Los Angeles Approves Condo Next to Capitol Records With Provisions to Protect Underground Studios

The city of Los Angeles has approved the building of a new development near the famed Capitol Records building. However, the planned condominium building must provide measures ensuring the recording studios underneath the building are not damaged. Both EMI and Hollywood conservationists expressed concern that the development and its planned underground garage, both to be built at 6230 Yucca Blvd., would affect the acoustics of the neighboring studios. Among the concessions the developers made were agreeing not to do construction after 10am within 40 feet of the property line, implementing a foam sound baffle to protect the studio's echo chambers and using an ongoing noise and vibration monitor. The underground studios at Capitol are noted for their "natural reverb" and have hosted legendary recordings from Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole to the Beach Boys and Green Day.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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