Loud Pop
I’ve been thinking a bit about the sonic direction i’d like to take with the new material we’re working on. Back in the day, we were a little sprawling, drawing inspiration from anyhere and everywhere. We still do, but I think it’ll be a good idea to go into this recording project with more of a plan of attack this time.
The basic template I’m thinking of is a sound that Reed once described as “Loud Pop,” and it’s a very big, but very clean sound. Think heavy rock drums, with plenty of splashy cymbals, a deep and focused bass with some high end that sets it out in the mix, and guitars that can go from thickly layered and distorted, to crisp and clean. Tight, dry, and dynamic, with vocals upfront and center. Odd effects, guitar noise, and synth flourishes all have a place here, but it’s pushed to the sides, accenting rather than overwhelming. Here are a few albums that I think exemplify this sound:
Weezer: The Blue Album
Built to Spill: Keep It Like A Secret
The Smashing Pumpkins: Siamese Dream/Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness
Hum: Downward is Heavenward/You’d Prefer an Astronaut
That Dog: Retreat From The Sun
Jawbreaker: Dear You
Jets to Brazil: Orange Rhyming Dictionary
More thoughts about these albums and their sound later. Possibly including representative samples.