Search - Spandau Ballet :: Parade (Bonus CD)

Remastered but...

bobby morrow | United Kingdom | 06/24/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...whether you'll like it or not is open to debate. 'Parade' (the new 2 CD 1 DVD edition of 'True' features the 2003 master) was remastered by Andy Walter, notorious for his work on the Duran Duran special editions of a few months ago. Mr Walter favours the over-compressed route which means 'Parade' is LOUD but also trebly, tinny and hard on the ears after a bit. The original CD of 'Parade' was so very dreadful, however, it still manages to be an improvement! Subtle it ain't, so if you hated the recent Duran's, I wouldn't bother with this...



Packaging is a bit lacklustre too. 'Parade' is in a rather flimsy digipak sleeve (similar to the Belinda Carlisle Sp Ed of 'Heaven And Earth' last year, features NO sleevenotes, lyrics etc of any kind just a nasty fold-out piece of paper with a few photos adorning it. The 'True' packaging is a little better having a pouch for the DVD and looking a little more like it wasn't knocked up in 10 minutes.



I should say something about the music! 'Parade', of course, was the follow up to the multi-platinum 'True', destined not to be as successful but still a decent set. A lot of the songs sound like 'True' and 'Gold' wannabes but it's a good, solid album that people remember fondly and, it has to be said, this was the last time a Spandau album would feature on the charts so heavily.



So, you pays your money etc... If you don't mind a bit of compression, this new remaster will sound good to you, but if you yearn for a more natural, 'musical' sound, you'll probably be disappointed in this 2 CD set."