From Nirvana to PJ Harvey: These are ten of the most important albums from Steve Albini’s work.
Steve Albini is dead. The legendary producer and noise rock pioneer died of a heart attack on May 7, 2024 at the age of 61. Albini was without a doubt one of the most unique producers in rock music – even if he preferred to think of himself as an “engineer”. In honor of Albini, we’re taking a look at ten of the most important albums he produced.
Nirvana „In Utero“ (1993)
After Nirvana took a much more radio-friendly path with “Nevermind” and producer Butch Vig than many would have liked, the band went into the hands of Albini for their third studio album. “In Utero” was released in 1993 and is much rougher and bulkier than the mega-seller “Nevermind”.
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Pixies „Surfer Rosa“ (1988)
One of Albini’s most important productions is without a doubt the Pixies’ debut album “Surfer Rosa” – which includes, among other things, the smash hit “Where Is My Mind?” Albini gave the band their characteristic sound – and created a classic.
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The Breeders „Pod“ (1990)
In 1990, Albini also produced the debut album of The Breeders – the band founded by former Pixies bassist Kim Deal. Albini’s production is minimalist and to the point.
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The Jesus Lizard „Head“ (1990)
And another debut album that would probably never have had the same impact without Albini’s sound. “Head” by The Jesus Lizard was released in 1990 and is a classic in the Albini catalog.
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PJ Harvey „Rid of Me“ (1993)
PJ Harvey asked Albini for her second studio album because she was fascinated by the raw, minimalist sound of his productions. “He’s the only person I know who can record a drum kit and it sounds like you’re standing in front of a drum kit. It doesn’t sound like it went through a recording process or like it’s coming out of the speakers. “You can feel the sound that he records and that’s why I wanted to work with him because all I ever wanted was for us to be recorded and sound the way we sound when we play together in a room,” said the musician once said about her producer.
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Manic Street Preachers „Journal for Plague Lovers“ (2009)
“Journal for Plague Lovers” was a very emotional album for the Manic Street Preachers, as it only contains lyrics from their missing band member Richey Edwards. Albini produced the album together with David Eringa.
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Joanna Newsom “Ys” (2006)
His collaboration with the harpist and singer/songwriter Joanna Newson proved that Albini could also take on completely different sound landscapes. “Ys” is definitely an interesting outlier in Albini’s work – here he didn’t act as a producer, but as an engineer.
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Shellac – „At Action Park“ (1994)
No Albini list of albums would be complete without a work on which the producer also plays. “At Action Park” is the debut of his band Shellac, which was released in 1994.
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Neurosis „Times of Grace“ (1994)
Of course, a master of noise rock like Albini also had a wonderful feel for (post-)metal and sludge/doom. For Neurosis’ “Times of Grace,” he created an urgent, atmospheric sound that beautifully underscores the Californian band’s doom ethos.
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Sunn O))) – „Life Metal“ (2019)
Last but not least, we wanted to dedicate ourselves to another doom metal album from the Albini catalog. At Sunn O))) the soundscapes rule – and Albini knew how to stage them perfectly. Albini was responsible for recording and mixing; the album was produced by Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley.
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