I'm sure the fact that 'Pop' was a bit rushed and that the band were a bit peeved with themselves over it, wanting to re-record parts and so forth, has been well-discussed on here.
Aside from that, when I return to it I'm always stunned by how bad the production job sounds. As soon as I clicked on the original 'Discotheque' the other day, my ears were swamped in a 3-metre-high wall of sonic sludge, from which Bono's voice simply could not be heard or understood. The worst may be 'Do You Feel Loved', a not-bad song (albeit not a great one) savaged by its awful studio bath.
I realize the guys were going for a new and progressive sound that wouldn't sound like a typical 60s-inspired guitar band, and that's to their credit. But with the best studio people in the world at their disposal, with trusted friends like Flood and with Nellee Hooper helping, how did they let it happen?
Don't get me wrong, I like 'Pop.' I think it's a fabulous collection of songs, but the songs are highly comprimised by the awful production -- and I don't think the band are largely to blame for it. So who is?
Aside from that, when I return to it I'm always stunned by how bad the production job sounds. As soon as I clicked on the original 'Discotheque' the other day, my ears were swamped in a 3-metre-high wall of sonic sludge, from which Bono's voice simply could not be heard or understood. The worst may be 'Do You Feel Loved', a not-bad song (albeit not a great one) savaged by its awful studio bath.
I realize the guys were going for a new and progressive sound that wouldn't sound like a typical 60s-inspired guitar band, and that's to their credit. But with the best studio people in the world at their disposal, with trusted friends like Flood and with Nellee Hooper helping, how did they let it happen?
Don't get me wrong, I like 'Pop.' I think it's a fabulous collection of songs, but the songs are highly comprimised by the awful production -- and I don't think the band are largely to blame for it. So who is?