| Author | Message | ||
     Pat Boland Unregistered guest |
As some of you may be aware, Warner Bros will be reissuing their entire REM back catalogue. The albums will be presented in a 2-disc set featuring the original, non-remastered version of the album (!) and a DVD(A) which includes some video footage and a new version of the album in 5.1 surround sound. I find this particularly annoying. It would appear that a we are on the threshold of a VHS versus Betamax type scenario with the DVD-A and SACD audio formats. At least the Dylan and Rolling Stones SACD reissues came in a dual-layer format whereby they could be played on standard Compact Disc Players. Personally, I have no plans to invest in some new hardware for the sake of a couple of albums (for the record, it never crossed my mind to purchase UP, Reveal, Monster or the new one) that I already own (albeit on increasingly crackly vinyl) which were originally recorded on analogue equipment in any case. Anyway, I thought I'd warn anyone that was hoping for a remastered, Stereo, CD version of the album; this ain't what you're looking for. Rant over. | ||
| Peter Azzopardi Member Username: Pete Post Number: 45 Registered: 09-2004 |
I like the idea that if I ever buy a new DVD player that is SACD compatible I will be able to play my hybrid Dylan CDs on them. For now, my 2003 remasters of "Blonde on Blonde", "Blood On The Tracks", "Infidels", "Another Side" and "Street Legal" sound unbelievable as regular CD audio and that's good enough for me. The fact that Phillips (who are the main company behind the DVD-A format, Sony for SACD) can't offer the same "enjoy now and reap the extra benefits later" sell makes the latter format the less appealing option for me who'll have to wait a long time to update my technology. On the other hand, I've read that Pioneer has a few models of DVD players that are both DVD-A and SACD compatible, including one that is in about the $250 AUS range (about how much I payed for my crappy TEAC player about 3-4 years ago). Until recently I didn't realise there was a difference betweens DVD-A format and regular DVD: DVD-A has a higher audio sampling rate than a regular DVD's audio track (which is already 24-bit compared to 16-bit CD audio) and can't be played on just any DVD player. REM doesn't strike me as the kind of band that'd have that big an audiophile fanbase who would desire to hear their songs in surround mixes. I guess I'm wrong about that. I've never heard an album mixed in surround sound and figure the effect will be ruined as soon as you walk out of the room to do the dishes. I'm amused that my SACD of "Another Side Of Bob Dylan" has a layer in 5.1 surround sound. How much can you do with voice and guitar? Even "Blonde on Blonde", also in 5.1, was originally recorded on 3-track. Audiophallic rant number 2 now over. | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hi Pat, You've raised something that I didn't consider about the R.E.M. re-issues: part of their selling point will be that the original album will be remastered. As a huge R.E.M. fan I will be buying all of these re-issues but only because I don't want to miss out on bonus material. I hope that they use the same format as the Go-bees re-issues i.e. 1st disc is original tracklisting (albeit it remastered) 2nd disc contains unreleased tracks (album outtakes, b-sides, live recordings) and dvd's of videos. However, quite what they will fill 2nd disc with I really don't know! Peter Buck once said that they don't place much emphasis on b-sides; they are almost "throw-away" tracks. Maybe they will include a bucketload of fanclub singles (usually lighthearted seasonal songs released at Christmas!) As far as DVD tracks are concerned - maybe Warners have loads of shelved footage? By the way... R.E.M.'s entire catalogue is not being re-issued! its all of the albums they've made whilst signed to Warners: not including their 5 or so albums on IRS. PS my apologies to those who hate R.E.M.: maybe I should have copied and pasted this to an R.E.M. fansite. (just seen R.E.M. in Paris so I'm on a high!) PPS R.E.M. once covered Streets Of Your Town. Wonder if any good bootlegs are in existance? | ||
| gareth Unregistered guest |
You're going to be disapointed Matt. The REM re-releases are nothing like the go-betweens ones. As i understand it there are no extra tracks as such other than some live stuff on the dvds. There's no bonus disk of unreleased gems - just a remastered version of the album. I'm at a loss to see why they're being released again to be honest... | ||
| Pat Boland Unregistered guest |
Nothing like the Go-Betweens reissues; no rare or unreleased tracks. No B-Sides. No remastering of original album. Nothing to recommend it to the average fan. By the way, Matt, I did (albeit obliquely) refer to the fact that it is the band's Warners Catalogue that is being re-hashed. Green: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=73948> Out of Time: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=73951> Automatic For The People: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=78175> Monster: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=73949> New Adventures In Hi-Fi: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=73950> Up: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=73952> Reveal: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=76539> In Time: <http://www.rhino.com/store/productdetail.lasso?number=79543> | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 29 Registered: 08-2004 |
