Wow. Im early to this one. I give it a 9
The overall fidelity of the mix is excellent on all tracks. Like YOTC, this album was always bright. But this one is much more crankable to my ears. Packaging is similar to YOTC. Content is just as awsome , and in some cases better. Live stuff is nice.
Im gonna try something new. I prepared for this by taking notes. I'm just going to reproduce the notes.
Tracks sampled and comments:
1. Life in Dark Water:
Excellent Fidelity. Nice surround. Nice vocal pans F to R at breaks. Pianos at mid side. Synths toward rear.
2. Time Passages:
As above. More side soundstage than the DTS CD. Rear guitar breaks, Song is in your face.... it always was
3. Time Passages (Parsons unreleased DTS-CD):
Less shimmer than above More front centric than above. less rear ambiance. than above. guitar breaks up front more. rear is mainly strings.
4. Valentina Way:
What is in the LR?? is it doubled vocal? overdone ambiance that is louder in left? occasional rear drum hits on right side. rear-side keys
5. Almost Lucy:
vocals on right side. diagonal bongos FL to RR. LR sounds empty except for ambiance. shakers on right side mid. sounds good except for strange vocal placement
6. Song on the Radio:
Like the title track. Nice
Then I shifted gears a bit to determine how bright this album was in relation to YOTC. So 2 tracks from YOTC as ripped from the disk
7. On the Border:
Is the percussion buried? It still sounds bright. lots of sibilance on vocals. There always was.
8. Lord Grenville:
Even worse than above Ouch. The EQ'd version I have of this is more listenable.