New Beach Boys 2012 Remasters!

[drbeachboy]

What exactly are people expecting from more remasters of discs that have been remastered and released numerous times already? I get the stereo versions if none officially exists thing but what else am I missing? The only disc I own that sounds inferior is the 1990 Today/Summer Days 2-fer, primarily because Today sounds muddy as it always has so how would that get fixed by another remaster? I thought it was the original mix that's inferior and was under the impression it can't be altered. I'm not saying it wouldn't, I'm just trying to understand why so many people seem excited and eager to spend even more money on the same stuff again and again.

For me, I want the original mono albums more than new stereo mixes. 

[EgoHanger1966]

What exactly are people expecting from more remasters of discs that have been remastered and released numerous times already? I get the stereo versions if none officially exists thing but what else am I missing? The only disc I own that sounds inferior is the 1990 Today/Summer Days 2-fer, primarily because Today sounds muddy as it always has so how would that get fixed by another remaster? I thought it was the original mix that's inferior and was under the impression it can't be altered. I'm not saying it wouldn't, I'm just trying to understand why so many people seem excited and eager to spend even more money on the same stuff again and again.

Well, I could understand if the 2001 or 1990 remasters were perfect soundwise. They aren't. The 1990 issues suffer from noise reduction and the 2001 remasters have some wierd EQ moves (I know the original albums are bright, but they souldn't sound THAT bright).

And, to understand how a remaster of the same mix can be worth another purchase, compare any previous issue of Pet Sounds in stereo with the new MoFi stereo remaster. The difference is pretty clear - we have a definitive issue of Pet Sounds in stereo. Even Mark L. says it's the best version out there.

[The Shift]

What exactly are people expecting from more remasters of discs that have been remastered and released numerous times already? I get the stereo versions if none officially exists thing but what else am I missing? The only disc I own that sounds inferior is the 1990 Today/Summer Days 2-fer, primarily because Today sounds muddy as it always has so how would that get fixed by another remaster? I thought it was the original mix that's inferior and was under the impression it can't be altered. I'm not saying it wouldn't, I'm just trying to understand why so many people seem excited and eager to spend even more money on the same stuff again and again.

It's a fan thing.

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Why is this still being talked about, just because something is only released in Japan (for now) doesn't mean we can't get it.

[The Shift]

Why is this still being talked about, just because something is only released in Japan (for now) doesn't mean we can't get it.

Why shouldn't we talk about it?

[drbeachboy]

"You know, it seems the more we talk about it, it only makes it worse to live without it, but let's talk about it."

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

"You know, it seems the more we talk about, it only makes it worse to live without it, but let's talk about it."

+1 awesome points

[Justin]

"You know, it seems the more we talk about, it only makes it worse to live without it, but let's talk about it."

Very nice!  This and the "Caroline No" lyric reference in the "Brian's mouth" thread are this week's highlights.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

What exactly are people expecting from more remasters of discs that have been remastered and released numerous times already? I get the stereo versions if none officially exists thing but what else am I missing? The only disc I own that sounds inferior is the 1990 Today/Summer Days 2-fer, primarily because Today sounds muddy as it always has so how would that get fixed by another remaster? I thought it was the original mix that's inferior and was under the impression it can't be altered. I'm not saying it wouldn't, I'm just trying to understand why so many people seem excited and eager to spend even more money on the same stuff again and again.

It's a fan thing.

Today could be helped by a crisp mastering job for CD.  The mastering on my original LP is really good.  I certainly wouldn't call it muddy. 

What's interesting to hear are some of the mono remixes that have been tried over the years.

[DonnyL]

What exactly are people expecting from more remasters of discs that have been remastered and released numerous times already? I get the stereo versions if none officially exists thing but what else am I missing? The only disc I own that sounds inferior is the 1990 Today/Summer Days 2-fer, primarily because Today sounds muddy as it always has so how would that get fixed by another remaster? I thought it was the original mix that's inferior and was under the impression it can't be altered. I'm not saying it wouldn't, I'm just trying to understand why so many people seem excited and eager to spend even more money on the same stuff again and again.

It's a fan thing.

Today could be helped by a crisp mastering job for CD.  The mastering on my original LP is really good.  I certainly wouldn't call it muddy. 

What's interesting to hear are some of the mono remixes that have been tried over the years.

I might be alone here, but I would way rather hear any vintage alternate (or early in-progress) mixes than any new stereo, ocapella or tracks mixes. Sadly, there are only a few examples of these coming out (a couple on Endless Harmony, etc.).

[Jim V.]

What exactly are people expecting from more remasters of discs that have been remastered and released numerous times already? I get the stereo versions if none officially exists thing but what else am I missing? The only disc I own that sounds inferior is the 1990 Today/Summer Days 2-fer, primarily because Today sounds muddy as it always has so how would that get fixed by another remaster? I thought it was the original mix that's inferior and was under the impression it can't be altered. I'm not saying it wouldn't, I'm just trying to understand why so many people seem excited and eager to spend even more money on the same stuff again and again.

Personally I just think that The Beach Boys deserve to have all of their albums available separately, just as bands like The Beatles do. They were individual works of art, and I feel that issuing them in two-fer form somewhat dilutes what the "albums" were supposed to mean.

It would be cool if they filled the reissued albums with bonus tracks, but I also am ok with them issuing previously unreleased material via box set or other new collections.

[lance]

I agree, but I don't mind stereo/mono on one CD. I would prefer that to buying two CDs, which I probably would not do.

I say put the bonus tracks on a seperate collection. Including tracks like Be True to Your School and Break Away and Cottonfields...

[18thofMay]

In Australia JB Hi FI has all the twofers back in store!!

