Support NeoGAF

[Vanillalite]

NPR Music

A documentary directed by Foo Fighters frontman, Nirvana drummer and musical everyman Dave Grohl, Sound City: Real to Reel is an exuberant ode to rock 'n' roll, told through the story of Sound City Studios and its custom analog console.

Founded in Van Nuys, Calif., in 1969, the no-frills dive bar of a studio — and its Neve console, described by Neil Young as "the Enterprise on steroids" — helped produce a staggering number of hits, including Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl," Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Damn the Torpedoes and Nirvana's Nevermind. The studio remained committed to analog recording techniques, even with the rise of digital technology. When the studio closed in 2011, Grohl bought the legendary console and moved it to his own studio, Studio 606.

It's at this point in the documentary that the soundtrack, out March 12, picks up. At Grohl's invitation, many artists representing the history of Sound City reunite at Studio 606 to write and record new songs as a testament to the console and the fading art of live recording. Stevie Nicks sounds as urgent and bewitching as ever in "You Can't Fix This." The heavily anticipated collaboration between Paul McCartney and former members of Nirvana may have only taken three hours to write and record, but it's tight and pretty thrilling. Trent Reznor's lovely contribution, "Mantra," serves as a reminder that for some musicians, digital technology wasn't a shortcut, but a means to enhance the art form. Grohl aims to honor the magic of the soundboard in this energized collection of songs, but it's clearly the magic of the people and the inspiration that comes from working with gifted friends and colleagues.

Sound City – Real to Reel:

01. Dave Grohl, Peter Hayes, and Robert Levon Been – “Heaven and All”
02. Brad Wilk, Chris Goss, Dave Grohl, and Tim Commerford – “Time Slowing Down”
03. Dave Grohl, Rami Jaffee, Stevie Nicks, and Taylor Hawkins – “You Can’t Fix This”
04. Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Rick Springfield, and Taylor Hawkins – “The Man That Never Was”
04. Alain Johannes, Dave Grohl, Lee Ving, Pat Smear, and Taylor Hawkins – “Your Wife Is Calling”
06. Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Rick Nielsen, and Scott Reeder – “From Can to Can’t”
07. Alain Johannes, Chris Goss, Dave Grohl, and Joshua Homme – “Centipede”
08. Alain Johannes, Chris Goss, Dave Grohl, and Joshua Homme – “A Trick With No Sleeve”
09. Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear – “Cut Me Some Slack”
10. Dave Grohl, Jessy Greene, Jim Keltner, and Rami Jaffee – “Once Upon a Time… The End”
11. Dave Grohl, Joshua Homme, and Trent Reznor – “Mantra”

 

[Vanillalite]

On a side note didn't think I'd actually like the Trent track, but I'm actually really digging this one!

 

[BroDudeGuy]

Thanks, really been looking forward to this, the documentary was awesome.

 

[TheKaeptain]

I haven't seen the Doc but I want it. So far these tracks are sounding good.

 

[Bread]

On a side note didn't think I'd actually like the Trent track, but I'm actually really digging this one!

Awesome, can't wait to hear this one.

 

[Vanillalite]

Just a bump for Morning-GAF that might have missed this.

 

[Xzeon]

rad, thanks.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

OMGOMGOMG! Can't wait to listen to this! Mantra sounded awesome in its instrumental form.

Here's the recording process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUBHeJXNCI

 

[ToxicAdam]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Alpende]

Can't wait to listen to this when I get home. I'm really interested in the Josh Homme tracks.

 

[Akahige]

fcuk yeah Mantra

 

[Vanillalite]

2nd half of the album >>>>>> 1st half of the album