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Post by E on Jun 17, 2022 4:42:11 GMT -5
Copied from elswhere on this august forum, because it really belongs here: Like I always have, going back to my first 45, I'll listen to the music not the signal path or playback equipment. OK, so halfway through disc one on Spotify. The new mixes sound just a tad... brittle: maybe bright(er) is a better phrase, but not offensively so. I'll get used to it. Best sounding track thus far ? "Be True...". Which is mono. Go figure. Listened on headphones to a few tracks. BIG mistake, the bottom end is booming. Unlistenable. On speakers, no such problem (and no, it not my cans). Sidenote: this is the most I've listened to any BB for years... and I've ab-so-lute-ly lovin' it. God, I love this band and this music. New mix of "Dance, Dance, Dance" - whoa ! So much going on, and everywhere at once, in the best possible way. And I'm with Howie on "Do It Again", more specifically this new mix. Great point of entry. OK, so that was disc one. Nothing truly, horrifically offensive (as long as I don't listen on cans). This is OK. This is more than OK. This is the cream of The Beach Boys, what's not to love ? Now, to boldly go... Halfway through the second disc. There's an overall thinness that's a tad offputting, even on the period mixes. "YNAMOFTSA" is not unlike "Marcella", alas. Ah, the new mix of "Baby Blue". Like it, sounds more like what Dennis would have done (like I know what Dennis would have done...). Best sounding track ? "It's About Time". Full. Disc two overview: needs more low end grunt. Mildly batshit track selection (in a good way). Maybe it's my old ears but I'm not hearing any mastering problems on the 1970-71 tracks. On to journey's end. Disc three. According to my Spotify stats, "Everyone's In Love With You" is a new mix. That or absolutely no-one has listened to it before. Odd. "California Saga" is the album version, which is slightly disappointing. Oh dear, the first bit of true awfulness. Dennis' vocal on the alternate mix of "All I Want To Do" sounds like it was recorded in the hallway. Of a building across the street. Hm. Same with "Susie C". Aaaaaahhhhhhh... all is forgiven, even the inclusion of "Barbara-f******-Ann". Why ? Because, my friends - and even my enemies - the booming " DEEP AND WIDE" on "Time To Get Alone" is restored. Life is good. Gooder, even. "(WIBNT)LA" is also a new mix, and it sounds just dandy. I'm hearing more Moog bass, which is always a fine thing. So, as with disc two so with disc three: a slight thinness over all (except, oddly, the last track) but thankfully nothing as sonically grotesque as the Vimeo trailer of "Marcella" would have had us believe (on this version it's still a bit of a poser, but at least you can actually listen to it without pulling your ears off). I can live with this, in the main, and hopefully the expanded version will reach a new audience... and of course, maybe the actual discs will sound different/better/worse. I'll let you know in due course. One and a half thumbs up. Whatever that means... Thanks, Andrew. Wasn't going t get this, not because of anything said here but because I've got the Platinum Collection, but I've ordered it now!
