A Steve Albini discussion thread

[cultureofgreed]

I am sure you all have heard of the infamous Steve Albini. I am wondering what you guys think of this guy? Is he a jerk or is he a genius?

[XHipHop]

are there any other choices?

[alphajerk]

well, he isnt a jerk. and i dont know about genius... i have read his rant on the labels yet he hasnt come up with a better solution. that is where someone like ani difranco or ian mackaye are genius. his recordings seem to be highly subjective [like anything/anyone else] so you got to make your own opinion there.

[robdarling]

I think he's an engineer. Leave it at that.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by cultureofgreed

I am sure you all have heard of the infamous Steve Albini. I am wondering what you guys think of this guy? Is he a jerk or is he a genius?

I don't know the guy. Calling him a jerk is ignorant. Genius? Not that either.

I like that he's in our business. I like that Mutt Lange is in our business. They both represent the opposite ends of the spectrum.

I try to take both of their philosophies and form my own.

I know Steve charges $400-$500 per day. I charge alot more than that and I do take points.

But there are days where I'm not booked because of that. He's probably always booked.

But he needs to work alot more. It's all about balance and I admire his approach although I won't be using it.

Read This!!!!

[eligit]

Originally Posted by krs

Culture that avatar is disturbing. Jesus.

that's cronenberg.....scanners.....if you like that, check out videodrome....

[cultureofgreed]

When I say "Jerk or Genius" I am just saying I would like to know what you think about his work and his opinions. An abrasive title for abrasive music!

[Curve Dominant]

Originally Posted by Produceher

I like that he's in our business. I like that Mutt Lange is in our business. They both represent the opposite ends of the spectrum.

There is another significant, if symbolic, difference between the two:

I have seen Albini publicly and disrespectfully trash-talk Mr. Lange (and many other highly successful producers as well).

But I've never heard of Mutt publicly trash-talking Albini, or any other industry peer for that matter.

That alone says a lot about who's who, and what's what.

YMMV.

[ozraves]

I like Albini. He says funny things in an unfunny sort of way.

Every now and again he makes a great record.

[max cooper]

I've quite enjoyed some of Albini's recordings (early Polly Jean comes to mind!) and I loathe other stuff he's done (Flogging Molly sounds so weak and pathetic it's unlistenable...the production, not the band, methinks...)

I saw Fugazi years ago (yawwwwn) and Ian Mackaye got real pissed when the lighting guys turned on some colored lights. He threw his guitar down and yelled 'White lights only, man!' Like he's somehow above the show-bizness.

Albini reminds me of that when he rails against compressors and limiters (or whatever it is this week.) Get the f*** over it, man! It's signal processing, not automatic weapons. This stuff is supposed to be fun, and when it's a crusade, the work suffers. We're all allowed to make complete 180's in our recording preferences.

How about 'what does the material call for' not 'how can I shoehorn this act into my ideology?'

Maybe he should make some more good records before we forget about his sorry a**.


I was gonna commend cultureofgreed on his avatar; longtime Cronnenberg fan here! Videodrome is a mind-blower. Just saw it a few weeks ago and it still does it for me.

[Flora]

Originally Posted by robdarling

I think he's an engineer. Leave it at that.

I'm with this guy.

[alphajerk]

Originally Posted by max cooper

I saw Fugazi years ago (yawwwwn) and Ian Mackaye got real pissed when the lighting guys turned on some colored lights. He threw his guitar down and yelled 'White lights only, man!' Like he's somehow above the show-bizness..

no, he just doesnt do drugs

[Country Boy]

With Albini I think it's as simple as he cares about the bands (and all that encompasses) and music so much that he wants to do all that he can to help make it happen for the bands and the music.

To him that means, among many things, not being a financial impediment in any way. His compensation and refusal of points removes his price tag from being an issue. That's all it does. It's not meant to upset the industry's apple-cart or make other engineers out to look overpriced. Why that causes some to get so bent is beyond silly to me. Albini is booked. Way. Out. Doing what he cares the most about. Arguing with that just looks dumb.

[alphajerk]

i dont get the no point thing however... seems like less of an impediment than work-for-hire. i mean he would only make money if the band made money [with a slightly lower day rate] and you gamble with the band as well, makes you step up with more i think

[heinz]

I think he's way talented, speaks his mind, and knows his craft. I would love to make a rock record in his studio some day.

