If you've ever played a 45 followed by a 33, I guarantee you have at either stage (or both) forgotten to set the speed. And as someone who played Beggars Banquet by the Rolling Stones all the way through 13.6% faster than it was designed to play, I can tell you it's kind of infuriating.
Whilst I can't link the previous rant to New Year or Radiohead, I will continue regardless. The Bends is distinctly personal album - to Thom Yorke maybe - but actually to the listener. It's therefore one that I, although have moved on from, as often happens, will always have a spot for and will often return to. It's also got brilliant acoustics going on inside, so best of both worlds if you like.
Personal comfort zone and high fidelity. What more is there?
(P.S. don't say "OK Computer").
If you are interested in whether The Bends is an all analog release (recorded, mastered and pressed to vinyl) you will probably not be pleased to know that I haven't got a clue. It certainly is has a warm, acoustic-cy vibe going on. That's all that matters really. I've assumed it was recorded to tape and that's done me well so far.
As happens with beginning a record collection, there is always a period of crossover. You have CD's, or even MP3's from a previous existence, some you may want to renew in flat black disk format, some can wait. Maybe you want to start afresh. Having begun some kind of music journey prior to my turntable, there were plenty of albums I wanted own in vinyl. The Bends represented an album I was really into around this time, and it was quite possibly the first album I ordered online. It was the first album I received in the post, and at the cost of about £13.00 I had it in my hands New Years eve.
My pressing is the 2008 Parlophone reissue which can be got hold of new for about £15.00. The first press has minor distinctions (Parlophone "£" on the record label for example), and can be obtained for about £25.00. Potentially this is not a bad investment, although I cannot verify whether the sound quality or pressing quality is any different. Records are sold in such few numbers nowadays (since the CD) that there is very little degradation in quality over continued issues, as is often claimed of Beatles albums for example. However, there is a minor distinction between the CD issue and the vinyl in terms of loudness, suggesting a different mastering technique and therefore making the vinyl a desirable acquisition. Check the DR Database for more information regarding this :http://www.dr.loudness-war.info/index.php?search_artist=radiohead&search_album=the+bends .
The other question is the latest Capitol issues. I have owned the Capitol repress of OK Computer, and I can verify that it sounds very similar to the Parlophone issue with a slightly different label and matrix gubbins. Thicker vinyl may make that issue more your thing but I wouldn't get caught up the 180 g debate. I am fully unable to discern the difference: my favorite pressings were pressed in the 1960's not on 180 g vinyl. Some say it is more sustainable in terms of wear and tear. Other people say Paul McCartney died in 1966. Who knows? However, word of mouth (and forum) often regards the Capitol issues in poorly (a Google search could verify this). Your best bet is the UK Parlophone 2008 reissue that sounds awesome and is nicely packaged - it has a proper picture inner sleeve for example (VG+ is fairly easy to obtain). Unless obviously you go for the first press, and you can't go wrong. But stick to EX or above with this one, being collectible is it's major selling point.
And there you have it. Have a nice day.
[*faaaaadddeee oouuutttt* du dud dud udh du dahhh dahhh dahh dehhh daahh deh daah dahhh ....]
[1 point for that one. It's quite easy]
P.S.S. I actually love OK Computer. It was a top five album for a period.
P.S.S.S. I know Paul McCartney wasn't killed in a car accident. He was hired by the FBI to fight intergalactic space wars in a double team with a notable US historical-political figure. New Paul McCartney is actually a daytime television personality who is Paul in his spare time.
Showing posts with label records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label records. Show all posts
Friday, 13 September 2013
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Christmas 2011 - Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The date is the 25th of December, 2011. The thundering of tiny feet can be heard down the stairs. Sqeals of delight.
Now, at this point I was far too old the thunder down the stairs on Christmas morning (I did have tiny feet mind) but I didn't care. Luckily the sherry and mince pie had gone, been taken presumably by a mystical and unseen entity (probably my gran) and in return lay presents piled to the sky (ahem). As a shooting star flew past, and a reindeer could faintly be heard against the silent glory of a snowy Christmas morning, I received my first ever turntable.
If I'm honest, it was far less magical than that. After being woken at the unchrismassy hour of about 5 by a younger brother, and having my coffee spiked with cold water by my gran, not to mention feeling un-refreshed due to my previous days shift at a *high profile budget clothing chain* and unappealed by the thought of a Boxing Day shift, I lumbered down the stairs. But the prospect of a new Rega RP1 put all that out of my mind (even the coldwater coffee taste in my mouth).
As a budget turntable, the Rega RP1 is ultimately unparalleled. At £230 it isn't cheap mind, yet you might as well properly appreciate your records, even if you are just getting started. It is musical, reliable and straightforward and a LOT of fun. I couldn't recommend it higher. Within 10 minutes of beginning the set up it is singing, and sounding pretty awesome, despite the need for a fairly lengthy run in required. If you are a beginner, it's perfect. You'll need an amp and speakers (any HiFi dealer will help you match them) and you need to make sure you have a pre-amp (or phono stage) either built in or as a separate to your amplifier (a CD player doesn't need one of these, but a turntable does. They're built in most modern quality amplifiers).
