I just got done listening to two new releases, and those these two acts have less then nothing in common, I was still surprised by how different their approaches were in the recording process.
First was Iron Maiden's "The Final Frontier". First off... Great album! I've never been a huge fan though I do like some of there songs. This disc though had glaring thing... The production, and it is very noticable. It is very glossy and over produced just a tad. The songs are strong and they tried some new things, and what can you say about Bruce Dickenson's classic voice? It sounded great as always, but the production was very obvious and it is something no one is supposed to notice. Stand out tracks: "Coming Home", "The Alchemist" and "When The Wild Wind Blows" among others.
6 out of 10
Then there was John Mellencamp's "No Better Than This". Not such a good album over all. First off Mr. Mellencamp has been going in a rootsy direction for 3-4 records now and it has been really hit or miss. This one was in the middle of these but not as good as his well know stuff. But again with the production... It was so lo-fi that it is close to unlistenable. Very muddy sounding. Stand out track: "Don't Forget About Me"
3 out of 10
I also listened to Hearts's "Red Velvet Car".... Was this released by accident?
-15 out of 10
-G
Never been into Maiden either, but I'm disappointed to hear about the production on this. If there's one thing metal doesn't need it's "The Bob Rock Approach". I'd be curious to find out who produced it.
ReplyDeleteAs for Mellencamp, I don't know if he's just out of material or what it is. But these folk releases have been uneven to say the least. There's a way to do lo-fi in the modern age and still have it be listenable (ex: The White Stripes). Also, if these records are a labor of love, why are they so full of filler? Why release them so often? Why not record a load of tracks and cut loose with the best of the best every couple of years?
Nice Heart drop at the end, lol. I was surprised to hear that record getting critical acclaim as well as debuting in the Billboard Top 20! I haven't listened to it yet, but I'm guessing it's not all that great.
-Russ