Pearl Jam Redux

[Mark Bassett]

Does anyone own the Pearl Jam Redux albums? The remastered version of Ten has completely different takes on it than the original, it was my understanding that they went back and remastered the original, not remixed it. The CD liner notes simply say 'remastered', no mention of remixing or putting in different takes. For the record, the takes they swapped are awful. The solo in Alive is rubbish not only compared to the original but in general, it's out of time and complete bollocks really. The remixed and remastered 're-release' is pumping like crazy, although it does have it's merits in terms of a fuller frequency response, and of course they're removed the verb that was fashionable at the time which makes everything sound 30 feet closer.

So much for comparing the original release to the remaster, I was looking forward to that.

[Kurt]

The re-mastered Megadeth albums suffer a similar revisionist touch. I bought a couple of the remasters 'coz I thought it would be interesting to hear a more "modern" sounding version. Sure they sounded more contemporary but, as with PJ, there were noticeable new vocal and guitar parts.