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AJDeiboldt-The High Notes's avatar

While I dislike the effect PoP & crew have had on pop music and how it's made, I have to respect them for doing it differently. The Hit Factory book was a really good read too. I loved the story about how the PoP hated the Ace Of Base demo until it got stuck in his car's tape deck for a few weeks and by then it had grown on him so much that he HAD to sign them lol

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Chris Dalla Riva's avatar

Also Hit Factory is great. Was the starting point for my research. Also recommend Max Martin’s keynote interview when he won the Polar Music Prize. It’s on YouTube

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AJDeiboldt-The High Notes's avatar

I'll check that out, thanks for the recommendation!

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Chris Dalla Riva's avatar

I feel pretty much the same. It was a unique way to write it just has become so prevalent where it feels trite now

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Matthew Lilley's avatar

Max Martin's resume is insane. It's obnoxious pop music, but he is brilliant in his own right.

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Chris Dalla Riva's avatar

Totally. There are some genuine gems in there though. I think “Since U Been Gone” is undeniable, though part of that is at least due to Kelly Clarkson’s monster vocal

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Glenn Swan's avatar

First, thank u for such an amazing article Chris.

I’ve been in the business of music long enough to know that there’s quite a few Max’s & Luke’s that we will never hear bc the A&R gatekeeper model decides: I believe I’m one of those great masters, and yet even tho I know all the A&R people at all the labels, and they know me, they’ve just never let me in. Maybe it’s bc I choose to be different and I love to score great vocal harmonies, which I just read was frowned upon. In closing, I def know well that in the business of music, u can be the best there is, a Picasso, and NEVER make it …. EVER !!! So to that I say F#%K the gatekeepers who mostly keep empowering “me too” bullsh%t garbage amateur music over genuine masters, where the future Max’s, Luke’s, Pharrell’s, Timbaland’s, Scott Storches, and myself (if I may) reside.

Sincerely, Glenn Swan

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Barbara W's avatar

I'm confused. Is that gorgeous Martin guy Swedish?

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Chris Dalla Riva's avatar

Yes he’s from Sweden

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