There is an ability among eclectic music fans to distinguish a great album from a poor recording. This ability allows one to listen to an unpolished band because the music itself is actually very well written. Personally, I used to believe the music was far more important. As a musician, I spent much more time on the writing process rather than the development of a unique sound of my own. While I still agree that good music still requires creativity and strong writing, there is something to be said for sonic development.

The first band I think of when trying to describe a fantastic recording in terms of its fullness or sound quality is Porcupine Tree for their album In Absentia (2002). This album isn’t phenomenal so much because of the musicianship, more so because of the whole package. Although Steven Wilson really isn’t that great of a singer, he is amazing with both the recording process and development the band’s overall sound. The big point here is the overall sound. Every instrument contributes to the band as a whole musically and sonically.

Although it is related, this isn’t the same argument about filling the entire EQ spectrum (as I describe in my review of Abigail’s Ghost). This is about each band member filling the role the band needs, not what the individual musician wants. For example, I’m very fastidious about bass players. I’ve been playing bass for over a decade, guitar even longer, and it’s not a stretch to say I’m pretentious about how one “should” play an instrument. For example, it’s a faux pas in the classical bass community to use a pick. However, I realized sometime ago… this was no different than hating mainstream music simply because it’s popular. There’s no real reason to not play with a pick other than pretentious bass players assume that bass players who use a pick are bad or just guitarists pretending to be bassists. That sounds pretty stupid, huh? Well it is, but there’s a following of people that believe that. But you know what, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who refuses to appreciate Tool simply because Justin Chancellor will use a pick.

I’m not rambling here, I’m just trying to make a point. Justin Chancellor plays the way he does because it fits with the band. He’s playing his instrument the way the band needs, not necessarily the “right” way. I’ve come across bass players (including myself at one point) that refused to play their bass with effects or a pick. That can be OK. You know, if you’re in a jazz band. But what if you’re in a metal band? Or a progressive rock band? Experimental? If you really love metal and want to play bass in a metal band, you’re going to have to swallow some pride and distort that bass and maybe even play with a pick.

Every musician in a band has a role to play, and while that role may not be well-defined, it should always fit with the band as a whole. If you’re a musician, your role in each band may be entirely unique even if you play the same instrument. If you want your band to really make it, really contribute to the music community, you have to do something unique. The bands that do well are usually not copy-cats (unless you’re Coldplay I guess). But in general you need to sound unique to get people’s attention long enough to find out just how unique you really are. A perfect example is Radiohead. They are easily one of my favorite bands and they have an absolutely unmistakable sound. They’re not really better musicians than most, but they’ve put a lot of time and energy into developing sonically… and that can be just as respectable, admirable… and dare I say enjoyable? Having a strong and unique sound may not be as important as the music behind it, but it certainly cannot be ignored. In fact, it’s likely that edge your band needs to get the attention is truly deserves.