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Post by tomtomplayboy on Jun 17, 2022 5:19:51 GMT -5
Copied from elswhere on this august forum, because it really belongs here: Like I always have, going back to my first 45, I'll listen to the music not the signal path or playback equipment. OK, so halfway through disc one on Spotify. The new mixes sound just a tad... brittle: maybe bright(er) is a better phrase, but not offensively so. I'll get used to it. Best sounding track thus far ? "Be True...". Which is mono. Go figure. Listened on headphones to a few tracks. BIG mistake, the bottom end is booming. Unlistenable. On speakers, no such problem (and no, it not my cans). Sidenote: this is the most I've listened to any BB for years... and I've ab-so-lute-ly lovin' it. God, I love this band and this music. New mix of "Dance, Dance, Dance" - whoa ! So much going on, and everywhere at once, in the best possible way. And I'm with Howie on "Do It Again", more specifically this new mix. Great point of entry. OK, so that was disc one. Nothing truly, horrifically offensive (as long as I don't listen on cans). This is OK. This is more than OK. This is the cream of The Beach Boys, what's not to love ? Now, to boldly go... Halfway through the second disc. There's an overall thinness that's a tad offputting, even on the period mixes. "YNAMOFTSA" is not unlike "Marcella", alas. Ah, the new mix of "Baby Blue". Like it, sounds more like what Dennis would have done (like I know what Dennis would have done...). Best sounding track ? "It's About Time". Full. Disc two overview: needs more low end grunt. Mildly batshit track selection (in a good way). Maybe it's my old ears but I'm not hearing any mastering problems on the 1970-71 tracks. On to journey's end. Disc three. According to my Spotify stats, "Everyone's In Love With You" is a new mix. That or absolutely no-one has listened to it before. Odd. "California Saga" is the album version, which is slightly disappointing. Oh dear, the first bit of true awfulness. Dennis' vocal on the alternate mix of "All I Want To Do" sounds like it was recorded in the hallway. Of a building across the street. Hm. Same with "Susie C". Aaaaaahhhhhhh... all is forgiven, even the inclusion of "Barbara-f******-Ann". Why ? Because, my friends - and even my enemies - the booming " DEEP AND WIDE" on "Time To Get Alone" is restored. Life is good. Gooder, even. "(WIBNT)LA" is also a new mix, and it sounds just dandy. I'm hearing more Moog bass, which is always a fine thing. So, as with disc two so with disc three: a slight thinness over all (except, oddly, the last track) but thankfully nothing as sonically grotesque as the Vimeo trailer of "Marcella" would have had us believe (on this version it's still a bit of a poser, but at least you can actually listen to it without pulling your ears off). I can live with this, in the main, and hopefully the expanded version will reach a new audience... and of course, maybe the actual discs will sound different/better/worse. I'll let you know in due course. One and a half thumbs up. Whatever that means... Very much enjoyed that. And it reminds me: have you ever written a review of the That's Why God Made the Radio album? There is no review of the album in The Definitive Guide, for obvious reasons, and I can't find a review of the album on the Bellagio website, but I sure would love to read one!
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Post by AGD on Jun 17, 2022 5:53:44 GMT -5
Very much enjoyed that. And it reminds me: have you ever written a review of the That's Why God Made the Radio album? There is no review of the album in The Definitive Guide, for obvious reasons, and I can't find a review of the album on the Bellagio website, but I sure would love to read one! Every once in a while, I threaten to update the ComGuide on 10452 (I looked into leasing it for an update and self-publishing... then quickly looked away): I really, really should, but given I didn't during two lockdowns... I did review it for ESQ. Concisely, it's about nine orders of magnitude better than it has any right to be, the middle is a bit "soft" but more than redeemed by the astonishing closing three-song mini suite. The perfect end to a recording career, which is why I pray every night that they won't try again and royally **** it up. Which they would.
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Post by gigantiskpyjamas on Jun 17, 2022 5:54:29 GMT -5
I’m a little afraid to post my thoughts on the new and improved Sounds of Summer collection as I don’t want to anger the folks over at Smiley Smile (hello, by the way, thanks for reading!). I apologise in advance for having an interest in how the actual music sounds despite it not being aimed at the ”hardcore” fanbase. Then again, these are just my thoughts and I’m a random nobody on a planet of 8 billion people. It’s nothing important in the grand scheme of things.
This is a fantastic collection of some amazing music. I really hope they sell a million units in July. The mastering is really ”varied” throughout. Some of the early 60s material sounds very processed and unnatural to me. It’s like they extracted the bass, EQ’d it and pasted it on top of (and not into) the rest of the music. A few 70s tracks are heavily compressed resulting in distortion. A lot of the material has smiley face EQ and very little midrange. Digital extraction is a very useful tool but the technology isn’t quite there yet as there are audible artifacts on stuff like Surfin’ Safari.
Some mixes sound weird in isolation and some mixes sound good in isolation. Some mixes sound weird when compared with previous versions and some mixes sound good when compared with previous version.
