07-27-2017, 10:15 AM
OK, after taking a Charlie approach on day 1 I went all Veruca Salt and tore through the whole package last night -- quiet evening, so perfect for listening to some LPs. People get into vinyl for all sort sorts reasons. One can be sound quality, and there are many LPs that are revelations vs. their digital counterparts. While I appreciate that improvement, for me it's more the luxury of actually taking some time out and listening to an album from start to finish.
LP 2 of Phantom Power provide what I heard the previous night was no fluke. Great sounding album. There's just some subtle tweaking on the vocals that really brings them to the forefront with a much more live feel. I've always liked the rhythm guitar in Chagrin, like DFN it's those lower end pieces that are a bit opened up on vinyl. I can't say if it's the mix or a bit less compression (or likely both in tandem). Emperor was the big test for me. Again, Gord sounds front and center, really nice instrument separation on outro.
Then on to Music@Work. Overall, this is not my favorite Hip album. IMO starts off strong then sort of trails off. Actually forcing myself to listen to the album in sequence, which I had not done in a long time, made me rethink my opinion. The vinyl also brought out the keys a bit more. Tiger sounds great -- there's a bit more effect (echo or reverb) on Gord's vocals that's highlighted a bit more, nice instrument separation. As I Wind Down the Pines sounds amazing. Really highlights the guitar and intimate vocals -- I won't say it's better than what I've heard on CD.
The only track that seemed a bit off to my ears was Lake Fever. I'll have to go back and re-listen, but for lack of a better word it sounded a bit messy in its remastering. It is a very layered song in terms (you have keys, a few different rhythm patterns, and multiple vocal tracks) and it just sounded a bit off.
In Violet Light, for me the opposite of Music@Work where it has a strong finish for me. Nice pressing, nothing really struck me until Silver Jet -- Paul's chugging rhythm in the left channel is brought up just slightly. The real stand out for me in Throwing Off Glass. Like As I Wind Down, it's almost like the room has been made a bit bigger and there's more space between the instruments and vocals. Made me really appreciate Gord's delivery in what is maybe one of his most personal songs.
So that's a first spin -- if you're on the fence, Phantom is well worth the purchase. Seems to benefit most in the mastering for vinyl, and I think it's the best of the re-releases (though now I'll work my way back through). Most wow factor for me. The other two are really good. There's some subtle differences either in the remastering or the vinyl medium that for the most part really work well across all releases. My copies were pristine -- flat, clean and not a single pop.
LP 2 of Phantom Power provide what I heard the previous night was no fluke. Great sounding album. There's just some subtle tweaking on the vocals that really brings them to the forefront with a much more live feel. I've always liked the rhythm guitar in Chagrin, like DFN it's those lower end pieces that are a bit opened up on vinyl. I can't say if it's the mix or a bit less compression (or likely both in tandem). Emperor was the big test for me. Again, Gord sounds front and center, really nice instrument separation on outro.
Then on to Music@Work. Overall, this is not my favorite Hip album. IMO starts off strong then sort of trails off. Actually forcing myself to listen to the album in sequence, which I had not done in a long time, made me rethink my opinion. The vinyl also brought out the keys a bit more. Tiger sounds great -- there's a bit more effect (echo or reverb) on Gord's vocals that's highlighted a bit more, nice instrument separation. As I Wind Down the Pines sounds amazing. Really highlights the guitar and intimate vocals -- I won't say it's better than what I've heard on CD.
The only track that seemed a bit off to my ears was Lake Fever. I'll have to go back and re-listen, but for lack of a better word it sounded a bit messy in its remastering. It is a very layered song in terms (you have keys, a few different rhythm patterns, and multiple vocal tracks) and it just sounded a bit off.
In Violet Light, for me the opposite of Music@Work where it has a strong finish for me. Nice pressing, nothing really struck me until Silver Jet -- Paul's chugging rhythm in the left channel is brought up just slightly. The real stand out for me in Throwing Off Glass. Like As I Wind Down, it's almost like the room has been made a bit bigger and there's more space between the instruments and vocals. Made me really appreciate Gord's delivery in what is maybe one of his most personal songs.
So that's a first spin -- if you're on the fence, Phantom is well worth the purchase. Seems to benefit most in the mastering for vinyl, and I think it's the best of the re-releases (though now I'll work my way back through). Most wow factor for me. The other two are really good. There's some subtle differences either in the remastering or the vinyl medium that for the most part really work well across all releases. My copies were pristine -- flat, clean and not a single pop.