The Smiths Remasters

[toddamo]

Hi!

Can someone kindly bring me up to date on the state of
the Smiths' studio albums on CD?

I've been desiring remastered versions (with bonus cuts) for
many, many years.

Honestly, I haven't been paying attention too much recently
but then just looked up that Marr had done some remastering
for Rhino. I also see that Warner re-released the CDs around 2006.

Music that came out in the mid-80's suffered greatly from
being the first generation of muisc to be rendered digitally.
Engineers were not yet familiar with the delicate process of
transferring analog tapes into the digital world and onto CDs.
We've come a long way in our knowledge about mastering
for digital CDs.

As a result, our 1st generation Smiths CDs sound flat and dated.
(The other great catalog that suffers from this is Prince's! He needs
a major re-mastering project--bad!)

So...what's the current state of Smiths masters?

Has there been a comprehensive re-mastering project?

And what are peoples thoughts/feelings about the Smiths
music that has been re-released and re-mastered?

Thanks for your input!

-todd

http://toddamodeo.com
Click here for free music, words and love!

 

[Worm]

Has there been a comprehensive re-mastering project?

Visit this blog:

Too good to be true, but it's true

His Smiths project hasn't begun yet, but if it's as good as his New Order/Joy Division work we'll be very, very happy.

 

[rough106]

Remastered songs of The Smiths

I do like how they sound: louder, stronger, all those beautiful guitar parts. Still love the original ones, perhaps 'cause those were the ones that sent shivers down the spine the very first time. Just wondering how other listeners feel about them.

Thanks!

 

[MozIsGod]

Music that came out in the mid-80's suffered greatly from being the first generation of muisc to be rendered digitally.
Engineers were not yet familiar with the delicate process of
transferring analog tapes into the digital world and onto CDs.
We've come a long way in our knowledge about mastering
for digital CDs.

While that is likely true, mastering has taken a massive step back in the past couple years. You may wish to read an entry on the Loudness Wars. You'll find lots of disappointing information regarding the quality, or should I say lack thereof, of most remasters these days. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war

as a result, our 1st generation Smiths CDs sound flat and dated.

They don't sound that bad, trust me. No clipping, no distortion, no brightness. Strangeways is my favorite one to blast.

 

[Oso Blanco]

As a result, our 1st generation Smiths CDs sound flat and dated.

Actually, the first generation Smiths CDs (the original Rough Trade issues) are considered to be best Smiths CDs there are, much better than the WEA or Sire issues or even the remasters.

There has been an extensive discussion about that over at the Steve Hoffman Forums, which has lots of audiophiles testing different versions of different Smiths CDs, and the originals always win.

 

[rough106]

I know... those original Rough Trade CDS sound great too.

 

[rough106]

"The death of High fidelity", interesting article.

 

[leedoggpimp]

the sound of the smiths sounds incredible... best compilation i've heard in years.

 

[rough106]

Actually, the first generation Smiths CDs (the original Rough Trade issues) are considered to be best Smiths CDs there are, much better than the WEA or Sire issues or even the remasters.

There has been an extensive discussion about that over at the Steve Hoffman Forums, which has lots of audiophiles testing different versions of different Smiths CDs, and the originals always win.

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-169703.html

 

[billybu69]

"The death of High fidelity", interesting article.

Great article thanks.

 

[rough106]

No problem!