Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Bong in this Reggae Song


So then, it's 1992 (slight return) as The Breeders are back with a new song and a new(ish) ethos in recording practice.

They have a new track, from their new LP, for free streaming or free download if you click here.

Further down the page is an explanation of the "All Wave" recording process, which the legendary Mr Steve Albini (recordist of In Utero, Mogwai, Mclusky, PJ Harvey et al) is pioneering as the music version of Dogme 95

It is interesting, don't get me wrong, and admirable - but it's not like he ever stopped recording this way. Here's the Deal (arf!):

"

Steve AlbiniThe “All Wave” philosophy, which loosely stated, is that everything should be an analog sound recording of someone playing or singing, rather than using a computer to generate or digitally manipulate sounds separated from the dimension of time in which they were performed.

In short, to record All Wave one must use no computers, no digital recording, no auto-tuning, or any other mainstays of contemporary production.

The All Wave philosophy carries through the entire production and mastering process, including mixing, editing, sequencing, post-production and the exceptional step of an all-analog direct-metal master for the vinyl LP.This process has been employed on Title TK, the Off You EP, and upcomingMountain Battles."

It's interesting in a "fight the power" kinda way - but on the other hand, discounts any form of music that 'computers' have had a hand in as somehow substandard, or less "worthy".

I know I'm going to get splinters in my arse, but surely there's a happy medium? 

Wouldn't it be better to rail against the close-mindedness of major labels and the record buying public, rather than focussing on one point alone? 

Anyways, here's a video clip from a more innocent time, a time when we didn't have to worry about the evils of pro-tools as a force for destroying the innocent ears of "the kids":



Incidentally, the fact that I liked to boogie to the above song made me a very happy teenager in a variety of ways...thanks The Breeders! 

10 comments:

goneforeign said...

Blimp: Haven't downloaded yet but could you do something about your text, it's almost illegible,
bolden it up a bit.

goneforeign said...

The reason my picture keeps changing is because this is what I use on my blog which has a similar address to this one and whenever I work on it the Spill gets confused and puts up the wrong pic over here. But That's still what I look like.

TracyK said...

Canonball has just THE best bassline intro ever. I love the slightly offtime hiatus when the music stops too. I really love their If You're so Great, Why Aren't You Dead? and Divine Hammer. Takes me right back to the early 90s and my favourite basement indie club. Happy days!

Blimpy said...

Tracy, i could have written your comment word for word!

TracyK said...

Bloody hell, are you me? Where was your basement club? Or was it a metaphorical basement?

Blimpy said...

Twas The Venue in New Cross, SE London '93-95 no less, from the age of 16-18. I once got very high on LSD there, came home, and spent a long time looking at the very shiny inner sleeve of the Cannonball 12".

That club ruled; first kiss / first stagedive / first lsd, ecstasy, speed etc / first stage invasion / and loads more besides...

TracyK said...

Oh god, I got drunk there one night seeing Shed 7, supported by Marion. I met two lads who plied me with lethal cider and I spent most of the gig vomiting. New Cross is quite a scary place at chucking out time when you've never been there before! Bloody hell, this would have been late 1994/1995...you don't remember me, do you?!

Blimpy said...

Ha ha ha, in 95 I would have been the one in the skinny vintage adidas top snogging you inbetween hurls (whilst drinking your cider) - yeah, NX was a bit scary in retrospect, but hey! that's home!

TracyK said...

Hehehe, that sounds like my indie years, snogging boys in retro clothes and existing on cheap alcohol. Happy days...

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