Do you think you could Manage the Bunnymen Better

[fat cherry]

about the only song (i've heard) i like from slideling is love in veins, which is lyrically not a million miles from this stuff, is that it sounds like four blokes thrashing it out - simple guitar chord-riff, simple words and a simple guitar solo in the middle. lots of space i between it all. I'd go for an album of that. hey - back to basics and all that, with a few sergentian swooshing sound effects, no doubt.

[moses (2)]

i think walk makes Cropcodiels a masterpiece is the fact that they are not as simple as we think : thpse siongs had dynamics and dated to epxlrie -- most bands as they develop tend to become somewhat formulaic ..



I mean how many bands at the time were writing
lyrics like:

The sky seems full when you're in the cradle
The rain will fall and wash your dreams
Stars are stars and they shine so hard

Now you spit out the sky because it's empty and hollow
All your dreams are hanging out to dry
Stars are stars and they shine so cold
or songs like Going up or all that Jazz or Happy Death Men --

[kook]

erm, I believe the appropriate turn of phrase here to be,
word up, Moses!

[Mr.Sparkle]

I'm not suggesting a carbon copy of Crocodiles, complete with early 80s-style songs. I don't think anybody expects that, although many of those songs are as basic composition wise as you'd get from any band. Probably what makes it such a great album.

What I was suggesting was just taking the sound where the songs are stripped down, getting rid of stuff like keyboards, putting in more rythmn guitar, bass and adding live-sounding percussion. I mean, after all, they appear to be more of a live than a recordings band nowadays. Producing a collection of 11 uptempo rock songs that have more of a live sound to might be a lot easier to record. Either that or it's the Glide route. I can't really see what else they can do.

I hear ya. That would be one route to go and could be a good decision. If and when another album is made I just want to see Will take a little more control of what is put on the album and how it sounds. I'm not opposed to another album with similar production to the Fountain (it's probably what we'll get anyways) but no more of this horrible mix where Ian's vocals are way louder than the rest of the instruments. The guy's ego is way out of control and Will's the only one that can stop it!!

Also, a younger producer would be a good thing for the next album if it ever happens. But if Will doesn't give a shit anymore (and I think that's a possibility) they should just stop releasing albums under the Bunnymen name. I understand if he's just doing it for money at this point, but they can do that by just touring.

[DivaDiana77]

After reading Turquise Days, it seems that the American side of things was really trying to convince them to keep it together, turn out another album and they'd go mega over here. Wish they had. Maybe things would be different. Maybe if Pete hadn't died. We can list a million if onlys but we only have what is/was. :(

[the ghost of guitarplayer]

A younger producer would be a good thing for the next album if it ever happens.

Ideal producer? Liam Watson who did the White Stripes' Elephant did a good job with Hugh Cornwell's last album, sounded very retro, sort of late 70s in sound. There is a specific track, Banging on At the Same Old Beat, that specifically reminds me of Villiers Terrace.

[black francis]

I want Kevin Shields, Nick Lowe, Steve Albini or Scouser to produce the next album. I don't know what Scouser does for a living but I know I can trust him to do the right thing when Mac brings in another batch of half assed pop tunes.

[the ghost of guitarplayer]

Scouser? I think even you BF could produce the next one. I'll be the engineer to give extra input - even before we start, I vote to put the "do do dos" at the back of the mix.

One of the reasons that I'm particularly a fan of Liam Watson is that he owns a studio equipped with all old recording equipment. Not like the Bunnymen have not used retro equipment before - otherwise Ocean Rain would not have sounded like it did.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct03/a ... tudios.htm

http://www.toeragstudios.co.uk/index.html

Problem is now with the obvious connections with Parr St Studios is that they probably can't be arsed to record a whole album elsewhere. Wonder if they get a discount or free use of Parr St?

[Dr Cheese]

I don't know what Scouser does for a living but I know I can trust him to do the right thing when Mac brings in another batch of half assed pop tunes.

