The dizzying number of reissues and remasters of classic albums makes it hard to keep track on which version is best. Fortunately, here at eCoustics we try our best to keep a pulse on the changes. That said, here are some rock vinyl reissues which I have found to sound much better that the originals for a variety of reasons.
1. XTC Skylarking
The “polarity corrected” edition of XTC’s 1987 masterpiece is essential listening if you are a fan of this recording. This 2016, 200-gram, 2LP 45-RPM remaster sounds dramatically better than any originals. Band co-founder and main songwriter Andy Partridge estimates it to be 30% better, but I think it’s more. The restoration reissue restores the full track listing — some tracks had been omitted on early editions of the album due to space constraints of a single LP — including the magnificent segue between megahit “Dear God” and the poignant “Dying.” Stunning.
Note: there is a new single LP 200-gram polarity-corrected edition available with all the tracks. I have not heard this yet but some may prefer that edition over the 2LP 45 RPM edition.
2. The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour
The Mono version of this TV movie soundtrack has long been preferred by deep fans. In America, Capitol Records expanded the original UK 7-inch 45-RPM “double EP” to a full 12-inch album by adding period singles. A great album, the sound was never super great for many reasons. Fast forward to 2014, available in the Beatles In Mono box set and for a limited time as a standalone LP, the Mono reissue is a night and day improvement for good reason: producer Giles Martin created a new first generation master reel of each track taken from the original master tapes.
Note: as this LP is out of print, it has gone up in value. Check Discogs and shop around a bit before buying!
3. Tom Petty’s Long After Dark
The newly released 2LP edition of this oft-overlooked 1982 LP ($39.98 at Amazon) was a revelation. The remaster trounces my original LP; Petty’s early albums were generally pretty compressed for maximum impact on radio back in the day. Fortunately they made a great recording initially and now you can hear it. The extra disc is indeed a bonus with tracks as strong as the main album, maybe even stronger!
4. Yes Drama
The 2016 Kevin Gray remaster of Yes’ transitional 1980 hit release is worlds better than most every version available globally. Originally, Drama was pressed with duplicated stampers (marked “Strawberry” in the dead wax) which don’t do justice to the music (I have owned US, Japan and UK pressings). There is a hard to find record club edition which offers more sympathetic mastering, but the Kevin Gray edition ($25 at Amazon) is readily available and ultimately sounds best.
5. Bruce Springsteen Born To Run
The 2014 180-gram restored version of this 1975 breakthrough classic was crafted with acclaimed Plangent Processes technology which corrects errors made at the time of the original production including recorder motor speed / transport fluctuations, wow and flutter, etc. The result is much tighter, realistic and punchier sounding, especially noticeable on tracks like “Thunder Road,” “Meeting Across River” and ”Jungleland.” Initially included in the massive 7LP boxed set (The Album Collection, Vol. 1, which I own) as I understand the stand alone vinyl editions were made with the same remastering. You can also hear the Plangent Springsteen restorations on the CD version of the boxed set as well. Essential.
6. Grateful Dead Anthem Of The Sun
I don’t usually recommend highly patterned colored vinyl but I bought the Vinyl Me Please reissue of this 1968 psychedelic classic and am very pleased. Remastered from the 1968 mix by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, it sounds tremendous. Original LPs are hard to find in decent condition and many people end up with the 1971 remix/edit which is a different experience (its cleaned up a bit). If you want the best version of that original mix on vinyl, VMP is a good bet, but I have to offer one caveat: Plangent Processes worked on a version of that album which I have yet to hear (and which I suspect sounds pretty great!). At some point I hope to get my hands on a copy to compare/contrast.
7. Steely Dan Can’t Buy A Thrill (UHQR)
If you are an audiophile Steely Dan fan, you probably already have this and the other albums in this series of lovingly prepared ultra pressings on “Clarity Vinyl.” I was fortunate to get my hands on this first one and it certainly sounds better than any version I’ve heard. But that precision does come at a price as these releases typically sell for about $150 each!
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