My thoughts below are from a single, cursory listening session and without comparing anything to earlier versions.
I Get Around. Instruments wandering around the stereo image. Handclaps are centered for one clap and then suddenly panned right. Normal, sane listeners won’t notice. I think most people will be very happy with the fact that it’s in stereo. Extraction technology has definitely improved but as I said above it’s not quite there yet.
Surfin’ Safari. Digital artifacts galore. Sorry, but not a fan of this one. Sounds unnatural and artificial. Bass jacked up. Parts sounds like it was recorded underwater. Listen for Mike’s ”Come on on safari with” at 1:53. ”Come on on s” is almost spectrally erased. Oops!
Surfin USA. Nothing wrong with the mix but the bass is booming. I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy the massive bass. Probably sounds great played loud on a big outdoors PA in the summer!
Surfer Girl. Bass is booming subwoofer style once again. And again, a lot of listeners will probably love this type of mix/mastering. I’ve seen people refer to the ”clarity” of the new mixes. It’s a shame that apparent ”clarity” gets lost in boomy bass.
Don’t Worry Baby. Best remix so far. Bass isn’t booming.
Shut Down. Still sounds like a compressed, artificial mess with booming bass and scooped out midrange. I prefer the original, but now we are spoilt for choice!
Help Me, Rhonda. Sounds a bit odd to my ears with fluctations in the various instrument and vocal levels. Parts of the backing track sounds almost out of phase and there are some digital clicks. I guess they used extraction techniques because the bass piano part jumps around in the stereo image during the ending.
Be True To Your School. I’ve always found the sound of the original mono single mix to be harsh. This isn’t harsh (yay!) and the bass is jacked up (not yay but sounds pretty cool).
When I Grow Up To Be A Man. I like this mix but as with a lot of these new remixes it sounds like they extracted the bass, EQ’d it and then put it ontop of rest of the music. It doesn’t quite gel.
In My Room. Sounds good to my ears. I’m once again reminded of what a fantastic song this is and the vocals are, of course, absolutely stunning.
Dance Dance Dance. An enjoyable remix but it seems like they accidentally extracted and split the introductory bass riff into stereo (bass left and treble right).
Barbara Ann. Can’t stand the song but the mix sounds good to me. The ”party” effects sounds like they’re almost out of phase, perhaps to give them a stereo effect?
Do You Wanna Dance with added Mega Bass. Some people are going to love this mix! There’s so much low end action going on that it distorts in places but I guess that’s rock and roll for ya!
Do It Again. This remix sounds a bit muddy and overdriven if you ask me but no one did ask me so I’ll shut up.
Wild Honey. Sounds good and not too dissimilar to the 2017 remix. This mix isn’t as dry as the one on Sunshine Tomorrow.
Darlin’. Sounds good! Sounds a lot like the 2017 remix.
Good Vibration. Very good. Best official stereo mix so far!
Good To My Baby. My 2,5 year old jumped on me and stole my headphones so no thoughts on this one. Pretty similar to the 2012 mix?
Farmer’s Daughter. Compressed.
Let Us Go On This Way. Wow, super compressed, crunchy, distorted with added hiss. That snare drum is like a punch in the face. Super cool, ”hot” mix of the old Love You chestnut. Updated for 2022!
You Need A Mess Of Help. Piano intro is now so compressed and distorted that it sounds like a prepared piano a la John Cage and the rest of the track is similarly compressed. Really cool ”crunchy” remix fit for the young audience!
Marcella. Still sounds unbelievable cool and ”hot” with awesome pumping drums and added distortion. The young ones are going to eat this up! It might even be a surprise hit?
Baby Blue. Great ”hot” mastering and ”pleasant” smiley face EQ once again. I’m sure the mix itself is amazing. The strings sound super bassy and truly epic. I like the more prominent backing vocals in this mix. No need to press the ”Mega Bass” button on your boombox. Fantastic!
Do You Like Worms. It’s in stereo. Awesome!
