As if the rock ‘n’ roll documentary wasn’t enough, Dave Grohl’s “Sound City” players banded together to make an accompanying record the old-fashioned way.
Director and mega-rocker Grohl appears on every track, changing up his involvement in each song. He drums, he riffs, he sings — he is as much the heart and soul of this record as the Neve console that was so influential to the beginning of all of these artists’ careers.
A variety of rockers are featured on the record, beginning with Rage Against the Machine’s Tim Commerford on the opening track, “Time Slowing Down.” It’s slow to start, but the song eventually kicks in with a modern alternative feel. Segueing into Stevie Nicks’ contribution, “You Can’t Fix This,” the mood changes decades with a ‘70s spirit taking over.
Other notable tracks include “From Can To Can’t,” which features Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour, and “Mantra,” which features Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age’s Joshua Homme and Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor. The latter is an interesting mesh of Grohl’s gravelly voice and Reznor’s intricately dark, technology-infused music. This is a clear standout on the record. It starts off soft, but by the end, it builds to a great crescendo.
If one track were to sum up the experience of both the film and accompanying soundtrack, it’s “Cut Me Some Slack,” which features Paul McCartney.
As explained in the film, the Neve console was purchased partially because of the desire to search for the next Beatles. Grohl and fellow Nirvana member Krist Novoselic play with McCartney on the rollicking, heavy track,ceating another standout song.
The Hippodrome Cinema will host a free screening of “Sound City” tonight. Check out the (admittedly awesome) documentary, and win some cool prizes courtesy of Sony Music.
The screening starts at 10:15 p.m., but reserve tickets online — they will go fast! For ticket information, visit www.thehipp.org.