As it turns out, within 10 minutes my RP1 was singing the opening static of "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" the debut album by a little known psychedelic rock outfit Pink Floyd. It's quite frankly a masterpiece in funny noises, garden gnomes and is the only album I know of that concludes with a bunch of quacking ducks. I knew of the album prior to discovering it in the garage, and whilst my dad had mentioned he did have it, the buzz of excitement gained when finding something desirable in amongst a load of shit was still there. This is quite a magical feeling, yet as elusive as it is beautiful.
My copy was purchased (I think) in the mid-eighties by my dad and quite frankly I don't give him enough credit for it, the problem being that he has a pretty awesome taste anyway so I can't let anything out that might give him the upper hand. It's on the Fame label and is a UK stereo reissue from 1983. It sounds pretty awesome and is available at about £15.00 to £20.00 in great condition (this is recommended). I wouldn't pay too much for condition, VG+ is acceptable for a 1983 reissue of a 1967 album. Most desirable will be the 1967 UK press with the flip back cover in either mono or stereo fetching well into excess of £200. The stereo is presumably rarer yet I tend to find the mono might be more desirable due the the wide panning in the album (my copy open features hard panned left/right vocals and drums etc. in some places. Comparable to the 1966-67 stereo Beatles albums in this respect). They are the copies I would consider - suited to your preference. Steer clear of coloured copies, they are most likely (if not even definitely) unofficial "fakes". Also stay away from the 2011 (or 2010, I forget) remaster. This is not an exception to the general rule "remasters are kind of shite".
And there you have it. A great oak grows from a tiny acorn. An average oak also grows from a tiny acorn. A rather expensive, time consuming, infuriating yet beautiful and under appreciated oak also grows from a tiny acorn (presumably some kind of genetically modified acorn).
In the words of Pink Floyd:
"DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DE DUH DE DUH DUHHHHHHHHHHH *wewewewe wooo shhhhhmtp"
Questions or queries? Leave a comment! 5 points also for obtaining the correct source of the above quote.
Have a great day
Now, at this point I was far too old the thunder down the stairs on Christmas morning (I did have tiny feet mind) but I didn't care. Luckily the sherry and mince pie had gone, been taken presumably by a mystical and unseen entity (probably my gran) and in return lay presents piled to the sky (ahem). As a shooting star flew past, and a reindeer could faintly be heard against the silent glory of a snowy Christmas morning, I received my first ever turntable.
If I'm honest, it was far less magical than that. After being woken at the unchrismassy hour of about 5 by a younger brother, and having my coffee spiked with cold water by my gran, not to mention feeling un-refreshed due to my previous days shift at a *high profile budget clothing chain* and unappealed by the thought of a Boxing Day shift, I lumbered down the stairs. But the prospect of a new Rega RP1 put all that out of my mind (even the coldwater coffee taste in my mouth).
As a budget turntable, the Rega RP1 is ultimately unparalleled. At £230 it isn't cheap mind, yet you might as well properly appreciate your records, even if you are just getting started. It is musical, reliable and straightforward and a LOT of fun. I couldn't recommend it higher. Within 10 minutes of beginning the set up it is singing, and sounding pretty awesome, despite the need for a fairly lengthy run in required. If you are a beginner, it's perfect. You'll need an amp and speakers (any HiFi dealer will help you match them) and you need to make sure you have a pre-amp (or phono stage) either built in or as a separate to your amplifier (a CD player doesn't need one of these, but a turntable does. They're built in most modern quality amplifiers).
As it turns out, within 10 minutes my RP1 was singing the opening static of "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" the debut album by a little known psychedelic rock outfit Pink Floyd. It's quite frankly a masterpiece in funny noises, garden gnomes and is the only album I know of that concludes with a bunch of quacking ducks. I knew of the album prior to discovering it in the garage, and whilst my dad had mentioned he did have it, the buzz of excitement gained when finding something desirable in amongst a load of shit was still there. This is quite a magical feeling, yet as elusive as it is beautiful.
My copy was purchased (I think) in the mid-eighties by my dad and quite frankly I don't give him enough credit for it, the problem being that he has a pretty awesome taste anyway so I can't let anything out that might give him the upper hand. It's on the Fame label and is a UK stereo reissue from 1983. It sounds pretty awesome and is available at about £15.00 to £20.00 in great condition (this is recommended). I wouldn't pay too much for condition, VG+ is acceptable for a 1983 reissue of a 1967 album. Most desirable will be the 1967 UK press with the flip back cover in either mono or stereo fetching well into excess of £200. The stereo is presumably rarer yet I tend to find the mono might be more desirable due the the wide panning in the album (my copy open features hard panned left/right vocals and drums etc. in some places. Comparable to the 1966-67 stereo Beatles albums in this respect). They are the copies I would consider - suited to your preference. Steer clear of coloured copies, they are most likely (if not even definitely) unofficial "fakes". Also stay away from the 2011 (or 2010, I forget) remaster. This is not an exception to the general rule "remasters are kind of shite".
And there you have it. A great oak grows from a tiny acorn. An average oak also grows from a tiny acorn. A rather expensive, time consuming, infuriating yet beautiful and under appreciated oak also grows from a tiny acorn (presumably some kind of genetically modified acorn).
In the words of Pink Floyd:
"DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DE DUH DE DUH DUHHHHHHHHHHH *wewewewe wooo shhhhhmtp"
Questions or queries? Leave a comment! 5 points also for obtaining the correct source of the above quote.
Have a great day
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