San Miguel. Bass heavy ”warm” mix like on Feel Flows. Fits the San Miguel theme. Are the castanets in sync this time? A few super nerds had a problem with the previous stereo mix but I never noticed it.
Warmth of the Sun. Very similar to the ”Sessions 1964” copyright extension collection but with less midrange.
All I Wanna Do. From the I Can Hear Music copyright extension set but a new improved mix with more prominent backing vocals and the, er… ”sound effects” are longer and louder than ever. Great, deep cut and the definite mix for me.
Susie Cincinatti. The 1948382th mix of this song. I’m completely burnt out on this song so my mind turned off for a minute or two but sounds good.
Can’t Wait Too Long. Sounds good.
California Feelin’. This new mix introduces a previously unheard (de-esser?) lisp on Brian singing ”San Onofre” and adds a delay effect to the drums. A great mix of a great song and the perfect ending to this compilation. I might call this mix definitive (shame about the lisp, though).
All in all, a FANTASTIC collection of music! Hopefully it’ll make a lot of new fans. It’s a great introduction to the music of the Beach Boys. FIVE STARS! 👍 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
PS. Super Steve Hoffman had this to say about the new remixes: ”Helen Keller might like it but my ears cannot take it”. A bit rude.
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Post by AGD on Jun 17, 2022 6:08:44 GMT -5
I’m a little afraid to post my thoughts on the new and improved Sounds of Summer collection as I don’t want to anger the folks over at Smiley Smile (hello, by the way, thanks for reading!). Oh, go on - force yourself: they need something new to get their shorts in a knot about
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Post by KenWorthing on Jun 17, 2022 6:17:18 GMT -5
A couple of little things that made my ears prick-up ..
Why did they add an alternate version of 'It's OK' .. a thin-sounding mix, at that? If this compilation is meant to inspire new younger generation listeners .. they should have just put on the original 45 mix.
At the very end of 'DYLW's: .. we get .. " .. WHOO! WHOO! WHOO! WHOOOOO .. " (no " .. You're under arrest! .. line though).
Still, .. a great compilation!
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Post by AGD on Jun 17, 2022 6:22:22 GMT -5
Even judging from these early reviews, one thing is clear: we all like how different tracks sound. That's how it should be.
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Post by lonesurf on Jun 17, 2022 7:24:58 GMT -5
A couple of little things that made my ears prick-up ..
Why did they add an alternate version of 'It's OK' .. a thin-sounding mix, at that? If this compilation is meant to inspire new younger generation listeners .. they should have just put on the original 45 mix.
At the very end of 'DYLW's: .. we get .. " .. WHOO! WHOO! WHOO! WHOOOOO .. " (no " .. You're under arrest! .. line though).
Still, .. a great compilation!
Definitely agree re: It’s OK. I’m a big fan of the original (slightly sped up) single mix. I firmly believe it would have been huge if it had only been the first single off 15 Big Ones.
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swonk
Grommet
Posts: 13
Likes: 46
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Post by swonk on Jun 17, 2022 8:01:46 GMT -5
That remix of Let Us Go On This Way is... ouch. I'm not quite sure how you manage to make a song that was already mixed great sound quite like that, it's tape hiss galore - which is non-existent on the original... and those snare drum hits hit you like a freight train! Maybe I'm a bit biased because Love You is my favorite album but when you A/B the two mixes it's like night and day! Not a big fan of that one.
All I Want To Do remix of the alt take is a surprise one that I enjoy, I'd never been too huge on that song but this mix definitely gives it a bit more of a kick, sounds good to me.
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Post by northcoast on Jun 17, 2022 8:18:01 GMT -5
A couple of little things that made my ears prick-up ..
Why did they add an alternate version of 'It's OK' .. a thin-sounding mix, at that? If this compilation is meant to inspire new younger generation listeners .. they should have just put on the original 45 mix.
At the very end of 'DYLW's: .. we get .. " .. WHOO! WHOO! WHOO! WHOOOOO .. " (no " .. You're under arrest! .. line though).
Still, .. a great compilation!
