Over Produced songs.

[shortstop]

When a music critic makes a comment saying that a certain song has been "Over Produced" what exactly do they mean and do you have any examples

[gary baldy]

I think the criticism is leveled at music that is basically mediocre but has lots of lush instrumentation and exotic techniques used to disguise the fact that underneath the song is basically rubbish.
Being 'over produced' really came to the fore in the 80's when technology enabled producers to add elements to tracks that gave it a sparkly and glossy sound. I remember Frankie Goes to Hollywood being accused of over production because their producer Trevor Horn was fond of throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the mix and underneath the songs didnt really cut it (i disagree by the way).
I personally dont subscribe to the 'over produced' argument but a good test is to perform an apparently over produced song and do it acoustically and see if it still stands up . I think "Baby hit me one more time" is a good example of this - slick pop track but underneath a really good song.

[Scarlett]

It means adding more and more layers of instrumentation/effects to the production of a song, to its detriment. Trevor Horn is an amazing producer, who it is fair to say, does go overboard a bit on production! But if you listen to any Frankie Goes to Hollywood, or "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal, and turn it up loud, you can hear just what an amazing job he did. He earns his money!!

Phil Spector also deliberately "over produced" and became famous for his "wall of sound". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Sound

The term is generally used when it is done badly though, as gary says. It is possible to "over paint" in the same way. When an artist does a painting there becomes a point when he or she must STOP!! They risk ruining it if they keep going. Same with music.

[shortstop]

Guys..Thanks ever so much for your very detailed responses, I've heard the expression so many times over the years (To the point of using it myself) and had a feeling it was exactly how you have described it....Thanks again.

[andy-hughes]

Nothing really to add to the excellent sumaries here - except to say that 'over production' is very much in the ears of the listener - one man's over production is another man's epic.

You could argue that Bohemian Rhapsody is 'over produced' - but where would it be without all that bombast and hysteria that is at the route of its appeal?

It's an expression used by hi-fi snobs, when a simple "I don't like it ..." would suffice.

[gary baldy]

I must admit I love 'over produced' stuff.
As Scarlett says i loved Trevor Horn stuff (ABC, Art of Noise, Propaganda , Yes, FGTH) cos it was so lush.
Another band is Steely dan who got loads of stick for being too slick and taking years to produce an album but the slicker they got the more i liked them!
Great username by the way shortstop!

[Steve_Luts]

I agree with other AB'ers, its a term used by music snobs (the kind of people who go off a previously 'cool' band the moment they enjoy a modicum of success) who wish they knew a better word to describe something that has used technology to make it sound different to the base level recording. I enjoy asking these people to explain it - most flounder!

The Oasis album "Be Here Now" is often feted as "over-produced" as a euphemism for people saying they just don't like it, I rather like it...a lot of that being to do with the 'wall of sound' style to it.

Me and my bro have an acronym for it 'PMJ' - Pretentious Music Journo - usually a role filfilled by anoraks in smalltown pubs, who wish they worked for the NME, rather than being a junior in the local bank or call centre.

Sorry for rant - but its a highly annoying phrase normally uttered by PMJs shortly before they spout a load of b()llocks! Go to the bar at this point... ;-)