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Post by RealNoob on Jan 18, 2023 21:28:37 GMT -6
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Post by robo on Jan 18, 2023 23:16:11 GMT -6
Good interview. It’s shocking how shocking the desire to make good music is - at least to Anderson Cooper and whoever watches 60 minutes.
I’ve always thought that Ruben records were efficient, never more than what needs to be there. That sort of discipline is hard to maintain. It’s a constant struggle for me!
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Post by aremos on Jan 18, 2023 23:34:00 GMT -6
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Post by teejay on Jan 19, 2023 10:22:56 GMT -6
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Post by Ward on Jan 19, 2023 12:28:59 GMT -6
I've heard folks describe Mr. Rubin as someone who just happens to be present when great music happens and records are made.
Sort of like an accidental musical tourist. Or an accidental musical taurus (since he was born March 10th)
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Post by notneeson on Jan 19, 2023 12:59:35 GMT -6
I've heard folks describe Mr. Rubin as someone who just happens to be present when great music happens and records are made. Sort of like an accidental musical tourist. Or an accidental musical taurus (since he was born March 10th) I know some folks who worked with Mr. Rubin and from what mutual friends tell me, it was pretty hands off. But, if you listen to his excellent series of interviews with John Frusciante on the Pushkin podcast, he comes off as an extremely trusted advisor who does offer opinions and ideas. Strikes me as a super thoughtful guy who loves music. |
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Post by svart on Jan 19, 2023 13:27:11 GMT -6
I've heard folks describe Mr. Rubin as someone who just happens to be present when great music happens and records are made. Sort of like an accidental musical tourist. Or an accidental musical taurus (since he was born March 10th) Really depends on who the artist is mentally. I know a band who HATED working with a very well known producer that we all know the name of. They claim that the result was a man-handled mess that wasn't anything like they wanted and felt taken advantage of as a young band. Other folks I know who've worked with him say he's a great guy and easy to work with. |
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Post by seawell on Jan 19, 2023 18:00:22 GMT -6
I was pretty down on Rick Rubin at one point after hearing stories but I've finally decided he's hit it out the park too many times to just be lucky. Maybe staying out of the way is his secret genius?
I've certainly worked as a session guitarist on albums over the years where it was basically the producer's album and the artist just sort of stood there dumbfounded, not quite knowing what had happened by the time tracking was over.
Producing often feels like 90% psychology to me when I wear that hat.
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Post by Ward on Jan 19, 2023 18:26:07 GMT -6
I've heard folks describe Mr. Rubin as someone who just happens to be present when great music happens and records are made. Sort of like an accidental musical tourist. Or an accidental musical taurus (since he was born March 10th) I know some folks who worked with Mr. Rubin and from what mutual friends tell me, it was pretty hands off. But, if you listen to his excellent series of interviews with John Frusciante on the Pushkin podcast, he comes off as an extremely trusted advisor who does offer opinions and ideas. Strikes me as a super thoughtful guy who loves music. My comments are not critical, merely observatory and he makes me smile - A LOT. His 3-2-1 McCartney series was extraordinary in its insight! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2023 18:51:47 GMT -6
Rubin favors stripped down arrangements relatable to people who know nothing. That can be cool but look at what he did to Slayer. All but 3 of the songs on Reign in Blood sound incomplete and the drums sound awful. South of Heaven sounds a lot better but by one after that, Seasons in the Abyss is super boring and the “Rick Rubin does metal” gig was up.
Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler thought he was ridiculous and made the record sound worse than they would’ve at home. But he talked them into a stripped down production style for 13, which was good I guess but nobody wants to hear Sabbath play new stuff anyway.
Iron Maiden could benefit from working with him. They’ve written some good stuff in the last 20 years but the songs are just way too long
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Post by Quint on Jan 19, 2023 19:29:00 GMT -6
I have mixed feelings about "producahs" in general, but it's hard to deny Rubin's results, especially when it comes to music done in the Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, etc. organic style of music.
So Rubin's either the most lucky guy ever, and has somehow managed to be a fly on the wall for a ton of legendary albums, or the guy brings something to the party, hard to define as it may be.
I'm a fan.
As for Kid Rock....
I'm not gonna dive super into the weeds on this, but I'll just leave it at this. That song Kid Rock did with Sheryl Crow (and I say this as a fan of Sheryl Crow's early albums) makes me want to drive off a cliff.
