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Back to Rick Rubin, my impression is that he's about putting a different spin on an artist's sound, yet still staying true to who they are. Like a stripped-down NIN song, which under different circumstances you'd never associate w/ Johnny Cash, yet when you put it together, it absolutely worked. Under the same idea, he's talked about infusing a bit of a rock edge while producing the Dixie last (Grammy award winning)album, reflecting what they'd gone through the previous year. Different approach and spin, and still sounds like them. Given that both acts really weren't on anyone's radar for various reasons at the time, and given the acclaim and success of both records, that's why I'd be interested to see what he would do with a Crowded House project.

Another one good at that type of nuturing w/ the artist is Brendan O'Brien. He seems to be able to work wit the artist in distilling their best musical tendencies, yet somehow giving them a fresh spin and encouraging them to do a bit more fusion with other sounds. His multi-album collaboration w/ Springsteen seems to be done with, and he's worked multiple times w/ Pearl Jam, so there's the Vedder connection...

I agree with Shadowman that Danger Mouse would be really interesting. The stuff with Gorilaz and The Good, The Bad, and The Queen is excellent but its hard to distinguish what his or Damiens contributions. I also think that Dangermouse is already approaching producer-like God status and maybe hard to catch. Also the CH is so not 'street' that Danger Mouse may not find the proposition attractive.

Nigel Goodrich does have the Beck connection through Matt. But I can't see any credits for Matt on my Beck albums so has Matt actualy been in the same studio as Nigel. Do you think Nigel met Neil when he worked on TWT?

I think the issue with Rick Rubin is that he tends to work with the same group of backing musicians all the time (the Heartbreakers, etc.), and I can't really see CH needing to be augmented that way. Now, he hasn't had to do that with the Chili Peppers, I don't think, but his other stuff tends to go that way. Brendan O'Brian did some nice work with Pete Droge and the Thorns; that could be cool. Paul Fox (XTC, Natalie Merchant) could be interesting as well; not sure what he's done lately, though.

Flood is an interesting choice. I like what he did on a number of records in the 80's and 90's, but what excites me as a fan still interested in seeing Crowded House as a living breathing progressing band, is that bringing someone like Flood in is taking things in a different direction to where they've been.

I'd vote for Steve Lillywhite to do the entire Cd this time.

I'd love to see CH record an edgier and heavier album. Often live they go on those amazing rock tangents and then you listen to the album version and it pales in comparison. Due to the fact that Neil has written so many exquisite ballads you forget that he is just as good at writing heavier and/or up-tempo material.

I think Neil needs to differentiate Crowded House Mk II's sound from his solo stuff for more of a band sound. Obviously most of TOE was meant to be the 3rd solo album but it runs together with TWT and One Nil and becomes a 'samey'. Flood sounds like a good producer for the next album.

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Originally posted by Dowdy:
I'd love to see CH record an edgier and heavier album. Often live they go on those amazing rock tangents and then you listen to the album version and it pales in comparison. Due to the fact that Neil has written so many exquisite ballads you forget that he is just as good at writing heavier and/or up-tempo material.

I think Neil needs to differentiate Crowded House Mk II's sound from his solo stuff for more of a band sound. Obviously most of TOE was meant to be the 3rd solo album but it runs together with TWT and One Nil and becomes a 'samey'. Flood sounds like a good producer for the next album.

Dowdy, could not agree more on those points. I have a feeling that the sixth Crowded House album will be dramatically different to TOE. As you stated, it was meant to be the third solo album. Considering that Mark and Matt only play on tracks 2,3,6 and 12, I don't think Time On Earth is the best indication of how good the band can sound. Plus, Matt and Mark were contributing retroactively where they needed to make parts to suit the tracks that were 90% finished. Next time around, they'll make their contributions from the demo process. Good though TOE was, I think Crowded House need to move forward with the sound they've established here in the same way Neil needed to break away from the Crowded House sound when he went solo.

I think we can expect a musically heavier album next time, though I doubt it would be to the extent of Together Alone, I think it will be a less mellow affair. I agree in that we need some more up-tempo material in future and that Neil has written some timeless rock songs. While the tone of TOE was appropriate for the purposes the album was trying to achieve, i'd hate to see them make this their signature sound.

I'm not asking for 12 "Black and white boy" style tracks, but definitely some more variation next time around in terms of pace would be fantastic. I think that's a realistic expectation that will be met.

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Matt and Mark were contributing retroactively where they needed to make parts to suit the tracks that were 90% finished.

I haven't seen any quotes from the band to indicate this is how things happened. It sounds to me like the songs Matt and Mark played on were recorded from scratch with the new lineup - not augmented by Matt and Mark after having been recorded. Does anyone know of anything that says otherwise?

The four Steve Lillywhite tracks were recorded fully with the new lineup. I don't have my CD/liner notes handy, but I believe Mark and Matt (Mark more) contributed some overdubs to the Neil solo stuff. I'm fairly sure Mark is doing the slide guitar on "Nobody Wants To"--I think stuff like that is what Joel means by contributing "retroactively"..

How about Daniel Lanois?? I think he would put an amazing touch on a CH CD and he would definitely bring the best out of Neil.

interestingly, i'm just listening to PJ Harvey's new album 'White Chalk', which is produced by Flood. Its a really beautiful, understated album with some wonderful flourishes here and there. Makes me interested to think what he'd be able to accomplish with Crowded House.

a co-production with sir george martin and mitchell froom.

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Originally posted by stuartjb:
a co-production with sir george martin and mitchell froom.

Wellll... one of them is slightly deaf and more than slightly retired (albeit an unparalleled genius). And the other is a boring re-hash of the past.

If they were to "reuse" any producers I'd put in a vote for Tchad Blake. Lo-fi, too. Yay!

I think Daniel Lanois is a great suggestion!

I'm not conciously familiar with Flood's work... but more to the point, it's so exciting to hear the band talking about a new album! With a new producer! Brilliant!

Oh, one last thought, how about Tim Finn produces??

Anyone except Jeff Lynne

What about David Kershenbaum producing and Bob Clearmountain mixing?

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Originally posted by Anselm:
Anyone except Jeff Lynne

What about David Kershenbaum producing and Bob Clearmountain mixing?

Hey hey HEY!! I won't hear a bad word against Otis Wilbury!!

Don't worry, 'll keep the bad words to myself!

Jeff Lynne!!! Now there's an inspired choice! I love ELO and I think he's be really interesting as a producer actually. Sorry Anselm.

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Originally posted by Wilbury:

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Originally posted by stuartjb:
a co-production with sir george martin and mitchell froom.

Wellll... one of them is slightly deaf and more than slightly retired (albeit an unparalleled genius). And the other is a boring re-hash of the past.

it was only a semi-serious suggestion,but sir george has spent the last two years co-producing the "love" album - so he's still keeping his hand in!

My vote is for the arrangements to be well sorted out in advance and...

Steve Albini to record the record.

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I'm fairly sure Mark is doing the slide guitar on "Nobody Wants To"--I think stuff like that is what Joel means by contributing "retroactively"..

That's what I thought, too, but the liner notes specifically credit someone else with that slide guitar. In fact, I'm fairly certain Mark and Matt are credited only on the four full band tracks.

-Comp