In issue #12 we chatted with guitarist Stephen about the Blasting Room Studios and his time recording in The Descendents and All. Here he delivers an album chock full of guest vocalists (members of Alkaline Trio, MXPX, Lagwagon, Rise Against and more) and all recorded, produced and mastered by...
With guitarist/co-producer Buddy Miller (issue #34) and two surprising covers of songs by Low (issue #31) it's a Tape Op love fest here. Fans of Plant's collaboration with Alison Krauss will love this, with Patty Griffin providing a fine foil and the backing band in excellent form. A...
I interviewed drummer/recordist/producer Alan Evans in issue #76, and found his positive, creative attitude infectious. Here the band delivers instrumental versions of Beatles songs (not all from Rubber Soul, and not live in front of an audience, as I assumed at first) tracked in four days at...
In issue #70 we got the scoop on Sufjan's unorthodox recording techniques. This new album is more "electronic-y" with some "real" instruments mucked around with in some crazy ways. I think I like it a lot. Try "Impossible Soul" out (it's only 25 minutes long)...
In issue #76 I cornered Mac McCaughan in a donut shop and picked his brain about different recording scenarios. Mac hinted that producer/engineer Scott Solter (issue #67) would be an interesting person for Superchunk to work with, and guess what, they did. The record sounds big, clear, full and...
For album number five, The Thermals hook up with producer Chris Walla (issue #19) at Jackpot! Recording in Portland, OR (I know, that's my studio, but screw you if you think I'm doing this to serve my own interests - I dig The Thermals). Chris later mixed this all-analog album at his...
In issue #20 we caught Tobin post-Guided ByVoices and picked his brain about his lovely solo albums. Years on, this one is just as melodic and beautiful as ever. Recorded in his home-based Moonflower Studio, as well as at Grand Rapids, MI's Goon Lagoon (with Tommy Schichtel and Dave Stanton)....
In issue #47 we chatted with these guys about their unique way of constructing songs on their first album using member Brent Knopf's Deeler program. Four albums later their sound remains similar yet still interesting. Recorded by the band, the album was mixed with Jeff Stuart Saltzman...
The leader of Varnaline and a member of Space Needle, Anders was interviewed way back in issue #2. Wow. Here he presents two albums for the price of one: Skyscraper and Crow. It's pretty cool, as Skyscraper is built mostly around electronic drums and synths (recorded at Dog Hair Studio in...
In issue #66 Roy Silverstein checked out Paleo (David Andrew Strackany) and his song-a-day for a year project. Here he presents comparatively modest set of 13 songs in his ragged, enthusiastic style. Songs were recorded by Paleo at home, at Coat of Arms in Nashville with Jesse Newport and with Roy...
In issue #71 I interviewed guitarist Andy Gill at his private studio in London. He mentioned Go4 would be working on new material. Here it is. They made it at Andy's. It rocks.
I interviewed Amsterdam's Zea (Arnold De Boer) in issue #52 at his home studio, where most of this fun, hyperkinetic album was recorded. Other sessions took place at Next to Jaap Studio in Voorhout, with Corno Zwetsloot, and in Arnold's parents' garage in Makkum. Mastered by Foppe...