I'm not a fan, but to each their own.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2023 19:43:47 GMT -6
But your statement does "devolve" this into politics! What's wrong with Kid Rock's music? No need to criticize an artist, let alone by insinuating simplicity &/or extreme patriotism. And what does Tucker Carlson have to do with Rick Rubin or any other thing here? What's wrong with Kid Rock's music? It sucks. Look...I don't care about his politics. He's a gifted multi-instrumentalist, but it's not high art, nor is it really all that fun. It's angry teen angst, and in your late 50's that's not a great look. DRI is 50 something and still singing about eating pizza. |
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Post by seawell on Jan 19, 2023 19:55:45 GMT -6
I’m honestly confused, why are we talking about Kid Rock? 🫤
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Post by geoff738 on Jan 19, 2023 20:07:16 GMT -6
I dunno. I like some of the stuff he’s produced. He did the only decent Jagger record and Petty’s best one too. Then, there are records he’s done that I actively dislike. And sonic is part of that. Seems like a nice, thoughtful guy when I’ve heard him interviewed.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by viciousbliss on Jan 19, 2023 20:48:47 GMT -6
Rubin favors stripped down arrangements relatable to people who know nothing. That can be cool but look at what he did to Slayer. All but 3 of the songs on Reign in Blood sound incomplete and the drums sound awful. South of Heaven sounds a lot better but by one after that, Seasons in the Abyss is super boring and the “Rick Rubin does metal” gig was up. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler thought he was ridiculous and made the record sound worse than they would’ve at home. But he talked them into a stripped down production style for 13, which was good I guess but nobody wants to hear Sabbath play new stuff anyway. Iron Maiden could benefit from working with him. They’ve written some good stuff in the last 20 years but the songs are just way too long Reign in Blood incomplete? I never thought the songs lacked cohesion or felt underdeveloped. One of my fav snare sounds too. Rick was supposedly not very involved with Seasons. But to me, that one is their best. Maybe two songs are decent but the rest is classic. Rubin did Danzig 3 and 4 which both sound pretty good. Lot of classic songs on those. I can't think of much high profile Metal he could have worked on after that. Rick still had an executive producer credit for Divine Intervention, which to me was a big step down from Seasons. After that only Metallica still had a high profile as any sort of thing resembling a Metal band. Megadeth was running from Metal as fast as they could. Slayer was the only other Metal type band that could afford him and he still has a producer credit on Diabolus. But everyone seems to say the same thing about him. That he's hands off and likes all these basic, stripped down arrangements. 13 was a letdown. I'm surprised Rubin never cared to learn how the equipment works at all. |
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Post by notneeson on Jan 19, 2023 21:28:08 GMT -6
I know some folks who worked with Mr. Rubin and from what mutual friends tell me, it was pretty hands off. But, if you listen to his excellent series of interviews with John Frusciante on the Pushkin podcast, he comes off as an extremely trusted advisor who does offer opinions and ideas. Strikes me as a super thoughtful guy who loves music. My comments are not critical, merely observatory and he makes me smile - A LOT. His 3-2-1 McCartney series was extraordinary in its insight! Did not take your comments as negative, just sharing some perspective because I got hooked on that podcast recently and it’s fresh in my memory. I think it’s super interesting that there are successful producers who are more gut level than technical. For instance, the intro to under the bridge, though written by JF was prompted by something RR said. |
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Post by seawell on Jan 19, 2023 21:28:26 GMT -6
Speaking of Producers and Metal. How Bob Rock produced The Black Album and St. Anger, I'll never understand 🤯
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Post by spindrift on Jan 19, 2023 21:29:16 GMT -6
Gget a few hits under your belt and great talent comes a knocking. If you choose wisely, you hit home runs 80% of the time….and that brings even more high level talent to carefully choose from.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jan 19, 2023 21:31:36 GMT -6
Rick has a way of making his hands off approach work, but I know more than one AE who has felt he should have gotten producer points on a Rick Rubin project. That’s really his talent finding AE’s who can run the session and deserve the points.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jan 20, 2023 1:38:20 GMT -6
I was pretty down on Rick Rubin at one point after hearing stories but I've finally decided he's hit it out the park too many times to just be lucky. Maybe staying out of the way is his secret genius? I've certainly worked as a session guitarist on albums over the years where it was basically the producer's album and the artist just sort of stood there dumbfounded, not quite knowing what had happened by the time tracking was over. Producing often feels like 90% psychology to me when I wear that hat. He’s an interesting case. His schtick is…well his schtick. The meditation, etc. Personally, those type of hyper spiritual new age hippies that proselytize good vibes…turn me off. One can smell authenticity, and I would be very cynical as to whether he’s being authentic. That being said - he must get these artists into some headspace that allows them to be themselves. Maybe there’s something to the inner reflection, white walls, zen, meditation thing that is a getaway and respite for a large majority of artists that are searching for more than just musical direction. I have to say this - I do admire and covet whatever he has. I can relate - I’m usually the least gifted person in the room technically. So I admire that he’s been able to translate the thing that he obviously brings to the table. |
