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Music production that never ages - which album production / sound quality always floats yer boat?

Filed Under : Music , Other

Posted By : Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that drums | Comments : 32

Something I thinked aboot the other day - Some things get better with age...


Always been into the production quality of studio recordings..as I'm sure many of you are!
Was listening to the RAMJAM version of 'Black betty' Always loved the clear cut yet rawness of the sound.. to me it never seems to age.. Sometimes I think albums are 'over' produced. or "Trevor horned".

Fave album productions that have yet to be surpassed / good mix of maintaing a true sound whilst creating a nice fidelity experience IMHO - off the top of me head...

Zappa - Zoot allures
Genesis - The Lamb
Rush - Moving Pictures
Police - Ghost in the Machine
ACDC - Back in Black
Max Webster - Universal Juveniles (NWB blog readers voice - 'Max who ??')
Van Halen - 1st album.

Just a sample there I have many others from across all musical genre's..

You got any preference ?

Comments

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# Posted by Scott - Metalleeka - 14/10/2009, 12:57 (GMT)

Iron Maiden's Somewhere in Time
Yes it was considered sacrilege at the time for having Keyboards on it, but the guitar sounds, the solos, the bass, everything for me just screamed "huge production"

Still love it to this day.

Then I suppose it has to be Metallica black album. Even though I don't like the album and the reason they did it, it still has what I consider to be the best recorded drum sound I've heard on a cd.
Then theres the crunch of Sad But True and the rest, awesome production, sh!t album lol (IMHO)


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# Posted by Film One - 14/10/2009, 12:59 (GMT)

Albums which stick out as timelessly produced for me are:

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Scott Walker - Scott 4 (cue girly giggles from Gordon in Dyehouse)
Marvin Gaye - Whats Going On
Joy Division - Closer
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin 2 (the start of the Bonzo drum sound)
Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo (odd choice but wonderfully produced for 1967)
Radiohead - OK Computer (particularly the vinyl mix)

I love the sound of Script of the Bridge by the Chameleons, it's hardly hi-fi but it's so unique and it's incredible it was done at Cargo in Rochdale.

I quite like Trevor Horn's production. His "Fairlight the s**t out of everything" approach of the early 80s is top. "Relax" wouldn't have worked if a less bombastic pair of hands was manning the mixing desk. Check out Frankie's appearance on The Tube, before Trevor got his hands on them, for proof of his genius


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# Posted by DYEHOUSE - 14/10/2009, 13:13 (GMT)

???
Who's this Film One guy then??
How does he know me???
I've know idea who this is please stop trying to embarrass me!


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# Posted by Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that... - 14/10/2009, 13:32 (GMT)

# Posted by Film One - 14/10/2009, 12:59 (GMT)

Albums which stick out as timelessly produced for me are:

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon


Yes perfect example...but then again the music is so good.

I always loved the production quality of the late 70's. Stranglers Ian Dury and the Block heads. Some of the 80's gear was awful.. :(

Can't agree with the Trevor Horn gear... :!
FGTH took off after a 'staged' interview between FGTH and a top Radio 1 d.j. who thought the RELAX single should be banned. Indeed the exact words of Holly Johnson's were 'If you try to ban it it will go to no.1'
Something similar happened to Mr Zappa (10-20 years earlier) following a court case on the lyrical content of his music.


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# Posted by Coldplayer - 14/10/2009, 13:37 (GMT)

Pink Floyd - Dark side of the Moon
ELP - Pictures at an exhibition
Rush - 2112
Peter Frampton - Frampton comes alive

@Drum Bloke - Max Webster = Battlescar with Rush!


Shaun


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# Posted by Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that... - 14/10/2009, 13:56 (GMT)

Delete # Posted by Viva La Coldplay - 14/10/2009, 13:37 (GMT)

Pink Floyd - Dark side of the Moon
ELP - Pictures at an exhibition
Rush - 2112
Peter Frampton - Frampton comes alive

@Drum Bloke - Max Webster = Battlescar with Rush!


Shaun

Yes!!! I'm not a 'saddo' 'billy no mates' 'oddball'...well not as much as I 1st thought..


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# Posted by Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that... - 14/10/2009, 14:00 (GMT)

"FGTH took off after a 'staged' interview.. "

Also coupled with the fact that it was welcomed as a long overdue alternative to 'YMCA' for the fraternity frequented by 'those who drop anchor in poo bay'..


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# Posted by Willow (of somebig™Fish) (Reti... - 14/10/2009, 14:11 (GMT)

Having been in a primarily acoustic band for a while now - I listen to every Lyle Lovett album i've got with a new wonder at the sound of his guitar - brilliantly cpatured acoustic on every album.

What about live albums .. John Hiatt and The Guilty Dogs Live at The Budokan has an excellent quality about it.

I remember very clearly the morning in 19** driving to work when Radio 1 breakfast DJ Mike Read played half of Relax before stopping it and declaring all sorts of sanctmonious poo about it - thus sealing its fate as a number 1 single!! no member of FGTH were present at the time.

