Badly recorded albums - your nominations
07 October 2004, 08:34 AM
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Badly recorded albums - your nominations
OK some of us have discussed the best recordings on here before, but what are the worst recordings you've ever come across with a commercial release.
The event that prompted this post was last night when my mate pulled Big Country's The Crossing album out of my collection and decided to reminisece on his university days to the echoes of In a Big Country and Fields of Fire etc.
Now I'd forgotten just how bad this album sounded, the songs are great, but the recording/production are woeful. The whole thing sounds like it was recorded by having everyone (especially the drummer) play their instruments in the house next door - dire.
I have quite a tidy hi-fi system, but this album makes it sound no better then a £50 mid-80's ghetto blaster - Yuk!
So anyone else got any nominations along similar lines?
Regards,
tiggers.
The event that prompted this post was last night when my mate pulled Big Country's The Crossing album out of my collection and decided to reminisece on his university days to the echoes of In a Big Country and Fields of Fire etc.
Now I'd forgotten just how bad this album sounded, the songs are great, but the recording/production are woeful. The whole thing sounds like it was recorded by having everyone (especially the drummer) play their instruments in the house next door - dire.
I have quite a tidy hi-fi system, but this album makes it sound no better then a £50 mid-80's ghetto blaster - Yuk!
So anyone else got any nominations along similar lines?
Regards,
tiggers.
07 October 2004, 08:50 AM
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I thought it was just me that thought The Crossing sounded like the porridge was on the vinyl rather than in the music .....
My nominations for the title are from the same era - The Unforgettable Fire and Plastic Letters are both let down by some or all of : rubbish recording/production/vinyl quality.
My nominations for the title are from the same era - The Unforgettable Fire and Plastic Letters are both let down by some or all of : rubbish recording/production/vinyl quality.
07 October 2004, 09:24 AM
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disagree with that- oasis has fantastic production .
the 'Wall of sound' has been successfully implemented.
Cant think of any of the top of my head this early in the morning- ill post later
the 'Wall of sound' has been successfully implemented.
Cant think of any of the top of my head this early in the morning- ill post later
07 October 2004, 09:50 AM
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I think Freak's take on WTSMG is about right - it's the Phil Spector 'Wall of Sound' style of production. Agreed it's not great, but it's not as bad as some.
Anyone remember the initial release on CD of Heaven 17's The Luxury Gap - now the original recording is pretty good, but the CD mastering was unbelievably bad. I searched in vain for the 'CD mastered by Helen Keller' sleeve note, but never found it
Anyone remember the initial release on CD of Heaven 17's The Luxury Gap - now the original recording is pretty good, but the CD mastering was unbelievably bad. I searched in vain for the 'CD mastered by Helen Keller' sleeve note, but never found it
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07 October 2004, 10:09 AM
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It might be the style that was intended, but it doesn't help that it's a style which is so uncomfortable to listen to! In my eyes, that therefore classifies it as "bad", whether technically it's an "achievement" or not... 
07 October 2004, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by AndyC_772
Metallica - '...and Justice for All', a great album desperately in need of re-recording.
07 October 2004, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by AndyC_772
Metallica - '...and Justice for All', a great album desperately in need of re-recording.
Another one (for those older metal fans) - Iggy and the Stooges "Raw Power" - that could have been SOOOOOOOO good.
07 October 2004, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by TelBoy
It might be the style that was intended, but it doesn't help that it's a style which is so uncomfortable to listen to! In my eyes, that therefore classifies it as "bad", whether technically it's an "achievement" or not...
07 October 2004, 10:35 AM
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WTSMG may be trying for the "Wall of Sound" style of production but it is still very limited in other respects such as dynamic and frequency range. It always sounds like it's being played on a ten bob transistor, no matter what you do with it.
07 October 2004, 10:55 AM
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That was the intended result- therefore good production, as they have achieved it.
Good production doesnt neccessarily mean conventionally 'good' sound quality
Good production doesnt neccessarily mean conventionally 'good' sound quality
07 October 2004, 10:56 AM
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Just thought of another one - Cream Disraeli Gears
One of the greatest albums and worst recordings of all time. I have it on vinyl and CD - neither sound any good. Not sure if there is a remastered or audiophile (mobile fidelity?) CD version available, though.
One of the greatest albums and worst recordings of all time. I have it on vinyl and CD - neither sound any good. Not sure if there is a remastered or audiophile (mobile fidelity?) CD version available, though.
07 October 2004, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Freak
That was the intended result- therefore good production, as they have achieved it.
Good production doesnt neccessarily mean conventionally 'good' sound quality
Good production doesnt neccessarily mean conventionally 'good' sound quality
07 October 2004, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by AndyC_772
Metallica - '...and Justice for All', a great album desperately in need of re-recording.
Where's the bass???!!!! I know they were still upset about Cliff but this took it too far.
I'm also tempted to nominate 'In Utero' By Nirvana.
At the time I thought Steve Albini had really f*cked this one especially comapred to Butch Vig's production on Nevermind, but it does grow on you over time.
There are some beautiful songs on that album that kind of got buried by Albini - All Apologies for example. But you can kind of forgive him just because of the drum sound on the intro to Scentless Apprentice - Which reminds me....I'm off to the best intro's thread.
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