Search - Montrose :: Montrose

A bona fide rock classic gets a sonic facelift -- but a bare

Just Bill | Grand Rapids, MI United States | 09/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Montrose's debut album since it was released in 1973. I still can't believe how amazing these riffs are! And Sammy Hagar gives Paul Rodgers a run for his money as "The Voice" of rock. Every single song on Montrose is a classic -- larger than life riffs, over the top vocals, drumming and bass playing ripped from The Black Sabbath Book of Heavy - thunderous.



So when I discovered Audio Fidelity released a gold disc of Montrose, I whipped out my credit card immediately.



Hmmm.



The difference in sound quality between the '73 original and the new remastered gold disc is there, but you really have to be listening intently to notice it. In fact, I've been A/B'ing the two discs for the past 30 minutes, listening carefully for every possible nuance of difference. I'm using a Denon CD player and a pair of Sennheiser headphones. Both are capable of delivering crisp highs and lows. And I'm hearing a slight difference in both, but only a slight one.



(Oddly enough, on my Denon player, the gold disc clocks in at 32:17 while the regular Warner Brothers Records CD tips the scale at 32:23. Not sure why. A six-second difference seems pretty hefty when it comes to favorite music. Yet, I can't find where these songs are missing much. A second here and there could account for it. But no music appears to be missing.)



Okay, as to the positive differences in sound quality, I'd say the biggest differences can be heard in these areas:



1. Denny Carmassi's drums are just a little crisper, especially in the cymbals and kick. (Especially, on "Rock the Nation," "One Thing On My Mind" and -- this is an obvious one -- "Rock Candy.")



2. Bill Church's bass guitar is marginally punchier and cleaner. (Especially on "Rock the Nation," "Bad Motor Scooter" and "I Don't Want It.")



3. Sammy Haggar's voice seems to have greater resolution so that it stands out a bit from the other instruments. This is across the board, not necessarily on any one track. He just sounds more up front.



Ironically, I couldn't discern -- mind you, straining to hear it and using above-average equipment -- any sonic difference in Ronnie Montrose's guitar, which is what I was hoping for.



Often when a disc is remastered the difference is striking. Led Zeppelin, Free and Sweet come to mind as good examples of this. Other times, the remastering doesn't seem to do much to improve the situation. Starz and, now, Montrose are perfect examples of this phenomenon.



That leads me to conclude two things:



1. The original recordings and CD masterings were of high quality to begin with. In the case of Montrose and Starz's debut albums, that's not hard to believe. I've always thought both were astounding recordings.



2. The 24KT gold disc ("From the original master tapes") treatment fell short somehow. Either the "master tapes" used weren't really the master tapes or the person doing the remastering wasn't tops in his/her profession.



My conclusion? Since the price between the regular WB Records CD and the new 24KT gold Audio Fidelity CD isn't astronomical ($10.99 and $14.99, respectively, as of today's date), I'd say go for the Audio Fidelity version. The difference is there (however slightly) and, heck, when you're listening to a classic like the first Montrose CD you want all the sound quality you can get.



However, if money is an object or if you can't find the new 24KT gold disc anywhere (which is a distinct possibility), there's no need to feel cheated if you buy the regular WB Records version. Either way, you're going to hear one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded."

A classic made even better

R. H. | Hampton, VA USA | 01/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have both versions of this cd, the gold and the original cd.

The sound on the gold cd is much clearer, especially the treble on the guitars, snare drums, cymbals and vocals.

It doesn't do much for the bass side of things, but the overall effect is a clearer sound with more clarity in the individual instruments. If you're a Montrose fan and you can get a decent price on this cd, get it! You won't be sorry."

The best CD version you can buy!

G. Burns | St. Louis, MO USA | 05/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This gold disc is the best version you will hear of the first Montrose album. I promise. Buy it now if you can find it."