Please post your comments, thoughts and observations.......
I own both the CD and SACD versions. One evening I compared the multi-channel SACD with the stereo CD version (running through a DPL2 processor with panorama turned on). I was a little bit surprised at the differences I could hear between the two mixes. I say surprised because I've never been overly impressed with the Alice In Chains SACD; I figured it would sound pretty close to a CD running through DPL2. That's definitely not the case. I'd say the SACD sounds fuller---and better overall. Still... the SACD isn't exactly reference material. I gave it a 5.
The music is 10 all the way, but the surround mix is sorely lacking. Another title that should have been great but ends up limp. A terrible missed opportunity here. I gave it a 6.
Had a good time blasting this with the Mrs. just now. No, not an audiophile experience, but the best we've heard AiC.
A missed opportunity for more discreteness, sure. But this disc has muscle!
Plenty of surround moments, to my taste.
Backing and even lead vocals, guitar overdubs and sometimes solos.
Drum accents.
Hey gang, if you like this release enough, definitely check out the DVD Music Bank with all the videos - same mixes, different mastering (yes, it's only Dolby Digital), but most importantly there are songs that are not included on the SACD (or anywhere else): e.g. Sea Of Sorrow, What The Hell Have I, Down In A Hole or Get Born Again.
Yeah, it surprises me that the mixer says he listened to 200 DVDs before mixing this... interesting that this was his first surround mix... another "first surround mix" that kind of sucked would be Oasis "What's The Story Morning Glory" ... thankfully Eddie Kramer's first surround mix turned out really good ("Electric Ladyland")... someone should start a thread of "first surround mixes" (sjcorne?)I voted 5. This is a fantastic music album, truly greatest hits, but when I am scrolling through my music thinking of what I might want to listen to in 5.1 I cringe when I come across this release. the surround sound is one of the poorest that I know of. My 5 is probably a zero for some because I tend to vote on the high side so a 5 from me is pretty bad.