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Post by jeremygillespie on Jan 20, 2023 6:01:46 GMT -6
I was pretty down on Rick Rubin at one point after hearing stories but I've finally decided he's hit it out the park too many times to just be lucky. Maybe staying out of the way is his secret genius? I've certainly worked as a session guitarist on albums over the years where it was basically the producer's album and the artist just sort of stood there dumbfounded, not quite knowing what had happened by the time tracking was over. Producing often feels like 90% psychology to me when I wear that hat. He’s an interesting case. His schtick is…well his schtick. The meditation, etc. Personally, those type of hyper spiritual new age hippies that proselytize good vibes…turn me off. One can smell authenticity, and I would be very cynical as to whether he’s being authentic. That being said - he must get these artists into some headspace that allows them to be themselves. Maybe there’s something to the inner reflection, white walls, zen, meditation thing that is a getaway and respite for a large majority of artists that are searching for more than just musical direction. I have to say this - I do admire and covet whatever he has. I can relate - I’m usually the least gifted person in the room technically. So I admire that he’s been able to translate the thing that he obviously brings to the table. He gets good results… somehow. He has an interview on the Marc Maron podcast that completely turned me off to him. Just came off as a total BS slinger. I’ve been on plenty of sessions as an engineer with producers where you can’t help but ask yourself - is this guy for real? But have also been on sessions as a hired gun bass player with a bs producer and it was completely maddening watching somebody throw peoples hard earned money away with how they were running the show. |
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Post by Ward on Jan 20, 2023 7:21:01 GMT -6
Speaking of Producers and Metal. How Bob Rock produced The Black Album and St. Anger, I'll never understand 🤯 Did Rock throw up his hands in despair? |
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Post by sean on Jan 20, 2023 9:10:13 GMT -6
Producers all approach the rule differently. Some are very hands on and mold the music to fit their own artistic vision, while others manage personalities. I think what Rick does best is stripping bands or artist back to their rawest form and highlights what makes them great and unique. And that’s usually highlighting a voice and not throwing a ton of “stuff” on it, or if it’s a band keeping it to the essentials.
It takes all kinds. It’s up to you if something from Rick’s process can translate to what you do or want to do. I think everyone could benefit from being more tuned it with the feelings and emotions and personalities in the room and less with the gear in the rack…it distracts from the connection with the people and the music. I don’t have any memories of the type of microphones or signal chain I used on most projects, but I remember the people and whatever funny or sad or incredible moment might have happened in the process of making that record. And I think that’s what Rick taps into…and if he knew a bunch of stuff about gear to where he’d have to think about it that would dull his ability to listen
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2023 11:31:52 GMT -6
Producers all approach the rule differently. Some are very hands on and mold the music to fit their own artistic vision, while others manage personalities. I think what Rick does best is stripping bands or artist back to their rawest form and highlights what makes them great and unique. And that’s usually highlighting a voice and not throwing a ton of “stuff” on it, or if it’s a band keeping it to the essentials. It takes all kinds. It’s up to you if something from Rick’s process can translate to what you do or want to do. I think everyone could benefit from being more tuned it with the feelings and emotions and personalities in the room and less with the gear in the rack…it distracts from the connection with the people and the music. I don’t have any memories of the type of microphones or signal chain I used on most projects, but I remember the people and whatever funny or sad or incredible moment might have happened in the process of making that record. And I think that’s what Rick taps into…and if he knew a bunch of stuff about gear to where he’d have to think about it that would dull his ability to listen Or burying this |
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Post by robo on Jan 20, 2023 11:36:27 GMT -6
Rick has a way of making his hands off approach work, but I know more than one AE who has felt he should have gotten producer points on a Rick Rubin project. That’s really his talent finding AE’s who can run the session and deserve the points. We’ve probably all been in that spot, helping craft every detail while tracking/mixing and even doing pre/post-production without credit/points. I think it’s also fair to say that we put too much emphasis on who “produced” a record. Just like movie directors or pop stars. It might be better to think of them as a creative brand rather than this idea of the lone genius our culture perpetuates. |
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