Heartland

Since we all seem to agree that mr Allen did a realy poor job, to say it polite, who could have been the right person at the controls?

I do go for Big Black's Steve Albini, he s the only one i can think of who could transfer the girls' powerfull live sound to the studio.

Good call, and a great question. Others I'd have in the frame would be Roli Mosimann (Swans, Young Gods) and of course a John Ashton/Andrew Eldritch combination.

I don't have problems with the production of FALAA.

The original '85 mixes are nice and clear and punchy enough, and seem to my ears to coexist peacefully with Eldritch's own production on the NTTC B-sides.

The Japanese remixes and subsequent "remasters" taken from those are another story entirely, but then we all know that they're not FALAA as originally issued so they don't count.

Whether or not the vinyl is representative of the live sound is mostly irrelevant, I think. The SGWBM notes should be read: "the records were never supposed to reflect that experience - it's a different medium, and one we're still learning".

I guess the correct alternate producer could only be Eldritch himself, but then it would be a different record.

mh wrote:I don't have problems with the production of FALAA.

The original '85 mixes are nice and clear and punchy enough, and seem to my ears to coexist peacefully with Eldritch's own production on the NTTC B-sides.

The Japanese remixes and subsequent "remasters" taken from those are another story entirely, but then we all know that they're not FALAA as originally issued so they don't count.

Whether or not the vinyl is representative of the live sound is mostly irrelevant, I think. The SGWBM notes should be read: "the records were never supposed to reflect that experience - it's a different medium, and one we're still learning".

I guess the correct alternate producer could only be Eldritch himself, but then it would be a different record.

I'm completely with you ... nothing to add.

i don't think the original FALAA is so badly produced, a bit muddy perhaps but better than the subsequent remixes/re-masterss (not including the box-set version which is the first genuine cd transfer of the orig. vinyl.)

von's... err..thoroughness and attention to details is a fine , fine thing when he's only got himself to irritate and/or endless cash/studio time, but in 1984 with illness, dead-lines, and prima donna's a-go-go the album would have probably never seen tye light of day -not with a band still intact to promote and tour it- if someone else hadn't have taken the job on.

however, people i'd be interested to see produce the sisters now (purely for curiosities sake) would be people like Neil Landstrum or tobias schmidt, perhaps; successful (though underground) techno producers with punk-attitudes and gritty senses of humour. or maybe Justin Broadrick of Godflesh or Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel/Nailbomb.

or the KLF.
or will.i.am.....

Timbaland or David Guetta.

The production of falaa leaves you with the same feeling like the Cure's concert lp. It s a good live album but you just don't get that live feeling Siouxsie's nocturne has where you realy feel you are part of the audience.

I don't like the sterilised drum sound, it lacks that powerful beat you hear on any live recording.

I hate the fact that little details are hidden and you only take notice of them if you realy pay attention like the acoustic guitar or the hint of a piano on 9w9 or the guitars and backing vocals at the second part of Marian. Also there seems to be a void between the voice and the guitars, it just dosen't sound right.

It s like he was given a job to do he had no interest in.

Not that any of this affect the quality of the songs, it just could be far superior.

Bartek wrote:Timbaland or David Guetta.

Then I'd better like Trevor Horn, would fit in the time as well. Imagine Black Planet with the punchy attitude and speed of Frankies Two Tribes. I'm sure the Doctor would be capable of that. And, not to forget, the video of Welcome To The Pleasuredome perfectly resembles Sisters history, one band member after another gets lost in the temple of love errm sins

Video Killed the Radio Star.

but it would be funny to listen new wave/pop and gloomy, doomy TSOM.
in fact only one that is missing in Walk Away it's funky bass and a bit of synths.

FALAA's production would probably have been no better if just left to With TOL and B+S he was already moving towards a more watered down, ersatz version of the original sound. Even on TRH there were signs that he was not only covering his vocals in multiple layered effects but also burying them a little deeper in the mix. By the time of the WH side of
FALAA, the guitars have become so light and jangly, the rhythm section so emasculated (Lurch barely audible and the allegedly improved DA no longer the driving force) that claims of being a "rock'n'roll" band, let alone an "industrial groove machine" were simply laughable. TSOM were generally as alternative as Prefab Sprout, as rebellious as MCR today, rock lite for the masses rather than the cutting edge zeitgeist capturing northern urban rock with that menacing, knowing swagger we all knew and loved.
Whilst vestiges of the old (or indeed 'live') band sound remained - on Gimme Shelter, the B+S b sides, the last two tracks on FALAA, Lucretia, Emma, etc, the first two albums were largely a major disappointment to those raised on Alice, Adrenochrome and Floorshow.
Recruiting David Allan as producer was part of the bid for wider recognition, the Faustian pact with the major label to become the TOTP fixture that Bowie had been a decade earlier, but the stripped out dumbed down style on FALAA had more to do with getting on Saturday Superstore than recreating the Spirit of Altamont.[/i]

Victim of Circumstance wrote: Then I'd better like Trevor Horn, would fit in the time as well. Imagine Black Planet with the punchy attitude and speed of Frankies Two Tribes. I'm sure the Doctor would be capable of that. And, not to forget, the video of Welcome To The Pleasuredome perfectly resembles Sisters history, one band member after another gets lost in the temple of love errm sins

The first name that popped in to my head also..

Ross Robinson. He'd make things metal. Just the way I like it.

Ralf Hütter from Kraftwerk

I thought Hutter (& Schneider) too.

Give it a bit of polish

Maybe we should/could turn this thread into a poll

Too many options.

The guys from f**k Buttons can always have a go and update the old doctor...

I think he should produce everyone, his CV is insanely good. Also his name couldn't be any more apt