Sound City
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Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

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  • Starring: Mick Fleetwood, Tom Petty, Trent Reznor
  • Summary: Dave Grohl directs this documentary about the legendary, but now defunct, analog recording studio in Van Nuys, California.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. The Playlist
    Reviewed by: Katie Walsh
    Jan 29, 2013
    91
    A vibrant and vital tribute to a piece of recording and rock history that could have been lost to the ether, and Grohl packages the story of this little studio with a detailed celebration of the craft and skill necessary to this kind of recording, all with a killer soundtrack (which should go without saying).
  2. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    Jan 31, 2013
    80
    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.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    Jan 31, 2013
    80
    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.
  4. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    Jan 31, 2013
    60
    Grohl has a longstanding reputation as one of the nicest guys in rock. So it should come as no surprise that this may be the most positive music documentary you'll ever see.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. joey-clemenza
    10
    Today's music industry is widely considered to be a jumbled mess of confusion regarding quality vs. craftsmanship of the music, deciphered and taken in by (most) consumers who haven't the ability to tell the difference. In truth, a non-musician would be hard pressed to pick up on the subtleties of classic analogue production over contemporary digital recreation while being inundated with the gospel of technology convincing them otherwise that; "it's really the same thing, only easier". Well, Dave Grohol, lead singer of "The Foo Fighters" and director of "Sound City" would convince you otherwise. How? For starters, what's the difference between a robot of astute perfection and flawlessness and a flawed human with a burning soul? Since the inception of "pro tools", artists have been allotted a standard of mediocrity, later to be corrected by technology of the next level. This is true, and is not to say that tech in general hasn't made our lives easier. However, in order to the get to the core of Grohl's thesis, we don't necessarily need to ump into a deloreon, phone booth or sled and rewind ourselves to the good ol days of analogue tech and tape reels. Just reach into your vinyl and listen for yourself. Do you hear it? That's the sound of perfection, which is what makes vinyl as pure as it is. You see, before the age of digital correction and over correction, a musician had to stand up to the standards of flawlessness honing in their craft and developing great respect with their simian connection to their instrument. with regards to the recording. This is what Grohl was hoping to address in his new documentary "Sound City", and I am pleased to say that he has pulled it off well.

    The documentary is a sentimental ode to the machine that acted as the HUB of Sound City's success, and has become something of legend among the inner circles of both classic and contemporary rock 'n roll.; the Neve Console. It's also a love letter to the days of pure, smoky and rough analogue recording; that which has transcended Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" and Nirvana's "Nevermind" into classic album status.

    For the true audiophile, the doc never misses a beat. Observing the technical ferociousness of the Neve, by lending credence to the genius behind those who had mastered the console and helped give birth to their respective masterpieces. For others, it's a story of the awakening and subsequent death of an engineering Juggernaut empire, unto which became the unfortunate victim of digital technology.

    The documentary never skips a beat, and even rewards the viewer with a seminal reunion of rock music's royalty few of whom have been waiting in the wings of a music snob's dream. Stevie Nicks recording with Pat Smear of the Germs, or the impromptu reunion of Nirvana's line-up with a legendary Beatle and Wings frontman Paul McCartney is enough to send any music junky into orbit, and beyond, By the way, if you ever wondered what Nirvana would've sounded like with Paul McCartney jamming with them on his cigar-box guitar and screaming improvised lyrics? Look no further. The film fires on all cylinders, and subtly infuses the very element it claims has been lost in the record industry for nearly decades humanism. Grohl does an exceptional job at conveying the birth of music magic, with little to no modern technology, and at the whim of a simple analogue recorder, human chemistry, magic and imagination. As far as cons are concerned, it would've been nice to see a great litany of performers at the films climax, recording with the mythical Neve console at Grohl's home. However, a nitpicky complaint at best.

    I can not recommend this film more. For an audiophile, you may find yourself rewinding in various stages as you'll feel the need to take in every bit of information that has been said. For others, there is a certain spiritual catharsis attached to watching Nirvana improvise a song from a few bars of notes, and turn it into a piece of rock and roll history with Sir Paul Mcartney singing the vocals and playing with a damm classic cigar box guitar.

    **PERFECT SCORE 10/10 Do yourself a favor and put aside 100 minutes of your life to watch this extraordinary film.    … Expand
  2. adamwouldcould
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't write movie reviews I write Thank You notes.

    Dear Dave Grohl,
    Thanks for this great sounding documentary. It was in depth and thorough, yet light-hearted and easy to watch. Some of my favorite artists of all time... I mean seriously this doc is overflowing with a variety and caliber of musicians I personally could only dream of, and in that regard this could be considered one of the greatest musical documentaries of all time.    … Expand

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