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COMPLETE "ORIGINAL RECORDINGS" JAPAN REMASTER NOW AVAILABLE

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 07/29/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"
Many reviews here lament the loss of two "Original Recordings" tracks ("Shorty Falls In Love" and "It's Bad Grammar, Baby"), but grudgingly compromise for the improved sound and bonus material.



However, that concession is no longer necessary. In 2007, Sony Japan released a DSD-remaster of "Original Recordings" in a limited edition LP-replica-mini-sleeve, with all eleven original tracks intact.



The DSD-processed audio on the Sony disc is definitely different, and often superior, than on "Most". For instance, the opening dual-guitars of "I Scare Myself" have surprisingly deep, robust tone on the Sony; on the Most disc, the guitars sound downright tinny by comparison. However, when the vocals commence, the Most CD has more clarity, but there's noticable distortion (absent from the Sony), obviously inherent in the original recording and exposed by a artificial boost in the mid-to-higher frequencies. Yet, by 3:30 into the song, the acoustic bass on the Sony is far more defined and upfront, and the vocals are smoother than the Most version. Between the two, I find the Sony a more enjoyable listen on this track.



I suspect that different people will establish preferences on a track-by-track basis. Also, having a restored, remastered "Shorty Falls In Love" is worth the price of the disc, IMHO (I could always give or take "Grammar").



So, if you truly love "Original Recordings", I highly recommend acquiring the Sony disc and giving it a listen for yourself.



WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?



Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.



Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.



Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.



Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.



All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs."

Why mess with a good thing?

paul pirate | New York, New York | 07/01/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, great to have the Epic recordings on CD along with the unissued stuff from the great lost second album, however unfinished. No, the reordering and absence of songs from the first album is inexcusable. We liked it just the way it was, y'know? Strange minds out there. It's bad grammar, baby...."