Listening to Now (In Surround) - Volume 2

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And now for something completely different

1584330774554.png
Magenta metamorphasis

This special edition:
https://www.discogs.com/Magenta-Metamorphosis/release/7760400
 
Clement said:
"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" for this one

Chicago Chicago IX Chicago's Greatest Hits

I forgot to put it back in the ol' Quadio box last time I listened! Oo! My wife came out to listen to this one--after I turned it down a bit. I know she's just looking out for my aging ears, but . . . damn! Well, if the tradeoff is a slowdance with her, she can "Colour My World" anytime! Stay Surrounded, Comrades! "Wishing You Were Here" . . .
Click to expand...
I've got the 24/192 4.0 DTS-HD BluRay. Sounds great for an old Chicago recording!
Thanks Quadio. :)
 
Clement said:
Wow. It's seems as if I will do anything you ask of me! First, to skip my review and listen on your own:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lekLUHr0okAqbsTxhqE0cPIWLkQfNc908
Second, this really is the type of release that DESERVES a poll thread here. If you search for it, you will see that several of QQ's heaviest hitters have recommended this one (that's how I found it: thanks @fredblue and @GOS and @The Bright Side --sorry if I missed anyone!). This release can be found VERY reasonably (in fact, it is so inexpensive that I added 1/2 of the asking price on top as a thank you for keeping surround alive). Finally, it's a great album with a great mix, and having a poll thread might very well help sell more and support the artist:

https://abeautifulcurse.bandcamp.com/music
Third, full authoritative mandatory review: I chose the DTS 5.1 mix (DD also available). First track starts with multi-tracked ethereal female vocals behind. Driving beat (programming and keyboards) start up front. Single female vocal behind starts the lyric and then the band explodes up front (drums, bass, guitars, keyboards). Bass and drums behind and vocals now all around. The song is "On the Other Side," and I'm feeling it! The juxtaposition of vocals and the trippy beat work really well and then a driving metal guitar riff explodes up front--hell yeah! Band shows its range on this one and the track sucks me into the album. Things get eerie again at the end (programmed electronic burps/squawks and the ethereal voices) before the song morphs into track 2: "The Soul Divine," a showcase for frontman Kenny James who plays ALL the instruments (and contributes some vocals as well).This track has a very neo-prog vibe, keyboards carry a simple swelling tune and the singers (especially Savannah Kocher singing lead) emote. Some fun multichannel work with drums and backing vocals. Again, the song fades but tinkling dancing keys take us seamlessly into the next song, "A Lot Like Diamonds." Trip-hop-y, driving, lovely--"I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love again" indeed. Peep the video here:

https://abeautifulcurse.bandcamp.com/album/as-it-should-be-re-mastered
An abrupt shift to track four: "A Mind of Its Own," which begins with a powerful spoken-word piece before the bass kicks in and drives the song forward. Those ubiquitous female vocals (this track it's Elizabeth Rose and Loretta Southerland) up front carry the tune in between blasts of spoken word by Jeff Campbell, swelling keyboards and programming behind me. Nice menacing guitar takes over three-quarters of the way through and then the song slows down again for the final spoken-word coup. Another seamless segue into track five: "Tastes Like It Should." Very Tasty indeed! Six vocalists on this one! Swelling and swirling sweetly! Another programmed seamless meld to the next track, "This Is My House," house reflecting the driving electronic beat bursting from all speakers. Oh, Ima need to get up and dance to this won--Kenny James on skank guitar here (in addition to drums, keyboards, programming) with Brian Skeel on slide guitar and guitar effects, and let me tell you, those guitars affect! Nice use of the soundstage on this one as well. The whole album is wonderful, and with three songs left, I think you all should wonder full about what comes next. As with my last "Listening to Now" review, if this baby gets a poll thread, I'll finish the review. Stay Surrounded, Comrades! Whoa--the start of track seven . . .
Click to expand...

Wow, CLEM, many thanks for your ecstatic review. I just ordered the CD/DVD 5.1 of AS IT SHOULD BE. Loved the sample and look forward to hearing the album in its entirety in DTS 5.1.
 
Clement said:
"Now We're Getting Somewhere"

View attachment 47370 Crowded House (DualDisc)

"Something So Strong" deserves company--might we ever see more Crowded House in surround? "Don't Dream It's Over"
Click to expand...

AGREE, WHOLEHEARTEDLY, and to compensate for the lack of any more surround titles from Crowded House I bought their 'dreamy' box sets from AmazonUK for pennies on the dollar when they were blowing them out. What a fantastic group.
 
4-earredwonder said:
Clem, for your perusal, a list from Amazon UK of available boxsets still at bargain basement prices. They're ALL superb with bonus discs and bookets in lavish clam shell enclosures:

718DuUebJQL._AC_SL1200_.jpg

71Xu%2BwulYdL._AC_SL1200_.jpg


https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=crowde...fix=crowded+house,aps,207&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_13
Click to expand...
ADORE the four I have! Waiting for a good deal on the following three
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crowded-Ho...&s=music&sprefix=crowded+house,aps,207&sr=1-4https://www.amazon.co.uk/Afterglow-...&s=music&sprefix=crowded+house,aps,207&sr=1-5https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Earth...&s=music&sprefix=crowded+house,aps,207&sr=1-6I probably scored the first four because of something you wrote!
 
