Comments on: John Loder, 1946-2005.

John Loder, 1946-2005.

nylon — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 11:37:51 -0800

The legendary John Loder, owner of the fiercely independent Southern Records and Southern Studios, has died. In addition to championing many of the past couple of decade's best independent bands (Shellac, The Jesus Lizard, Jesus and Mary Chain, Fugazi, Minor Threat, Crass), he was a brilliant recording engineer and mastering specialist, responsible for overseeing some underground classics (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Mourners are requested to wear T-shirts and jeans. Rest in peace, John. You'll be missed.

By: OmieWise

OmieWise — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 11:47:44 -0800

., indeed.

By: joe lisboa

joe lisboa — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 12:15:25 -0800

By: dydecker

dydecker — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 12:30:41 -0800

To these ears, the production on Songs About Fucking and Psychocandy has dated terribly, if it ever was any good at all. It's like recording distorted guitars didn't get figured out until the early nineties. Yes, I do realize it is a bit unseemly to speak ill of the dead, but it's something to talk about and I'm not into posting dots.

By: dhoyt

dhoyt — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 12:37:18 -0800

To these ears, the production on Songs About Fucking and Psychocandy has dated terribly White folks love their high-end. :) They still sound great to me. And... .

By: joe lisboa

joe lisboa — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 12:43:15 -0800

On dot-view, I think the production on Psychocandy helped establish that record as canonical. Whether you think it's a deserved place, of course, is your opinion.

By: dydecker

dydecker — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 13:13:56 -0800

the production on Psychocandy helped establish that record as canonical Yes but the album is rather a one trick pony. The feedback doesn't vary in texture or timbre throughout the whole thing and only once or twice cuts through with any power (In A Hole, You Trip Me Up). Of course the Reid Brothers were rather limited musicians but still there is not the same variation and detail you find on something like Loveless. But the main sin is the reverb on the drums!

By: mrs.pants

mrs.pants — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 13:30:13 -0800

By: sohcahtoa

sohcahtoa — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 13:44:45 -0800

By: coach_mcguirk

coach_mcguirk — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 13:49:50 -0800

Dydecker : It was the 80s. Also, the two albums you mentioned haven't had a proper remaster since being simply dumped onto CD in the mid/late 80s. Back then, engineers feared that any digital signal over -12db would be inherently distorted. Nowadays we know different. Sure, many commercial releases are brickwalled so hard that there are no dynamics left. But listen to the remixed / remastered The Stooges 'Raw Power' - that's the way rock music should sound - red lights all the way. Both albums you mentioned could definitely benefit from a sympathetic remaster - but I'd leave the mixes alone.

By: dobbs

dobbs — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 14:13:06 -0800

. Dang. My fave Southern release (of many, many that I love) is probably Sweep the Leg Johnny's Tomorrow We Will Run Faster.

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 14:50:38 -0800

By: dejah420

dejah420 — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 18:12:45 -0800

Sad. I'm glad for him and his family that the end was mercifully fast. Still...tragic.

By: destro

destro — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 18:19:46 -0800

Not many people like this nowadays.

By: 3.2.3

3.2.3 — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 19:29:16 -0800

an original.

By: snowsuit

snowsuit — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 19:53:40 -0800

By: Ptrin

Ptrin — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 20:23:26 -0800

coach_mcguirk, I have seen the enemy, and he is you ;-) A good remastering is a blessing, certainly, but there's no need for "red lights all the way." CDs have > 100dB of dynamic range. I don't know about you, but I just don't play CDs above 100dB on my stereo. 100dB hurts. And if you're below that level, you don't need to redline anything.

By: bardic

bardic — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 22:22:42 -0800

Great man, great post. As for treble, these albums have nothing on Andy Gill!

By: mrblondemang

mrblondemang — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 22:55:22 -0800

A true inspiration to all... .

By: coach_mcguirk

coach_mcguirk — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 00:26:59 -0800

Ptrin : I think you misunderstand my point. I'm not saying that a CD should be mastered / enjoyed at 100db - that's patently ridiculous. But I'd definitely say that agressive rock music definitely needs to be driven somewhat, preferably through a nice pair of tubes. These would be the red lights I'm referring to. Not the overall SPL of the finished article.

By: fletchmuy

fletchmuy — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 08:06:26 -0800

Make sure you read the comments on that blogspot page. It's a who's who of indie rock royalty. And, .

By: jack_mo

jack_mo — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 11:29:53 -0800

A great shame.