I don't think any of the Marillion 5.1 mixes can be characterized as "ambience-only". Clutching was my least favorite of the bunch, but even that one had some good discrete moments - the keyboard solo in "Just For The Record" is squarely in the rears, as are the rhythm guitars in "Incommunicado" and the lead vocal during a section of "White Russian".I'm afraid Marillion's mixers have embraced the philosophy that surround music is best used the way classical music mixers do it...meaning ambience only. That's lazy and unimaginative!
Script has even less elements to work with than either Misplaced or Clutching, and it seems like Andy Bradfield and Avril Mackintosh's approach to surround mixing is a bit more 'conservative' than SW's (or perhaps this is Fish's preference?), so the reports saying that this isn't a particularly aggressive 5.1 mix don't really surprise me. I'm still looking forward to hearing itSDE: Were there any particular challenges, in terms of creating this Marilion 5.1 mix?
SW: Yes, there’s not much on it! I was surprised, because obviously it’s quite a big sounding album, but that’s because it’s beautifully recorded. In fact at any one time there’s usually only drums, bass, one or two guitar / keyboard parts, and a lead vocal going on. Occasional solos of course, but there’s barely any backing vocals, and very little in the way of what you might call sound design. The album just works really well as a well composed suite, but it’s quite simple in the way it’s arranged and layered, a very economic recording. So it’s certainly not a whizz-bang 5.1 mix, and I don’t think it would have leant itself to that anyway. I would describe it as being closer to a more immersive interpretation of the stereo mix. Sometimes that can be the right approach to take in my opinion. The lead vocals on the original album are quite far back in the mix sometimes too, and I stayed pretty close to that template, even though I might have mixed them louder if I’d been doing the album from scratch. But still they sound great where they are, that’s just a personal thing.
Not only the extra features, but there are those of us who have been happy with the surround mixes too.I understand that this a surround forum but I have been into this band since the early days. Disappointing that the mix might be lackluster but I am still looking forward to a few of the features on the release, especially the documentary and hopefully better stereo mixes of the album, EP and Recital.
IMHO I tend to see the 3 you listed as very good Surround. I thought the sublime Straws was the best. Then there is Afraid of Sunlight...……...that one just did not register emotion with me. Just sounded stale and lethargic...and it is a great original album so I was quite disappointedI'm pretty satisfied with Misplaced Childhood and Brave, and Clutching is not too bad, maybe I am not a surround purist who not only judge the mix quality but also the sound quality.
99.999999999% certain we're not going to see any more SW Marillion remixes.Would love to see SW do Fugazi. Great album. I think that is the next album the label is doing in Surround
I haven’t received mine. I’m hoping tomorrow or Monday. Has anyone in the US received it?I still haven't received my copy that was pre-ordered. I'm not complaining as there is clearly more pressing issues going on in this world.
I'm just hoping it don't get lost somehow.
At first I was a little put off by Brave, but, it's probably more to do with having near insurmountable expectations for such an album. Overall, he did a very good job on it. He didn't remix MC in stereo, so can't really complain about that. I think the surround there was quite good, just not much to work with - it's a very sparse album, which is one of its strengths.I wasn't super keen on SW's remix efforts on the MC and Brave. I would even go as far as to say I dislike his remixes (stereo mainly, the surround benefits from the sound effects being more pushed into the surrounds, but is also quite poorly done) of Brave. I was hoping to be blown away by Brave, as it is my favourite Marillion release ever, but I was disappointed. I still prefer the original 2 channel mix. SW's remix was not my cup of tea.
MC was never my favourite album and the remix of that one leaves me pretty cold too.
Sorry people, not a fan of SW's Marillion remixes.
I received my copy in Atlanta, GA on Wednesday. I order from the band (to support the band) and they shipped it out March 19.I haven’t received mine. I’m hoping tomorrow or Monday. Has anyone in the US received it?