Recording info on Beck's Sea Change Album?

[bee3]

This is one of my favorite albums! Very cool to hear from JMJ.

[TWM]

Justin, do you remember what kind of acoustic guitar Beck was playing?

Thanks.

Todd

[jbsteho]

Realy love this album.

BUT, I suppose every one here knows that " Paper Tiger " and "Lonesone tears" are very special for us, French guys, 'cause they are so much influenced by Serge Gainsbourg's "Melody Nelson". The production, from tom sound, dry snare, fuzz guitars lines, picked crunchy bass , to reverbed unisson strings etc ... come directly from " Melody " ans "Hôtel Particulier".

Just in case ....

[Yummerz]

The album sounds nice but I preferred Midnite Vultures. "Debra" - now there's a killer sound.

As far as musical content, I found Sea Change very boring, lethargic and "samey." Probably Beck's weakest point, which makes sense since it's a depressing breakup era album. His other stuff is much more colorful, creative, vivid and energetic.

[justinmj]

Originally Posted by skybluerental

hey man,
you are quite welcome.
thank you for sharing your experiences recording this fabulous album with us.

one thing i am still curious about is how much compression and EQ was committed to tape and how much happened during the mix????
it was done to tape right? did it ever hit digital before mixing??
also, were the final mixes printed to 2 track tape or straight off the console to digital 2 track?

sorry to ask about so many details, but i am so curious i just cant resist.

thanks again!
-A

Hmmm...I'm not sure but I think plenty of comp and EQ was committed, because I don't think anything was "newly" compressed (for instance) at the mix. If anything, it was just "doubly" compressed. The final mixes went to 2 track tape, yes. We used those amazing giant Ampex 24 track machines that they have at Oceanway. Sorry, I'm not really savvy as far as a lot of details, I should ask Nige...
J

[justinmj]

Originally Posted by TWM

Justin, do you remember what kind of acoustic guitar Beck was playing?

Thanks.

Todd

Mostly Martins and one older Taylor I think. One of the main guitars was a newly acquired pre-war D28. We also rented a bunch of stuff from Brett Allen.

[justinmj]

Originally Posted by jbsteho

Realy love this album.

BUT, I suppose every one here knows that " Paper Tiger " and "Lonesone tears" are very special for us, French guys, 'cause they are so much influenced by Serge Gainsbourg's "Melody Nelson". The production, from tom sound, dry snare, fuzz guitars lines, picked crunchy bass , to reverbed unisson strings etc ... come directly from " Melody " ans "Hôtel Particulier".

Just in case ....

Yup.

[justinmj]

Originally Posted by Yummerz

The album sounds nice but I preferred Midnite Vultures. "Debra" - now there's a killer sound.

As far as musical content, I found Sea Change very boring, lethargic and "samey." Probably Beck's weakest point, which makes sense since it's a depressing breakup era album. His other stuff is much more colorful, creative, vivid and energetic.

I can understand that. Vultures is my personal fave, but Sea Change has a real clarity of purpose and a very elegant/vintage recording/working method that's fun to talk about.

[Pedro Lobo]

Hey Justin, wich vocal Mic was used? Seem like Beck is singing in front of me, unbelievable...
Thank's for all the details, you rock!

[SSquirrel]

This album feels like it may be Beck's peak to me. As much as I love a lot of stuff on the other albums, the consistent feel (or sameness complained about earlier) is very nice. It is a darker album, but that isn't a bad thing. Electro Shock Blues by the Eels is a terribly dark record and a lot of the tracks have a very similar feel, but it's one of my favorites. I do have to agree that Debra is pretty kick ass tho. Very Prince-like.

Justin, love your work with Beck and got to see you playing w/NIN for LITS in Lexington KY and for Wave Goodbye on the NIN/JA tour in Noblesville IN. Remember your name all the way back to getting introduced to Medicine in college. Still love those Medicine albums, Laner does some crazy stuff.

Last I'd heard Trent was close to finished on the new HTDA, but he had also talked about some new NIN this year. Any chance he's had you in the studio?

[justinmj]

Viva Vultures!!

Vocal mic = C12 & 251.

NIN = I haven't a clue. Trent is elusive/reclusive and more than capable of doing everything on his own as he wishes. Would be fun, but I'm not holding my breath for it.

Thank you very much, gents!
JMJ

[NathanEldred]

Definitely one of my favorite albums of all time.

[kennybro]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

Definitely one of my favorite albums of all time.

Second that! This one really creep up on you and then won't let go. After countless listens, it just keeps digging in deeper. Maybe the most artistically authentic album of all time, in the way the performances of all involved captured and communicated Beck's emotions at the moment.

Justin; if you're still around, did you guys feel a sense that you were doing something beyond HUGE during the sessions?

[the19thbear]

Justin if there is ANY Way you could remember the name/brand/color/layout...whatever really of that digital reverb/delay I would be really happy! The sea change album is on my top 3 of the best albums I have ever heard. The production, the songs and the playing is simply amazing!
Thanks!

[justinmj]

the19thbear: Really don't know, sorry. 10 years ago and lots of life has passed by since.

kennybro: I really did. It was an extraordinarily intense, all-consuming process. We all felt it. It's just one of those things you live and breathe, and when it's over, you feel that profound sense of emptiness mixed with satisfaction. Then when it actually resonates with the public, it's a huge vindication for a great deal of intensity and struggle.

J

[donnylang]

Hi Justin,

Just wanted to add what a profound effect this album had on me personally.

I'm not generally into new music (listen to mostly '60s-'70s), but I bought this when it came out in 2003, and thought, "oh that sounds cool", played it a few times, then put it away.

A couple years later, I went through some very emotionally devastating experiences with my long-time girlfriend at the time during our break-up. I somehow went back to that album and and became filled with overwhelming emotions ... I remember just weeping and crying while listening to it, yet also having a sense of wonder and feeling uplifted at the same time.

It has since become one of the most important records in my life and I am so glad this album was there for me, when nothing else seemed right in my world.

[justinmj]

Wow, that's truly amazing. So glad to hear things like this.

Maybe you'd enjoy coming to see us play some songs from this record here and there this summer? Details TBA.

[donnylang]

Originally Posted by justinmj

Wow, that's truly amazing. So glad to hear things like this.

Maybe you'd enjoy coming to see us play some songs from this record here and there this summer? Details TBA.

I'll see you in San Francisco !

(life is great now !)

PS - just realized this was actually 2002 when it came out. can't believe it's been 10 years!

[sigmatibet]

One of my favs ever