Albums Marred by Over/Under Production

Seltzer · 07-09-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duga

I like hearing what metal can sound like with intense production. I can see how a disaster might occur, but this album is freaking great.

I agree that it is a good album. I haven't listened to it in a while but Xul used to be my fav track. Maybe I went overboard with the sickeningly slick part because it's only really the vocals that bother me - they just sound horribly overproduced.

sidewinder · 07-09-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seltzer

I'm guessing you meant this thread? I completely forgot I made it until you mentioned that

Yes! Thanks.

duga · 07-09-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seltzer

I agree that it is a good album. I haven't listened to it in a while but Xul used to be my fav track. Maybe I went overboard with the sickeningly slick part because it's only really the vocals that bother me - they just sound horribly overproduced.

I agree with you there...the one flaw with the album is the vocals. I didn't really pay attention to how produced they were at first because I prefer grittier/higher pitched growls in my metal. The really low growl is my least preferred style. Now that I'm paying attention to the vocals, they really are crazy produced. It doesn't hurt the album too much, though...just a minor annoyance.

almauro · 07-09-2010, 05:38 PM

^Behemoth has put out one solid album after another, but Nergal does sound like he's got a mouthful of sawdust as he spits out verses on Demigod. Still a powerful modern recording that benefits Behemoth. On the other hand, I hate the production on the new Immortal album. Tagtgren makes the tremolo guitar riffs so frikin harsh, dense and loud, that they rip my eardrums to shred every time I listen to "All Shall Fall". Makes me appreciate the old-school low-fi black metal production approach even more.

jackhammer · 07-09-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewinder

A thread exists on this subject from a few months back, but I can't find it because "overproduced" is not in the title. I don't remember what it was called. Anyone?

I did a similar thread regarding production but I can't remember what I called it either!

boo boo · 07-09-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey

Anything by Phil Spector, basically. Let It Be is a classic example, but also All Things Must Pass, which would've been a terrific album if it wasn't for the wall-of-sound technique.

Pfffffffffftt. It IS a terrific album, wachoo talkin about?

I agree very much about his production of Let it Be, though he only uses the wall of sound method for 3 songs. But his wall of sound production on All Things Must Pass is absolutely teriffic, I think Harrison kept his ego in check and made sure it didn't compromise his songwriting. Which is usually the main issue with Spectors production method, it often seems like he's trying to outperform the musicians.

ElephantSack · 07-09-2010, 07:59 PM

I have mixed feelings about Hatebreed's Under The Knife. It's the first Hatebreed album I ever bought, and I was very disappointed upon the first few listens. It was obviously recorded at somebody's house. But through further inspection and with a growing knowledge of underground music, it lends a certain charm in the fact that an album with such crap sound quality sold so many copies, continues to sell copies and got Hatebreed's foot in the door and led to their success.

I just tried to listen to a copy of The Nihilistic Spasm Band that my sister's boyfriend sent me. I'm not sure which album it is, but it sounds like ****. I had to turn it off after a few tracks.

I also heard terrible things about the over-production on Chris Cornell's Scream. Personally, I haven't listened to it, and I don't intend to. Just wondering if any of you have any opinions on it.

boo boo · 07-09-2010, 08:14 PM

The Civil Surface by Egg is a solid prog record, though it suffers from the percussion being mixed way too damn high. Totally in need of a remaster that corrects this problem.

Seltzer · 07-10-2010, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boo boo

Pfffffffffftt. It IS a terrific album, wachoo talkin about?

I agree very much about his production of Let it Be, though he only uses the wall of sound method for 3 songs. But his wall of sound production on All Things Must Pass is absolutely teriffic, I think Harrison kept his ego in check and made sure it didn't compromise his songwriting. Which is usually the main issue with Spectors production method, it often seems like he's trying to outperform the musicians.

The production of All Things Must Pass does sound a bit overpowering in retrospect but I find it actually adds to songs like What is Life which benefit from being blasted in all their glory.

Anyway, as much as it deviates from the purpose of this thread, I feel I have to post this. Look no further than Fat Freddy's Drop for FANTASTIC production. Seriously, how do they manage to sound so good?

quiqueguitar · 07-10-2010, 06:30 AM

I find that most blues albums up to the 80's show little appreciation for a neat production/mixing. The proposition that "the blues is one take" is not valid for me.

07-09-2010, 05:38 PM	#24 (permalink)
almauro Way Out There Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 850	^Behemoth has put out one solid album after another, but Nergal does sound like he's got a mouthful of sawdust as he spits out verses on Demigod. Still a powerful modern recording that benefits Behemoth. On the other hand, I hate the production on the new Immortal album. Tagtgren makes the tremolo guitar riffs so frikin harsh, dense and loud, that they rip my eardrums to shred every time I listen to "All Shall Fall". Makes me appreciate the old-school low-fi black metal production approach even more. __________________ rock n music blog

07-09-2010, 07:59 PM	#27 (permalink)
ElephantSack Man vs. Wild Turkey Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ATX Posts: 948	I have mixed feelings about Hatebreed's Under The Knife. It's the first Hatebreed album I ever bought, and I was very disappointed upon the first few listens. It was obviously recorded at somebody's house. But through further inspection and with a growing knowledge of underground music, it lends a certain charm in the fact that an album with such crap sound quality sold so many copies, continues to sell copies and got Hatebreed's foot in the door and led to their success. I just tried to listen to a copy of The Nihilistic Spasm Band that my sister's boyfriend sent me. I'm not sure which album it is, but it sounds like ***. I had to turn it off after a few tracks. I also heard terrible things about the over-production on Chris Cornell's Scream. Personally, I haven't listened to it, and I don't intend to. Just wondering if any of you have any opinions on it. __________________ OF THE SUN*

07-10-2010, 06:30 AM	#30 (permalink)
quiqueguitar Groupie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 22	I find that most blues albums up to the 80's show little appreciation for a neat production/mixing. The proposition that "the blues is one take" is not valid for me. __________________ http://qandthemoonstones.com/en/ http://www.youtube.com/user/quiquebonal