Comments on: Guest Blogger, Victor Rice: So You’re Going to Make a Ska Record…

By: VR

VR — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:34:45 +0000

Matt – Glad you’re digging on Béla Bartók!

“…and Out Come the Wolves” is a very strong argument, you have me there. There’s also the argument that today’s listening public is more interested in singles than full-length records…

… still I like to think that limiting the playlist to 12 songs will make it easier for artists to trim the fat, become more selective, quantity not being quality etc. It also fits more easily on vinyl – OK I’m reaching now, I give up!

By: Matt Wixson

Matt Wixson — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:44:40 +0000

Heh, fair enough. May I submit Rancid’s “…And Out Come The Wolves” album as one which has both a lot of songs, and a lot of memorable songs? Maybe this isn’t the BEST example to give a reggae mastermind, but it probably doesn’t matter anyway.

I wish to confide, however, that I’m listening to Bartok for the first time while writing this. I picked up his Concerto for Orchestra on a whim at the library after reading your reference to him on your myspace page!

By: VR

VR — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:11:15 +0000

Matt – “In America” is exactly what I mean by “having learned my lesson”. And the definitive version of that CD(Radiola Records, Brasil) is 19 tracks long! I get some nice compliments on that record, but rarely can someone single out one song. And I do take into account it’s hard to remember the name of an instrumental…

But yeah, the 12 thing – not rigid but recommended. not for matters of cost (there are better ways to save money) but for impact as you said.

Cheers!

By: Matt Wixson

Matt Wixson — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:15:43 +0000

With all due respect (and a LOT is due), I just want to point out that Mr. Rice’s album “In America” has 15 tracks! I understand needing to keep an album lean and mean, both for impact and for cost limitations, but I think that the rigid 12-song boundary is unnecessary. I can think of classic albums with upwards 20 tracks, full of memorable tracks.

By: JJ Loy

JJ Loy — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:51:17 +0000

Very practical advice from The One, Victor Rice. Listen up, bands… now that you have this knowledge, you have greater responsibility.

Use it wisely.

Now we have to convince Mr. Rice to give us a lesson on Dub Science.