The It's Ok mix is the same from Made In California. Definitely inferior with the backing vocals mixed way down low. The original is the keeper
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Post by filledeplage on Jun 17, 2022 9:48:51 GMT -5
iTunes Store is $39.99 and amazon was cheaper at $37.99 but that link went no where for me. The 3 CDs are $25.99.
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Post by Mopp on Jun 17, 2022 10:18:54 GMT -5
I personally don't see what the fuss is about getting brand new digitally extracted stereo mixes. Something like Surfin Safari comes off as just plain bad. Made in California had the right idea by just including the full uncut mono mix. I Get Around just feels.... limp. I don't see the benefit in the drums now being over there (and at some points, not anywhere at all ). Neat, now the track has less punch.
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Post by KenWorthing on Jun 17, 2022 10:25:37 GMT -5
I personally don't see what the fuss is about getting brand new digitally extracted stereo mixes. Something like Surfin Safari comes off as just plain bad. Made in California had the right idea by just including the full uncut mono mix. I Get Around just feels.... limp. I don't see the benefit in the drums now being over there (and at some points, not anywhere at all ). Neat, now the track has less punch. .. thing is, your 'plain bad' and 'limp' is someone elses 'revelatory' and 'warm'. For sub-£20.00, the set is a bargain. I hope you enjoy the rest of it.
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Post by Bruce’s Shorts on Jun 17, 2022 11:42:26 GMT -5
Mixed reviews by us hardcores is to be expected but we’re not the target market here, so even the harsh reviews are quite harmless.
I personally think pulling in the kids at this point in history is a fool’s errand. Best way to do that is to keep that Beach Boys discography in print and on streaming services.
Also, for better or worse, those Apple Music created artist playlists seem to be popular with the kids as well.
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Post by E on Jun 17, 2022 12:09:20 GMT -5
Pretty scathing over at the Hoff. Mine's not due for a few days yet!!!!
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Post by #JusticeForDonGoldberg on Jun 17, 2022 12:55:58 GMT -5
The Dolby Atmos remixes of the tracks, especially the ones where there’s no isolation being used, sound absolutely phenomenal. The mastering is better Than the standard stereo tracks, there’s way less bizarre decisions that were made with vocal placement and such, and overall I think they just sound absolutely amazing. Really hope that one day they can do this with more of the albums, and the second and third disc here, but I’ve got a feeling that since the second and third discs include tracks from Sunflower and surf‘s up it’s automatically a fat “not a chance”
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Post by Bruce’s Shorts on Jun 17, 2022 13:02:19 GMT -5
Listening to the Do You Wanna Dance remix and was thinking it sounds cool but then …. when the chorus comes …. where are those magnificent tympani hits (or whatever they are?) … That detail kinda made the song for me and it’s vanished into a soggy mess of a bottom end. WTF?
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Post by KenWorthing on Jun 17, 2022 13:58:30 GMT -5
The Dolby Atmos remixes of the tracks, especially the ones where there’s no isolation being used, sound absolutely phenomenal. The mastering is better Than the standard stereo tracks, there’s way less bizarre decisions that were made with vocal placement and such, and overall I think they just sound absolutely amazing. Really hope that one day they can do this with more of the albums, and the second and third disc here, but I’ve got a feeling that since the second and third discs include tracks from Sunflower and surf‘s up it’s automatically a fat “not a chance” Thanks for this! I’d completely forgotten that the first disc was also Atmos. I’ve got an Atmos system, so very much looking forward to playing the tracks.
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spaggy
Dude/Dudette
Posts: 64
Likes: 93
Favorite Album: 15 Big Ones
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Post by spaggy on Jun 17, 2022 14:24:24 GMT -5
Listened to the whole box yesterday, some tracks more than once just because I couldn't believe what I was hearing... Better luck next time, I guess?
First off, the positive: The Night was so Young and All This is That both sound pretty good! Takes a long pause... Okay that's all for the positive, now for the negative.
