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Sound City (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Sound City' is a 2013 American documentary film produced and directed by Dave Grohl, in his directorial debut, about the history of recording studio Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. Grohl was inspired to create the documentary after he purchased several items from the studio, including the Neve 8028 analog mixing console, when the studio closed in 2011. The film discusses the historic importance of Sound City Studios and its Neve 8028 console to the world of rock music, along with other recording genres. 'Sound City' debuted on January 18, 2013, to positive reviews, with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. The film engendered a record, 'Sound City: Real to Reel', which received two Grammy Awards.
Background
Historical Importance
The 106-minute documentary film covers a variety of important and record-breaking albums that all came out of Sound City Studios.Burger, D. (2013, Jan 19). Behind the music: 'sound city' story told by dave grohl in directing debut. 'The Salt Lake Tribune' Retrieved fromNeve 8028 Console
The documentary credits much of the studio's success to the Neve 8028 console and the strong and grungy drum sound that the studio produced. The sound that came out of the studio is often credited to the shape of the studio and the way that sound waves acted within the room. Even though much of the studio's success was credited to the shape of the booth, another large factor was credited to the console. Their custom Neve 8028, designed by Rupert Neve, produced a strong and punchy sound that defined '70s rock music. Sound City produced platinum albums for four decades.Synopsis
The film tells the story of the studio from its early days in 1969 until its closing in 2011. The film covers the reasons for the studio's success along with the reasons for the distinct sound that came from the studio. The film covers stories from recording in the studio, the eventual deterioration of the studio, and even the non-musical production of albums in the studio.Sound City even produced albums by people like Bill Cosby. It then follows Dave Grohl's purchase of the studio's custom analog Neve console, which he moved to his personal studio, Studio 606. Rupert Neve was an English engineer who founded Neve Electronics in 1961, designed and manufactured the Neve 8028, "one of four in the world", and is interviewed by Grohl in the film. In the film, famous musicians who recorded at Sound City reunite at Studio 606 for a jam session and to make an album of "all-new all-original songs, each one composed and recorded exclusively for the film within its own 24-hour session on that console."
Release
The film was first exhibited in the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2013, and released on video-on-demand and in theaters on February 1, 2013. It was screened on January 31 in five Australian cities (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth). The documentary was also screened in three cities in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal) and 51 cities in the United States. The film was screened for a one-off showing on February 18, 2013, in 23 theaters across the UK.
After the closing credits there is a short, silent segment of a home movie showing a band getting set up. The picture freezes on one person and the following text appears: "In memory of Brian Hauge (1970 2012)."[http://i2.x8.net/T/sep0_O.png Screenshot] from https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205252/http://www.torrentino.com/torrents/1436661. Retrieved March 12, 2018. He was the key grip of the film.
Appearances
The documentary features interviews conducted by Grohl of artists associated with the studio:
* Vinny Appice
* Frank Black
* Lindsey Buckingham
* Johnny Cash (archival)
* Kurt Cobain (archival)
* Kevin Cronin
* Rivers Cuomo
* Warren DeMartini
* Mick Fleetwood
* John Fogerty
* Neil Giraldo
* Chris Goss
* Josh Homme
* Alain Johannes
* Jim Keltner
* Barry Manilow
* Paul McCartney
* Rupert Neve
* Stevie Nicks
* Rick Nielsen
* Krist Novoselic
* Stephen Pearcy
* Tom Petty
* Nick Raskulinecz
* Trent Reznor
* Ross Robinson
* Rick Rubin
* Jim Scott
* Pat Smear
* Rick Springfield
* Corey Taylor
* Benmont Tench
* Lars Ulrich
* Butch Vig
* Lee Ving
* Brad Wilk
* Neil Young
* Robert Levon Been
Current or former members of the bands Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Pixies, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, REO Speedwagon, Weezer, Ratt, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, The Beatles, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Metallica, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Fear, Foo Fighters and Rage Against the Machine appeared in the film. The drummer of Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, also appeared in the film.
Reception
'Sound City' received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 100% of critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 7.7/10 based on 46 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Smart, affectionate, and unabashedly sincere, 'Sound City' pairs a great soundtrack with a well-argued ode to one of rock 'n' roll's most fondly remembered bygone eras." It was one of the highest rated limited release and documentary movies of the year on the website. On Metacritic the film has a score of 76 based on reviews from 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Kenneth Turan from 'Los Angeles Times' gave the film a positive review, saying "High-spirited, emotional and funny, 'Sound City' is, of all things, a mash note to a machine. Not just any machine, however, but one that helped change the face of rock 'n' roll."[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-sound-city-review-20130201,0,3868770.story Movie review: 'Sound City' is homage to recording studio equipment]. 'Los Angeles Times'. Retrieved January 31, 2013. In a review for 'The Daily Telegraph', Sebastian Doggart awarded the documentary five out of five stars and proclaimed it as "an exhilarating exploration of the creative process."[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/9821370/Dave-Grohls-Sound-City-Players-Sundance-Film-Festival-review.html Dave Grohl's Sound City Players, Sundance Film Festival, review]. 'Daily Telegraph'. Retrieved January 23, 2013. Peter Travers of 'Rolling Stone' admits "In his directing debut, Dave Grohl shows the instincts of a real filmmaker. 'Sound City' hits you like a shot in the heart."[https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/sound-city-20130201 'Sound City' Movie Review]. 'Rolling Stone'. Retrieved February 11, 2013. Bill Goodykoontz of 'The Arizona Republic' remarks "'Sound City' is a music geek's dream, a rollicking look at a dumpy California studio where a lot of musicians found magic. It's also a bit of a mess, like all good rock and roll ought to be",[http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/movies/articles/20130129sound-city-movie-review-goodykoontz.html 'Sound City', 4 stars]. 'The Arizona Republic'. Retrieved January 31, 2013. while Elizabeth Weitzman of 'New York Daily News' praised that "Grohl's aim is to explore the aura of a place, but what he winds up proving is that people make the magic."[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/movie-review-sound-city-article-1.1252204 Movie review: 'Sound City']. 'Daily News' (New York). Retrieved January 31, 2013.
In a mixed review, Gillian G. Gaar writes, "The film's final third drags a bit because there's too much of the recording sessions Grohl set up using that famous Neve board, most notably featuring Paul McCartney and Grohl's Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic (on the raucous "Cut Me Some Slack"), as well as Stevie Nicks, Trent Reznor and Joshua Homme, among others". Phil Gallo from 'Billboard' stated "Grohl's inexperience as a filmmaker only shows when the film makes a sharp turn out of history and into the more recent past: There's a sense that instead of celebrating great rock 'n' roll moments, a product is about to be pitched at the viewer."
The documentary won the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Digital Media in 2014. The documentary was also won the Cinema Eye Audience Choice Prize at the Cinema Eye Honors Awards in 2014. The film received a Satellite Award for Best Documentary Film nomination in the 18th edition.
Certifications
Soundtrack
'Sound City: Real to Reel' is the official soundtrack of the documentary and can be seen in production during the latter part of the film. The album was recorded within Grohl's Studio 606 after his purchase of the Neve console from Sound City Studios. In partnership with a variety of famous recording musicians, the album was released on March 12, 2013. The album would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, along with a win for Best Rock Song for "Cut Me Some Slack".
See also
* Foo Fighters: 'Sonic Highways', television series by Grohl inspired by his documentary 'Sound City'
* Sound City Players
References
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