The suits at Warners are fighting back against piracy by plugging one of their major selling acts via a new format. Having briefly searched on the subject of DVD-A, I found this of little use : shttp://www.digitalaudioguide.com/faq/dvd-audio/faq_3.htm#Can%20my%20DVD-Video%20 player%20or%20my%20CD%20player%20play%20DVD-Audio%20discs? By the way is anyone else who frequents this board going to the Hammersmith Odeon gig next Saturday? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 24 Registered: 10-2004 |
why on earth would they *not* reissue the IRS records? those are really the only albums worth hearing. that warners-era crap completely pales when put against murmur, reckoning, etc... of course that's just my opinion. i'm really not trying to be inflammatory, just genuinely puzzled at the lack of attention given to the early albums. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 30 Registered: 08-2004 |
To be fair to IRS they have already made the albums, some with extras, available on CD. Dead Letter Office covers the B-sides and E.P. songs. | ||
| Tim Unregistered guest |
Hi, I just wanted to clear up a minor technicial detail. Philips has nothing to do with DVD-A, which is a product of the DVD Forum. SACD however is a joint venture between Sony & Philips, the same duo who brought us the original CD. | ||
| Peter Azzopardi Member Username: Pete Post Number: 52 Registered: 09-2004 |
Thanks Tim for making me look stupider than I already feel. Is there not a company specifically pushing the format in their DVD players though? | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2004 |
Jerry, Sorry I missed your post - I did go to Hammersmith Apollo last night to see R.E.M. It was the 7th time i've seen them and I felt that it was their best performance. The band playing Swan Swan H for only the second time in about 15 years was a real treat. Did any other people on the board go? | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 34 Registered: 08-2004 |
It was a superb show, Swan Swan H & 7 Chinese Bros are both old favourites of mine. Very much a rocking performance too, the new songs sound a lot better live and I'm Gonna DJ is a (not quite) lost classic. | ||
| Catherine Unregistered guest |
The Point show in Dublin last Saturday was a great one. Plenty of Material from the first (better) half of their career. 7 Chinese Bros thrilled me, though I'm jealous that you got Swan Swan H. As regards points made earlier in the thread re analog sound, etc: Interestingly enough I seem to remember reading in a biography that Mitch Easter produced Murmur, specifically with the emerging CD format in mind, despite the fact that the band had barely heard of the format. Almost certain. Haven't read it in a few years, and it's been in a box since I moved house four months ago... I also prefer my vinyl, but I'll probably invest in the reissues.... | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 41 Registered: 08-2004 |
I have received 2 of the CD/DVD-A re-issues and they both play perfectly on my computer. Roll on Hyde Park, I'm looking forward to seeing the Zutons too. | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2004 |
Jerry, I would be interested to hear your verdict on the bonus material of the new re-issues you have? I guess I am such a completist that I will no doubt get around to buying them all at some point.. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 45 Registered: 08-2004 |
Matt, I haven't actually had time to watch them at any length, just checked to make sure they work. I'll give my extended 2 sentence reviews after considered viewing. | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2004 |
Try this link to the murmurs.com website for some reviews http://www.murmurs.com/talk/showthread.php?t=84504 | ||
| Ray Ketchem Unregistered guest |
Just want to clear something up... The REM reissues do NOT include a remastered version of the original CD! I bought 'green' to hear the normal CD remaster, since the DVD portion doesn't interest me yet. It's just the same old CD as before with a poorly designed package that pales in comparison to the cool art they had on IRS. | ||
| Pat Boland Unregistered guest |
Make no mistake, the reissue programme is strictly a stunt to heighten the profile of the DVD-A Format. The video footage included is vaguely interesting but hardly consitute a good investment for those of us who have yet to invest in the necessary hardware. Little things, for instance, the absence of the shiny, transparent '4' (on the original vinyl release the number 4 appeared over the 'R's on the front of the album) signify an oversight to rival the absence of Claudia Cardinale's image on the recent reissues of 'Blonde on Blonde'. In fact, it confirms how little input the band had into these releases. |