[Catbirdman]

If these never get released in the US, I will eventually get them all from Japan. Someone asked why would we want them, why are we talking about them? Good grief, man. For me there are five main reasons, none of them trivial:

1. Original MONO mixes - many of which have never been made available outside of the vinyl releases
2. Stereo mixes of Today, Summer Days, and Smiley Smile - these have been a holy grail for many, including me
3. I would fully expect beautiful, meticulously-replicated packaging per the usual Japanese standard
4. Each album in a separate package, as it should be
5. Potentially (if they ease up on the compression) best-yet remastering

I only hope they get around to Wild Honey and the rest...

[Zach95]

So I may ask for perhaps two of these remasters for my birthday.  If they're released in the United States at a later date, whatever.  I'll already have two.  My question is, for now, which two do you guys suggest I ask for? I'm at a crossroads as to what to choose.

[sea of tunes]

If these never get released in the US, I will eventually get them all from Japan. Someone asked why would we want them, why are we talking about them? Good grief, man. For me there are five main reasons, none of them trivial:

1. Original MONO mixes - many of which have never been made available outside of the vinyl releases
2. Stereo mixes of Today, Summer Days, and Smiley Smile - these have been a holy grail for many, including me
3. I would fully expect beautiful, meticulously-replicated packaging per the usual Japanese standard
4. Each album in a separate package, as it should be
5. Potentially (if they ease up on the compression) best-yet remastering

I only hope they get around to Wild Honey and the rest...

All of these points are 100% spot on.  Anyone that purchased "The Beatles In Mono" can attest to the high quality of the pressings and the attention to detail from Japanese pressings.  Of course if there is a plan to roll these remasters out (ala Beatles '09) they will probably press them here, there and everywhere (no pun intended).  

If these don't make there way to the U.S. I might end up passing on them though, on second thought.  I still am really pleased by all of the releases from 1999 & 2000 that Andrew Sandoval had a hand in mastering.  The Linett two-fers are definitely a little 'overly' compressed and bright but they aren't awful.  

It sure would seem though, that if there is to be a massive remastering push by Capitol/EMI this is the year to do it.  All of those dire forcasts about compact discs sales declining and so many retailers phasing out their cd sections or scaling them down to a nook in the corner; now is the time.

Even if the individual album reamasters do not pan out to be a worldwide thing and only for the Japanese market, we still have a new box set to look forward to.  I can only imagine what they have planned.  Can't wait to find out!

[sea of tunes]

So I may ask for perhaps two of these remasters for my birthday.  If they're released in the United States at a later date, whatever.  I'll already have two.  My question is, for now, which two do you guys suggest I ask for? I'm at a crossroads as to what to choose.

If I do still bite on a few (for a sampling) I was going to go with "Pet Sounds"/"Sunflower" or "Surf's Up".

Linett has had so many cracks at a really great "Pet Sounds"..his best was the 2001 mono/stereo.  But there was still room for improvement.  I would be eager to see (hear) what this one sounds like.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I've no interest at all in going out and buying albums i already own unless there's going to be unreleased tracks and bonus material. Is there?

[JanBerryFarm]

Keeping hopes up for the MONO mix of FRIENDS. Can't wait.

[EgoHanger1966]

Keeping hopes up for the MONO mix of FRIENDS. Can't wait.

Isn't that a foldown?

[Jason]

Keeping hopes up for the MONO mix of FRIENDS. Can't wait.

The closest you'll ever get is the Friends/Little Bird single and the Wake the World B-side on the Do It Again single. The version of Friends released in mono in the UK is the stereo mix collapsed into a single channel. Therefore, not a true mono mix.

[EgoHanger1966]

I've no interest at all in going out and buying albums i already own unless there's going to be unreleased tracks and bonus material. Is there?

New mixes, but not new material. Wait for the box.

[drbeachboy]

I want the mono re-issues of the stereo CDs. I grew up listening to them in mono, but my old albums have been played to death. I would love me some fresh mono.

[obscurereference]

Am I right in thinking that Mark Linnet discovered some masters of Sunflower & Surf's Up late last decade that were of a lower generation than those used on the previous CD releases (some of which made it onto the 'Warmth of the sun' compilation)? I've been searching but can't find any reference to these anywhere - can someone confirm that this is right?

Anyway, assuming I didn't dream this it would be good to have these two albums available from those sources. I'm also excited to have stereo mixes of mono-only albums. For the others I'd probably wait and see what the reaction is on here. If people are raving about how much better they sound I could probably convince myself to buy those, too!

[Alan Smith]

Am I right in thinking that Mark Linnet discovered some masters of Sunflower & Surf's Up late last decade that were of a lower generation than those used on the previous CD releases (some of which made it onto the 'Warmth of the sun' compilation)? I've been searching but can't find any reference to these anywhere - can someone confirm that this is right?

Anyway, assuming I didn't dream this it would be good to have these two albums available from those sources. I'm also excited to have stereo mixes of mono-only albums. For the others I'd probably wait and see what the reaction is on here. If people are raving about how much better they sound I could probably convince myself to buy those, too!

Have a poke around in the Mark L thread - Sunflower vinyl 180g reissue is from a flat master, mislabelled and missing in the vaults for many a year.

On bus, struggling to paste link

Update - quote from Mark L re Sunflower:  BTW the lp was remastered from the newly discovered original flat master of the album which had been mislabeled in the vault for who knows how long. It is likely that this is the  first time since possibly the album's release 40 years ago that this master was used.

Perhaps someday we'll get to see it on CD.........

From here:http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,8506.msg141776.html#msg141776

Some of the big kids might be able to confirm if tracks from the flat master were used on the WOTS comp