Willow


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# Posted by Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that... - 14/10/2009, 14:20 (GMT)

@Willow

"...no member of FGTH were present at the time.."
What in your car ? ;+)

No it was defo a television interview / debate / fingy...prior to the release date.


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# Posted by Rob Redfern, Black Rose,more f... - 14/10/2009, 14:26 (GMT)

dream theater-awake sounds awesome on a great hi fi

van halen-van halen, 4 talented guys playing in a room

beatles-revolver say no more

def leppard-hysteria

ac/dc any bon scott album, sounds like theyre playing there with you, superb

always love the power of dave lee roths skyscraper album, just has this really cool production sound to it

i like black stone cherrys album sound too

all the deep purple albums always have a great live band in a room together sound

***************************************************

production that grates on good albums

red hot chili peppers californication

metallica- death magnetic


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# Posted by Anthem - 14/10/2009, 14:29 (GMT)

Anything by Boston, Dave Matthews Band or Marillion


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# Posted by Steve Dixon (The Subliminals) - 14/10/2009, 14:44 (GMT)

Who's Next has aged well... maybe because most other Who albums suffer from shoddy production

Led Zep 4

Abbey Road

Back In Black

Dark Side of The Moon

none of these will ever be mistaken for modern rock records, but they have their own unique world, and probably couldn't be improved with any technology that came after them

early 90's rock albums that sounded cutting edge (sound wise) like Nevermind and Metallica's Black Album now sound a bit sterile to my ear


Death Magnetic was completely ruined by the brick wall mastering they applied to it... if you can bag the 'Guitar Hero' version that's out there, you can hear what it sounds like without it (miles better... far more musical and less like being scrubbed with a brillo pad for 40 minutes)


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# Posted by Film One - 14/10/2009, 14:52 (GMT)

In terms of bad production I'm with Robert on both counts, there's zero dynamics on both of those. Also on the last few Foo Fighters albums too.

Revolver's is a great album but it does suffer a bit from "60s stereo" as I call it, i.e. entire band in one ear, Paul's bass and a tambourine in the other. You can't argue with Elanor Rigby and Tomorrow Never Knows though.

Drum Bloke, leave "King Trev" alone!!! The man's a genius, well if you like synths and samplers. If you don't he's probably the devil.


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# Posted by Scott - Metalleeka - 14/10/2009, 14:56 (GMT)

Best production ever : St Anger by Metallica

I mean, the skill taken to actually get a very expensive snare drum to sound exactly like a metal bin lid is just sheer artistic brilliance.

Along with the ability to shove all of the guitar amps up an elephants arse and then record from it.

It's just brilliant :-D



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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 14/10/2009, 15:08 (GMT)

Extreme: Pornograffiti.
Electric Boys: Funkometal Carpet Ride
Tesla: The Great Radio Controversy. Most in you face guitar levels.


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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 14/10/2009, 15:23 (GMT)

" # Posted by Scott - Metalleeka - 14/10/2009, 14:56 (GMT)

Best production ever : St Anger by Metallica

I mean, the skill taken to actually get a very expensive snare drum to sound exactly like a metal bin lid is just sheer artistic brilliance."

It's annoying isn't it? There's no way, even with EasyDrummer or BFG to replicate that signature "Doi, doi, doi, doi" sound.


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# Posted by 45's - 14/10/2009, 16:32 (GMT)

@ Drum Bloke. " The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway " - Brilliant Album.

Bought this on vinyl in 1974 and wore it out

Now got the DEFINITVE EDITION REMASTER on C D.

On the origional record there was this quiet humming between tracks.

I was lucky enough to see the lives shows of this album, two nights running at the Palace Theatre, Manchester in 1975.

Tirian Flame are covering a few tracks off this album, this Friday night at their gig in Horwich, Bolton.

Other albums that float mi boat are,

Close to the Edge - YES
Yessongs ( live album ) - YES
DSOTM - PINK FLOYD
Never turn your back on a friend - BUDGIE
" Live " - URIAH HEEP

and loads and loads .........

Rick.


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# Posted by grooverman - 14/10/2009, 17:17 (GMT)

Beach boys: pet sounds

Beatles: Sgt Pepper

van halen : VH1

Led Zep: 4

Rush : Hemispheres

Iron Maiden : number of the beast

UFO: Strangers in the night


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# Posted by Ian from Bolton - 14/10/2009, 18:37 (GMT)

Slade - Slayed?
A great warm 'in the room' sound.
Chas Chandler knew what he was doing.

www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=sr_1_1

My review is the second one down on the Amazon page.


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# Posted by Rob Redfern, Black Rose,more f... - 14/10/2009, 18:46 (GMT)

Journey-Escape, those guys are on a higher level


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# Posted by Rob Redfern, Black Rose,more f... - 14/10/2009, 18:53 (GMT)

a wonderful warming up the sound system and shutting the eyes and soaking it up is

Toto-I will remember

wonderful sound and fantastic song, love the vocals from Steve Lukather, every time i play a solo i try and have Steve L in mind so i try and play smooth and melodic with flash too, thats the plan anyway :-))))))))

when i lived in Yorkshire i often went in a shop called Spectre Sound in Bingley and they played Toto best of a lot in the PA room to show off the gear in there, it was wonderful to walk in and hear Rosanna pumping out :-)))))))))))

check it out y'all


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# Posted by Mike Collinge - 14/10/2009, 19:35 (GMT)

"close to the edge" - Yes. not a bad second on it...unlike later stuff!!!


