A special album, Fred Armisen’s ‘100 Sound Effects’

Actor/comedian/musician/producer/author/all-round good guy Fred Armisen has long been known as one of the most curious entertainers in the business, creating a wild variety of things for television, film, stage, records and other media. The latest proof of his inquiring imagination is here: ‘100 Sound Effects’.

The goal was to create a number of specific and evocative sounds, but in addition to being a fun listen, pure and simple, ‘100 Sound Effects’ has great value as an industrial tool, with sound effects ready to be used in any number of entertainment projects. Some follow the basic blueprint, like doors shutting and glass breaking. Others are more abstract scenarios.

The majority of the album was done at recording studios, but occasionally ambient sounds were needed. Rather than rely on other sound effects records, Fred went outside and got these himself on a portable digital recorder, pointing it at the sky or a car or whatever was needed. Other sounds required something extra as well, as he recalls: “Glass breaking seemed like an easy part of the album, but I forgot that I’d actually have to break and clean up glass. There’s this place in Van Nuys where you pay to go in and smash glass. It’s all very safe, and you have to wear goggles and a jumpsuit.”

With additional help and inspiration from Bill Hader, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Amber Coffman, Tim Heidecker, Riki Lindhome and Alice Carbone Tench, Fred had a lot of fun making the album. And now, Fred Armisen’s ‘100 Sound Effects’ is a sound effects album like no other, a fantastic contemporary entry in a classic album category that can be used as a library or just for brain-stimulating deep listening.