Album Rating: 2.5

Of COURSE they should. Look at the best producers around today- Timbaland, The Dream, Ronson, hell even Rick Rubin. They all have a distinctive mark that makes you say "Hey, I know who produced that". This doesn't.

Plus, everyone involved in this is lethargic as shit.

Lyrics? Lazy.

Guitar? Lazy.

Keys? Practically non-existant. And lazy.

Bass? As above.

Drums? BORING. And lazy.

Vocals? As above.

Production? All of the above.

Album Rating: 3.0

You are arguing 2 separate points DavID. Let's just presume for a moment that all your latter points are true and there are all those different components which are indeed lazy (I agree with you for the most part by the way)... Now it is indeed true that part of that blame should go to the producer.

HOWEVER, I disagree that the producer's mark should be so distinctive as you suggest. If that was the case, people would buy albums by their favourite producers and not the artists. Hell, Mutt Lange is arguably one of my fave producers, but you don't see me with a Shania Twain collection!

As they say in different areas of sport (coaches & umpires), movies (directors & producers), etc..., the best at their job are the ones who remain in the background and simply bring the best out of the artists we see on screen, hear on disc or play their sport.

Haven't heard this yet except Never Miss A Beat. I'm gonna check it out soon, hopefully when the guy down our street stops selling drugs and gets his job back at the music store.

Album Rating: 2.0

On the production front I agree with Atavan - producers should leave their mark on an album, whilst at the same time bringing out the best in an artist. Just because I don't particularly like most of the stuff Ronson does, doesn't mean I think he is a bad producer, just that his style doesn't fit my musical taste. Generally I enjoy listening to albums that have been produced in an almost dictatorial manner.

Album Rating: 3.0

Come on MiK, have a chat to him... You may change his life; Music > Drugs.

You dictator Ross! Haha. Again, is it the same same thing? Arguably not. Just because a producer is strict (I like that word better than dictatorial), doesn't necessarily mean that his mark is all that apparent. That just could be the means by which he gets the best out of the band he is producing.

Then again, I could simply be in the minority here... Or plain wrong. LOL.

Na na na na na...
I think it goes both ways with producers. There are occasions when a producer should step in, be strict, and change things around, but for the most part I think producers should sort of stand back and let things happen as they happen; let the band just do things as a band without to much outside influence. Most things just sound better without producing and editing it to sound perfect. Otherwise the sound of an album just comes off as manufactured and mechanical to me.
The only producer that I can instantly tell whether or not he had a hand in producing an album is Adam D. really.

Album Rating: 3.0

Thanks Brent... For a while there, I thought I was just "plain wrong". At least now, if I still am, I won't be alone.

Album Rating: 2.5

Doesn't have the energy like the first half of Employment had, but it is definitely a step in a better direction after Yours Truly, Angry Mob being so awful. Good lord, that was a misstep of a second album if there ever was one.

Strange, I've always quite liked "Addicted to Drugs" and would've considered it one of the stronger songs on this album.

i actually kinda liked this album from what i remember
cant say what i mean rules

Album Rating: 3.0

Underrated album