Review of Sound City (2013) by Thomas K — 16 Mar 2014
In the opening minutes of this buoyant documentary, Dave Grohl and co. gleefully rattle off the legendary artists and albums that have been associated with the titular 'Sound City' music studio: "Tom Petty. Fleetwood Mac. Rick Springfield. Neil Young, man. Cheap Trick. The Chili Peppers. Rob Halford. Pat Benatar. Kansas. Guns N' Roses. Nine Inch Nails. Nevermind. Hot-Blooded Foreigner. Slayer. Ratt. Johnny Cash. Carl Perkins. Metallica. r.E.O Speedwagon. Michael McDonald. Mick Fleetwood. Buckhingam Nicks. Stevie Nicks. Masters of Reality. Frank Black. Brisbane. Rick Rubin. Kyuss. Weezer.".
The camera then lingers on an awed Corey Taylor, who says "Dude, how many fucking amazing albums have been made there?" Over the next ninety minutes or so, we find out exactly that, and more. I wish I knew more about music so that I could appreciate this film better; it will be an absolute feast for knowledgeable fans.
'Sound City' transitions from an examination of what attracted some of the greatest names in music to a nondescript, shabby studio to a wistful lamentation of how technology has taken some of the sweat and soul out of the industry. Throughout, however, the film is just bursting with a passion that you can't help but be infected by.
This review of Sound City (2013) was written by Thomas K on 16 Mar 2014.
Sound City has generally received very positive reviews.
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