Chuck Mac in the Mersey along with his latest collection of lightweight, inconsequential pop songs and ballad/dirges?

I'd pay good money to see that.

[black francis]

Scouser? I think even you BF could produce the next one. I'll be the engineer to give extra input - even before we start, I vote to put the "do do dos" at the back of the mix.

You guys probably wouldn't want me to produce. I'd take them to Nashville see if Hank Williams III was busy and get them in the same studio. Toss in some Nashville session men and hand Will a banjo (for you Jack).

Or I'd bring them to L.A. and get them and Danzig in the same studio.

Or and maybe this would be best I would get Daniel B and P Codenys in the studio. I wouldn't have to do a thing then.

[black francis]

Chuck Mac in the Mersey along with his latest collection of lightweight, inconsequential pop songs and ballad/dirges?

I'd pay good money to see that.

I'd push to Scouser knighted.

[Scouser]

The Next Bunnymen Album - Excerpts From Scousers Studio Tapes

Day 1

9.07am Will arrives, tunes guitar. No sign of Mac.

10.13am Will makes coffees (I have a Latte, Will has an Americano). No sign of Mac.

1.33pm Lunch. I send out for pizza. Will has a Pot Noodle. Mac still absent.

3.46pm Will dusts around studio, I do a Soduku. No reply from Macs mobile.

4.07pm Will has to leave to clean out the Gerbils. I play Tetris on my I Phone.

5.56pm Mac arrives with an H&M carrier bag full of lyrics and a demo tape. He drops them off before heading off into town for a colonic irrigation.

5.57pm I read through lyrics. Lyrics are non specific and full of spelling mistakes. Decide to play demo tape instead.

6.43pm Lose will to live. Demo tape is crap.

6.47pm - 11.46pm Record free jazz, drum n bass, improvised jam ready for Mac to add his lyrics in the morning.

Day 2

9.03am Will arrives and listens to my mix. Likes them and overlays reverb drenched guitar and droning keyboards. We high five each other. This could be a Bunnymen masterpiece. Decide the drums needs beefing up so ask Chris Sharrock to do some drum fills on the faster numbers. Will now alive with ideas and new possibilities. Mac leaves message at Reception he cant make it to the studio.

10.36am - 6.11pm. Album starting to take shape. Bring in string quartet and choir for final track. Record the backing and then let Will improvise a devastating two minute guitar outro over the top that he nails in one take. Mix the results and we both have tears in our eyes.

Day 3

9.09am Start to mix opening track which is a sample of a crashing wave looped and inverted till it sounds massive with Will manipulating his effects pedal to get a wailing, keening guitar sound. When they are overlapped it sounds almost supernatural, definately otherworldly and supreme.

10.11am Mac arrives and demands to hear progress so far. Excitedly me and Will play him the fruits of our labours.

11.09am Mac apopletic with rage. Demands he re-record all Will's guitar parts and asks management to sack me.

11.10am I am sacked.

11.13am Master tapes erased. Will weakly protests. Mac orders him to go to Starbucks and get him a double shot Espresso and a muffin.

12.19am Mac has called in top production team Xenomania (Girls Aloud) to complete the album. Sounds like every Bunnymen album post Grey. Only worse. Will cheers himself up with a Pot Noodle.

1.56pm Dave Smith writes on Facebook "Cant wait for new Bunnymen album"

2.46pm Mac finishes for the day, orders Will to put all the equipment away and turn off the lights on his way out.

4.49pm Will, by now alone, shoots one final glance back at the mixing desk where he so nearly made the Bunnymen relevant again. He reaches for his bag, checks he has his bicycle clips, and turns out the lights. Slowly he makes his way to the dark and rainy car park. From a distance, in the dwindling light, he shuffles home. Alone.





The End

[DivaDiana77]

Bedbugs and Ballyhoo is on right now at Starbucks. I'm cracking up.

That's the way the bee bumbles.
That's the way the thunder rumbles....

[withahip]

[crystal daze]

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