ELVIS COSTELLO - LIVE AT THE EL MOCAMBO (1978 Unofficial Release)

 

1978 Unofficial Released

Clarity: 3.3

Dynamics: 3.3

Tonality/Balance: 3

Soundstage/Image: 3.5

Pressing: 3.5

Though the broadcast suffers (a bit) from lack of low end which was inherent to the recording (I suspect), this is a perfect live album. It captures the intense energy from Mr. MacManus and his band who rock the shit out of the place! This fidelity is hot and aggressive yet crowd noise never overpowers the music. The crowd actually has a nice 3D depth. You can crank the volume without distortion or shrillness, just well-balanced mastering for a live radio-play only album. 

Final Grade: 3.3

GANG OF FOUR - SOLID GOLD (1981 Warner Bros. Records)

 

1981 Warner Bros. Records, First Pressing

Clarity: 4.5

Dynamics: 4.5

Tonality/Balance: 5

Soundstage/Image: 4.5

Pressing: 4

HUGE funky bass sound, hot guitars and deep 3D soundstage. Detail, separation and clarity just about perfect. WOW! Highest recommendation!

Final Grade: 4.5

THE BAND - MUSIC FROM BIG PINK (1969 Capitol Records, Gatefold)

 

1969 Capitol Records, Gatefold, Repress

Clarity: 3.5

Dynamics: 3.5

Tonality/Balance: 3.5

Soundstage/Image: 3.5

Pressing: 3

Wonderful fidelity! Guitars are brash and intense yet well balanced in a huge 3D soundstage. Detail and clarity superb. Damn this sounds so much more organic than my SACD remaster. Love it!

Final Grade: 3.4

LOU REED - TRANSFORMER (1972 RCA Victor, UK)

 

1972 RCA Victor, UK, First Pressing

Clarity: 4.5

Dynamics: 4.5

Tonality/Balance: 5

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 4

Wow! The bass on this is BIG yet perfectly balanced, crystal clear separation in the mids and wide, deep 3D sound! Not one bit of sibilance present, so this may be cart specific since others have mentioned it. A beautiful sounding record that crushes the fidelity of my remastered digital box set. The imaging here is breathtaking. Highest recommendation!

Final Grade: 4.6

POISON - LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN (1986 Enigma)

 

1986 Enigma, First Pressing

Original mix of Cry Tough 

Clarity: 3.5

Dynamics: 3.5

Tonality/Balance: 3.5

Soundstage/Image: 3.5

Pressing: 4

Damn, this sounds really good! Powerful fidelity, hot crunchy guitars and thumping bass but not boosted or overpowered so midrange is deep and detailed. Retains a loud 3D soundstage. I’m from Mechanicsburg so Brett and Rick are local boys! The Cheap Trick influence is in this album’s very DNA. Fun record!

Final Grade: 3.6

MINISTRY - WITH SYMPATHY (1983 Arista)

 

1983 Arista, First Pressing

Mastered at Sterling by Greg Calbi

Clarity: 5

Dynamics: 4.5

Tonality/Balance: 5

Soundstage/Image: 4.5

Pressing: 4

Fantastic mastering on this Sterling pressing! Super detail and clarity while still thumping on the low end. I’d describe this as a technical 3D sound. I love it! Vocals crystal clear atop bass and synth. Damn this sounds great!! 

Final Grade: 4.6

THE JAYHAWKS - SMILE (2014 American Recordings, 2 x LP, 180g, Expanded Edition)

 

Originally released 2000 (CD only)

2014 American Recordings

2 x LP, 180g, Remastered, 5 Previously Unreleased Tracks

Mastered by Kevin Gray

Clarity: 4.5

Dynamics: 4.5

Tonality/Balance: 4.5

Soundstage/Image: 5

Pressing: 4.5

Kevin. Fucking. Gray. Another winner!! You see his name in the wax and chances are your money is well spent. Here we get a wide open 3D stage with deep bass and crystal clear separation. Detail is amazing! Hard to believe it took 14 years to get the first vinyl pressing but this is the one to own. The bass on What Led Me To This Town shakes my house! This bottom end just does not exist on the original CD. Highest recommendation!

Final Grade: 4.6

VARIOUS - FUNKY FAVORITES (1977 Ronco)

 

1977 Ronco, first (and only) pressing

Clarity: 3

Dynamics: 3

Tonality/Balance: 3.5

Soundstage/Image: 3.5

Pressing: 3.5

Why are you reading this? Need to know the fidelity of this Ronco release? Ha! But seriously, this sounds better than it has any right to sound. It's a fun, nostalgic album for me. Had one in '77 and broke it in two using it as a ramp for my Star Wars land speeder. 

Final Grade: 3.3

SLEATER-KINNEY - ONE BEAT (2014 Sub Pop, Box Set, Remaster)

 

2014 Sub Pop, Box Set, Remastered

Mastered at Sterling by Ray Janos

Originally released 2002

Clarity: 4.5

Dynamics: 4.5

Tonality/Balance: 4

Soundstage/Image: 4

Pressing: 4.5

Huge aggressive sound, guitars shred the tweeters but not shrill or fatiguing. Bottom end thumps and a nice wide 3D soundstage. There is very nice depth and detail with crystal clear separation. Vocals strong and up front of the sonic maelstrom. This is a well-mastered cut!  If you’re used to the brickwalled CDs then you’re in for a treat. 

Final grade: 4.3

THE REPLACEMENTS - TIM (1985 Sire)

 

1985 Sire, First Pressing

Clarity: 3.5

Dynamics: 4

Tonality/Balance: 4

Soundstage/Image: 4

Pressing: 4

This pressing hits fast, loud and hard! This has rawer energy than the 2025 Rhino remaster of the original, just packs a punch I find lacking in many modern represses. Very aggressive guitars on top of thumping bass and drums, yet Paul’s voice clear in the mix. This is a fucking revelation if you’re only used to the original CD which was muddy and flat sonically. This has nice deep imaging and a 3D sound. Wow!

Final Grade: 3.9