Sure, In Utero and Surfer Rosa are vital. But there are other albums Steve Albini produced that you need to know about, too.
Albini contained multitudes. He was an esteemed musician, with pioneering acts like Big Black and Shellac. He was an edgelord before that was even a word used to describe the type of trolling and shit-talking he was doing back in the ’80s and ’90s.
In his later years, he was an avid poker player, winning gold bracelets at the 2018 and 2022 World Series of Poker. But above all, he was a pioneering and sought-after record producer. Or “recording engineer,” as he preferred to be credited.
Albums Steve Albini Produced: The Big Ones
Albini’s studio work came into prominence in the early ’90s. But it was Pixies 1988 debut Surfer Rosa that put him on the map for many. It was an early example of the man practicing what he preached: using his skills to capture a band at their best.
Kurt Cobain famously named-dropped Pixies and Surfer Rosa when Nirvana debuted in 1991. So it was no surprise when the band asked Albini to produce their sophomore album. The letter he wrote to them is legendary, and his work on In Utero is exemplary.
Albums Steve Albini Produced: The Smaller Ones
I was never much for Albini’s bands, but I always appreciated his artistic perspectives and how gifted he was with words. His 1993 essay The Problem With Music is a must-read for any musician or fan. He also understood the power of radio, which I appreciate.
Alright, enough gabber. Let’s get into some albums Steve Albini produced. This is only a small sampling of his several thousand credits. I’ve singled them out because they’re favorites of mine; it’s as simple as that. No statistics, no methodology. Just the music.
