Sounds good: Guitar
Posted by Andrew
Sometimes you find a sound in a song which just makes you melt. Everything about it is good. Sometimes it’s not in a released single, but some seldom played track buried on the album, or even a b-side. Sometimes it’s from a band you don’t expect that kind of production from.
Somewhere, I have a list of such sounds, I don’t know where it is, but I’m trying collate those moments. These aren’t “Oh you’ve got the cliche sound perfect” but a sound which might be a bit different but just makes you stop for a moment and appreciate it.
Here is what I’ve got so far in the world of guitar. Not being a guitar nerd, I’m not sure what combination of guitar, amp, effects and settings create these sounds, but I know I like them.
Warning Sign by Coldplay (it’s from their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head) has the most satisfying rhythm guitar sound. Starting off with a single, slightly lo-fi overdriven guitar, then expanding out to the same part doubled with a little more treble.
A Fool’s History Pt 1 by Something for Kate (from Desert Lights) has some guitar sound which I’m fairly confident is a mix of equipment and technique. It sounds like Paul Dempsey is giving the neck of the guitar such a ridiculous workout, but it sounds amazing. The guitar sound ripples and and warbles and with the little bit of overdrive on there, it sparkles. I’m fairly sure this sound isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I find it simply amazing.
Bullets by Editors (from whatever Editors’ first album was) epitomises the production techniques which went into creating Editors’ distinctive sound. I believe it was in a Triple J interview with the producer of that album that I heard that they intentionally set out to make the guitar sound unique. They wanted people to be asking “Is it a guitar? Is it a synth? Is it a bird? Is it a plane?” They definitely came up with a distinctive sound, and in this song it really works. With the pedal and the screaming higher notes, this again is not everyone’s cup of tea, but for me it really works.
The Blood is Love by Queens of the Stone Age (from Lullabies to Paralyze) actually has two sounds which really work for me. I actually love the production of this song, because it rolls from what sounds like a demented circus attraction into a a big, meaty, guitar driven song. Between that lead part which just sits a little back in the mix to the nice angry rhythm guitar which is really well blended with the bass. I have no idea what the song is about, but the sound is great.
Paper Aeroplane by Angus & Julia Stone (from Chocolates & Cigarettes) brings acoustic guitar into the mix. The production in this song is interesting, but the guitar is beautifully recorded. between the muted sound and the fact that the EQ used highlights the overtones created as each string is picked.
These few examples should give you an idea of what kind of guitar sounds I really like. There are some others, but I couldn’t think of specific examples. Maybe later I’ll highlight some other sounds.
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