A remastered version of all 14 official Beatles albums (yes, the original British versions and not the rearranged and remixed US versions, where they add in reverb effects or 'echo' as the Americans like to call it to their earlier songs and makes them sound awful), including the US album 'Magical Mystery Tour' and the two volumes of Past Masters compiled into one CD, has been released earlier this month. Reviews on the web said sound quality were excellent comparable to the original vinyl sound. By the time i knew about it, almost all their albums had been sold-out. All their later albums from 'Rubber Soul' to 'Let It Be' has been off the shelves. Why do i always get my news so late. Damn, have to wait for the re-print. And my favourite u2 album, 'The Unforgettable Fire' 20th anniversary remastered edition is due out next month. Damn.
But the good thing is i'd found one of the best debut album ever by another British band - The Stone Roses self-titled debut. Originally released in 1989, it has been given the remastered treatment too. There has been generally universal good review of this album from respected critics from Rolling Stone, NME, and Pitchfork.
The original version i had is not with me anymore. Two questions that is on my mind - does the music sounds dated since it has been 20 years down the line? That's such an easy question to answer-not at all. In fact, it wouldn't sound out of place if played on the radio today.
The other: is it over-rated? Not at all, as this one escapes most critics where they liked to talk of great albums the likes of The Beatles 'Revolver' or 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', Led Zeppelin's 'Led Zeppelin IV', Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' or MJ's 'Thriller'.
But then, critics tends to rate music different from waht the record-buying public listened to. And as one reviewer said, if the listeners don't share the critics view, then what does that say about the importance of critics themselves? Another person said that "over-ratedness is more a function of critical praise divided by musical quality than it is a function of critical praise divided by commercial success".
The Beatles 1967 concept album "Sgt Pepper's" is a good album. But i never have any desire to listen to it again, at least not on a regular basis. The Roses debut is another thing altogether. Pop music with touches of 60's psychedelic influences the likes of The Beatles and The Byrds. Every song is a gem. Not least because they're insanely catchy. Eighties pop with a 60's sound and doesn;t sound dated? Big part because of its appealing dance grooves courtesy of the two very talented rhythm players and guitarist John's intricate guitars. Not the normal rock beats commonly found on normal pop/rock songs.
Not a rave fan but i'd once read they revived the US rave and techno music scene with this one. Influenced some of the new generation of British bands which started a second wave of British music invasion for most of the 90's. Bands like Oasis, Blur, Orbital, Manic Street Preachers. And the musical revolution they created called Britpop. Perfect antithesis to the American generated 'grunge-rock' movement.
The other important thing is the sound quality. One word-excellent. Just hope u2's The Unforgettable Fire will be as good as the original was really bad.
Let's see if the money-minded record companies are going to put out the remastered version of another fine album of the 90's - Nirvana's 'Nevermind' when it hits 20 in another two years.
What, it's been 20 years already since i first heard these albums! I am old...now let me look for my Rihanna's cd.
Waterfall
Chimes sing Sunday morn
Today's the day she's sworn
To steal what she never could own
And race from this hole she calls home
Now you're at the wheel
Tell me how, how does it feel
So good to have equalised
To lift up the lids of your eyes
As the miles they disappear
See land begin to clear
Free from the filth and the scum
This American satellite's won
She'll carry on through it all
She's a waterfall
She'll carry on through it all
She's a waterfall
See the steeple pine
The hills as old as time
Soon to be put to the test
To be whipped by the winds of the West
Stands on shifting sands
The scales held in her hands
The wind it just whips her and wails
And fills up her brigantine sails
She'll carry on through it all
She's a waterfall
She'll carry on through it all
She's a waterfall
10 comments:
Hi Joshua
Lovely! I always prefer brits to american bands because of their music and 'intelligent' lyrics.
While i cant really relate the 80s songs to psychedelic 60s music, i must say i love Amy Winehouse, Pixie Lot and Duffy.
Ops, do i make sense to you Joshua?
:) You take care ok! Cheerio!
Hey Fi-sha
Same feeling here. Let's talk about the music i know well, rock. American rock bands, famous and critically-acclaimed ones from the 90's the likes of Nirvana, Guns N'Roses, does not have the sort of 'intelligent' lyric you mentioned as those from the British like Depeche Mode, u2 (they have grown worse lately though), Radiohead.
Eighties music from UK were mostly new-wave (the so-called second wave of the british invasion after the first in the 60's started by bands like 'The Beatles'), with bands you probably heard of: a-ha, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Human League. New Wave itself grows out of its initial punk rock influences from bands like 'The Sex Pistols' and 'Ramones'. I liked them a lot duriing my schooldays. And still do today probably because their music reminds me of youth.
The 90's as you would also know were dominated in the early years by Britpop. Blur, Suede, Oasis, Manic Street Preachers were some of the more popular. Their music has a tinge of 60's psychedelic pop with a 'happy-sounding'guitars sound to them. While on the other side, the US music scene has started another revolution with the advent of grunge rock of which Nirvana and Pearl Jam were among the pioneers.
While i preferred british music during schooldays, i completely missed out on the britpop phenomenon. The only song i could remember well was Oasis "Wonderwall". Instead i was more attuned to grunge in my working years in the 90's, haha.
Loved Amy Winehouse's voice too. Too bad she's not always sober. But then again who is? Maybe i ramble on too long already :)
That’s Too nice, when it comes in india hope it can make a Rocking place for youngster.. hope that come true.
Just testing to see if your say discuss fuctinon works, deposit doesnt!
Wonderful post -- why don't you have a "print this" button?
Hello. And Bye.
Post a Comment