The DES mixes are abominable - I'm not quite sure how a track like the new Surfin' Safari makes it to release. My jaw was on the floor at that point. I mean, my expectations were low going in, given how I felt about the Feel Flows set and the preview tracks, and I was fully prepared for a thick dose of treble and compression... but nothing quite like that. As far as the "normal" mixes go, Let Us Go On This Way and You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone are the two real offenders, with the latter being genuinely unlistenable. At least with the former you can hear a guitar in the bridge that was muted in the original mix. It's just too bad I have to listen to the rest of the mix to hear it. Next up, Baby Blue. Though our dearly departed Mr. Edelson made a huge stink about the new mix, I can't say it's very revelatory. There are obvious panning differences to the original, sure, but... not quite sure I'd choose that mix as the hill to die on here. I did find the jarring hiss cutting in and out with the lead vocal to be pretty funny. Perhaps if I had the master tapes, I'd understand why it was mixed that way.
Devoted to You's guitar sounds like the guitar on California Music's Add Some Music... AKA painful. Yikes!
Do it Again is very busy and messy, and the drums sound off. Not sure how that happens, when the 2012 mix was generally quite good.
Even the tracks which are less egregious on a casual listen have standout issues: Wouldn't it be Nice has an obvious pop (almost sounds like a drop out) when the newly mixed bridge cuts back to the original mix, which is something that could've been fixed with a simple crossfade, or by simply choosing a more logical place to cut (maybe not in the middle of a word!).
California Feelin' has noise reduction that cuts in and out of the opening, and it sounds as if Carl's lead has been cut to shreds and "realigned", I can only assume someone thought his performance didn't match the rhythm closely enough.
Can't Wait Too Long has terrible edits and obnoxious bass. Hard to believe that the same guy edited the prior two releases of the track!
All this being said, I don't mean to offend those involved or discourage anyone from enjoying the set. If you can look past these issues, all the more power to you, really. I wish I could enjoy this release, I really do... But I don't, and I'm not one to mince words.
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petsite
Author/Historian/ Researcher
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 3,237
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Post by petsite on Jun 17, 2022 14:29:15 GMT -5
Mine is coming sometime this afternoon. But I will listen to this for now LOL!
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petsite
Author/Historian/ Researcher
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 3,237
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Post by petsite on Jun 17, 2022 14:35:24 GMT -5
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Post by drbeachboy (Dirk) on Jun 17, 2022 14:44:21 GMT -5
I’ve listened to the auto-rip mp3s from Amazon, but I’m still holding off judgement until I listen to the CDs.
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Departed
Former Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2022 16:02:51 GMT -5
TIDAL has the Masters level lose less bitrate and I've listened to all the songs on the first disc up to Help Me Rhonda. The bass is universally louder and more booming and sometimes it's good, and it's really great driving music. Don't worry baby has Alan playing bass on it and boy a new appreciation for his great bass work on that song which the new mix favors and highlights.
I really want to know what Dave thinks of these songs because you can certainly hear more of that Tak tak driving Rhythm from his guitar, and on all the songs that include him his part is now louder more distinct and more discernible as part of that unique early Punk sound that they were establishing in the studio.
Sometimes the background vocals are more distinct and in general there is something new and different on every song that perks up your ears and makes you think about the music and the composition. Is anything new and different about California Gurls? That one just did not pop for me in terms of being different though I thought it sounded fantastic.
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Post by #JusticeForDonGoldberg on Jun 17, 2022 19:58:54 GMT -5
Oof, this is absolutely getting torn to shreds in the comment section.
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Post by debonbon on Jun 17, 2022 20:43:28 GMT -5
Interesting to listen to a few of the new mixes. I agree that Susie Cincinnati sounds very weird and I'm not sure the song really warranted a 2012 mix, a 2020 mix and a 2021 mix. Considering that it wasn't deemed good enough to originally make it onto Sunflower, it certainly has been issued enough times over the years. It sounded ace on 15 Big Ones. Everything since then has only made it sound worse, to my ears. The Feel Flows version was, frankly, unlistenable. Metal Machine Music is unlistenable, nothing on Feel Flows is.
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