Geoff Barrow isn't instantly recognisable, but that is because he doesn't want to be. in the 90s he was the multi instrumentalist and creative force that drove 'Trip-Hop' icons Portishead (I put 'Trip-hop' in those little sarcastic scarequotes because 'Trip-Hop' is a terrible and lazy music journalist's attempt to pigeonhole a decent but unclassifiable band, and as such doesn't deserve to be mentioned without highlighting that it is some other twat's invention.)
Portishead, should be, by rights, superstars. Their first album went multi platinum, turns up in the 'best albums of all time' lists, 'Glory Box' and 'Sour Times' were both used in film soundtracks, the title tracks for TV series and Adverts. Between Barrow's Production and Beth Gibbons' unmistakable tones Portishead provided a unique, dark and haunting sound which spread out over three quality albums spanning 2 decades.
Picking a favourite from Portishead is not easy but I'll go with the rip because it merges analogue with electronic, emotion with the cold and man (and woman) with machine. This song is from the album 3, which was their third album, and although the album title could be a little more imaginative, the album itself is amazing.
When not with Portishead, Barrow is the producer and multi instrumentalist behind experimental band Beak>. Beak> are not a band that will ever win a brit award for best band, they would probably never be nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. They take their influence from 70s Krautrock bands like Neu! and Can. Their are rarely lyrics and when their are, they are faint and distant. The second Beak> album '>>' (see what they did there?) is pretty much in my top 5 albums this year after a mere week or so being out. It could be from Cologne or Berlin, and could equally sit side by side with any track on 'Unknown Pleasures' by Joy Division.
Have a listen for yourself.
As a producer he has recieved much praise people like Thom Yorke from Radiohead, who cite Portishead's third album as giving them the confidence to go through with the 'In Rainbows' release. Barrow repaid the compliment with this monster of a track released with yet another side project of his, the Quakers who are in essence about 28 rappers and three producers. This track is lifted from Kid A's 'National Anthem'.
As if juggling three bands isnt enough, Barrow has spent the last decade DJing at Fabric and creating the soundtrack to an imaginary Judge Dredd film 'Mega City One'.
He was also at the helm on Anika's haunting 2010 self titled album. You can listen to that here, a grimey collection of covers ranging from 50's pop to the Pretenders, it sounds a lot like Nico (of Velvet Underground and Nico fame) The spotify link for both albums are below
The thing that really makes me think of Geoff as an unsung hero, is his reinvention of one of my favourite bands of the past few years. Behind any good band is a great producer. Whether George Martin for the Beatles, Eno, for Talking Heads, Bowie or U2, Weatherall for Primal Scream, Godrich for Radiohead etc. Barrow oversaw the transformation of the Horror's from a Schlocky and tone deaf Cramps covers band, to probably the most exciting in the UK at the moment. As well as that, he inspired Tom Furse, from the Horrors to start producing, remixing and re-editing. Anyone who wants to hear what difference Geoff Burrows made to the Horrors, listen to their first album and then have a listen to Primary Colours. Although Barrow didn't produce the third Horrors album (They opted to produce it themselves) His influence is heavily imprinted on their sound...
Sea Within a Sea: the final track from the classic 'Primary Colours'
Barrow is a legend but for all his skills as a producer and creative flair as a songwriter, he is pretty much unknown, if you want to know what he's listening to or you fancy telling him that he is a genius. Then it might be worth following him on Twitter @jetfury.
Barrow, attempting to hide his face. If you ever see it in a pub, buy the man a drink. He deserves one.
