(no subject)

[lwoodbloo]

I've got a musical issue, and I want your guys feedback on it.

You ever become a fan of a band, really dig their music and such, and buy their first record, and it's REALLY good? Like, maybe the writing's not amazing, and the production's raw, and there's feedback, but you like it that way?

Yeah, I knew most of you did.

Now, they sign with another label (i am not a believer in no major labels) and they put out another record. The feedback's gone, the songs are verse chorus verse, you can make out what the singer's saying without effort now, the production's much clearer....and you hate it. Can't stand it. Cringe when you hear it on the radio.

For me? It's the von bondies. And I hate feeling this way! You know why? Because I've met everyone in the band. I gave away condoms to the singer and the drummer, and chatted with the guitarist (marcie bolen. if you don't know, now ya know). And they put out a good record! It's much sounder, musically. You can understand every word Jason says.

yet I can't stand it. It's....so much more controlled. Feels pro toolsed, feels like they weren't drinking in the studio and that Jim Diamond wasn't on the knobs at ghetto recorders. I never was a believer in "production values" as a problem, but now i get it. It constrains music that sounds much better live than it does on tape. And you know what? Instead of being relatively alone at the VB show at the bowery last time, it'll be at roseland next time, and I won't even get to see them. More's the pity.

Gimme some thoughts, yo.

Comments

[jenifoto.livejournal.com]

It's the major label commercialization of garage. Hello Seattle, circa 1992.....

[lwoodbloo.livejournal.com]

I really want to say "Shame on you" to them. But hey. Sire probably is paying them nicely for this record. But Lack of Communication's a better one, for my money.

some thoughts, yo.

[erisreg.livejournal.com]

i'm mixed on how music should sound,.the garage band soud is great for 3+4 piece bands but when you start getting too big it easy to loose that live sond and just be muddy,..some guys can/could do it some cant i guess each effort on it's own merit in my book,..o.o

[aliasa.livejournal.com]

i hear you...it's that raw edge quality that i like which is more often than not lost when they go commercial/get popular. *BOO!*

sometimes, i can be selfish and not want a particular group to get popular for fear of losing that personal and raw quality you come to love -- but you want to see them do well!

*bah*

[scriptgirl.livejournal.com]

I also wonder how much radio play is a factor in stuff like this. People gotta please their sponsors, right?

[lwoodbloo.livejournal.com]

Of course it does! No doubt. I guess I got spoiled by the success of nirvana, which, musically anyway, was on their terms. But then came Candlebox and Bush, the apotheosis of post grunge crap.

[panthergirl5182.livejournal.com]

commercialized or not, i'm a big supporter of my favorite bands making money to live on; you can't do that with just the club circuit anymore.

[lwoodbloo.livejournal.com]

Let 'em sell as many records as they want. I just feel conflicted because this one sucks and it's the one people like.

[panthergirl5182.livejournal.com]

well, seeing as i know very little about the band you're speaking about, i can't offfer up an opinion that way or not. the thing is, the mainstreem will always like things diffferently than the early fans will... i've seen it with my own bands.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I totally hear you, dude. One of my favorites, Guster, blew me away with the sound on its third album "Lost & Gone Forever," as it was when the sound they had been working on in the previous two albums finally came all the way together. It's one of my all-time favorites. The thing I loved best was the non-traditional drums, as the drummer used hand percussion to perfection.

Then they switched labels (even though it was major to major, but still) and then suddenly the spark is gone from the sound, the shining harmonies are buried in muddy production, and the Legendary Conguero (as he is known) is on a drum kit. *sigh*

[lwoodbloo.livejournal.com]

For the VB, it was the limitations for me that MADE the music good. Much like Johnny Cash's particular technical limitations made the music what it was.

[chelipunkass.livejournal.com]

now you know my pain.

[lwoodbloo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I hear you. That really must bug the hell out of you.

[dirtbombsfan1.livejournal.com]

THANK FUCKING GOD!!!! SOMEBODY AGREES WITH ME!!!!!!!!!!!

ugh.

I ahte "Pawn Shoppe Heart"

where's Diamond when you need 'im?

[lwoodbloo.livejournal.com]

Apparently abdicating his spot for Troy Gregory.

PSH is not as good as Lack. I can't quite pinpoint why. I think I associate the latter with that CMJ show I saw with the DBs, the Datsuns, and Ko I think

[dirtbombsfan1.livejournal.com]

ugh. great lineup. dammit.

[lwoodbloo.livejournal.com]

I think the Electric Six were there too. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I thank the folks at sympathy for the record industry there.