Clement said:
ADORE the four I have! Waiting for a good deal on the following three
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crowded-Ho...&s=music&sprefix=crowded+house,aps,207&sr=1-4https://www.amazon.co.uk/Afterglow-...&s=music&sprefix=crowded+house,aps,207&sr=1-5https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Earth...&s=music&sprefix=crowded+house,aps,207&sr=1-6I probably scored the first four because of something you wrote!
Click to expand...

I checked over my AmazonUK orders and found that I paid, with VAT removed, £5.83 each for four of the boxsets and got a couple at similar prices from Deep Discount. The Sound Quality, bonus discs and oblong clamshell packaging are top notch and it would be amazing [but doubtful] that Crowded House would elect to re~release them in surround.

BTW, ImportCD is selling them for about $20 per set. I got them for half that price from their sister company, Deep Discount probably with a further 15% off discount with FREE s/h and NO added sales tax at the time.
 
GOS said:
Does that mean you didn't buy Loaded 45th Anniversary set?
Click to expand...

Well thanks to GOS it was my turn last night to enjoy this masterpiece:

V_U PIC 2.jpg


Like many others I only became aware of Lou Reed after Walk on the Wild Side. The only song I was familiar with from the Loaded album was Sweet Jane. So this was an incredible experience to discover this & listen to in more ways than one. Probably 5.1 ways...

I am amazed at how good the fidelity & surround sound is from something recorded 50 years ago. Everything was clean & crisp instrumental placement around the room exceeded my expectations. Maybe the hard center vocals were a tad hot but bring them down a few dB seemed to bury them so I left it at normal. For some reason these tunes got me in the mood for another oldie classic, the G.D.'s Anthem of the Sun. The HD Tracks DL was pretty darn good on the Surround Master tho certainly not theequivalent of the V.U. All together it was one great night of music!
 
Sonik Wiz said:
Well thanks to GOS it was my turn last night to enjoy this masterpiece:

View attachment 47383

Like many others I only became aware of Lou Reed after Walk on the Wild Side. The only song I was familiar with from the Loaded album was Sweet Jane. So this was an incredible experience to discover this & listen to in more ways than one. Probably 5.1 ways...

I am amazed at how good the fidelity & surround sound is from something recorded 50 years ago. Everything was clean & crisp instrumental placement around the room exceeded my expectations. Maybe the hard center vocals were a tad hot but bring them down a few dB seemed to bury them so I left it at normal. For some reason these tunes got me in the mood for another oldie classic, the G.D.'s Anthem of the Sun. The HD Tracks DL was pretty darn good on the Surround Master tho certainly not theequivalent of the V.U. All together it was one great night of music!
Click to expand...
My fav Lou Reed album has always been this one! This would be a dream for a quality surround release.
Hmm... wonder how an up-mix might do ...
...
https://www.discogs.com/Lou-Reed-Rock-N-Roll-Animal/master/44368
RNRANIMAL.jpg
 
J. PUPSTER said:
My fav Lou Reed album has always been this one! This would be a dream for a quality surround release.
Hmm... wonder how an up-mix might do ...
...
https://www.discogs.com/Lou-Reed-Rock-N-Roll-Animal/master/44368View attachment 47385
Click to expand...

https://www.hdtracks.com/rock-n-roll-animal?___store=default&nosto=nosto-page-search1
Hmmm. I see this is live album & I heave low expectations of the quality of live recordings from that period. I will give a ckose listen to the HD Tracks sampler & consider. Other than being a fave album what else is your opinion of it?
 
4-earredwonder said:
So are you proposing a block party with Leon Trosky doppelgänger Clement serving refreshments? Leon Trotsky
Click to expand...
No, no! Must to be socially responsible--and my beard is much prettier than Trotsky's! I am socially isolating and listening to the crack guitarists from Rock n Roll Animal on this release

1584381054008.png
Alice Cooper Welcome to My Nightmare

Stay Surrounded Comrades! Dare to Struggle; Dare to Win!
 
Last edited:
Sonik Wiz said:
https://www.hdtracks.com/rock-n-roll-animal?___store=default&nosto=nosto-page-search1
Hmmm. I see this is live album & I heave low expectations of the quality of live recordings from that period. I will give a ckose listen to the HD Tracks sampler & consider. Other than being a fave album what else is your opinion of it?
Click to expand...
Just a really gutsy, balls to the walls Rock concert with brilliant Steve Hunter soloing. I also saw the HDTracks 24/96 files, but you never know about those as to quality, I always try and use a 20% off coupon on those to ease the pain.
I also heave some chunks with many live shows :)
 
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