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# Posted by Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that... - 14/10/2009, 20:10 (GMT)

How could i not mention Sgt Peppers ? tut...

Another for me is Focus live at the Rainbow. 'Hocus Pocus' pinnacle of thier musical threshold me thinks. Enhanced 2 track stereo, boingy bass drum, love it!

Most recent I really like the production on Mudvayne CD.

Also quite partial to the Artic Monkey's 1st and 2nd L.P's


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# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 14/10/2009, 22:46 (GMT)

Apart from the obvious classics...
Paul Young...No Parlez
Sade....first one
Temptations..can't remember wot its called, but has the full length Papa was a Rolling Stone
any early Phil Spector
Tangerine Dream ..Phaedra

Used to have a super hi fi (2nd wife'inherited' it...) and that Paul Young one really worked throuh it.
Also Kodachrome..Paul Simon.


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# Posted by Unfinished Business - 14/10/2009, 23:01 (GMT)

Thin Lizzy Bad Reputation
Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon
Rainbow Rainbow Rising
Rush 2112
Kiss Alive 2 (Nobody ever mentions live albums)
Deep Purple Made In Japan Best live album ever?
Styx Pieces of Eight

And so it goes on...........


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# Posted by Keef - 14/10/2009, 23:01 (GMT)

The first Hendrix album - Are you Experienced.
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells.
Must agree with Alec on T Dreams Phaedra but also Richochet
Peter Frampton - Frampton comes alive


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# Posted by Jason Smith (SIN AFTER SIN gui... - 14/10/2009, 23:59 (GMT)

Van Halen - I
Rush - Moving Pictures
Beatles - Abbey Road
Led Zep - In Through The Out door
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
Early Sabbath Albums
Dio - Holy Diver
Steve Vai - Passion And Warfare
Zappa Albums
A lot of new albums seem to have a lot of over the top compression on them for some reason.


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# Posted by Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that... - 15/10/2009, 12:41 (GMT)

"Drum Bloke, leave "King Trev" alone!!! The man's a genius, well if you like synths and samplers. If you don't he's probably the devil. "

I think that Trev's production quality is a very good example of it '..were good at the time'. Orchestra stabs!! Digital processing gone nuts! I think it was quickly seen as a fad, poo poo'd and dropped by bands & groups.

Love synths and samplers Mr Jarre's OXYGENE!! TOMITA!! Anyone recall this nice little Jap chap?
My upbringing was all Prog, then Jazz / funk / fusion, samples and electronics all over the gaff!!

The popularity of the OBX and the MOOG currently over the old DX7 and KORG M1 is an example of this..


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# Posted by Drum Bloke™ - that bloke that... - 15/10/2009, 12:45 (GMT)

"# Posted by Jason Smith - 14/10/2009, 23:59 (GMT) Early Sabbath Albums "

Abso fooking luteley!!!

The track Black Sabbath is and will always be to me the 'darkest' piece of rock music recorded...


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# Posted by Film One - 15/10/2009, 15:53 (GMT)

I think partly the love of analogue synths is as much for their programmability as their sounds. The DX7 and Korg M1 are insanely hard to programme, which is their biggest stumbling block. The DX7 is capable of some astounding sounds, it's just a pity you need a degree in rocket science and the patience of a saint to coax it to do anything other than bells and organs. Look at the prices of easy to programme classic digital stuff like the E-Mu Emulator II and Roland JD-800. That being said, wouldn't swap my Jupiter 8 for any digital synth ever made! Oxygenne is awesome too, I saw JM Jarre perform that back in May at the NEC and it was unbelievable - all the original gear and everything.

I think the sound Trevor Horn was getting has been dropped as it was done to death but it's also incredibly hard to pull off. I know what you mean though, I think it was just overkilled and overmilked in the 80s by the (s)hit factory that was Stock Aitken Waterman.

The sound on the early Sabbath albums is amazing, it's so dark and muddy but it works brilliantly and nobody's pulled that sound off since. I love Paranoid, particularly on vinyl. It doesn't sound right on CD somehow.


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# Posted by 45's - 15/10/2009, 16:25 (GMT)

Micheal Garrison - synth instr.

Andreas Vollenvieder - as above

anyone heard of these guys ?


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# Posted by Steve Dixon (The Subliminals) - 15/10/2009, 22:58 (GMT)

Frankie's 'Welcome To The Pleasuredome' was fantastic... I think stylistically it owed as much to Pink Floyd as it did Kraftwerk... although it was mostly synths & samplers, they were generally using fairly traditional rock chords, song structures & rhythms

and it hasn't really dated in the way some of the synth pop albums from a couple of years previously did (like Dare for example)... after about 1983/84, synth rock seemed to come to some kind of maturity... New Order hit a peak at around this time too

I absolutely LOVE the synth bass on 'Two Tribes' - far better than anything a 'real' bass player could add to that track


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