21. The Black Crowes: Hard To Handle
As with most of Rubin's rock production jobs, the drums are mixed farther towards the front and played more sparely than is customary with this band; a device that keeps that beat moving; the lead guitar is also highlighted and is given a rough timbre. Chris Robinson's vocals play up the song's inherent bluesiness. Southern rock and jamband rock had been out of style for some time when American released the Crowes' debut Shake Your Money Maker; they subsequently became one of the biggest bands of the 90's.
22. Melanie C: I Turn To You
Melanie C is none other than Sporty Spice of the Spice Girls. What that means is that this should be a producer's record; the artist will be bringing very little to the table herself. This is a very unremarkable techno-britpop club tune reminiscent of Blur crossed with Alice DeeJay. Production-wise that means a high bpm rate, drum machine, simple synth riff. A counter-beat synth-string section is a nice touch. From her 1999 solo debut Northern Star.
23. Jay-Z: Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Jay-Z's rags-to-riches story is one of the most compelling in rap history, as he rose from a housing projects kid to king of the New York rappers, to best selling hitmaker, to major label executive. It opens with bravado and worms into a slinky, oppressive, disorientating hardcore urban rap, thick with sonic surprises, from cinematic playing card shuffles to passing vehicles; it delivers the goods. From The Black Album, released in 2003. Jay-Z's records are Rubin's biggest success in recent years, although Jay-Z deserves a lot of that credit.
24. Kula Shaker: Great Hosannah
Kula Shaker's psychedelic club-rock excursions give Rubin a lot to work with; he stays true to the spirit of "Great Hosannah", which opens with an eerie electronica/raga-rock section that morphs into a Madchester-like groove full of Pink Floyd-esque echoed screams and erupts in a spectacular rave-up; the Rubin touch is also felt in the texture of the guitars. Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts was the band's belated second and last album, from 1999; the band suffered from a lot of negative press from frontman Crispin Mills' public personality.
25. The (International) Noise Conspiracy: Black Mask
The (International) Noise Conspiracy is a Swedish supergroup that produces 60's-sounding pop/garage-band flavored music. "Black Mask" is a stunner in its authentic sound; crunchy guitars, bouncing bass, bashed drums and tambourine, hard Zombies organ and snotty, screaming lead vocals and attitude laden "woo-hoo's" Intrusive production is minimalized; effort goes into tone, echo, and overall feel. Great cut from Armed Love, released in 2004; garage rock fans will surely like this inspired simulation.
Article comments
1 - Corpsegrinder
Rick Rubin did not produce Slayer's Hell Awaits, Brian Slagel was the producer. Rick Rubin produced Slayer's next album "Reign in blood".
2 - Robert
Brian Slagel and Rick Rubin share a production credit on "Hell Awaits" You can see the album credits here
3 - uao
Thanks for fielding that one, Robert. I always dread waking in the morning to find what I've gotten wrong. Hell Awaits I can remember from the day; I think it was via that album, and not the Beasties/Run-DMC that I first heard of Rubin's name.
4 - Corpsegrinder
Sorry if I made a mistake but I was just going by Slayer's official website
here that doesn't credit Rick Rubin as a producer of "Hell Awaits" and only credits Brian Slagel and Slayer. Although, it does seem odd that Rubin wasn't credited even on his label's site.
5 - uao
Hmmm. Well, corpsegrinder, you may be right. Maybe Reign in Blood was the first; I've seen stuff on the internet that claims he was on Hell Awaits and some that claims Reign In Blood was the first.
I haven't held a Slayer jacket in years; I was working from mp3's for this list.
I'll replace Hell Awaits with a selection from Reign In Blood on my blog; I can't change this entry though, since it was already archived. So this footnote will have to suffice.
At any rate, it changes nothing I've said about Rubin or Slayer in the article; but Reign In Blood would be a more worthy mention anyway; it's a better album.
Thanks for catching that, corpsegrinder.
6 - Cousin Lester
Rick Rubin is rich with money. I am richer with family.
Cousin Lester
7 - Joseph
Well I think that limp bizkit is an good singer,and that he need so much famous i like your´s discs ok viva mexico !!!
8 - Ray Violette
George Drakoulis produced the Black Crowes (and the Jayhawkes), not Rubin, although Drakoulis was a Def American staff producer. There's a few other songs and albums here that you credit to Rubin that leave me scratching my head because his name isn't listed on my copies. Plus, you can't list 36 productions without mentioning his masterpiece by Masters Of Reality.