[cultureofgreed]

Originally Posted by RobertPhilbeck

I think a much better question would be...

This Thread...Somewhat Stupid, or Completely Asinine?

You don't think that Steve Albini's work and opinions are even wrth discussion on a messageboard? I think they are.

[Sofa King]

[QUOTE=Country Boy]With Albini I think it's as simple as he cares about the bands (and all that encompasses) and music so much that he wants to do all that he can to help make it happen for the bands and the music./QUOTE]

As do I.

But, I don't happen to agree with his ideology of the "anti Producer" or whatever it is he considers himself.


Point being, that always leaving the band to its own editorial/quality control duties, is in my opinion, akin to idly watching a preventable car crash.

I feel a producer's job is to be an objective and trusted confidant, coach, and counsel.
And any session can benefit from a person acting in that capacity.

Best
Sean

[neve1073]

My theory is that Steve Albini has a sense of humor that is based around irritating people. I'm not trying not to dismiss his more serious opinions (eg, @ prosounds) about the business and aesthetics of recording. He has a pretty consistant and (possibly irritatingly) righteous take on things. Also, he has been involved with some undeniably cool projects.

And sometimes when I'm in the right mood I even like the way he doesn't play his guitar.

But an ex of mine went to a big black show at the i beam in 1986 and got her arm broken in the mosh pit. I do blame that jerk Albini for that.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by neve1073

But an ex of mine went to a big black show at the i beam in 1986 and got her arm broken in the mosh pit. I do blame that jerk Albini for that.

Shouldn't you be thanking him?

[T_R_S]

Originally Posted by Produceher

I know Steve charges $400-$500 per day.

I think that's a little outta Mutt's league for his rate.
and I would bet that Mutt's wife's is better looking than's Steve's.

[I <3 The Beatle]

Originally Posted by krs

Culture that avatar is disturbing. Jesus.

I was thinking that myself, haha....after seeing it over and over again I'd kind of like it to go away...

[84K]

Originally Posted by heinz

I think he's way talented, speaks his mind, and knows his craft. I would love to make a rock record in his studio some day.

Totally Agree. He is awesome. Most of his work is great. No one hits a perfect game everytime, but he's had quite a few of them in my book!

[alnico]

He did sessions once at a studio I worked at and he was very cool with us and all about the work. His setup was very interesting (I videotaped it all) and the playback was incredibly real, like you were in the room with the band. Tape levels were way low... He used not even one of our mics and we had a great selection in house. He definitely left an impression on us and it leaned more toward genius than jerk...

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by XHipHop

are there any other choices?

I guess not. That's the way to do it these days. Look at the Coldplay thread, look at the ITP or OTB threads, look at the Digi bashing or worshipping.

It's all black and white and I friggin' hate it.

Life's more complex than that, people are more complex than that.

Andi

www.doorknocker.ch

[Jules]

I didnt appreciate the insulting title of the thread that started this so I have created this this renamed thread to contain the posts from it. (rather than delete it all)

A warning has been issued to Culture of greed.

Jules
Gearslutz.com admin

[dave-G]

Originally Posted by I <3 The Beatle

I was thinking that myself, haha....after seeing it over and over again I'd kind of like it to go away...

It is pretty nasty.

You could just add cultureofgreed to your ignore list...

alnico on the other hand, has a really funny avatar! thumbsup

-dave

[drew]

Originally Posted by neve1073

Also, he has been involved with some undeniably cool projects.

he's also MIGHT hold the record for the most records that people did with him and then redid elsewhere. bands that thought they dug his thing til he did it to them. Fugazi, Jawbox,..........

[Gie-Sound]

Steve Albini has a vision. Not everybody has one...
I always respect people with a vision, although I do not necesary share their vision.
A lot of people seem to have opinions, but no vision

[seb37000]

I think his statements are based on his persenal experience and do not apply for everyone.
He is very well known for having " his" sound and a lot of bands record with him for that reason. It seems that whene you record with him either you take it or leave it, no compromise, apperently record compagnies have a hard time dealing with him for that reason.
I personaly wish more radio bands would record with him so that we would hear something different on the fm .

[grahluk]

Originally Posted by alphajerk

no, he just doesnt do drugs

Maybe he should.