Here's an interesting question. I am not attending this to be bashing PJ.

I was thinking, the major complant about the last 3 albums as been the production. "Binaural" the band themselves didnt' like this one. "Riot Act" and S/t many fans like the songs but they have production issues. Am I correct?

Anyway, what if "Backspacer" sounds flat this time with Brenden O'Brien, who in my opinion is one of the top produces in the world. If this does happen, do we now have to turn and "blame" the band? It's a legitament question. They still kick ass live but for whatever reason haven't been able to get that feeling or energy in the studio as great as the albums have been. Probably feel a little uncomfortable. Anyway, what do you guys think?

I have the opposite complaint about R/A. The songs are mostly mediocre (besides a few gems) but the production is really good.

spot on.

I second that. I like the Avocado production, too. The Binaural production fucking stinks though. As long as the new one has more a Yield production as opposed to a Vs one (that tinny fucking snare ) we'll be alright with Brendan, I'm guessing.

I don't mind the Binaural production, I just wish they trusted Tchad to do the whole album. S/T has the worst production of any PJ album by a long shot.

i love the shit outta the binaural and riot act productions

hate the shit outta avocado's production and most of its songs

its going to be super compressed and lack sound variation

Binaural is tied with Yield for best production on a PJ album.

If S/T is any indicator, you're right.

this is the truth

agreed--songs like can't keep and I am mine are so rich and textured


if the production is weak here then the band either really needs to blame themselves unless it's been a while since BoB had hs name attatched to a nice sounding record

I don't think Backspacer will sound flat. Avocado sounds flat and its reached the point where I can't listen to it anymore, even though I like some of the songs. I just don't care for the tone of the album.

But if the clip from the Fixer gave anything away, its that Jeff and Matt sound extremely good. The drums and bass sound great together and I trust Stone and Mike to step up throughout the rest of the album. I'm just worried about the lyrics and melodies. I hope they stand out.

I'm the opposite. I'm not filled with confidence by the fixer clips; while S/T sounded flat they sound 'fake'

The Fixer reminds me of Yield with Matt Cameron drumming.

From what I've heard of four songs so far (The Fixer, Got Some, The End and Speed of Sound), The Fixer has the least legs in terms of how it will stand the test of time. It sounds like a single for radio. It's good, but it's not good. I'm more excited to hear what they've done in the studio with The End, Speed of Sound and Unthought Known.

BUT yeild was good...sigh, it must be matt.

It seems generally forgotten that the only album that Brendan O' Brien has had no part of the production was S/T.
So it seems pretty safe to bet that the mess that is S/T won't happen again.

I think the band trusts BoB enough with their music to let him do his job. Look at the Ten Redux. The album will sound good, it's up to the band to give him good songs.

S/T sounds like they downloaded a 128 kb/s leak and burned it to cd-r's to sell to the public.