I still can't believe Steve Albini is gone. I never met the man, but I was always fascinated by his opinions, of which he had no shortage. A lot of bands, even some he recorded, could not escape his withering criticism. It's said that he mellowed a bit with age as we all do I guess.
What he left behind as a producer alone is astounding. He preferred to think of himself as an engineer as he made clear on many occasions. God only knows how much money he left on the table by refusing royalty points on the records he worked on. There are probably others who have done the same thing, but I can't think of any off hand.
As I look around at my records and CDs here in the lair I'm surrounded by Albini projects. Here's a few to get you started. His work was marked by it's lack of sonic goop and trickery. His drum sounds alone were legendary. Hit me up with some of your favorites! Here's some of mine in no particular order:
Nirvana "In Utero"
Albini said at the time that he worked with Nirvana on their follow up to "Nevermind" out of pity. A couple of tracks were remixed by R.E.M. producer Scott Litt which is ironic because Albini called Nirvana "R.E.M. with Fuzzboxes." He more or less washed his hands of the project and said after the record company got their hands on the master tapes they ruined his work. That said there's some devastating material on the album including this one. Note the drum wallup at the beginning. Kills me every time.
Pixies "Surfer Rosa"
This was his first higher profile job and the 1988 album remains essential.
Slint "Tweez"
Their "Spiderland" record is the one that drew the most notice, but this record from 1987 certainly holds up. You can 'hear the room' as I like to say.
Jesus Lizard "Puss"
There's no way to imagine this band without Steve Albini. He helmed pretty much everything they did until they signed with Capitol. In a bad mood? Fire this one up. You'll feel better.
The Breeders "Pod"
This 1990 album came out when the band included Throwing Muses member Tanya Donnelly. Eventually of course Kim Deal would leave the Pixies and make this her full time pursuit with sister Kelley.
Tad "Salt Lick/God's Balls"
Albini and Sub Pop house producer Jack Endino teamed for the e.p. and subsequent album from 89 and 90. This might be the heaviest shit ever recorded. Absolutely massive sounding. How about one from each!
I recognize the saw sound at the beginning of "Behemoth." My dad was in the grocery business when I was a kid. That's the bone saw from the butcher shop!
The Wedding Present "Seamonsters"
I can't speak to how Albini may have responded to Dave Gedge's music. One unhappy love song after the next and I'm here for it! Can't even imagine how loud it was in the studio.
PJ Harvey "Rid Of Me"
Albini was tapped for Harvey's all important follow up to the critical darling "Dry." It worked beautifully. I'm pretty sure the record company freaked out when track one featured this tension exploding build up.
Gaunt "I Can See Your Mom From Here"
The lone record these Columbus legends collaborated with Albini on.
Scrawl "Travel On Rider"
Albini collaborated with Columbus' massively influential Scrawl on "Velvet Hammer" and this, their major label debut. Somehow the big corporate record is the heavier of the two. All of it great!
Cheap Trick "In Color" (Albini version)
In 1997 Cheap Trick went into the studio with the intention of re-recording their entire second album with Albini. They were hoping to achieve the sound they had in mind initially, and perhaps something more in keeping with their brilliant self titled debut. This version was never finished, but a bootleg is out there... I may have a copy in my car right now! Strangely this song was the only one officially released when it turned up in 2008 on Rock Band 2.
McClusky "The Difference Between Me and You Is That I'm Not on Fire"
Damn! I forgot how much I loved this Welsh band. Idles certainly owe them a debt.
Jarvis Cocker "Further Complications"
The Pulp front man's second solo album is one of my favorites of the late 2000s. Witty, insightful observations about the sad slide into middle age. For some reason it speaks to me!
Cloud Nothings "Attack On Memory"
Cleveland native Dylan Baldi started this as a solo project, but for his second album he wanted the live sound he heard behind him with his touring band, and so he turned to Albini to great effect.
I'll close with a material from his bands Big Black and Shellac
Big Black "Atomizer"
In his Village Voice review Robert Christgau called them "hateful little twerps." I'm guessing Christgau and Albini would have been fast friends.
Shellac "At Action Park"
There's so much more to dig into. Have at it! RIP Steve Albini.