COVER STORY : Turning a Def Ear on Pop Music

Rick Rubin’s not about to tell you which new bands he wants to sign because he doesn’t want to tip off the competition. He finds it hard enough to even go out to clubs to check out acts because his presence at a showcase can trigger a bidding war. The thinking: If Rubin is interested, there must be something there.

But Rubin did agree to offer some insight into his thinking by giving us some of the established acts he’d love to work with. The only guideline: He couldn’t choose acts from his label or acts whose albums he has produced.

His choices, in no particular order.

Nine Inch Nails: “I think Trent Reznor could be the most important artist of the ‘90s. Some say he is too radical for mass tastes, but that’s the same thing they say about most great artists over the years. That’s what makes them special: They aren’t like everyone else. I don’t think that great acts change to suit the audience. I think audiences come around because they, too, want something new and exciting. He’s astounding on stage and a brilliant songwriter.”

Lenny Kravitz: “I know a lot of people think he’s just ripping off the ‘60s or whatever, but, to me, he can do no wrong. He’s got a real good understanding of what feels good musically and he’s not afraid to make records that he wants regardless of what anyone else thinks. He makes his favorite records.”

Ice Cube: “He’s probably my favorite rap artist. I don’t understand all this stuff about him going too far or the violence in his music being irresponsible. You are allowed to go as far as you want in art. You can make a movie like ‘The Exorcist’ or talk about violence on your record. We shouldn’t be afraid of ideas or themes in art. To me, he’s a great writer with a great delivery and he makes great tracks.”

Aerosmith: “I think I could help them make Aerosmith records again. The last few records they made have been good, but they haven’t necessarily been good Aerosmith records . . . like ‘Toys in the Attic’ or ‘Rocks’ were. They’re making more pop-single records now. They have a rawness in them when you see them live that ought to be on the records to my mind. I know some people questioned the CBS deal (signing Aerosmith for $37 million), but I think it was a great move. Aerosmith are the next Rolling Stones, no question.”

Bobby Brown: “I don’t necessarily love the records he makes, but he is a very strong personality. If he made the right record and had the right people around him, he could be the next Michael Jackson . . . or world-class star.”

Neil Young: “He’s an unbelievable talent. For a guy who has been making records for 30 years or whatever to sound like he sounds now is just a miracle. What artist has been making records for 10 years and still sounds as true to himself?”