Songs That Producers Totally Messed Up..

[ZenG]

Producers back in the day often wouldn't let a song out of the studio until they decided it was "right" for the masses. They often insisted on stuffing big drum tracks into songs that didn't require it....plus other effects as well.

I thought "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" was a productional wreck.

I also thought "Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers) was horribly done productionally.

What are some of your choice production " trainwrecks"?

 

[Groove Doctor]

Englishman in New York - Sting.
HUGE drum solo in the middle of the song.

 

[Radio]

I didn't mind the real orchestra strings and real horns in early R&B, (Thought they were out of place, though) especially Gamble and Huff Philadelphia sound, but when the synthesizers came into R&B, it ruined the sound, IMHO. This had to be a producer/label management decision to lower costs.

 

[Aberdumbie]

Almost the entire Abby Road album. Phil Spector did not do the Beatles any favors on that one. Granted I believe he had a lot of unfinished work he had to tidy up. But the final release by the greatest RNR group of all time deserved better.

 

[GregC]

Most of the 1980s. A lot of radio songs of that decade have a huge, echoing snare drum tone that often sounds artificial and is really annoying, IMO. Plus way too many synths on the Brit pop songs, and a jillion tracks of squealing, compressed guitars and backing vocals on the hair band stuff. Needless to say, there's not much I like from that decade that isn't punk or hip hop.

 

[RED J]

Well, drums and Beatles have already been mentioned. Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" Has the drums waaaaay too upfront in the mix IMHO. Somber song with bombastic drum levels just don't git it, if you ask me. Great and very insightful tune, overall.

 

[India_Sierra]

The 'Vapor Trails' album by Rush was a disaster when it came out. Loads of good songs buried under a sloppy, blaring mix with no dynamic quality. The fact that the band was never happy with it and released a remastered version is quite telling of the problems that first release had. It was a victim of the loudness wars, where records companies decided to forego quality for volume on the record to make it as loud as possible on the radio.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Don't know if it was the producer, or the band, but I think there is an issue with the Doors Light My Fire.

I think you'll all agree.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

80's pop music. Electronics drums, synth for everything else ... it was too obnoxious.

Otherwise I listen to music that I enjoy and think they are well made. I think the bands, artist of video game composer that I listen to keep control over their creation and so it doesn't end up like pop music were the artist didn't write the lyrics and it is made in the studio with the magic ingredians that would make money in that time ...

 

[FilterFunk]

So many of the Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" productions. It added a pleasing spaciousness and ambience to some songs, but it too often sounds like a "Wall of Mud" to my ears.

 

[Papalampraina]

Nobody's going to mention Metallica's "And justice for all"? I guess that was more Ulrich's idiocy, than the producer's fault.

 

[JimmyM]

Almost the entire Abby Road album. Phil Spector did not do the Beatles any favors on that one. Granted I believe he had a lot of unfinished work he had to tidy up. But the final release by the greatest RNR group of all time deserved better.

Spector did Let It Be. George Martin did Abbey Road.

 

[Aberdumbie]

Spector did Let It Be. George Martin did Abbey Road.

Terrible thing what time does to ones memories. You are absolutely correct. Thanks for that.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

While I agree many of these are over-produced by today's standard, there is some distortion looking lens of time... they weren't necessarily poorly produced, or perceived that way years ago. These things are cyclical.

 

[jnsnj]

Most of the 1980s

Double that

Specific example that comes to mind is the entire Stay Hungry album by Twisted Sister. It was a big hit but way to polished for their sound.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Terrible thing what time does to ones memories. You are absolutely correct. Thanks for that.

I was just coming here to post The Long And Winding Road- the big orchestral part really makes the song lame. The "Let It Be Naked" album really improves on it and other tracks.

 

[ahc]

The first couple of Allman Brothers studio albums were not well recorded. They sounded cloudy like a pillow was stuffed in front of the mics. They also sound "small". I can't really describe that any better. A shame IMHO. I'm a big fan.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

Pretty much the entire Leonard Cohen catalog from the mid 70s onward. I love those songs, but man, sometimes it's tough.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Producers back in the day often wouldn't let a song out of the studio until they decided it was "right" for the masses. They often insisted on stuffing big drum tracks into songs that didn't require it....plus other effects as well.

I thought "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" was a productional wreck.

I also thought "Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers) was horribly done productionally.

What are some of your choice production " trainwrecks"?

Any Glen Campbell. Fantastic writer and player whose songs all sound like maple syrup. Bleh.

 

[jamro217]

Tighter, Tighter by Alive 'N Kickin'. They used the "let's see what else we can throw in" approach. Dissonant fuzzy lead guitar, vibes, The Tijuana Brass, you name it. Unforgiveable.