Best Ever Albums

Re: 80s Production

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 06:19:53 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 02/23/2015 11:19

this one's for you, Infinity...

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Anthem by Black Uhuru

Sure to make any reggae purist cringe, this crossover album is actually quite fun in part because of that over the top, cheesy 80s production. My kind of guilty pleasure. Of course it wound up winning the grammy for best reggae album back in 1984 showing that nothing has changed at all - the grammy's have always been quite laughable.

Re: 80s Production

craola — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 02:05:17 GMT

Author: craola

Posted: 02/15/2015 07:05

LevonTostig wrote:

I think it's our tendency to associate that production style with music from the 80s that's actually bad. Many users probably immediately think of some cheesy 80s pop song when they hear the sound of overly compressed drums and whatnot.

I agree, sometimes those production schemes are used remarkable well and don't take anything away from the song. They can be somewhat "heavy" production styles, though, they kinda dominate the song...maybe that doesn't make sense, but I think you get what I mean.

Pretty much all of this. Some of that "overproduced 80s stuff" is ridiculously good though (Depeche Mode, New Order, Pet Shops Boys and Prefab Sprout come to mind). There was so much more going on in the 80s too though that people neglect when they say they hate 80s music. Post punk, early shoegaze and hip hop, dream pop, jangle pop, the beginnings of post rock, grunge, etc. There was a lot more going on than just the synth pop stuff.

Re: 80s Production

JasonZaia — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 01:03:50 GMT

Author: JasonZaia

Posted: 02/15/2015 06:03

I've always considered the 80's to possess two separate tiers of output:

1. The top Tier; representing the mainstream output of work - also known for its tendencies to 'overproduce' at times, as you've outlined in this forum.
And 2. The second, or lower tier; representing the underground movement, eventually reaching its climax with the coming of Nirvana, and ultimately going as far as to define the 90's sound.
Both tiers, in their own way, have significantly affected a change in music - as every decade has. Although, by today's standards, it seems true that the second tier was the one to really bring about an overall musical revolution that continues to this day. So, why does it seem that the second tier has achieved more? Well, I wouldn't exactly say it was because of the production. Rather, I'd say it was because the 'underground movement' was the one that began the 'indie' genre - independent music; self made; self motivated; self experimental. Throughout the 80's, it was the underground movement that lacked the pressure that was so against the mainstream. Therefore, they could focus on the music, and use that time to bring about something new, something interesting, and overall, something original to the masses. Meanwhile, many of the artists who'd previously achieved success throughout the 60's and 70's, felt the need to conform to the 'overproduced sound' as a way to remain in the spotlight - as it was the then-popular standard set by newer artists during the decade; I.e Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, soon spreading to all those others who desired success, much like them. Although, in saying all this, it of course also goes without saying that sometimes both of these 'tiers' would come together, ultimately producing some of the best music of the decade.

In conclusion, taste is taste. No one can explain why some are drawn to things more than others. All we can explain, is the overall development in music; what has affected change - in terms of popularity - and what hasn't. Songs that have that overproduced sound were once popular for a reason. And who knows, maybe they'll be popular again.

Re: 80s Production

HoldenM — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 00:56:56 GMT

Author: HoldenM

Posted: 02/15/2015 05:56

It's funny you mention this, because lately, this is the style I've been gravitating towards the most. I love those gated reverbed drums, shimmering guitars, elastic bass, and smooth-ass synths. I'm really happy that 80s synth pop and new wave are seeing a bit of a revival.

Re: 80s Production

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 23:39:00 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 02/15/2015 04:39

Infinity183 wrote:

calling them "cheap" and "outdated," even downright ruining what they would otherwise consider good music.

Why am I so alone in my personal preference towards 80s production?

Re: 80s Production

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 17:25:23 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 02/14/2015 22:25

I love the '80s

Re: 80s Production

Skinny — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:01:04 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 02/14/2015 19:01

My 1980s chart might be right up your street.

80s Production

Infinity183 — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 10:00:53 GMT

Author: Infinity183

Posted: 02/14/2015 15:00

This is probably the single thing that most separates me the most from everyone else in terms of musical taste. I always love songs that have that extra kick in the snare, infectious synth rhythms, and grinding guitar riffs. Slower tracks are also pretty cool, typically utilizing raindrop-like percussion and vibrant pads. Almost every serious music fan I know, however, absolutely despises these styles, calling them "cheap" and "outdated," even downright ruining what they would otherwise consider good music.

Why am I so alone in my personal preference towards 80s production? I do admit that typical records from the 80s sound very fixed within their time period as a result of their instrumentation, but I still don't understand why the 80s are derided so much more in this category than any other decade. Are drum machines and synthesizers somehow "manufactured," just because they don't include the typical guitar/drum kit? Electronic instruments certainly don't prevent albums like Discovery and Kid A from being regarded as classics. As for those songs that are played with a move live instrumentation, what exactly makes them so lifeless and artificial? Albums produced in the 60s, at least in my opinion, are just as easy to spot for their date without looking up as those from the 80s. The drums may not be as loud and there aren't as many synthesizers, but in most cases, it's still extremely obvious when an album is from the 60s, even if it's really good (like Pet Sounds and Rubber Soul, for example). On the flip side, it's very easy to identify Prince's Purple Rain with the 80s for its production, but it's still an artistic masterpiece regardless, full of unique influences, multiple quirks in its layering, and appropriate distinction between each track. Despite this, it's not even in the top 100 here (though it does top its own year), while countless albums of the same merit from the antiquated 60s are.

Just to clarify, I'm only referring to production, not lyrical content or song structure. It's pretty uncontroversial that for the most part, 80s music lacked the complexity of the surrounding decades. For me personally, it makes up for structural genericness with crisp, pulsating, and often inventive production, which everyone else seems to consider part of the problem. Artistically, I prefer the 70s, but for pure listening purposes, the 80s are probably my favorite musical decade.