[swm]

Has anybody received their Phantom Power, Music At Work or In Violet Light yet?

Just noticed they're in stock at musicvaultz & my delivery has been processed.

[bouche03]

Whomever gets these first, please give us your thoughts...I ordered mine but I'm in the US, so won't see these for another 10 days or so...

[gsmacleod]

Has anybody received their Phantom Power, Music At Work or In Violet Light yet?

Just noticed they're in stock at musicvaultz & my delivery has been processed.

Sweet - just got tracking info on my order today! Can't wait!

Shane

[chancellor]

same here with the tracking info

[direwolf74]

Heading to Sunrise Records on Friday to pick these up. Can't wait!

[edgoffin]

I feel like I'm Charlie eating a Willy Wonka chocolate -- all three LPs are beside my turntable, but I'm pacing myself in listening for the first time.

Last night I decided on LP 1 of Phantom Power. Caveat, I invested in a good table and cartridge, so results may vary depending on your own set up. The investment can make classic analog albums and well done recent pressings really standout, at the same time it can highlight deficiencies -- especially in newer releases maybe not optimized for vinyl.

LP 1 of Phantom Power really hits the mark, on first listen IMO the best of the vinyl issues (without listening yet to the other two). First, out of the package it's flat and dead quiet. Some of the older releases I have original pressings, so can't compare to the more recent remaster. DFN and Trouble, I noticed some differences in the remaster (more bottom end on DFN, for example) but nothing significant. Phantom, for lack of a better word, really comes to life with some subtle tweaks from Ludwig. It also has the benefit of being, up to the time, their best use of the studio in terms of production and performance.

Poets has way more swing than what I'm used to hearing. The drums and shakers in the intro are really sharp, much more live sound than on CD -- possibly the result of compression on the CD. The background/double track vocals are a bit more pronounced with better separation.

Bobcaygeon blew me away. One of those tracks that on vinyl really surrounds you -- the slide guitar is just floating out there. The reverb on Gord's vocal is a bit more pronounced, and it really adds that to "music is swirling around me" effect. It was like hearing the song new again.

Overall, Gord's vocals have a more "live in the studio" feel that's not quite there on CD. My only criticism so far, Something On has a thump bass line that runs through it. Less pronounced on CD, though once I hear it I can't stop listening to it. That bass is even more pronounced on the vinyl, to the point I thought I had to make a setting adjustment. But only an issue on this one track, and it could be just a case of I always hear it so Iknow hear it even more.

So far, after LP 1 a really great vinyl release that's an improvement on the CD in terms of listening experience. I'm not a big fan of comparing waveforms, as I think it can be a bit deceiving to say all compression is bad, I juts go with "does this sound better, more immersive, and more immediate to me". Hits the mark on all three.

[chancellor]

Nice review. Can't wait to receive mine.

[Reid1]

Thanks for the review. I was a little late to the party so PP holds a special place for me as it was the first Hip album I was anticipating and bought on release day. First tour I caught as well. A friend played Live Between Us for me when it was released and that sealed the deal.

[bouche03]

I'm surprised to see my marked as shipped with a estimated delivery date in the US (Indiana) of 7/31. Pretty pumped for that. Also interested to hear more from those that already have theirs!

[edgoffin]

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.

[potsie]

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.

I'm impressed that you got all of that out of just one listen. You've either got a great set of ears or a great set of headphones, or both. Nice review!

[edgoffin]

I'm impressed that you got all of that out of just one listen. You've either got a great set of ears or a great set of headphones, or both. Nice review!

No headphones. It is an Thorens TD 160 table, Ortofon Blue cartridge, to a good receiver and set of speakers -- a setup that has both positives and negatives (great pressings sound really good, defects or poor pressings are a bit more obvious). More, how many times have we listened to these songs? Even M@W, which I call an OK Hip release, I've likely listened to more than anything else in my collection. So we're not talking huge musical revelations, but enough of a tweak that you notice a difference.

Also had the luxury of a quiet house and no distractions. Couch is in that musical sweet spot in the room, could just crash and listen.

[potsie]

I'm impressed that you got all of that out of just one listen. You've either got a great set of ears or a great set of headphones, or both. Nice review!

No headphones. It is an Thorens TD 160 table, Ortofon Blue cartridge, to a good receiver and set of speakers -- a setup that has both positives and negatives (great pressings sound really good, defects or poor pressings are a bit more obvious). More, how many times have we listened to these songs? Even M@W, which I call an OK Hip release, I've likely listened to more than anything else in my collection. So we're not talking huge musical revelations, but enough of a tweak that you notice a difference.

Also had the luxury of a quiet house and no distractions. Couch is in that musical sweet spot in the room, could just crash and listen.

Actively listening to music... it's a form of leisure that unfortunately these days is enjoyed by far too few, myself included. Sounds like it was a good night.

[gsmacleod]

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.

Thanks for the review - mine should be here tomorrow!

Loved DFN and thought TATH and LBU were very good compared to CD versions. Hearing the PP has been so well done is very exciting and as I've always enjoyed M@W, especially Tiger, I'm glad to hear you thought it was opened up. I'm also curious about IVL as that was the first album that I remember thinking that I really noticed the loss of dynamics and hope the vinyl addresses that.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Shane

[chancellor]

I was really hoping them to be here by the weekend but it is not looking likely as the status has not changed since Tuesday, "Electronic information submitted by shipper"