Monday, March 21, 2011

What's David M. Allen up to?

He's been busy in the studio with Black Wildes, and will be working with Reptile & Retard next. (Thanks Christian)

Update: For those who missed it last year, here's David talking to Andrew Collins on BBC 6 (May 19th, 2010).

25 comments:

  1. He's also married to one of the teachers at my college ;)

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  2. Nice! Does he ever drop by? : )

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  3. I wikipedia him because I did not know who he was so it turned out that he was a producer for the Wish album. Can someone explained what a music producer does when it comes to producing an album? Do they work for the label or does the artist hire them? Is their roll more of financial business side (everyone put the bottle down and start recording or we will miss our deadline), or is it more helping the artist create the album (you should use the sound for this song).

    Thanks for the info.

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  4. I'll leave it to someone more qualified to answer exactly what a producers role is, but David didn't just produce Wish, he produced all albums from The Top through Wish.

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  5. The role of a music producer varies from band to band, but it is much closer to your second definition than the first, Xuan. Depending on the situation, the producer may be picked by the band, or a record company may find the producer for them. Generally speaking, the older and more well established a band is, the more likely they are to be able to choose their own producer.

    The producer is often/usually responsible for the overall sound of the album. Their job is to work with the band to create the sound they hear in their head, or to help the band break out of their own heads and create something different/better than what they would otherwise be capable of. And yes, sometimes being the disciplinarian goes along with the territory...making sure everyone turns up, is sober enough to play, etc. etc. etc. Or, in the case of Ross Robinson, that everyone is pissed off, Robert's voice is on-edge and sounds harsh, and Jason is sufficiently beating the sh!t out of his cymbals (see the bonus DVD that came with "The Cure" for evidence).

    Notice that the band used the same producer during the best and most consistent years of their career, that being Mr. David M. Allen. Also note that, along with lots of other changes, Dave Allen was gone and many other producers were involved on W.M.S. That, along with the different drummers, are the main reasons I think some songs on that record sound great while others sound like arse.

    For extra credit, see this fantastic interview with Mike Hedges about the making of A Forest/Seventeen Seconds:

    http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec04/articles/classictracks.htm

    It's either a fantastic read or boring as hell, depending on where you're coming from. But it is an obvious example of a great producer working with a young but ambitious band to produce something stronger than they probably would have been capable of otherwise.

    Also worth mentioning is that Robert essentially co-produced every cure record after T.I.B. Also, I think the last two records are strong evidence that the band should be working with someone with a strong vision who is not a cure fan. Robert "obviously" (IMHO) cannot be trusted anymore.

    Long-winded as ever, sorry! Hope this is somewhat helpful...

    GS

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  6. Gary, I appreciate the info on your post. Even though I have family members who are producers (country music of all things) of very popular artists, it has always remained a mystery what they do, exactly.

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  7. This is so weird, I've been thinking for the last week or so that they should get him for their next album!!!

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  8. Wow, thank you for the great post Gary. That helps me to understand what they do. I always thought that the band creates the music then goes records it.

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  9. Does anyone know why he stopped working with The Cure? Will he ever work with the band again? Most importantly, can he bring Boris Williams with him?

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  10. Leo - Dave did work with them fairly recently,co producing live versions of the first four title tracks Three Imaginary Boys through Pornography..
    Titled "4Play", it was released on iTunes with a companion interview with Robert giving us an insight on each track.

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  11. @ Notherbob: nope it was Mike Hedges who produced 4Play.

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  12. Gary: Excellent post! Thank you.

    Leo: David talks a bit about the split with Robert in his interview on BBC 6 last year. Just re-posted the file on the front page.

    notherbob: That wasn't David, that was Mike Hedges on 4Play.

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  13. "Also, I think the last two records are strong evidence that the band should be working with someone with a strong vision who is not a cure fan. Robert "obviously" (IMHO) cannot be trusted anymore"

    Very well worded and so true..

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  14. Leo: But if you don't feel like listening to that, David says that Disintegration broke their working relationship, then there was a disagreement over Wish, and David left before they mixed it. He says there wasn't any falling out with Robert and that he'd work with them again.

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  15. And attended NME's godlike genius gig not 2 years ago

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/23797386@N00/3317596620/

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  16. In fact, just over 2 years ago...God where does it go?

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. A producers primary role: is to get the album made. Period. A lot of people tend to think that the producer has something to do with the sound. This can be true too. Sometimes a producer is tasked with making sure that the album is something that the label can market and sell. This is where the idea of the "production" as a sonic quality comes from.

    However, there is often a confusion as to who is responsible for the "sound" of the album. Many times, this has a lot more to do with the engineer/mixer/mastering than any input of the producer. A producer may work with the band to craft a song or act as a sounding board. But it's more along the lines of "Have you thought about using that bridge as the melody for the verse?"

    Usually if you see the producer share an engineering credit, then you have a more accurate assessment of his role in the sonic mix. However, don't get it twisted. Sometimes a producer is nothing more than a glorified A&R man.

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  19. Yes but in the case of The Cure and Dave Allen, Dave does have an influence in the sound.

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  20. Bit random but I was at Rogers show in London last night.

    Said Hi to him in the gents toilets of all places.

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  21. *Blushes*

    Right you are.. :p

    *Dies of embarrassment*

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  22. I may be able to redeem myself, though..
    I have a Curespotting.. A new Australian series started this week titled "Winners and Losers" and the beginning of the pilot episode played an edited version of Lovecats

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  23. Thanks for sharing this Craig. Very interesting listen.

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  24. Obviously different from The Cure but you can get some insight on Depeche Mode's albums by watching the DVDs that came with their remasters. Kind of like what Gary said, it can be very interesting for some but others would likely find it boring.

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