jam records? Public Enemy, Beasties, LL Cool J's early stuff? Or in any of those late-period Johnny Cash albums?

That's certainly what I was thinking of.

I didn't know he worked on Chilli Peppers stuff, they're a joke.

 

[The Groke]

Indeed - I believe Californication became the benchmark for "loud, overly compressed" albums when it was released.

Since surpassed of course, but was the original oil at the top of the slippery slope...